Choosing A Breeder
Choosing your breeder will be one of the most important decisions you will make, and can be guided by your answers in Choosing A Dog. Our Puppy Enquiries service can also help identify which breeder is likely to produce the kind of dog you are looking for and assist with the process of bringing home your new family member.
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The Border Collie Club of South Australia Inc. is the official breed club promoting the ethical breeding, care, training and exhibition of the breed here in SA. We are affiliated with Dogs Australia via Dogs SA and the National Border Collie Council. Dogs Australia registered breeders abide by a code of ethics and breed for the betterment of the breed. This involves breeding to a breed standard, researching pedigrees, and conducting necessary health testing to allow owners to get as free from defect a puppy as possible. Breeders who are members of the Border Collie Club of South Australia Inc. also sign a further club Code of Ethics holding them to a higher standard than is necessarily required by Dogs Australia, in order to ensure that we are producing the healthiest puppies possible in order to protect and only ever improve the Border Collie breed.
Firstly, be aware that a major rise in scammers was noted during Covid-19. More time at home brought more people looking for puppies, and the demand outweighed the supply and opened the door for many backyard or unethical breeders, and some outright scammers. Coupled with the local council Dogs & Cats Online (DACO) breeder registration implemented in July 2018, there has been considerable confusion about what a 'registered breeder' is, as this was the trusted terminology previously used to describe a breeder registered with a member body of Dogs Australia (formerly ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council) and is now instead often used by backyard breeders who pay a $75 registration fee to their local council each year alongside their regular dog registrations to allow them to not desex their dogs and breed them as they see fit. Dogs Australia registered breeders are also bound by the local government laws and so they also pay the DACO fee on top of the annual fees they already pay for their prefix (kennel name) to be registered with Dogs Australia, despite already being exempt from desexing their dogs due to being members of Dogs SA. Therefore, a Dogs Australia registered breeder will always have a DACO number as well as their own Dogs Australia membership number.
Simply speaking, Dogs Australia exists to promote excellence in the breeding of pure-bred dogs and is a cornerstone of its reputation. They have a responsibility to take measures to ensure Dogs Australia prefix holders are not responsible for puppy farming or creating major welfare issues. An exam must be undertaken to obtain a Dogs Australia prefix to ensure a minimum standard of education for Dogs Australia breeders. The DACO registration on the other hand is required for simply anyone who owns a dog that they are or will be breeding from. They list on their website that 'Registration is mandatory for all breeders, however breeder registration does not imply that the breeder meets particular standards or complies with any codes of practice.' Dogs Australia breeder registration DOES imply that the breeders are bound by a strict code of ethics relating to the keeping, welfare, breeding and selling of dogs.
We encourage you to purchase your puppy from a DogsSA (or equivalent interstate body) registered breeder who has done all the appropriate health testing for Border Collies and complies with various Codes and Regulations. This includes hip/elbow scoring and DNA profiling which includes testing for a number of health matters known to exist in the breed and can be viewed here. Breeders must provide copies of these results which should be sighted before purchasing your pup. You will also receive a Dogs Australia Certified Pedigree certificate which will list the dogs registered name, date of birth, registration number, microchip number, breeder details, owner details and three generation pedigree (breeding lines). Often a breeder will be listed as a co-owner on a pedigree certificate.
Firstly, be aware that a major rise in scammers was noted during Covid-19. More time at home brought more people looking for puppies, and the demand outweighed the supply and opened the door for many backyard or unethical breeders, and some outright scammers. Coupled with the local council Dogs & Cats Online (DACO) breeder registration implemented in July 2018, there has been considerable confusion about what a 'registered breeder' is, as this was the trusted terminology previously used to describe a breeder registered with a member body of Dogs Australia (formerly ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council) and is now instead often used by backyard breeders who pay a $75 registration fee to their local council each year alongside their regular dog registrations to allow them to not desex their dogs and breed them as they see fit. Dogs Australia registered breeders are also bound by the local government laws and so they also pay the DACO fee on top of the annual fees they already pay for their prefix (kennel name) to be registered with Dogs Australia, despite already being exempt from desexing their dogs due to being members of Dogs SA. Therefore, a Dogs Australia registered breeder will always have a DACO number as well as their own Dogs Australia membership number.
