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Likely to have or develop social problems - congenital and conditioned. Most likely to develop socially linked behavioural problems including aggression. Also probably collie cross of some sort. Pedigree information is often unavailable and if available is sometimes false.  .

Unfortunately, because these problems are inherent or congenital, they predetermine the quality, course and extent of the dogs life and therefore negate the benefits and whole point of raising a pup.

Most likely to develop obsessive behavioural problems due to frustration, including possessiveness and aggression. Also more likely to develop hyperactive behaviour due to over stimulation in a pet environment.

Unfortunately, because these problems are inherent or conditioned, they predetermine the quality, course and extent of the dogs life and therefore negate the benefits and whole point of raising a pup. 

More info in the Breed Advice/The Working Sheepdog section of our website.

Privately bred pup - very hit and miss. It depends on the quality of the bloodlines and the skill of the breeder.

Unregistered (or registered) pups from registered parents are a better choice. For the parents or pups to be registered, the parents must be registered and eye screened and cleared. The pedigree can be researched and information about temperament and working ability in previous generations Etc, can be obtained and considered. 

However, there still remains the problem of the skill of the breeder. Registered breeders use registered bloodlines. Sometimes these bloodlines can develop certain less desirable characteristics due to an overzealous inbreeding program in past generations. A pre-disposition towards timid and fearful behaviour is a common example of this. 

Many of these 'less stable' offspring are sold on and then bred from by members of the public - sometimes deliberately for profit. Pedigree papers can be forged. This is also a high risk area. 

More information on our website - Breed Advice/Roy Goutte - Importance of correct breeding and method.

Research into bloodlines will indicate that certain lines are more suited to certain sorts of work or discipline. At least that is the theory - one has to allow for breeders mistakes and natural throwbacks. 

There are two recognised registers in the UK. The Kennel Club (KC) and the International Sheepdog Society (ISDS). Both these groups keep stud books and registers of breeders. More info in the Breed Profile section of our website. 

For a lifestyle of a companion and pet you will need a well balanced pup with good social conditioning to other animals and humans, researchable pedigree so that working drive and temperament can be determined as well as general health of the line.

It is not the temperament of the parents that should be the deciding factor, it is the grandparents and great grandparents you really need to research. Simply seeing the parents and noting they are of good temperament is inadequate information. 

The saying 'you get what you had, not what you've got' is used frequently to sum this up.  This simply means that the inherited characteristics from grandparents, great-grandparents and generations prior to them are more likely to influence the characteristics the puppy will display as it matures.

The ISDS is the register of working Border Collies (Sheep Dogs) and therefore not a good choice as the source of a pup for companion or pet ownership purposes. 

The KC is more appropriate. KC breeders will often breed for a specific discipline. As a Show Dog. For Agility, Flyball, Obedience, Working Trials, Herding and the Pet/Companion market.

Some bloodlines are dual registered - these should be avoided. 

Watch out because there is always a risk that you will be offered pups that have been rejected for a particular discipline because they fall short in one way or another. Temperament is often a factor in such rejections. Look into those breeders who are breeding for temperament and character and are open and honest about their activities. If in doubt walk away.

Most registered breeders operate on a very small scale and are experienced hobby breeders and members of a breeders club that is KC affiliated. The money is not all they are in it for and you would expect them to be enthusiastic about their hobby and proud of their dogs. 

It pays to research. It may sound long winded and over cautious, however should be well worth the effort as you are most likely to end up with a pup that is most suited to the lifestyle you intend for it. 

Some people who have contacted us with a pup to re-home have said they only bought the pup because they felt sorry for it and only intended to keep it until it was back on its feet and then re-home it through a rescue.

Although we applaud the sentiment behind this reasoning we have to point out that it is not that simple to re-home a dog these days. Rescue centres are inundated with unwanted or homeless animals. People are horrified to find out that they will have to keep the dog for weeks or months before space comes up at a decent rescue.

The dealers have the money and are encouraged by the fact that they have offloaded their stock to gullible members of the public and they go out and do it again, and again, and again.

Also - due to the sheer number of dogs being turned away by real rescue services because they are already overloaded and cannot take another dog in, we see the proliferation of opportunist businesses, posing as rescues, who make their profits by exploiting people in desperate situations. Some of these will charge you to take the dog in and will offload it within a few hours for more profit without spending a penny.

What an opportunity you offer them - they can set up a business where they get their stock given freely and may also get a cash bonus when the stock arrives. Everything the earn is pure profit. It belies the expression "there is no such thing as a free lunch" - for them there is. These people are no better than the unscrupulous dealers and puppy farmers and are part of the problem we face in animal rescue today. don't make the common mistake and expect someone else to bail you out.

Think well before you buy any puppy - any breed - you should be able to guarantee that you are able to give a dog a full and happy life - a quality life - for many  years - for the expected duration of a dogs life. If you only see your own wishes and don't think of the dogs needs and make them your priority you really should not have a dog in the first place.

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