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Hi, I'm new here! I've been reading up on some of the boards, and I have one question I haven't been able to find an answer to, and maybe there isn't a definitive one. I recently lost my 9 year old border collie rescue (got him at the age of 2) after an almost month long battle with pancreatitis. It sucks, and he left a rather large hole, and things just aren't the same with only my 12 1/2 yr old lab mix as the only dog in the house. So, I've been looking for a reputable BC breeder. I considered other breeds, and ultimately, I just loved so many qualities of the breed and they really are a good fit for us. About us: I take my dog running (well did, my lab is too old), hiking, and we played a lot of frisbee. We go to the lake where the other homeowners on the lake front and us let our dogs run and mingle together and they got along well enough- my BC was a bit of a snob. He was known as the frisbee dog that wouldn't quit out there and everyone loved him. We spend a great deal of time at rodeos and softball/baseball games and tourneys in the summers. I tried to bring my BC several times, but he was very "reactive." He would lunge and snarl at horses, spooking them, and bark incessantly when other dogs were present at these softball/baseball games (or really most places). My 16 year old rodeos, so when we go, we are there for the weekend and sleep in the horse trailer. There are farm dogs everywhere. I now understand this can be part of the breed and I should have managed it much, much earlier. I plan to prevent these behaviors by early, careful, and frequent socialization, which is why I want a puppy to bring home by early summer so I have ample opportunities. We will also be doing puppy classes and going forward, CGC for any new dog in my world. The issue is that we don't live on a farm/acerage with these livestock and horses. My daughter barrel races, and the horses she uses are 30 minutes away at my sister's home. My sister's pit bull has attacked both of my dogs, so I will not take my pup there. I do plan to visit other friends with livestock and horses. So, is it best to pick a BC from a breeder with proven working or farm dogs? That maybe has seen a cow or horse before I've ever brought it home? Or can I pick one from the breeder I like best that trains BC and uses them for agility, obedience, and what not? Is that dog going to potentially be more reactive in these situations? Thanks for taking my rookie question

Hello! I live in The Netherlands and I am planning to move to Idaho. However, I have always wanted an Australian Red Border Collie. I found a great breeder in Belgium a while ago, but since I want to move to the United States it wouldn't be an option. Does anyone of you know if there are Australian Red breeders in or near Idaho? Thanks in advance!

hi. i am starting to look ahead to a new bc pup, and my preference is to find one from the same bloodlines as my current dog. he was bred by debbie george at away2me farms, and is from her mr. smut dog and a female named syd bred by nyle sealine. unfortunately, it appears that debbie is no longer breeding dogs from those same bloodlines. i'd appreciate it if anyone could point me towards breeders that might be breeding dogs descended from smut or from nyle sealine's dogs (i believe ben and moss were the most prominant dogs in the pedigree of my dog's mother). ideally a breeder using both bloodlines, but i imagine i'll be lucky to find one with one or the other.

Hello Team BC! I must once again draw from the pack wisdom of the group. As suggested in many forums, and after much hemming and hawing, I contacted Dwight at Blue Ridge Border Collies, a ranch that also breeds working dogs. I explained that I was looking for a dog on the lower end of exercise and energy range to be a companion pet, and did he know of a dog of any age like that looking for a home. He said he had a six month old pup he had traded one of his $800 puppies for that he's looking to sell. He described the dog as very level, quiet, calm, and not having any of those obsessive quirks that border collies sometimes have. I don't think he's been started on herding (or maybe he wasn't cut of for it?). Anyway, I'm going to meet him next week! I also contacted Red River Border Collies in TX, but they seemed really eager to send me off with a 8 week old puppy, no questions asked, which made me a bit wary. Has anyone worked with Dwight before? He seemed like a stand up guy. Are there any specific things I should look for during my visit? Any questions I should ask? I'm definitely asking about exercise requirements, how he is alone, and whether I can bring him back in the event of a catastrophe. What do you think?? This has been such an ongoing process and I feel like I finally did it the right way. Comments for other non-working types looking for a BC: I was totally scared to call farm/ranch people (as so many on these forums suggest) to ask about their dogs because I though they'd look down on me for wanting one of their crazy amazing work dogs to be a cuddle buddy in the city. O contraire! They we very friendly and open, and listened to what I was looking for in a dog, and genuinely wanted to help me make a good match. Moral of the story: city pup, don't be scared to talk to you friends the country pup. Disclaimer: I have also spent a LOT of time trying to get a dog from a rescue, but of the three in my area, only one wants anything to do with me (I was basically told "no foster parent is going to approve you because you live in an apartment" and I straight up never heard from the other after multiple emails). If only I lived near Glen Highland Farm; I'd be a certified rescue dog hoarder by now! And I kind of have a dog deadline since I want to spend my last year as a student bonding with him while I still have so much free time, and before the realities of moving/full time job hit in.

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a BC puppy from a good breeder in the South to be a companion pet. Any advice and recommendations is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Kendra

Thanks for taking the time to review my board. I am in the very early stages of starting my own breeding program. I have researched border collies extensively and have looked at multiple breeders from mainly herding lines. I have researched some from performance lines and I have come across Lock-Eye Border Collies on a few of the pedigrees. Does anyone have experience with this breeder? I contacted her asking what sports/activities she did with her current breeding stock and have had no response. In my opinion in order to better the border collie it is important to WORK that dog. She seems to breed for color instead of ability and she breeds large amounts of dogs. I've also noticed that when I contacted her she has a waiting list arranged by 'color' people want versus what traits/goals they want to accomplish with the dog. Just curious on the feedback, good and bad. Thank you in advance for your time.

Hello, I know there have been many posts about breeders on here and I have gotten useful information but still need a breeder! We have been looking for about 2 years and have gone to 3 trials (Rochester NY) but can't find anyone actively breeding. I have a few names but no one returns my calls. We have been fostering dogs and next spring would really like to add a purebred puppy to our family. We know there are great rescue dogs (we've helped many BC find homes) and have fostered many puppies as well. We will continue to foster but want to add a working bred border collie puppy to the family. Most of the breeders in my area are sport or have dogs that are skinny with horrible gaits etc. Look at Glen Highland Farms Flat Creek dogs that just came in. No way I'm going to a breeder with dogs so un sound looking. (ps. not that those dogs shouldn't find good homes but I wouldn't support a breeder with dogs like that) Does anyone know a working breeder who is planning a litter for spring 2015? I'm willing to travel. We are looking at Thompsons Farms VA or Culleymont Farms PA but they haven't responded either. Please don't suggest a rescue as I work with one and know of the many wonderful options there but want to go through a breeder. Thanks so much for any information!!!

Hi all. I've been reading this forum for several weeks but this is my first post. The information I've found here has been quite helpful. I am looking for my first border collie pup and have done many hours of reading everything I can find and watching videos on youtube on everything pertaining to the breed. My new pup will be a companion as well as possibly a service dog. I plan to do lots of obedience training and maybe some obedience trails. The most important things to me are intelligence and willingness to learn (and not too active for the breed). I have been searching for breeders and have been looking at G Force Border Collies. Has anyone had any experience with or knowledge of them? I remember reading one topic of a new pup obtained from them on this forum. Here is a link to the website: http://www.gforcebordercollies.com Thanks.

I am new to the BC board. I am looking for a good breeder around the Iowa area for a BC puppy. Also any information on trainers in my area would be great. I have looked throughout the BC Boards on what to look for but I am having a hard time finding a good breeder. Thanks