Border Collie Puppy & Sheepdog Information Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Puppies UK Rehome a Border Collie Puppy

Border Collie Information FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Page updated Wednesday 7th May 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a puppy?
Who can buy a puppy from you?
How much do the pups cost?
How can I reserve a puppy or dog?
How can I pay for a puppy or dog?
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Can I reserve a puppy before it's born?
What will your puppies be like when they grow up?
Can I meet your dogs?
Should I choose a dog or a bitch?
Do you care about your dogs?
Can I improve the chances of my application?

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't have sheep, can I buy a puppy?
Are border collies good with children?
What do you look for in a puppy application?
Do you vaccinate your pups?
Are your pups wormed properly?
Should I insure my dog or puppy?
Can you refuse to sell me a puppy if I've paid for it?
Why should I tell you the bad points about the home I'm offering a dog?
What if I need to rehome my dog?
Can a working dog make a good pet?
What happens if I bring my dog back?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have pick of the litter?
Can I buy two puppies?
Can I buy a puppy if I'm seriously overweight or disabled?
What if I don't like my puppy or dog when I get it home?
Are your puppies and dogs Kennel Club registered?
Are your puppies and dogs ISDS registered?
What is the ISDS?
Are your dogs DNA Tested?

Are your dogs Hip Scored?
Are your dogs Eye Tested?

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A. We have very high standards and we like to make absolutely sure our dogs or puppies are going to active, caring homes, where both dog and owner can be happy together.

Please email us with brief, clear details to give us a good picture of the sort of home and lifestyle your dog will have. Including the working and weekend patterns of yourself and your partner if you have one. Be sure to tell us if you have any specific requirements. Be very honest and we will do our best to help and advise you. PLEASE do not write a long email, we're very busy and we receive a huge number of requests for puppies, so if we don't have time to read your email, it will get overlooked.

A. Anyone who can provide an active, happy and healthy environment for the dog! Of course we like to see our pups go to work sheep (after all, that's what they're bred for) but we also appreciate that some farmers keep dogs in appalling conditions. We're more than willing to let them go for obedience or even pets if they'll be kept active. It's certainly worth asking for a pup if you want it as a pet - as long as you can give it a secure, active, happy and healthy life.

A. It's true that our dogs love to work but they also make wonderful pets. The number one priority in their lives is to be with their owner. Believe it or not, I can take twenty or so dogs into a field of sheep and they'll totally ignore them because they know they are in "play" mode and we don't allow sheep chasing in groups. I can even leave them in the field and provided the sheep stay in the corner, the dogs will continue to ignore them for up to an hour. And as if that weren't enough proof, while I'm out of the field, the dogs will (mostly) wait patiently by the gate for my return. Border Collie sheepdogs can be the gentlest, most affectionate, clean and loyal dogs you'll ever meet.

A. NO. We always have first choice of the puppies. We're sheepdog trainers, and we primarily breed puppies to work sheep but we can't train a whole litter at one time, so we normally keep one or two pups from a litter and sell the rest to help pay our way. We will always choose the puppy we think will make the best sheepdog. Of course, we try to keep everyone happy, but if we happen to choose the puppy you like best, that's just the way it goes.

A. We're very happy to see our dogs go to farming homes where we know they will be properly looked after and valued. But let's face it, some farmers keep their dogs in disgusting conditions. In actual fact, we're just as wary if a farmer asks for a sheepdog or puppy as we are with any other application. Border Collies can have fabulous lives if they never set eyes on a sheep, so we're more interested to find out how active and well cared for your dog will be, than whether you have sheep or not.

A. You should never leave any dog of any breed alone with a young child.
Border Collies are no better or worse than any other dog when it comes to children - mostly they're absolutely fine, but you can never be totally certain, so it's just not worth the risk.
Having said that, are your children good with dogs? In our opinion, dogs get the blame even if the child has done something dreadful like poking its finger into the dog's eye. Properly supervised of course, our dogs get on very well with (well behaved) children.

A. We care very much indeed about our dogs' welfare, especially after they leave here. So we do our very best to ensure they go to good homes. If you just ask us to sell you one without giving the information we need, we'll simply refer you to this page and ask you to read it properly. If you've studied this website and still need convincing that we really care for our dogs, we recommend you watch our 80 minute DVD (or Video).

A. When making a puppy application, remember that we have little or no control over the puppies we get, so the more specific your requirements, the less chance of finding a puppy here. We rarely have merles or red dogs, but we sometimes have tri-colour dogs. The more fussy you are about gender, markings, coat length (rough or smooth) coat colour (black and white, tri colour, red and white, red merle, blue merle) dog size, ear carriage (pricked or lop ears) or even eye colour (the occasional dog has one or even two blue [wall] eyes) the more your chances will be reduced.

