Is fearr rith maith ná droch-sheasamh.
A good run(ning) is better than a bad stand(ing)........It's all about the process of trying!

                                           
                 DRUID NATCH5!! VERSATILITY NATCH5!!!                       & sister MACH ADCH Rio
                                 ARCHMX, CDX-H                                                   at the line Cynosport Games
                                           TOP TEN Nadac 2008 & 2009
                        Ranked in Nadac & APDT Rally                                                     Photo by Tien Tran 
                        Qualifies NADAC Hall of Fame!
                                                                    Photo Chris Boca

It is really hard to keep up with titles....



 

When we plan a litter, we strive for perfection and try to make the best decisions in our choice of genetics, health and temperament. Our Border Collies are bred to maintain working ability and versatility. We breed our Aussies to the Asca standard, to be moderate in coat and bone and maintain herding instinct which defines the breed, while looking to improve each generation with our choices.  

The fads of the show ring will never be a priority, although we assess overall structure and movement,  when making decisions about breeding. While I love the colors in both breeds, it is not what determines a cross. My Aussies tend to be very plain and lack trim...the darker the better! While some of my BCs are practically technicolor. Most of us are drawn visually to a certain type of dog, but brains, health and ability are most important to me, and are the determining factors for a breeding-interesting color or "pretty" is just gravy.

We are also trying to lower risk factors for genetic health issues in each subsequent generation, which is more important to us than head type, current fad, etc. Overall, our goal is to produce stable temperaments that are resilient and quick to recover, in dogs that are biddable, moderate, athletic, structurally correct and have the instinct and drive to do it all!  

Some of our Aussies are more reserved and protective, but most are generally very social when not in working mode...outgoing without being Golden Retrievers, keeping the "A" in Aussie, for Attitude. Our BC's are bred to maintain working instinct, good structure, temperament and ability. Although some are dual registered with AKC, our goal is to maintain working ability overall in our BCs and do not allow our BC pups to be shown in conformation.

The goal for the next generation is always in mind. In some cases, it also helps us decide to go in a different direction, because of genetic health concerns that we worry may result from a certain cross or the type of temperament or working drive produced. Starting with a mom, who has a solid temperament, is key to producing great pups. The dam influences her pups both physically and behaviorally, and contributes to who they are and will become, more so than the sire. Edgy or less nurturing moms also have a detrimental affect on pups-solid moms care for their pups matter-of-factly while maintaining their role in our pack.

  While pregnant, a dam is influenced by her environment and in turn is influencing her pups with hormones. A happy & healthy mom who is provided with a stable environment, excellent nutrition, etc all affect a pup's development prior to being born. The first eight weeks of life, our pups are exposed to a great range of positive experiences and people-to encourage exploratory behavior, how to learn, how to problem solve, encourage resiliency, body awareness, assimilate the new, etc See our Raising K9 page for how we raise the pups.

Genetic health risks, may be reduced by planning a cross that has lower risk factors in offspring. Research continues on finding a gene marker and mode of inheritance for  epilepsy, with one marker identified for cataracts in Aussies!  Until they discover gene markers for epilepsy, trying to reduce the risk factors as assessed by pedigree research and by waiting until dogs with moderate to high risk pedigrees are older to be bred, is one way to hopefully reduce the likelihood of producing affected dogs. No line is "clean" of genetic issues, but like most Aussie and BC breeders we are very committed to making the best choices and feel responsible for what we produce.

Three of the big genetic health worries are Epilepsy, Cataracts and Hip/Elbow ~Dysplasia. In BC's, CEA and PRA to a lesser extent, are also issues. Line breeding from foundation Aussies both in the show and working lines established type, but has also concentrated other traits that may be responsible for genetic health issues. In BCs HD/ED/OCD can be an issue. Screening for HD/ED is easier to identify with testing and by looking at vertical pedigrees. An assessed risk, is just that, a guide to making decisions. Many traits are carried recessively and are polygenic, but other traits are recessive or dominant with incomplete penetrance-so each dog in a pedigree, brings something to the "party"....both good and bad.

 Dogs are a sum of their instincts/genetics and socialization/experience. The Nature versus Nurture debate is always interesting- especially when you see traits in pups that you can pinpoint to a particular parent or even go back to great grandparents.. Instinct is hard wired and makes an Aussie or BC, who they are.

 Observing and understanding their drives and behavior, makes Aussies & BCs fascinating breeds to live with. But, also one of the reasons they are not for everybody. The smarter the dog, the bigger the responsibility a person has to raise them properly. We try to prepare our pups to be ready to make the transition to a new family, by how we raise them. Their potential is only just beginning when they leave us, as there is still so much for them to learn!