Finding a responsible dog breeder…

A friend and I were discussing Addi’s new championship title, and she remarked on how nice it is to see a collie with titles on both ends of her name.  This started me thinking, and gave me an idea for a new post about choosing a new puppy or dog breeder.  Thank you Anne for the inspiration!

I have always felt that both the prefix and suffix titles are equally important.  The CH, or Champion title, before a collie’s name proves they meet the breed standard.  Champions are collies that are not only beautiful, but are sound and have all the physical qualities and traits that make them suitable for reproducing the next generation of puppies.  But the championship title isn’t the only thing to consider, the titles at the other end of the name can be just as important when choosing to breed a dog, or purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder.

The titles at the end of a dog’s name are often overlooked, but can provide significant information about the dog, and also about her or his family line.  When you see that the collie has earned performance or working titles, it proves that the collie has the correct temperament and intelligence inherent to the breed.  If you are looking for a puppy that may excel in herding or obedience, then searching for a collie with those titles might be your first step.

In every dog breed you will see less than reputable individuals trying to sell litters on social media.  If you ask to see the puppies’ pedigrees, and they either don’t have one available, or if you see many generations listed in the pedigree without any titles, you may want to look elsewhere for your next puppy.  You should also check with the National club for that dog breed, to see what health testing they recommend, as it is different for each dog breed.  For the collie, you would check with the Collie Club of America, to see what tests they recommend.  If the breeder hasn’t done those tests before breeding their collies, we recommend looking for another breeder.  For collies, they should be tested for MDR1, PRA and DMS.  When all three tests have been performed, the OFA will give the collie a CHIC certification.

The first mission of the CHIC program is to provide recommended guidelines for health testing. If a dog has the required testing submitted to the OFA, it gains the “Canine Health” or CHIC certification, showing that all appropriate testing has been submitted to the public OFA databases. DNA testing results do not have to be clear/normal to obtain CHIC certification. The only implication is that all relevant breed screenings have been submitted. The dogs must also be identified permanently, via a microchip or a tattoo. In addition to the parents having their CHIC certification, collie puppies should also be seen and examined by a certified canine ophthalmologist, and a copy of the test results should be given to the new families.

When looking at the titles and health testing, you will also want to make sure the dog breeder is a member of the National club, as Collie Club of America members have to follow a code of ethics.  We also recommend that the breeder is a member of a local breed club as well, which shows they are actively involved in the breed.  Members of local breed clubs are typically the ones who are involved in hosting dog shows and trials, helping when a collie is in need of rescuing, and promoting the breed by educating the public.

There is a lot to consider when choosing a puppy from a responsible, ethical dog breeder.  Identifying these 4 things should assist you in choosing the right puppy for your family and for your lifestyle:

1) Titles, both the conformation title of champion or Grand Champion, and the performance/working titles found at the end of the dog’s name.

2) Health testing, all breeding dogs should have their CHIC certification from the OFA.  All puppies should be seen by a regular veterinarian and a certified canine ophthalmologist prior to being sold.

3) Membership - the breeder should be a member of both the National and local breed clubs.

4) And ideally, unless they are just starting out, the dog breeders should have earned the title of AKC Breeders of Merit.

It can be difficult to decide on one, specific breeder, but that relationship can be invaluable throughout the dog’s lifetime.  It’s important to choose the right breeder for your new puppy.  The breeder can be a reliable source of information about feeding, training and caring for your collie, and they are always happy to hear updates over the years.  We love seeing pictures of our collies with their new families, watching as they grow, learn new tricks, earn new titles,  celebrate birthdays and just enjoy their lives.  Hopefully this post, and the  others we’ve written, will help you find the preservation breeder that is just right for you.