A. If you'd like to know what our pups will be like when they're grown up, we recommend you watch our DVD (or Video). But really, once your puppy leaves here, it's behaviour is largely down to you. If you treat the pup in a calm but firm manner, you will have a calm, well behaved dog. But if you or your children encourage the dog to get excited all the time, and let it do as it please, you're going to get a badly behaved "hyper" dog.

A. A short while ago, we produced a wonderful DVD about our dogs. It's called Border Collie Sheepdogs - Off Duty!
If you apply for a puppy, buying the DVD won't actually influence the outcome of your application but it will give you a first class insight into what our dogs are really like. It will also show us that you care enough to want to know as much as possible about our dogs and the way we treat them, so watching the DVD's a good start. Of course where possible, we like successful puppy applicants to visit us and meet the dogs in person but the DVD's a great first step.

A. We find it annoying to receive a very short email saying "w e want to buy one of your pups - how much are they?". We're very happy to tell you the price. Our pups currently sell for £300 to £500 (GBP - that's approximately 600 to 1000 USD) but such emails suggest to us that you're first priority is price, rather than the welfare and suitability of the puppy for your home. Of course, we realise that price can be a problem to some people but we don't like to see it at the top of your priority list, so if you apply for a puppy, try to tell us as much as you can about the sort of life and home you can offer it, so that we can give you the best advice and make an accurate decision.

A. We appreciate that many overweight and disabled dog owners can give dogs a great life and we're very happy to listen to what you have to say about the way you would keep a dog. Having said that, up to the moment of collection we reserve the right to refuse to supply a puppy or dog if we have any reason whatever to suspect they might be unable to look after it properly. This applies to all applicants, large or small. Our dogs need physical and mental stimulation. If they don't get it, they'll make their own entertainment - and you may not like the result.

A. If we sell you a dog, it's a condition of the sale that if you need to rehome the dog for any reason, you offer it back to us first. We don't want our puppies to go to people who don't want them and we realise that occasionally things won't work out or circumstances may change, so within 30 days of the collection date, we're prepared to give you a full refund of the dog or puppy price (but not veterinary checks, microchipping etc) if you bring it back in good health. After 30 days, we will still take the dog back if we possibly can but we will negotiate a refund amount.

A. First, we look for honesty - so be prepared to be asked questions. Then we try to decide who will genuinely give the dog an active life. By this, we don't mean fifteen mile runs morning and evening - we're more interested in the dog being able to use its mind. If you can provide a happy, healthy and disciplined environment for your dog, with plenty of exercise and above all, human company, you're the sort of owner we're looking for!

A. There's not much difference really. Unless you want to breed your own border collie puppies, we see no valid reason for insisting on a bitch pup. Dogs are just as wonderful as bitches, equally house-trainable and clean. In our experience, dogs are cleaner in the house than bitches. Bitches come into season - but dogs can be a pain if there's a bitch in season nearby. Bitches also ruin the grass on your lawn. After dogs have established their heirarchy, most inter-dog aggression we experience here is between bitches! We also think dogs can be more of a "character" than bitches.

Because people have abused our trust in the past, we now only take reservations from people who've paid (normally in full) for a puppy. This is to make certain people will tell us if they've changed their mind. The only exception to this is when the puppies are not yet born (see below).

A. Subject to approval, we will take (on a strict first-come basis) paid reservations for a total of two male and two female unborn pups (1 puppy per applicant).
Once this total has been reached, further reservations for unborn pups in that litter will have to be unpaid reservations. A few days after the whelping (whelping is when the puppies are born) we will contact anyone who has an unpaid reservation and if puppies are available, invite them to confirm their reservation by paying. Of course, if your choice doesn't materialise you can choose between a full refund, or an early reservation on another litter if one's available.

A. YES! If you change your mind (for any reason whatever) the payment for the puppy is fully refundable without question. (We don't want our puppies to go to people who don't want them). Extra payments, such as for veterinary checks, microchipping etc at your request, are not refundable if you cancel. Up until a month after you collect your puppy, if you are not entirely happy with your purchase, please bring it back for a full refund (subject to the above and the pup or dog being in good health).

A. If you really care about the pup you're applying for, you'll tell us the good and the bad points. We think far more of an application which points out possible negative issues (such as long working hours) and asks our opinion, than we do of those which gloss over such things in the hope that we won't find out. We'd like you to have a puppy, and if we can help we will. And if you REALLY care, you'll be grateful even if we point out the home you're offering isn't suitable.

A. Reservations can be paid by cheque (UK bank only - our bank won't process foreign cheques) PayPal, Cash (GBP) or Bank Transfer (GBP).

Payment must be made in full before or at the time of collection. We will not accept cheques at the time of collection.

