This is how we like going about getting to know our prospective puppy owners and what to expect until Gotcha Day (the day you pick up your puppy). Please read though all of this information before sending the initial email so you are prepared.
1. INITIAL CONTACT
We prefer you email the answers to our puppy questionnaire (link below) as our initial contact. We will review your answers and get back to you within 48hrs (occasionally it is longer or you may just get an email stating we are away at a show but we try our best to get back to you quickly). You can call or text us if you have not heard back in that time frame as your email might have gone to junk mail.
1. INITIAL CONTACT
We prefer you email the answers to our puppy questionnaire (link below) as our initial contact. We will review your answers and get back to you within 48hrs (occasionally it is longer or you may just get an email stating we are away at a show but we try our best to get back to you quickly). You can call or text us if you have not heard back in that time frame as your email might have gone to junk mail.
2. CALL BACK
This is your time to get to know us as we do not accept visitors at our home until the day you pick up (which helps minimize the chance of bringing diseases onto the property). It is common for people to send the initial email then realize there is a few questions they wanted to ask. Just write them down and we can get to them during this chat which typically takes about 30mins. Also during this call I will let you know what I have (or have coming up) that I think will fit you.
3. COMMITMENT FORM & DEPOSIT
Now is the time for you to send in a deposit and to sign the commitment form (link below). The commitment form should be emailed to [email protected]. The deposit can be made though Venmo.
The balance of the puppy will be paid in full (cash preferred) on the day of pick up, and the formal contract will be signed that day, I will supply the copies. However there is a link below to the contract so that you can read though it and we can answer any questions on it during your call back.
This is your time to get to know us as we do not accept visitors at our home until the day you pick up (which helps minimize the chance of bringing diseases onto the property). It is common for people to send the initial email then realize there is a few questions they wanted to ask. Just write them down and we can get to them during this chat which typically takes about 30mins. Also during this call I will let you know what I have (or have coming up) that I think will fit you.
3. COMMITMENT FORM & DEPOSIT
Now is the time for you to send in a deposit and to sign the commitment form (link below). The commitment form should be emailed to [email protected]. The deposit can be made though Venmo.
The balance of the puppy will be paid in full (cash preferred) on the day of pick up, and the formal contract will be signed that day, I will supply the copies. However there is a link below to the contract so that you can read though it and we can answer any questions on it during your call back.
4. PICKING YOUR PUPPY
Final evaluations are done at 7-8 weeks so no puppy will be promised before that time. Please try your best not to fall in love with any particular puppy prior to this time.
As the puppies grow I work with and watch them interact with the world. As one of the oldest border collie breeders in California I have been breeding Border Collies specifically for almost 20 years and have raised over 70 litters. I live with 20+ dogs and take pride in matching puppies with their new families.
Also I typically try and have more than one litter at a time, this is for several reasons, but the most three important ones are:
Picking Order
First I will tell you how “picking” works then I will let you know a bit more about some things you should consider and some common misconceptions.
I know many people have that great fantasy of taking home the puppy that “picks them” while also wanting a calm easy going companion. Something to note and think about is that dogs are a lot like us. Some days they are full of energy and outgoing and some days they just want to sit around and be lazy. You will only see your pup for a few hours one day so please when I tell you something about him take it to heart as I have been watching, learning and listening to them for weeks. Also I know their mothers, fathers, grand-parents and great-grandparents as well as aunts uncles and half siblings and often I raised them all. This is why you have chosen to come to a breeder because I will know what you will get if properly raised so don’t forget that at the ninth hour because one is cute and chews on your shoes “picking you”. That being said sometimes I see a shy puppy bloom in peoples presence and he/she does actually pick the owner but this is not always the case so just keep an open mind and be detailed about question number one on the questionnaire.
SERVICE DOGS
If you want a service dog then you will NEED to become a full time dog trainer so start reading up! Read everything you can get your hands on. YOU will be able to get help in training but know that a true service dog should be trained primarily by the person he is assisting. Be prepared to be tethered day and night to your puppy for the first year of his life so the two of you grow a heavy bond and learn each others mannerisms as if they were your own.
