The end of my breeding journey

I’m feeling sad today – it’s the end of a breeding journey that has lasted for 14 years. My ultimate goal, to breed both parents of a litter, has not been realised. I have tried to have puppies from Quin and Murmur, but although Quin is definitely fertile, for whatever reason, Murmur is not having puppies. No more puppies for me. Of course there are other possibilities, so I may have more puppies in my lifetime. But for now, my options have ended.

Why I LOVE breeding dogs

First of all, I LOVE my dogs! Not as much as I love my husband, family and friends, but I certainly do love them. They are the centre of my life and inform the choices I make in the way I spend my time (and money!) I am proud every day I walk my 5 dogs, seeing them all running together and behaving beautifully as we pass other people (don’t mention Quin, he’s fine).

I started breeding because I had a fantastic dog, Sunny, and I wanted to produce beautiful Border Collies, bred for better temperament and health. I’ve had 67 puppies altogether, and on the whole they have made fantastic pets for all sorts of families. Most of them have lived their best lives, taking part in all sorts of activities and generally being a valued family member. That’s what makes it worthwhile for me.

The start of my breeding journey

My first experience of breeding came when I was 18 years old. My mum Julia had a litter from her beautiful Border Collie Afton. I was there when they were born and it was a thrilling experience. Julia went on to have another dozen litters and I watched these dogs grow up and be part of our family. One of these, Rue, came to live with me when I stopped work after having my second son. Then three years later I had a puppy, Buzz from her.

Julia made breeding seem pretty effortless. She always had lots of pets and is a very practical, down-to-earth person. The puppies were born, cared for and went off without a backward glance. Apart from the ones she kept, we rarely saw them again. Easy!

Doing it differently

When I started, the owner of the stud dog I used showed me there was a bit more to it. She showed her dogs and really cared about what she was producing. I started off by making sure I had all the relevant health tests done: hip score, eye tests and so on. These days there are LOTS of health tests available for Border Collies. Not that there are lots of health issues, just that we make sure we have really fit, athletic dogs.

Temperament is also crucial – ideally a breeder should be critically examining their dog and recognising whether there are traits that are desirable or ones that might make for problems later on. My dogs are calm, cuddly, people-loving and biddable. Perfect!

Heartache and Mistakes

My breeding journey has held plenty of heartache and more than a few mistakes. Choosing a suitable stud dog is extremely difficult and sometimes the dog you want to use is not available, or things don’t work out. That has sometimes led to litters I was not entirely happy with.

The biggest heartache came from losing Luna’s third litter – she carried to term but they were all dead. That was a very sad day.

The hardest part of breeding dogs is finding the ‘right’ homes for the puppies. The more puppies you breed the harder it gets. I have made mistakes in the homes I have let my puppies go to for sure. Fortunately for me, only two have been re-homed, one due to the health of the owner deteriorating – he went to a friend’s son and is living his best life.

The other one went to a young family initially, who just didn’t manage him very well. They gave up on him at 13 months, which I know is a classic sticking point for many dog owners. He went to live with a very good friend and her young family. My hero dog! He has been a successful therapy dog in a primary school and has done very well in agility.

A proud breeder

I love to know what happens to my dogs. Many have gone to friends – my best friend had a pup from Julia and then 5 from me! We are still such good friends. When the pups go on to do great things, it makes me very proud. But equally, when they go on to be great dogs and valued members of the family, that makes me equally proud.

It’s truly magical to have a reunion of the Dentbros Dogs and see them all gathered together. I get stressed organising it and I never get the chance to catch up with everyone properly. The owners get to talk to each other though and that is far more important – they can provide each other with so much support and that is invaluable.

Hopefully in the future I will have bred an Agility Champion – not something I will achieve personally, but there are some Dentbros Dogs doing fabulously well in agility.

Where now for me?

For now then, as my breeding journey ends, or is at least paused, I must enjoy my dogs. They are the best they can be, living their best life. It is likely that Quin will sire more litters and who knows? One of his daughters may find their forever home with me. For the time being though, I am done.

If you are looking for a Border Collie puppy, please contact the Kennel Club Assured Breeders and ask to go onto their waiting lists? Or visit the Champdogs website? Don’t ask me for help, I can’t do anything more.

NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE

Buy the Workbook

The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. This book is a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy, but also act as a memento of that time and the journey you have been on. You can write notes and stick in pictures of your puppy throughout the year. Lovely! Find out lots more by looking at the Contents page.