Puppy Information

What traits do you as a Breeder, breed for?

I only breed dogs that fit the Border Collie Breed Standard which has been set out by the original concierge and creators of the Border Collie breed in the breeds country of origin (border Scotland and England). I aim to maintain the mental and physical breed type of the Border Collie, a good Border Collie should be active and athletic outside, and calm and sweet when inside. Border Collies are one of the smartest most loyal breeds on the planet. I strive to breed good tempered, sound structured dogs that are free of genetic illness. Bellaclan puppies can be seen in the show, obedience, herding, agility and rally-o rings around the globe, as well as on the sofas of many active families. I want to hear from new owners at least yearly about how the puppy is doing in all respects, I take responsibility for the well being of all the dogs that I have brought into this world and provide life time support to you, the puppy owner. I really only breed when I am aiming to produce a new show prospect for myself so I generally keep at least one pup from each litter and the remaining pups are available to approved pet and/or performance homes. Although I do produce colour on occasion, most of my pups are black and white and I pair pups with new owners with temperament being the first priority, not what they look like/colour/gender! I DO NOT breed just to produce pups to sell to the public.  This is NOT a business, it is a very expensive hobby, thus I still have a full time job!

What kind of temperament do your dogs have?

The most important trait of a dog is it's temperament.  I only breed dogs that have sound temperaments to ensure that the pups I produce will have outstanding temperaments themselves.  My dogs are not fearful nor aggressive, they do not have any noise sensitivity issues, they are bold and loving and are willing to please being keen and intelligent.  I do not breed Border Collies that are constantly chasing lights and shadows nor who show any other neurotic behaviours that would make them hard to live with.  New owners must remember that they are Border Collies, as such, they are an active breed that requires their minds exercised even MORE than their bodies.  I only breed the best genetically but bad behaviours form in any dog of any breed, if they do not get the mental and physical stimulation that they need on a consistent basis.

What do you do to make sure the dogs you breed are

 genetically healthy?

In order to make sure that any puppy I produce is healthy, I genetically screen all my adult dogs prior to breeding. This ensures that they have a less chance of passing on any negative genetic disease to future offspring. These are not simple vet examinations from just any vet, they are costly and done by geneticists on DNA via blood and saliva samples, and in-depth examinations are done by eye, hearing, hip and joint specialists. Many breeders claim that they health test, make sure that you request copies of the test results from the veterinary specialists or check the OFA.org website and type in the dogs registration name. We do not breed any of our dogs until they are full health tested.  No dog can pass these tests until they are at least two years of age thus no Border Collie should be bred before then.

Where will my puppy be born and where do they live?

Our pups are born in a spare bedroom that has been turned into a whelping room (canine nursery) and we have two of them, one with a custom whelping box. We have a huge stock of emergency equipment for all possible emergencies while our girls are giving birth, including our own top quality ultrasound machine from PetTech which we can use to not just confirm pregnancy, but confirm that the pups are growing steady, that heart rates are stable, that they are a safe size to whelp naturally, that their heart chambers are well formed, and to ensure a safer delivery and make sure all the pups are birthed. We have feeding tubs to feed pups directly to their stomachs if they are too weak to nurse and we're taught how to do this by our Veterinarians. We also were taught how to give sub Q fluids to any dog requiring emergency fluids. Pups dehydrate very fast and we are able to recognize this instantly. We have custom made nipples for nursing and top of the line home made organic formulas that we have perfected over the years. We have incubators with temperature control and oxygen. This nursery is located one door away from our own rooms and we have live wifi cameras to our phones and iwatches that send us notifications and stream video to an iPad screen bedside etc. so we can see them at all times!
When they turn 5-6 weeks old we move them to a bigger area that we call the puppy playroom downstairs. 
Weather permitting they get to go outside during the day and at times are turned out into a huge puppy field.

When can I visit?

