27/07/2025
If you are looking for a new friend or know someone that is, ensure that it is from an ethical breeder. We would happily recommend any of these breeders with puppies currently available.
Look at these gorgeous little faces from Bordacroft, Tookurra and Waveney currently waiting for their forever families - could that be you?
Being such a popular breed, it is common to find Border Collie puppies popping up almost anywhere you look, with sponsored Marketplace posts or Gumtree location searches putting them front and centre when you’re searching (and sometimes even when you’re not!). They almost always say ‘purebred’ or ‘registered breeder’ but how do you make sure that you are looking in the right place, and what should you really be looking for?
• Registered Breeder: With the online-based local council pet registration platform Dogs & Cats Online, there is now a requirement for people who intend to breed (or who have accidental litters that they plan to sell) to register as breeders and pay a small annual fee alongside their normal dog registrations. This has caused an increase in the number of people referring to themselves as ‘registered breeders’, when in the past this term usually referred explicitly to breeders registered with Dogs Australia through their state body, in our case Dogs SA. There are also a number of other registries that have popped up over the years for various reasons, which of course has contributed to a lot of confusion amongst new owners. Dogs Australia is the only organisation able to issue certified pedigree papers for dogs bred in Australia, and breeder registrations can be easily verified with them online.
• Purebred vs Pedigree: While these terms are used interchangeably by some, they do not mean the same thing. Purebred refers to an animal whose parents are both (hopefully) of the same breed, whilst pedigree refers to an animal whose lineage is documented and registered with a recognised registry (in our case Dogs Australia - formerly known as ANKC/Australian National Kennel Council). A pedigree certificate lists the last three generations of the dog’s ancestry, thus proving their purebred status. Simply stating a dog is purebred with parents who look about right is not enough - the pedigree supplies proof. All owners who purchase a Dogs Australia registered puppy receive a copy of their dogs’ pedigree.
• DNA & Health Testing: There are a number of heritable conditions within Border Collies for which testing via DNA swabbing and screening via radiology and ophthalmology is readily available and therefore there should be non-negotiable. Saying a litter has been ‘vet checked’ is not sufficient and ethical, reputable breeders will be able to show you proof of both parents DNA results and physical tests, which at a minimum should include hip and elbow screening. To help you understand what the results mean, you can visit the links at BCCSA.org.au/genetic-health
• Cost: One of the first things many breeders are asked is ‘how much?’ and often this cost is compared to what is readily advertised elsewhere. Cost varies slightly from breeder to breeder, however averages around the $3,000 - $4,000 mark. More importantly should be the consideration of what is actually included in the cost. Is this puppy a product of two pet dogs in a backyard where ‘they’re such good dogs we thought they’d make cute puppies’ and they are now cashing in as a bonus, or this puppy a product of years - sometimes decades - of careful planning, intentional selection of matings including sometimes internationally imported genetics, countless hours and dollars spent at the vet in testing and ultrasounds, stud fees, campaigning in shows and sports ensuring the breed is able to fulfil their purpose, ongoing testing and management of lines and breeding programs to produce the healthiest possible puppies who conform most closely to the breed standard in both structure and temperament and have proven pedigree lineage? When that is taken into consideration coupled with the knowledge that the majority of pedigree Border Collie puppies are in fact still cheaper than most cross-bred ‘designer dogs’ on the market, the cost - whilst an important budget consideration for many families in this economy - should not be the determining factor in where you buy your puppy. There is also no difference in the cost of raising different coloured puppies, so there should be no difference in the cost of buying one. Consider the quality of the dog you have for 14-15 years over the puppy you can afford to go and pick up right this very second - it is worth waiting and saving a bit more for the right one who has been bred to have the most predictable and consistent health, size and temperament alongside expert knowledge and ongoing support from your breeder should you ever need it. You simply do not get that elsewhere.
You can find more information about what to look out for and how to choose a breeder at BCCSA.org.au/choosing-a-breeder
You can also get in touch with the club about finding your perfect new family member via our Puppy Enquiries service, helping to match you with one of our ethical, reputable registered breeder members at BCCSA.org.au/puppy-enquiries
