We have a basic ethos here at Bordertrix when it comes to breeding. My Puppies are very important to me, they are here because I wanted them to be so finding the right stud dog to compliment the bitch I breed is paramount. Temperament should always be top of the list closely followed by the health of both parents. I feel the border collie as we know it will change unless Breeders make a stand to keep true working ability. We do show our dogs but we also give them a job to do to keep them healthy both mentally and physically.
I do not breed to make money out of my dogs, I only breed when I know I can give my bitch and pups 100%. Any money I have made goes back into the dogs somehow. To date I have bought an estate car so they are more comfortable travelling to shows and out on walks. I put the money towards a full set of agility equipment so I can train my dogs when and how I choose - and they love every minute! Recently we bought a flyball box and jumps so they can keep fit and have fun with that too.
My bitches are first and foremost part of our family and I would never put them through having puppies if I thought they weren't fit enough to cope. I do not breed my bitches year after year, they have a break between each litter with a maximum of two litters during their lifetime.
Anyone who thinks they will make lots of money out of breeding puppies should think again. It is not easy and is a 24/7 committment and the work is not very pleasant most of the time. I'm lucky that I have my two girls to help me out with clearing up as well as socialising the puppies. Our puppies are brought up in the dining room so they see us all the time and hear all the usual household noises and activity.
WHY THOSE STUD DOGS?
Sunnie was bred with Brooksbid High Society, back in 2006, because he showed a very dominant stamp on his pups and I needed that to correct some minor faults in Sunnie (markings, ear carriage). His pups also showed workability on the obedience circuit and I wanted a more work driven line to compliment Sunnie's wonderful temperament. He was also half English/half Australasian breeding so wasn't too extreme in his ancestry and I was keen to blend in more of the old english lines. This mating produced our very own Skye and she was exactly what I wanted. She is highly driven, fearless in everthing she does and always surprises me (as she looks like a little, girly, princess)! However, don't be fooled by her appearance as Skye, as soft and cuddly as she is, is a little pocket rocket. Her conformation is outstanding, I am obsessed with straight and correctly built legs, shoulders and hips. For one thing if a dog isn't built right it won't be working for long.
For our next litter we used Sorcerers Apprentice At Shepherdspal because, not only was he Brooksbid High Society's son, so I knew the match would produce quality pups, he also has successful puppies on the obedience circuit.
When I decided to breed Skye I wanted to go for a full english, working breed type that was proven in the showring as well as in a working field. I chose Bekkis Virtuoso, who not only has his working trials qualifications, but also 3 Reserve CCs. A true all-rounder and beautiful temperament to match. He has puppies competing successfully in every major discipline in the UK, including a show champion.
The dog we used on Skye at her second litter is a son of Bekkis Virtuoso (so Buddy's half brother) who also added some fresh working blood to our lines as well as keeping the good blood line going. I do not believe in "line breeding" (inbreeding), its just my personal opinion but also if I need to breed back into my own lines at a later date I know I will be able to. He should also add some colour to the Bordertrix line too, which would be interesting.