Simply speaking, Dogs Australia exists to promote excellence in the breeding of pure-bred dogs and is a cornerstone of its reputation. They have a responsibility to take measures to ensure Dogs Australia prefix holders are not responsible for puppy farming or creating major welfare issues. An exam must be undertaken to obtain a Dogs Australia prefix to ensure a minimum standard of education for Dogs Australia breeders. The DACO registration on the other hand is required for simply anyone who owns a dog that they are or will be breeding from. They list on their website that 'Registration is mandatory for all breeders, however breeder registration does not imply that the breeder meets particular standards or complies with any codes of practice.' Dogs Australia breeder registration DOES imply that the breeders are bound by a strict code of ethics relating to the keeping, welfare, breeding and selling of dogs.
We encourage you to purchase your puppy from a DogsSA (or equivalent interstate body) registered breeder who has done all the appropriate health testing for Border Collies and complies with various Codes and Regulations. This includes hip/elbow scoring and DNA profiling which includes testing for a number of health matters known to exist in the breed and can be viewed here. Breeders must provide copies of these results which should be sighted before purchasing your pup. You will also receive a Dogs Australia Certified Pedigree certificate which will list the dogs registered name, date of birth, registration number, microchip number, breeder details, owner details and three generation pedigree (breeding lines). Often a breeder will be listed as a co-owner on a pedigree certificate.
​Main Register:
This certificate allows you to breed and show your pup at Dogs Australia sanctioned events (however it does not guarantee that your pup is of breeding and showing quality).
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Limited Register: This certificate means your pup is of pet quality, and is not for breeding or conformation showing.
You can still enter your pup in any other dog sports you wish.
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Prior to handing over any money you can check with the governing Dogs Australia body in each state to confirm that your breeder is a financial member. The breeder should give you their membership number if you ask. In South Australia, you can contact DogsSA by phone on (08) 8349 4797 or email info@dogssa.com.au
You can also access an instant online Registered Breeder Check to determine whether the name or membership number of the breeder you are looking into is registered with them or not. There is a strict set of rules for breeders when choosing prefixes (names) which can often make it easy to tell which are registered and which are not.
Dogs Australia prefixes abide by the following rules:
You can also access an instant online Registered Breeder Check to determine whether the name or membership number of the breeder you are looking into is registered with them or not. There is a strict set of rules for breeders when choosing prefixes (names) which can often make it easy to tell which are registered and which are not.
Dogs Australia prefixes abide by the following rules:
- One (1) word of not less than four (4) letters and no more than twelve (12) letters;
- Do not contain numbers, whether in numerals or words;
- Do not contain apostrophes, hyphens or punctuation marks of any kind;
- Are not identical to or similar in spelling or sound to any other registered prefix;
- Do not contain the name of any breed of dog.
Further reading:
Link: Dogs Australia - Choosing A Breeder
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Link: DogsSA - Selecting The Right Dog
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It is highly unlikely that a DogsSA registered breeder will use websites such as Gumtree or Marketplace to advertise their litters. When purchasing your puppy in South Australia, it is our recommendation to never hand over money without meeting the breeder, puppy at its place of residence and its mother. A major red flag is being asked to meet in a public place such as a carpark without the option to also view the premises and/or parent(s). As previously mentioned, the father may live elsewhere. If buying a puppy from interstate, please be cautious if extra money is asked to cover travel insurance or if the price seems exorbitant. Currently, most breeders sell puppies between $2,500-3,500 but there may be a slight variation to this price between some breeders/states. As all colours of Border Collie are permissible for Dogs Australia registration, colours are generally no longer rare so be aware of excessive prices, all puppies cost the same to raise regardless of colour. A reputable breeder will provide ongoing support and be your first point of contact with any issues, questions or in the sad occasion you need to rehome your dog, they will usually be willing to take the dog back and find a suitable home. After all, nobody knows better than they what kind of home will be most suitable for their puppies. Finding the right breeder can be the beginning of a lifelong friendship, as while you search for the perfect breeder and puppy, the investment they make in developing their lines and raising their puppies means they are also looking for the perfect forever home and they love to be updated and see their dogs living their best lives.
Attending shows can be a great starting place to meet breeders who will generally be happy to talk about their dogs and discuss what you are looking for. Dogzonline also has an extensive list of Dogs Australia registered breeders with information and contact details, and we encourage you to include this in your research. The Border Collie Club can also provide information and guidance as well as listings from our member breeders of available litters. We welcome you to join our club and encourage you to ask questions and get involved in club activities.
Attending shows can be a great starting place to meet breeders who will generally be happy to talk about their dogs and discuss what you are looking for. Dogzonline also has an extensive list of Dogs Australia registered breeders with information and contact details, and we encourage you to include this in your research. The Border Collie Club can also provide information and guidance as well as listings from our member breeders of available litters. We welcome you to join our club and encourage you to ask questions and get involved in club activities.