A. As our puppies normally leave here at 8 weeks, we do not vaccinate or microchip them. It's advisable to make an appointment for your new puppy to be checked by a vet very soon after you collect it. This is an ideal time to give the pup its first vaccination. We vaccinate all our adult dogs but we don't have vaccination certificates for them, so if you buy an adult dog from us, you should consult your vet if you intend to insure the dog.

A. All our dogs are wormed properly using Panacur liquid. The pups are wormed (at 2, 5 & 8 weeks) and the bitch is wormed daily from day 40 of her pregnancy (again with Panacur liquid) until two days after whelping. Apart from this, we encourage the pups to get outside as soon and as much as their age and the weather permits so that they can build up their immune system and become strong, healthy puppies.

A. We don't cover any costs whatever after a puppy or a dog leaves here, so please be sure to take immediate steps to cover veterinary fees and other costs for your new dog. Many people take out pet insurance, but we know others who invest a similar amount each month in an interest account, in the hope that it will build up enough to cover and veterinary fees that occur. This is a gamble, but so is insurance. Arguably, if you choose the investment route, you should save quite a useful sum of money if your dog stays healthy.

A. If we sell you a dog or a puppy, it is on the strict understanding that if you need to rehome the dog for any reason whatsoever, you will offer it to us first. For as long as we are possibly able to, we will always take back any dog that we have sold.

If you your application is successful, you will be asked to sign an official form to this effect.
Depending on the circumstances (it's never happened yet) we reserve the right to ask you to make a contribution towards the care of the dog if you bring it back.

A. Occasionally, things don't work out (for a variety of reasons) and a dog comes back to us. The first thing we do with the dog is allow it to settle down and make friends with our other dogs. Then we assess the dog and decide what to do with it. If the dog has been a pet and is well behaved, we will usually look for a good home for it, but if we feel it would be happier as a sheepdog, we'll train it to work sheep and then find it a really good home on a farm.
Depending on the circumstances (it's never happened yet) we reserve the right to ask you to make a contribution towards the care of the dog if you bring it back.

A. Yes. We can cancel your reservation at any time. In the interest of our dogs' welfare, we reserve the right to refuse to sell a puppy at any time and for any reason, even if you've paid. In this (very unlikely) event, you would of course, receive a full refund of the puppy price. We normally only refund the puppy price but in the case of our refusing to sell you a puppy, we would also refund any payments made to us in respect of any costs incurred by us on your behalf (such as microchip or pet passport costs).

A. Subject to our approval of your application for a dog or puppy, we'll invite you to visit us.

We're approximately 15 - 20 minutes from Junctions 5 and 6 on the M5 (United Kingdom) but you'll need our excellent directions even if you have GPS, as postcode directions take you to the farm next door - about a mile away!

A. Hip displasia is extremely rare in working sheepdogs. We believe this is due to the fact that working dogs, particularly ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) registered dogs are bred mainly for fitness, stamina, intelligence and their work drive. If you compare this with a predominantly show-oriented organisation who's main criteria for breeding appears to be looks alone, you may understand why we don't feel it necessary (or worthwhile) hip scoring at the present time. We are always prepared to listen to anyone who has evidence to the contrary though.

A. All our adult dogs are ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) registered. All those over two years of age are fully eye tested for CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy).

All ISDS registered puppies that we breed ourselves are eye tested at 6 weeks of age. We have never yet had a failure.

A. No. DNA testing is something we intend to learn more about and possibly undertake in the near future.

We would appreciate comments from qualified people with experience and knowledge of DNA testing.

We understand ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) registration is recognised by the Kennel Club (for anyone who feels the need).

A. The dogs that we breed from are ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) registered and normally their puppies are ISDS registered too.

We understand ISDS registration is recognised by the Kennel Club (for anyone who feels the need for KC registration).

A. The ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) is a member organisation and registers over 6,000 Border Collie pups every year on behalf of its members. The ISDS Number and Dog Certificate are a guarantee of pedigree that, for most dogs, can be traced back over 100 years. The ISDS also organises the National Sheepdog Trials for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales that take place each Summer, along with the International (four nations) Trial. Every three years, the society stages the World Trials.

A. If you already have a well behaved dog and you'd like a second one, that's a great idea, both for you and your dog but you should avoid buying two puppies at the same time (particularly litter-mates). Two pups will bond with each other, rather than with you and this can make them very difficult to train properly - unless you have lots of spare time and are prepared to train the young dogs seperately. It's a far better idea to have one puppy, and then after six or better still, twelve months or more, when your first dog is really nicely under control, buy a second pup. You'll then find the first dog will help you train the second one!

Please feel free to ask for more information:
Call 01886 888917 (UK WORKING HOURS) or EMAIL US

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