Penny Dent – ex-Border Collie breeder
My name is Penny Dent and I became a Border Collie breeder in January 2010. The first litter was from my beautiful Westirene Sunshine (Sunny). My last litter was from Ounce, in 2023. I bred 67 puppies.
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
My Background
I have owned Border Collies since 1994, taking on one bred by my mum and then having a puppy bred by her. It was always my intention to have a go at doing it myself. It was incredibly hard, but I absolutely loved it! I was a family breeder, doing it as a hobby. It was never a business and I had litters when it suited me and my dogs, not all the time. It was essential for me to make sure that I gave 100% commitment to my dogs. My puppies had the best possible start in life. I was registered with the Kennel Club as an Assured Breeder, sadly a scheme that no longer exists.
Why did I breed from my dogs?
I believe passionately that people deserve to have the joy of having a dog, without the heartache. We should be able to have the right dog for our lifestyle and activity, fitting in perfectly to family life. Similarly, I think that dogs have the right to a healthy, happy life, being consistently loved by the people who chose them.
Idealistic? Maybe. I wanted to try and achieve this, by setting an example to others in the way that I bred and the homes that I chose for my puppies. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
How often did you have litters?
I aimed to have one litter per year, but that rarely worked! I either had two litters in a year or none at all, because it depended when the bitch’s seasons fell and how that fitted in with other events in my life. It’s was always hobby for me. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
How many litters did each of your dogs have?
I aimed to have a maximum of three litters per dog, starting between 2-3 years of age and having a litter every two years. Again, it depended on the dogs and what else was happening. The Kennel Club recommend no more than 4 litters between the ages of 2 and 8. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
How did you choose your Stud Dogs?
I have my own stud dog, Dentbros Man on the Moon**, known as Quin. Stud dogs are bred for better temperament and health, just like my girls. Stud dogs were loving, loved, pet dogs who are fit for purpose. In other words they had to be healthy dogs with strong breed lines and in good shape. They were keen, ready to take on whatever is asked of them, just like mine! NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
How long did you keep your puppies before they went to their new homes?
I kept them with me for 8 weeks; I did not like keeping them for longer, as puppies are hard work! Pre-booked holidays were covered, by arrangement.
What health tests do they have?
The puppies were eye tested for CEA at the age of six weeks and usually hearing tested. They are microchipped and wormed. All puppies I bred are KC registered.
Dentbros Border Collie parents are eye and hearing tested, hip scored and DNA tested for all the possible health tests – see the full list here. Stud dogs were also fully health tested. Pedigrees are endorsed ‘Progeny not eligible for Registration’ and ‘Not eligible for export pedigree’. This is to protect the puppies and the future of the breed. The breeding restriction is lifted on production of an adult eye certificate and below average hip score, as well as a proven good temperament. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
Were they vaccinated before they left?
No. Vets use different vaccination types, with different lengths of time between the first and second injection. The puppies are covered by their mothers’ immunity until eight weeks of age. It is much better if you take your puppy to your own vets as soon as they arrive with you – they need to be checked over in any case.
What did you provide with each puppy?
Each puppy that I breed comes with a full puppy pack. You will get copies of all the parents’ health tests and certificates and guidance on feeding, toileting, training and lots more. Each puppy will have a small amount of food and the option to buy a sack of food. They each come with a toy covered in familiar smells, which helps them to settle into their new home.
Were your puppies used to children, cats and other dogs?
My Border Collie puppies have all been reared in the home and well socialised to give them the best possible start in life. They are born in my bedroom and move downstairs to the kitchen when they are up and about. All my puppies were handled (cuddled) every day and introduced to a cat and our other dogs. I ensured they had masses of time to play outside (they like to do a spot of gardening). I bred puppies that are handled by plenty of young children. By the time they reached their homes at eight weeks of age they were confident, outgoing, sociable dogs. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
How much did you charge?
Border collies are not an expensive breed, because they are known to be highly strung, nervous and difficult to manage. My puppies are not like that, but it’s up to the owners to correctly raise and manage them in their new homes. I know that they left me as confident, outgoing, sociable dogs who have usually brought years of happiness to their families.
My puppies usually went to family and friends, most often to ‘repeat customers’ who definitely became friends! It was rare for puppies to be available to people I did not know, because people wanted my puppies and were always prepared to wait, and to travel. They had the best of everything.
How do I apply for a puppy?
NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE
Sadly, my breeding journey has now ended. I hope my dogs will enjoy living with me into my old age, but I will almost certainly have no more litters. If I ever do have puppies again, these will go to friends only.
Use this information to look for other responsible breeders? You need to wait for the right puppy. Do not expect the journey to be easy. You will be asked to fill in a Puppy application form. This will tell the breeder a bit about yourself and what sort of home you can offer. If you haven’t got the time to do this, then you haven’t got the time for a Border Collie. Read this information about contacting a breeder.
What makes an ideal home?
I always preferred my puppies to go to family homes, as they make brilliant pets. A puppy needs the opportunity to do some training, whether in obedience, agility, flyball or any other dog activity. Puppies like mine should not to go to ‘working’ homes, as they have been lovingly bred and raised in a home. So they should enjoy family life – they must be pets first.
Like any responsible breeder, I have provided a life-long commitment to all the puppies I have bred. If you are no longer able to keep your dog for whatever reason you MUST contact the breeder first. More information about buying a puppy is available on the Kennel Club website or from Champdogs
Buy the Workbook
The Workbook – A Year With Your Puppy is available to buy. I have written and designed this book to be a hands-on, interactive book for you. It will help you survive the first year with your puppy. The book also acts 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!
Remember..
Please CONTACT ME if you want to know more about me and my dogs? And feel free to COMMENT if you want to tell me what you think. NO PUPPIES AVAILABLE