Our Focus is on Performance and Personality: I breed for intelligent, biddable, working dogs, and companions, that have confidence and a natural herding instinct. My dogs will also have an (OFF) switch so they are pleasant to live with, yet very eager to please, focused, hard-working partners when it come time to work the fields. I want dogs that live to please. All my Dogs and their offspring will live up to this standard themselves and are from the best working lines in the USA & Canada.
A Focus on Health: What makes me different from other working Border Collie Breeders? I do (Research) on my own dogs before breeding them or purchasing them into my program. I look into all the dogs parentage background, before deciding to purchase and add them into my program. I do everything in my power to maximize the chance that your (MMBC) puppy's body will hold up to his/her drive. I also take health seriously. In addition, to Hip (OFA) Certification, I also Genetic test all my dogs, such as for ( CEA, IGS, TNS, MDR1) are among a few named tests but I do a full health genetic panel on all dogs before breeding. No puppy should suffer the consequesnces from irresponsible breeders that could have been easily prevented by a breeder.
A Focus on Preserving the Working Border Collie: I believe it is important to protect and preserve the integrity and working structure of the border collie as a working breed. I work cloesly, and train all of my dogs on obidience, cattle and compete in stockdog trials, swimming, and lastly as companion pets. My puppies are registered with the ABCA, and can be AKC registered Working and trial homes are preferred, but approved agility homes, or active family homes are welcome with "a non-breeding contract/registration."
A Focus on Good Start: I believe the first few months of the puppy's life are critical to him/her being a well-adjusted dog. I follow Puppy Culture protocols for raising my puppies as this program encapsulates much of what I had already been doing for years, but I put more emphasis and structure on the timing of various activities and exposures. I also include regular visits to various stores, hotels and any other facilities that my pups will run into with new owners as a ways to make them familiar with people and sounds, as this has proven to be a blessing to the puppies, as well as new owners to make sure all pups are used to different areas, sounds, people, animals and so forth.
Please take time to learn more about me and my facilities and puppy care. I invite you to contact me if you have questions. Explore detailed information about each dog by exploring the links to the right.
Can a Mother Dog be protective of her Puppies?
Yes, a mother dog is naturally protective of her puppies due to powerful maternal instincts amplified by hormonal changes, such as surges in oxytocin and prolactin, especially during the first few weeks postpartum when puppies are most vulnerable. This protectiveness can manifest as intense vigilance and aggressive behaviors, including growling or snapping, to defend her young against perceived threats from people or other animals.
Why Mother Dogs Are Protective
Hormonal Influence: Hormones like oxytocin and prolactin play a crucial role in a mother dog's maternal behavior, stimulating nurturing instincts and a strong drive to protect her offspring, according to Wisdom Panel.
Instinct to Nurture: New mothers are hardwired to care for their young and ensure their survival, a behavior essential for newborns who are dependent on their mother for warmth and nourishment.
Vulnerability of Puppies: The mother's protective drive is strongest when her puppies are newborns because their eyes and ears are closed, and they are completely reliant on her for survival, according to Wisdom Panel and this YouTube video.
Signs of Protectiveness
Heightened Alertness: A mother dog may remain watchful and rigid, even in familiar environments, if her adult offspring are nearby, notes this Facebook post.
Growling and Snapping: She may growl, snap, or even bite to defend her puppies from perceived threats.
Aggression Towards Strangers: This protectiveness can lead to aggressive behavior, particularly towards unfamiliar people or animals that approach her puppies.
How to Respond
Respect Her Space: Give the mother and her puppies plenty of space, especially in the first few days and weeks after birth.
Be Mindful of Your Actions: Avoid making sudden movements or grabbing for puppies, as this can startle the mother and trigger a protective response.
Can a Male Dog be Protective of HIs mate and Puppies?
a male dog can be protective of a female dog, though their behavior stems more from pack instincts, territoriality, and the individual dog's personality than a specific "paternal" protectiveness over a mate. In domestic dogs, the female's biological drive for protection and nurturing is much stronger than the male's, who often shows little interest in the puppies after mating.
Reasons for protectiveness
Pack Mentality: Male dogs, like their wolf ancestors, can be protective of their pack or family members, especially if they perceive a threat.
Territorial Instincts: Some male dogs are naturally more territorial and may act protectively to defend their space, which can include the female.
Individual Personality: A dog's personality and temperament play a significant role; some individuals are simply more protective than others, regardless of the situation.
Differences between wild and domestic dogs
Wild Canids: In contrast to domestic dogs, wild wolves often engage in pack-based parenting, with males helping to feed, guard, and care for the pups.
Domesticated Dogs: Domesticated male dogs typically lack the same paternal instincts and may return to their usual routine after mating, showing disinterest in the litter.
Practical Considerations
Human Leadership: When a dog is pregnant, the responsibility for protection should primarily rest with the humans, establishing themselves as the pack's "alpha".
Separation: It may be beneficial to separate the pregnant female from the male for a period before and after birth to manage the situation and allow you to better care for the female and her litter.
Buyers
With this consideration, buyers need take above reading into consideration when entering breeders home to meet the dog parents and handeling or picking out puppies, and so with that said after said signed contract and deposit paid buyers take full responsibility when entering home of breeder that if incident occurs regarding puppies or parents it will be upon buyers not breeders if an occurence happens while visiting breeders home. Deposits and other said money paid to breeder will not be refunded nor any legal action be taken toward breeder, nor is it breeders responsibility to compensate if any occurences happen while buyers are at breeders home or facilities, as buyers enter facility or home at own risk as stated in contract as well upon arrival and agreement of signed contract.
Voidance of Contract
A voidable contract is a legally binding agreement that can be canceled or affirmed at the option of one or more of the parties involved, (typically by the breeder) typically due to a defect present when the contract was made, such as misrepresentation, falsifying information, fraud, duress, or the involvement of a minor. Until the affected party chooses to nullify it, a voidable contract remains valid and enforceable. ( Meaning if the breeder finds that buyer falsly stated incorrect information, faked documents, or misrepresented themselves to breeder in any form) it is enforcable by breeder to void contract even after contract signed by all parties and deposit along with partial or all payments have been made if breeder suddenly feels that buyer is unfit to own breeder dog offspring, it is the breeders oblgation to find proper and suitable homes for said dogs offspring that are safe from harm. if breeder asks for additional documentation, references, and/or does homechecks in order to assist find proper homes of breeders dog/offspring and the finding to be unsafe or unsuitable, than it is within the breeders right to void any signed and partial/paid contracts. these contracts also become nonrefunable due to time and energy that it takes for breeders to reenlist offspring to new home, buyer will not be within rights to request funds returned, especially in the case of misrepresentation (documents, homechecks, etc) this releases breeder of any legal recourse from buyer if contract cannot be fullfilled.