Please find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from people making general inquiries about Border Collies.
If you do not find any answers to your questions please contact us via our form mailer
Q. Do you relocate or re-home other peoples Border Collies?
A. No
Q. I would like to come and see the puppies?
A. We usually allow people to see the puppies from 6 to 8 weeks old.
Viewing them at an younger age is of no real advantage as they change so much in that time.
Plus we do not want to place undue stress on the mum which may lead to unwanted complications, like weaning the puppies at too earlier an age.
Weekends are the best time for us, though we do have a range of personal activities and commitments that we like to pursue each weekend.
Please call and make a mutually agreeable time to see the puppies.
If there are any changes to your arrangement to visit, please call us let us know as soon as possible so you can re-schedule a time for your visit.
Q. Victoria from Michigan writes in with "We possess the impossible: an overweight border collie. She's 5. Our other is 2 and perfect weight. How do I take lbs off her but not him?"
Thanks Victoria for your query, we all want our dogs to be in the best possible condition so that they lead healthy and comfortable lives, the one thing we all do not need is for ongoing health issues to set in before their time.... Here are a list of likely causes for an Obese Dog:
Here is a list of potential health problems that your dog may develop when it is obese.
Some dogs, like people have a fast or slow metabolism. This means that a dog with a slow metabolism may eat a small amount of food and will put on weight. Dogs with a fast metabolism may eat lots of food yet struggle to put on weight.
Step 1: Check how plump your dog is.
Firstly You may need to feel each dog and determine how plump they may feel.
We have a Border Collie that has this thick curly coat and she looks overweight yet when one feels her body she is in fact quite slim. So be aware that the coat may cause one to think that one's dog is plump when it is not.
You should be able to feel their ribs without an excess amount fat on this area.
We check our Border Collies often so we can work out how much they should be fed.
Your dog should have a waistline and it's belly should be tucked up. If you have problems working out if your dogs is overweight please consult with your vet and get them to show you how to gauge their condition, also check the recommended weight for your breed of dog.
Step 2: Portion Control
Once you have confirmed that your dog may need to cut back on its daily food intake, you then cut back on the amount of food that you have been giving your dog.
Older dogs only need to be fed once a day.
If you want to feed your dogs tidbits and extras, factor that into the quantity of your dogs daily food allowance.
One of the main things is to feed both dogs separately with individual dishes and to take away their dishes about five minutes after they have been feed.
If the dogs are left unattended at feed times a dominate dog may force the other dog away from their food and eat their food as well thus putting on extra weight.
Because you have two dogs, at different ages, the older dog may require a different diet than the younger dog. There are now available, from dog food manufacturers, a diet for older mature dogs which, has less protein and fat in the diet.
Step 3: Exercising you Dog for Weight Control
To help your dog trim up, you'll need to exercise your dogs daily. This will depend on your households routine, 10 minutes a day is a good start.
Going for walks is good or if your dog loves to fetch the ball them you can throw the ball for them.
If your dog is overweight before going on a exercise routine please consult with your vet on the best routine and diet for your dog.
These are just a few suggestions,be creative, your dog will love the mental stimulation.
Q. Why does my desexed dog mount other dogs?
A. This has nothing to do with mating or the gender of the dog or it if is desexed or not, it is done to assert dominance as in forcing another dog into submission.
Usually its done playfully.
The more dominate a dog is, the more often that this happens.
Once the pack order is completely sorted out this is less likely to occur.
This is one of the ways that dogs use to assert their dominance within the pack.
Q: Do any of your bitches have any trouble whelping?
A: No
Q: How long have you been breeding Border Collie's?
A: Since about 1991
Q: What type of contract items or guarantees are involved when purchasing a puppy?
A: Pedigree puppies are available on main or limited register at our discretion.Puppies will have their first vaccinations and are wormed.
The puppies parents are DNA tested for CEA, CL and the results are clear.
Which means that the puppies are clear of these inherited diseases.
Q: What age do you let the puppies go to their new home?
A: 8 weeks old in accordance to CCCQ rules.
Q: Will be able to send us the names of other puppy buyers as references?
A: Due to privacy reasons for our clients we do not pass on such informati
Q. My puppy is not eating?
A. Can be a number of things.
1. It could be simply that they are not hungry or
2. They can be put off by the heat or
3. Colic or stomach cramp can be caused by eating to much which causes stomach ache sometimes can lead to depression or
4. They just don’t like the food or are not used to it (fussy)
Q. How do you get a dog to be well behaved?
A. Border Collie puppy training is important, If you're a new dog owner then going to basic puppy training classes so that you can become fully trained. Obedience classes will teach YOU how to work with your dog. Understand basic dog behavior and learn dog talk
Begin with teaching your puppy what is acceptable behavior for in and around your home and work on basic obedience like stay, sit and come. Just be consistent and persistent with your boundaries and expectations.
Firstly it is ones own best interest to attend puppy classes to socialise your dog.
We handle the puppies from birth.
Developing a good relationship with your dog is important.
Praising your dog when it does the right thing.
It is easier to reprimand and criticize than to praise.
Q: Will you show me how to show the dog? I am only new to showing and I would like to be successful and gain championships, and If I am not shown how to show a dog I am afraid I will give up.
A: Yes we can show you the basic's but it is up to YOU to follow through and master being a competent handler. Read as much as you can about the rules, develop a good sense of show etiquette and put it into practice as you compete at shows.
You also learn by going to dog shows learning and understanding the showing process and from watching other handlers in the show ring.
Q: Will you co-own a dog that you have sold?
A: Normally no. It can be very inconvenient when any paper work needs to be signed by all parties.
Q: Do you have any puppies available?
A: We are more into our sports with our dogs, we breed to improve the breed and produce progeny that we can compete with. Not for the sake of breeding. Breeding may be at three year intervals or more.