Breeding Policy
NEBCA
Breeding Policy
NEBCA advocates the breeding of healthy and genetically sound dogs of proven temperament and working (herding) ability.
A successful breeding program balances the incorporation of desired working (herding) characteristics with the identification and exclusion of deleterious traits. In addition, puppies should be well placed in their new homes and a breeder’s output should not consistently exceed demand.
Elements of a successful breeding program include maintaining healthy parents; identification and exclusion of genetic disorders; enhancement of desirable working traits; evaluation of offspring, and insuring puppy health.
Pre-Breeding Health
Breeding animals should be current on vaccinations and free from infectious and contagious disease, including brucellosis. A well- vaccinated dam provides crucial immunity to her nursing puppies. Dogs should be tested for heartworm disease and intestinal parasites and, where appropriate, be on heartworm preventative. Most flea and tick products cannot be safely used on pregnant and nursing females.
Bitches should not be bred on their first heat. Bitches older than 7 or 8 years of age can have increased risk of problems during pregnancy. Females not used for breeding should be spayed to reduce the risk of mammary cancer, accidental litters and uterine infection (pyometritis). It is important to keep records of a bitch’s cycles. For 3-8 weeks after heat they are at risk for developing pyometritis. This is a life threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. A bitch can be safely spayed 3 months after she finishes heat.
Genetic Disorders
Diseases that should concern breeders of working border collies include, but are not limited to, canine hip dysplasia (CHD); epilepsy ; temperament problems; cryptorchidism (undescended testicles); collie eye anomaly/choroid hypoplasia (CEA/CH) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Minimum standards for selection of breeding stock should include screening or testing for these genetic disorders in both sire and dam; and beyond that, constant vigilance for the appearance of these disorders in one’s breeding lines.
Both parents should be free from all signs of genetic disease. Breeders should be able to offer radiographic evidence that both parents are free from CHD. This can be obtained through submission of radiographs to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, PennHip, or equivalent evaluation by a veterinary radiologist. Eye exams by a veterinary opthalmologist should be done regularly on sire and dam; and, unless dam and sire are known to come from CEA/CH normal parents a DNA test should be performed to determine CEA status. Diseases for which the mode of inheritance are not fully understood such as epilepsy or behavioral issues must be approached conservatively. Breeders are urged to remove questionable dogs from their breeding programs.
Working Traits
Beyond the identification and exclusion of undesirable traits in our dogs, breeding programs should develop the qualities and traits we desire in our dogs. A breeder’/handler’s vision of the ideal working partner will be determined by individual tastes and the jobs at hand. These individual differences in “taste” create diversity which is essential in maintaining the versatility of these splendid working dogs. One’s ideal border collie may be a life long pursuit. Along the way one will encounter many other worthy dogs. That said, desirable traits include power, balance, endurance, longevity and durability, intelligence and athleticism, courage and loyalty, biddability. and enthusiasm for the job.
Record Keeping
Evaluation of offspring is essential to improvement of breeding lines. It is suggested that breeders keep a record of where their pups have been placed and maintain at least a good faith agreement with the buyer. This agreement has two parts: 1) buyers are encouraged to report any problems to the breeder ; 2) breeders are encouraged to disclose genetic problems found in a litter to owners. Only through honest evaluation of our breeding stock and their offspring will we improve the Border collie. Feedback from owners is essential to a responsible breeding program.
Suitable homes should be sought for all puppies. Border collies are not for the average pet owner. Pet homes need to be screened carefully to be sure the buyer understands what border collies require for care and maintenance. This is a breed with a high rate of surrender to rescue organizations. Breeders who find their puppies end up in rescue with any frequency need to re-evaluate their role as a breeder.
Puppy Health
A bitch needs a clean, warm, dry, quiet space for whelping where she can be observed but also left alone. Puppies should behoused in a warm, dry, clean and ventilated space. They should be examined for intestinal parasites (fecal sample) and given their first inoculation for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus before they go to their new owners. They should not leave home until 7 weeks of age. The first 7 weeks are crucial for proper social development. They should be handled and well socialized.
A veterinary examination by the new owner’s veterinarian is advisable within a few days of purchase. The veterinarian can then recommend a program of vaccination and annual health care for the pup including heartworm testing and prevention, flea and tick control, appropriate vaccinations and potential neutering.
To The Buyer
Do your homework. There are many litters available from responsible breeders. Decide what your needs are. Will you work the dog or will the dog be a pet/companion? Do you have 600 sheep or 12? Find out what the parents are like. Watch them work. If you seek a trial dog find out who trained the parents and what they are like to handle. Is this likely to be a dog you will have success training and handling? A dog that suits a seasoned open competitor might not suit someone with less experience. Decide if you like the temperament of the parents. Find out if there are any offspring of similarly bred litters in your area.
A responsible breeder will keep good records. Do not hesitate to ask to see the results of hip and eye exams, or pedigrees. Established breeders will have owner names for previous puppy placements from which you can choose names to contact. A puppy is a long term commitment. Choosing wisely from the start is the only responsible option.
