A lot of people get their Border Collie pup from a Farm, because often they are sold cheap.  It's worth remembering that these dogs will have come from working parents, so the likelihood of them having a strong working instinct is high.  The pups will not have been health checked, and most farmers just want rid of the pups as soon as possible so that they can get the bitch back working the field as soon as possible.  Only buy from a farm if you really know what you're doing, or actually want a farm dog to work sheep.

 People often turn to breeders in order to get the 'ultimate' puppy.  IF this is definitely the route you want to go through, make sure that you research the breeder and make sure they are reputable.  You should also ask if the pups have been "hip scored" and had all eyesight / hearing tests.  They should also be vaccinated, flea treated and wormed.  A reputable breeder will not let you take a puppy before they are 8 weeks old.  There is a crucial time between 3-8 weeks where a pup is learning it's manners from it's mum - taking the puppy away too soon can affect their behaviour and socialisation skills.

There are breeders who breed a "merle" dog with another "merle" dog to produce a very cute fluffy mainly white collie.  This is irresponsible breeding, as puppies in those litters are often born deaf - and the breeders are well aware of the risks.   DO NOT buy puppies from these breeders, as the deaf ones are often sent to rescue centres, or even put to sleep.  Breeding dogs when you know that some of them will be put to sleep or sent into rescue is a terrible thing to do.

These puppies are often taken from their mothers before they are 8 weeks old.  As was mentioned before, this is a crucial time where a pup is learning about the world from it's mum - taking the puppy away too soon can affect their behaviour and socialisation skills.  Not only that, but these puppies can often develop serious medical problems such as epilepsy.  

Similarly, there are Pet Superstores who 'stock' puppies get their animals from Puppy Farms - and they will have the same problems.

If you buy a dog from a puppy farm or an unscrupulous pet superstore, you're simply encouraging a horrid fate on thousands of innocent dogs.

Rescue Centres often pick up the mess left behind by puppy farms, irresponsible breeders or owners that can't cope with their puppies.  If you go to your local rescue centre, you can ask about the pups, and often they will have been Vet checked, have vaccinations, worming, etc.  By taking in a rescue pup, you're helping the rescue centre help more dogs in need.  For Border Collies, it is advisable that you contact a Border Collie specific rescue (you can find some on the links page) - sometimes 'all-breed' rescues, although they do a great job, don't fully understand the unique behaviour of the Collie dog.

Much like the rural dogs, the pups will not have been health checked, and most BYBs want rid of the pups as soon as possible.  If you must buy a puppy from a BYB or newspaper Ad, ask plenty of questions and make sure that you really know what you're doing.  NEVER buy a puppy from these sorts of sources, unless you have seen the puppy with it's mum, and you are 100% confident about the owners and breeders.

The advice given in this site is no way to be taken as a replacement for professional advice either by a Veterinarian or a Behaviourist. Situations of individual animals vary greatly, and what causes problems in one Collie can be different for another.  If you would like one-to-one advice, then please get in touch by using the 'contact us' link.  This site ©2004 Border Collie SOS.