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Males, Females & Fond Memories |
Current & Planned Litters | |
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CLICK HERE TO - Read About My Breeding Standards |
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Our Breeding Philosophy |
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Whether you are seeking a promising Agility, Obedience, Search & Rescue partner or a highly-prized companion with which you share your recreation time, it's our opinion that a Border Collie should be bred to meet the herding-working standard for the breed. There is no room to compromise in this regard. A Border Collie is a herding dog, first and foremost. We believe that dogs bred with high quality herding-work as the primary goal will make superior competitors in most any other performance event. Dogs bred without serious consideration of their herding ability may not always make the best performance dogs, as they may lack the incredible work ethic for which Border Collies are known. Even more importantly, dogs bred to "ideals" other than the herding working standard can result in a general "dumbing down" of the breed, which is a very sad situation. Breeding based on a dog's herding abilities should take into consideration several key characteristics, including:
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To create a great working partner, it's important to take into account all of these characteristics. Our breeding program, which produces a limited number of litters, takes these qualities into consideration. We only plan litters that would produce the sort of pup we would like to raise and train, ourselves. We are dedicated to the maintenance of the Border Collie as a working breed. We believe that anyone who will love, properly care for, adequately train and adore a Border Collie should be able to take advantage of the breed's incredible work ethic and relish in the joy the dog will bring to one's life. However, you will be expected to spay or neuter your DarnFar puppy unless it meets physical, mental and herding working standards. You should assume that determining a dog's true herding ability will require several months of focused attention on herding training in order to make a proper assessment of your dog's abilities. Although we recognize the commitment it requires to train a dog for performance events, and we are proud of our puppy buyers who excel in those venues, we do not consider Agility, Obedience or SAR as proof of "working ability" in the Border Collie breed. A DarnFar bred Border Collie will have working parents that we believe will have a positive impact on the breed as the world's premier herding dog. We treat each puppy as if it is the one, special pup we choose for our very own. We strive to provide early socialization and familiarization to a varieties of environmental experiences. Our puppies are well socialized, healthy and gregarious and promise to be your friend and companion for life. Since we usually only breed because we want a puppy from a specific cross for ourselves, the wait for one of our special puppies may be long. We happen to believe it is worth the wait. Who are our preferred puppy buyers? We will consider placing a puppy with anyone who has a good understanding of the breed type, has knowledge of the odd quirks that Border Collies are known to have, can provide a loving, safe, secure home and who can offer a Border Collie the type of mental and physical stimulation that one requires to remain healthy (both emotionally and physically). Border Collies require leadership, not just activity. We appreciate hearing from folks who have done their homework, have conducted thorough research and who have confidence that a Border Collie is the right dog for them. Performance type homes (like folks who are interested in Agility, Obedience, Hobby Herding, Search & Rescue) are often well suited for Border Collies. However, we have found that our puppy placement process also results in great matches with folks who simply want a superior companion and are dedicated to the needs of such a highly intelligent and physically active breed.
What behavior should you expect from
your Border Collie?
A well trained Border Collie does not have to be an overly active dog, especially indoors. People often comment about how calm my dogs are. I know that they could also be spastic and neurotic if I were to allow them to become that way. It's very much about providing clear boundaries and limits for their behavior, especially when they are young. Then, they can and do develop into very relaxed, happy companions. Of course, they are best served with some sort of job, which can be any number of activities that challenges their minds, first, as well as their bodies.
As herding dogs, Border Collies can begin
to displace their herding instinct onto "non-herdable" entities,
including small children, cats, other dogs, automobiles, bikes, toys
and balls, even insects or shadows. So, it's very important to nip
that potential behavior in the bud as soon as it begins to happen. A
good correction for any "eyeing" or "crouching" behavior may be
necessary at some point in the pup's life. It may seem to be very
comical and entertaining, but it can and most often it does turn into
highly unwanted, often dangerous behavior. Correcting displaced
"herding" behavior will not hamper the dog's ability to work real
livestock, if one were to entertain that diversion. The dogs can make
a distinction between between livestock and non-livestock if the human
helps them make the distinction.
If you are the sort of person who believes
you have the right and the responsibility to impose your will upon a
dog, then you'll probably be fine with a Border Collie. However, if
you prefer to believe that dogs should be allowed to have free-will
and develop into the "person" they are destined to become (without
your establishing expectations for behavior), you will be better off
with a breed that will not find it quite insulting to exist with a
weak leader. It is a breed that needs leadership, but it is also a
breed that aches to please. So, you don't have to hit the dog over
the head with a 2x4 to get your point across. But, you will be
expected (from the dog's perspective), to establish and reinforce
rules so as to take away from the dog the need to set the rules,
herself. Otherwise, she may take matters into her own hands, and the
resulting behaviors are most always destructive or unwelcome.
For even more insight into whether a Border Collie is right for you, see these two articles: What Do You Mean, Border Collies Are Quirky? Choosing The Right Breed For You.
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Cool Videos Of Our Dogs |
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What might your Border Collie puppy look like when he's all grown up? |
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The following pages have photos of DarnFar Border Collie puppies that their proud owners have sent to us. |
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Males, Females & Fond Memories |
Current & Planned Litters |
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| How Do We Socialize Our Puppies? | |||
| What Are Our Health Guarantees? | |||
| Where Are The Puppies Raised? | |||
| What Health Care Is Provided To Puppies? | |||
| When Can I Visit The Puppies? When Do I Choose MY Puppy? | |||
| What Is The Difference Between Smooth & Rough Coated Puppies? | |||
| What Do You Mean, Border Collies Are Quirky? | |||
| What Are My Standards For Breeding Border Collies? | |||
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