If you are inquiring about an emotional support service dog prospect we typically recommend an adult dog. The reason is that it is very hard for an unstable person to raise a stable puppy and you both don’t need to have problems - that will help no one.
If you want a dog as medical alert or assistance dog then a puppy is often a good choice IF you have a good trainer lined up who has trained service animals before. Training a service dog is no joke, a love of puppies is not enough to really truly share your every waking moment with a K9 companion. Really be honest with yourself about your needs and the needs of a dog before you try and take on a dog as a service dog.
This being said we have placed a lot of dogs in a variety of service homes and helped in their training so if you are looking for a service dog please share as much about yourself and what you want the dog to help you with as you are comfortable. The more detailed you are, the more realistic you are, and the more we can help pair you with the right puppy.
Final evaluations are done at 7-8 weeks so no puppy will be promised before that time. Please try your best not to fall in love with any particular puppy prior to this time.
As the puppies grow I work with and watch them interact with the world. As one of the oldest border collie breeders in California I have been breeding Border Collies specifically for almost 20 years and have raised over 70 litters. I live with 20+ dogs and take pride in matching puppies with their new families.
Also I typically try and have more than one litter at a time, this is for several reasons, but the most three important ones are:
- I prefer to eval several litters against one another so that we are only keeping the absolute best for the next generation.
- If something were to go wrong and a mother were to get sick I would have another mama to take on her pups (this has not happened to us yet but we have nursed several litters from other breeders so we know about the tragedies that can happen)
- Female dogs (like people) who live together will cycle together
Picking Order
First I will tell you how “picking” works then I will let you know a bit more about some things you should consider and some common misconceptions.
- First pick of any litter always goes to me. Typically I end up keeping one out of every 3 litters I breed as I strive to only keep the very best of the best for the next generation.
- Then if an outside stud is used (very rarely) they will get an option. Typically I try and pay a stud fee instead of a puppy back so this is not often a consideration.
- Preference than goes to service dogs and performance homes as they will need dogs who have the best structure. These homes are also often looking at the most outgoing (or higher drive) puppies.
- Now pet homes. It sounds far down the list but typically the first three are filled with one puppy as I normally place a “pick” puppy in service or performance homes and don’t keep one for myself.
I know many people have that great fantasy of taking home the puppy that “picks them” while also wanting a calm easy going companion. Something to note and think about is that dogs are a lot like us. Some days they are full of energy and outgoing and some days they just want to sit around and be lazy. You will only see your pup for a few hours one day so please when I tell you something about him take it to heart as I have been watching, learning and listening to them for weeks. Also I know their mothers, fathers, grand-parents and great-grandparents as well as aunts uncles and half siblings and often I raised them all. This is why you have chosen to come to a breeder because I will know what you will get if properly raised so don’t forget that at the ninth hour because one is cute and chews on your shoes “picking you”. That being said sometimes I see a shy puppy bloom in peoples presence and he/she does actually pick the owner but this is not always the case so just keep an open mind and be detailed about question number one on the questionnaire.
SERVICE DOGS
If you want a service dog then you will NEED to become a full time dog trainer so start reading up! Read everything you can get your hands on. YOU will be able to get help in training but know that a true service dog should be trained primarily by the person he is assisting. Be prepared to be tethered day and night to your puppy for the first year of his life so the two of you grow a heavy bond and learn each others mannerisms as if they were your own.
If you are inquiring about an emotional support service dog prospect we typically recommend an adult dog. The reason is that it is very hard for an unstable person to raise a stable puppy and you both don’t need to have problems - that will help no one.
If you want a dog as medical alert or assistance dog then a puppy is often a good choice IF you have a good trainer lined up who has trained service animals before. Training a service dog is no joke, a love of puppies is not enough to really truly share your every waking moment with a K9 companion. Really be honest with yourself about your needs and the needs of a dog before you try and take on a dog as a service dog.
This being said we have placed a lot of dogs in a variety of service homes and helped in their training so if you are looking for a service dog please share as much about yourself and what you want the dog to help you with as you are comfortable. The more detailed you are, the more realistic you are, and the more we can help pair you with the right puppy.