jbridges

We are looking and in no hurry for our fourth Border girl. Perhaps a breeder with a low pressure pup, not enough drive to work stock. We propose to add as a puppy, so she will grow up with our Kuvasz boy, our other Border girl, and two cats. First was Agnes Rodgers' Miss Billie Mags, followed by Bess from Phoenix Rising rescue (both long gone) and the current girl, Bonnie also from Phoenix Rising. Bonnie is healthy but showing her (unknown) age. We can trace her from about 2010, but she was a street dog in South Carolina before that so we don't know. We guess she's currently 14 or so. We have 2 acres fenced out of 2 1/2, the dogs go out when they request and live underfoot the rest of the time. We feed in their crates but otherwise they have the run of the house except the 'cat room' where the cats can retire when they wish - both like our dogs. Our dogs all progress at least to CGC in formal training classes with the Lake Lanier Obedience Club , some have gone further. An addition will be taken to the CGC level, and might go a bit further to do some Obedience or Rally. Herding is probably beyond us at our age, so a low pressure girl would be the best fit. If anybody knows or hears of a possible fit, please contact us at jhbridges@ymail.com or (770) 965-6120. The voice mail takes about ten rings to discourage robocalls, be patient. Johnny - Paula Bridges Braselton, Ga.

Of our three the first came from Ms Rodgers on Lookout Mountain from her Tara, Rodgers' Miss Billie Mags. She raised our Kuvasz puppies for 14 years. The next and the current both came from Phoenix Rising rescue. Bess lasted 12 years, Bonnie is with us, we believe about 7 or so. Since she went to her first home as a street dog, true age isn't know. For Bess and Bonnie, we asked PRBCR to keep a lookout for a low pressure girl. Bess was a failed herder who worked out quite well. Bonnie shows street smarts, and excitement when it'[s indicated, the rest of the time she's the close dog. Doesn't want in your lap, just close. Sleeps by the bed, not on it uless invited and even then leavs before she goes to sleep. We've had excellent luck with rescues. We visited the fosters and met both dogs, and introduced our current Kuvasz each time. The girs assimilated without problems. In the current case, Bonnie's fosters spent the afternoon with us and the dogs. The rescue sent a home inspector when we got Bess, since we knew the previous owner well. With that process, I recommend rescues. Breed rescues will know more about the dog,but shelters are also a good place to look. While I'm not opposed to going and getting a puppy, I wouldn't have one shipped, nor when I was breeding (co breeder) we wouldn't ship puppies. You didn't get one of our puppies without visiting and letting the dogs vet you. My co-breeder said a couple of times, people visited and after a bit of visit, their deposit was returned because they just weren't suitable or in a suitable situation. Short answer- go for the rescue.

consider the basis of the problem of the 'substandard breeder'. It stems from the fact there is more demand for Border Collies than there are dogs being produced by reasonable breeders. The gaps is filled by volume breeders who may or may not use good breeding practices. Hollywood probably is as guilty as anything... ask the Dalmatio people - who would happily march on Disney and burn the place down. My other breed is Kuvaszok, we were just all happy nobody went to see the second "Homeward Bound"picture which had one in it. I Steward dog shows and I see two breeds called Border Collies deoending if I'm working a Conformation ring or a Performance ring. Frankly, the Conformation lines make way better pets in my opinion.