Should we get a Border Collie?

This does not contain everything but a few things to ask yourself are:

Are you looking at BC's and wanting to breed so your kids can experience the miracle of life? Well unless you are experienced and know how to whelp,
have the time and money to raise pups and are ready to keep pups forever if they don't get the right home you are not going to be a good breeder. You
can expect to spend at least a few thousand dollars on a dog before you can breed him or her. You will also need to be a home or have somebody home
for the first few days your pups are born to make sure they are eating well, don't get squished, are staying warm and more. You also need to be prepared
to pay for a c-section, pay for an emergency spay, pups dying, or even pups getting sick. You will need the money for vaccinations, wormings,
supplements, feed, puppy toys and if you work time off to take care of the pups.

Are you are looking for a yard dog? If you are looking for a yard do you should NOT get a Border Collie. Border Collies were bred to work with a Shepard
all day and sometimes all night and they are not bred to be alone all the time. You must be able to spend time with your Border Collie daily.

People who want a Border Collie simply because they are so smart are looking at BC's the wrong way. Brains does not equal easy to live with. An
intelligent dog needs mental stimulation to keep him/her happy. A bored BC is trouble! A Border Collie that is allowed to rule the house will gladly take
that responsibility and will be more than happy to train his/her owners. A BC owners need to be consistent with training.

A person who understands what BC's were originally bred to do and not meant to be couch potatoes. So when your cute little pup attempts to herd your
cat you will understand the importance of correcting this behavior before it becomes a problem. Herding cats, kids, bikes etc is not cute and should not be
allowed.

Are you wanting to breed? Do you understand genetics and the BC? Do you understand the tests for breeding (DNA tests and OFA tests?) Do you have
time to raise pups if there is a problem with the mother and she is unable to feed them? Do you understand there is a chance your female could die from
complications? Do you understand the financial aspect of breeding? You will have huge vet bills and expenses even if your dog never get sick. Do you
have time to feed young pups at least 3 times a day, handle the pups one on one, start the pups training, socialization and more? Do you have a back up
person for emergencies who will help out? Do you like to take trips because you can't leave when you have pups coming, pups on the ground and
sometimes it is just hard to leave because you need reliable people to take care of your dogs while you are gone. Do you have room for pups? What
about pups who may be returned from buyers? Do you have room to rescue? If you can breed you can rescue and all breeders should do their part and
rescue or donate to rescues.

If you are interested in a BC and have seen the ads for "rare colors"? Well let me just tell you a breeder who charges MORE for a pup of a different color
is NOT a good breeder. I have not met ONE good breeder who charges different prices based on color or sex. Now that is not to say breeders do not
charge different prices for non breeders / breeders or to repeat purchasers. Breeders who are breeding for color so that they can charge more I would
never recommend ANYBODY buy from. They are out to make money and not worried about much else. I have never seen one of these color people doing
hip and eye testing. (well they may say they do but they can't provide proof!) My advice is stay away from those breeders! Get a pup based on that pups
temperament not how different the color is. In Border Collies there is NO rare color. There are colors that are not seen as often but they are not rare. Any
breeder who wants to produce color can easily do it if they have basic knowledge of color genetics. Don't be fooled!

Main

ARE YOU PREPARED TO...

1. Take full responsibility for this puppy and provide for all its needs for the next 10 - 17 years?
For buyers with kids please understand this is going to be a family pet so don't expect your children to actually help
out and keep helping out. This is about you the adult. Kids get bored,busy, go off to college etc so once they are
not there to help out are YOU going to take full responsibility for the dog?

For buyers without kids are you prepared to keep your pup if your situation changes and you have children?

2. Make sure your Border Collie is kept in a safe and secure environment. This means your dog isn't left loose in a
non fenced in yard or on your property where he/she can chase other animals. Yes your dog will chase a car,
horse, sheep, goats, cats, other dogs, chickens, birds, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, deer, do I need to go on?
BUY a kennel for when you will be gone or keep your dog in a crate.
OH.. by the way the back of your pickup loose looking over the sides isn't a safe place either.

3. Spend enough time exercising and training a BC so he/she doesn't get bored and exercise himself. (usually with
the help of your neighbors cat!) Training a dog must be done because a Border Collie puppy does not come
trained and you should see training as an investment on your families future with your dog. If you spend time in the
beginning training it will have a huge pay off which will result in a great family companion.

4. Insure your pet is healthy by taking him/her to the vet for health care needs.
(don't forget when you get a puppy not only will you be paying for a pup but it will soon need vet care such
vaccines, wormings, spay/neutering etc)

5. Shedding dog in your house? It will happen buy a brush and use it often. Brushing will help but no matter what
you do a Border Collie will shed.

6. Do you have a game plan for emergencies that may come up with the dog? What about emergencies not dog
related and you need somebody to watch your dog for you?

7. Have you learned about the breed and are you ready for the challenges of living with a Border Collie?

8. Can you resist a cute face and not impulse buy? Wait for the right puppy instead of buying just because.

9. Are you prepared to deal with a breeder and understand his/her desire to keep in contact with you regarding the
pup they have entrusted you to take care of? (if you say No to this don't call me!)

10. Are you ready for a Border Collie?