Are your dogs tested?
Yes! All our breeding dogs are tested and OFA certified. We always perform DNA tests to determine which genes they carry. We also conduct eye tests to ensure their good health, as this is a very important factor in the breed. We also perform heart tests to ensure our dogs don't have heart murmurs, especially important in Border Collies, which are sporty/active dogs. We also take hip and elbow x-rays. OFA requires at least DNA testing, hip x-rays, and eye exams. So we test more than OFA requires.
How does the adoption process work?
The adoption process is relatively simple. We ask you to complete the adoption form on the adoption page. We will then contact you to confirm receipt of your form. We contact families once the puppies are two weeks old, as the first two weeks of a puppy's life are critical, and it's often during this period that deaths occur. Once this critical period has passed, we contact you to let you know you're ready to begin the adoption process. When the puppies are seven to eight weeks old, we assess each puppy's temperament and decide which family will go to which to ensure the best possible match. If you agree with our choice, we only request payment of the administrative fees at this point. The puppies leave for their new homes between nine and eleven weeks of age.
The adoption process involves filling out the adoption form. Following this, we have a virtual or in-person meeting, a kind of interview to ensure you are familiar with the breed and that it's a good fit for you. Once the interview is over and you are accepted, we choose the families when the puppies are 7-8 weeks old. They go to their new homes between 9 and 11 weeks.
What is your socialization program?
We have a great socialization program.
Between 3 and 17 days old, we do the ENS/ESI program. This program was developed by the U.S. Army for their canine unit puppies. It consists of 14 days of neurological and olfactory stimulation. This works on the puppy's cardiovascular system, neurological system, and sense of smell. The goal is to have a more resilient dog.
Between 20 and 27 days old, we play a playlist of sounds so the puppy will later learn to ignore them. We have a playlist of sounds including thunderstorms, AK-47 machine guns, a nuclear alarm, an agility competition, a conformation competition, a church bell, a train, an airplane, a noisy city, police sirens, a fire engine and ambulance, a child screaming in a schoolyard, horror sounds, a crying baby, a laughing baby, etc. We play this playlist for one hour a day during naps and/or meals.
When the puppies start walking, we add textures to the whelping box: smooth yoga mats, a grass mat that will eventually become their potty area, yoga pods, a wobble board, etc.
Around 3-4 weeks, depending on the temperature, we start taking them on short walks outside.
From 6 weeks onward, that's when the real fun begins. We're starting to take the puppies on outings to the shop to explore new environments. We also have two water introductions (one in a spa and the other in a real dock diving pool), an introduction to frisbee, an introduction to ratting sports, a temperament test on sheep, and a behavioral temperament test.
We will have done a lot of car travel, seen several different environments, and if time allows, the puppies will accompany me to some competitions to get used to this type of environment.
What comes with the puppy when it leaves?
Our starter kits are quite comprehensive. You'll receive a 5-pound bag of kibble (or 4 pounds of raw food if you prefer a raw diet), two puppy frisbees, a bumper, a plush toy, a blanket, a can of pumpkin puree, chew toys, discounts with Quebec businesses, the puppy's complete DNA results, its health record, AKC registration (sent 30 days after adoption), and a few other seasonal extras. And most importantly, you'll have lifetime support from us! We'll always be there to answer your questions.
What is the price of a puppy?
The price of a puppy from us is $2,500 CAD, and we require a $1,000 CAD administrative fee (this fee is only charged once we've decided which puppy will go to your home; it's to confirm the reservation). The administrative fee is non-refundable, but it can be transferred to another litter (should something happen and you are unable to take the puppy).