- Breeding Philosophy
When I was first getting into Border Collies, I wanted a healthy working companion. I quickly found out that most working breeders do not health test their dogs, which gave me a conundrum. I was determined I wanted a true working dog, and because of the extreme difficulty in breeding that into dogs that don't already have it, I wasn't willing to buy a pet or sporting dog which, although it would be health tested, would put me back years/decades in being able to produce a working dog for my own use. I decided to take the risk and bought a completely untested, working line Border Collie. As luck would have it, that dog (Jinger) is 100% panel clear AND is a wonderful working dog and the best companion I could ask for. I truly got very lucky and count myself extremely blessed that my chance turned out so well.
However, moving forward, I don't want people to have that same conundrum. I want to be a source for true working dogs who are also health tested and of a sound temperament. (While most working dogs in general have a good temperament, some breeders have no qualms about breeding aggressive dogs as long as they are good workers.)
However, moving forward, I don't want people to have that same conundrum. I want to be a source for true working dogs who are also health tested and of a sound temperament. (While most working dogs in general have a good temperament, some breeders have no qualms about breeding aggressive dogs as long as they are good workers.)
- Puppy Rearing
I try to combine the knowledge we have in raising well rounded pet and service dogs into raising all types of dogs. If it benefits any group, it only holds that it should benefit all groups! Just because the pups are raised outside and destined to be stock dogs is no reason why they shouldn't be raised with the same stimulation, exposure, enrichment, and training as dogs that are raised indoors and destined for pet homes.
Yes, my puppies are raised outside in the barn/kennel. Fall, winter, and spring litters are born in an insulated, heated building, and acclimated to the outdoors as they grow, depending on the weather. I don't follow the program to the T so can't say I am a Puppy Culture breeder, but I do loosely raise my puppies on Puppy Culture and Avidog principles.
This includes:
Yes, my puppies are raised outside in the barn/kennel. Fall, winter, and spring litters are born in an insulated, heated building, and acclimated to the outdoors as they grow, depending on the weather. I don't follow the program to the T so can't say I am a Puppy Culture breeder, but I do loosely raise my puppies on Puppy Culture and Avidog principles.
This includes:
- desensitization to various noises, objects, and surfaces as soon as they are able to hear and move around
- teaching puppies to use their brains with training and challenges
- beginning to teach puppies self control at a young age
- utilizing all kinds of different objects as toys for a more stimulating and enriching environment (When you see yogurt cans and things in the puppy pen no, we aren't just using the puppy pen as a trash can!)
- raising puppies on our food aggression prevention program
- getting puppies started on crate training
- bringing puppies for car rides
- and my favorite, litterbox training!
- Care of Breeding Dogs
My breeding dogs are my friends and partners, not just puppy makers who live in kennels or only come out to work. Besides stock work and training, my dogs do chores with me daily, go on walks/runs, swimming, and sometimes even get to be my companions when I go to town/events. Each dog receives training so that they are generally well behaved around the yard. I also love to train tricks, so most dogs also know a variety of cute and useful tricks. I try to be very hands on with the puppies I raise, including training them for their meals instead of just feeding them(practice what you preach! ;) ) When I can't be out with them, the dogs are in 10x10 runs with insulated dog houses. I try to make sure all dogs have nylabones, kongs, or raw bones/meat to chew on and entertain themselves in their kennels.