We do NOT allow people to visit puppies until they are vaccinated at 8 weeks of age and are being picked up. Until such time they have NO guaranteed immunity or protection against diseases such as Parvo. Parvo was discovered in the 1970’s and in only two years, the virus had spread worldwide! Parvo is a highly contagious virus. What makes the virus so dangerous is the ease with which it is spread,  it can be transmitted in two ways. The first is by direct contact through the nose and mouth with infected poop, which can happen when a dog sniffs or licks a surface or another dog that has been contaminated with feces. The second method of transmission is through indirect contact. The virus can survive on clothing, equipment, shoes, car tires, on human skin, and in the environment. Indirect transmission occurs when a puppy comes into contact with a contaminated person, object, or environment. The parvovirus is a particularly resilient virus. It can survive indoors at room temperature for at least two months and is resistant to many commonly used cleaners and disinfectants. Outdoors, the parvovirus can survive for months, and even years, if protected from direct sunlight...and reinfect dogs and new neonates continuously, young dogs under 5 weeks rarely survive. If you bring Parvo to us, which is easy if you stop at one gas station along the way here, you could bring it to our home permanently costing us tens of thousands to treat and putting our dogs in serious danger. Once a dog has contracted parvo, the virus replicates. This replication takes place in the small intestines, lymphopoietic tissue (lymph nodes, thymus, etc.), and bone marrow. This leads to severe GI problems and in rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and often death. Please read more about the dangers of parvovirus HERE, so that you can understand why we are so strict and why we worry so much and do everything possible to protect our new born pups who do not have the immune systems to fight it off.  We would be happy to send you many pictures and videos until then but the more foot traffic into our home the higher the risk to our dogs and even more so to our young pups, we are not willing to risk our unvaccinated pups lives! Read "Parvo Has Given Me Nightmares: A Vet's Testimonial" and learn about the other diseases our pups are susceptible to prior to vaccination, HERE.

What do you feed your dogs and pups?

I feed only the highest quality food and provide the pups and dogs with adequate exercise.  I want to ensure that my dogs live the longest healthiest lives possible. I do not feed cheap foods like "Puppy Chow" or other bands found at grocery stores. I feed my dogs as natural as possible and have done a lot of in depth research into canine nutrition. I have found that my dogs do best on a diet of very high quality kibble with the addition of raw meat and edible bones or a full balanced RAW diet.

Do you vaccinate your dogs?

I do not vaccinate my dogs yearly. I give the correct puppy vaccinations according to Nomographs and Titer tests after that I do a titer tests a year later and then every 3 years therafter and only vaccinate as needed.  In the recent years it has been proven time and time again that more harm has been caused by frequent vaccinations than good, and the dogs actually have lower immune systems when they are over vaccinated and have more chance of cancer in the site of vaccination.  Please ask your vet about doing yearly "titers" to test if immunity is present vs. just pumping them with vaccinations "just in case".  A dog that is fed well and gets exercise will be able to easily fight off little things like kennel cough. We do feed omega 3's and high doses of probiotics to ensure immune systems stay strong. I do keep my dogs rabies vaccinations current since we frequently cross the border into the USA.

How do you socialize your puppies?

Bellaclan puppies are born and raised in the house and are extensively socialized before they leave. I often bring the pups with me where ever I go since I know that as adults dogs they will spend many hours traveling with us, mostly those that will be show dogs. Once the are old enough we will take them to beaches and parks to socialize. It is your job to continue this with your puppy once they are home.  The more you introduce to your puppy at a young age the more they will tolerate as an adult and be accustomed to those situations!  I cannot stress enough how important socialization is and how it is important to let your puppy have as many pleasant interactions with all kinds of people and animals as possible while they are young.  A well socialized puppy makes a well adjusted adult.
Puppy Culture DVD
​After many years of research and trying many methods I have chosen to raise my puppies using Jane Killion's Puppy Culture methods. Included in this method is ENS (Early Neuroligical Stimulation) that I have already been doing for many years now. Puppy Culture also makes an additional series called "The Unplugged Series Volume I".  I highly recommend that all our puppy owners purchase both the Puppy Culture series and The Unplugged Series Volume I. I suggest that you watch this prior to your new pups arrival. These video's will drastically help set a foundation of continued learning throughout your pups lifetime, especially if you want to go on to be competitive in any canine sport or in the show ring. Puppy Culture is the very FIRST STEP in training your puppy, this should be started BEFORE any other training or obedience classes.  Puppy Culture will make your puppy into the most incredible, easy to live with, well adjusted pet!

Should I spay/neuter my dog?

All PET pups are sold on a spay/neuter contract, and are on AKC limited registration.  This means that you MUST have your dog "fixed" after 12 months but before 18 months of age, and that the puppy you get from me is a PET and cannot be bred from EVER. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. You can still show your dogs in performance events like agility, obedience, rally, disc dog, tracking etc.  They just cannot compete in conformation nor be bred from. I require a signed contract to ensure that this agreement is upheld. In addition you must also agree to sign the CKC Non-Breeding Agreement. We must have all these documents in our hands before the puppy will be signed over to you. We will take full legal action against anyone choosing to break this agreement.

Do you sell show prospect puppies?

DO I EVER PLACE BREEDING QUALITY SHOW DOGS?
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Yes.  However after being burned by many show/breeding homes in the dog world I am very particular about these homes. Simply showing the dog and health testing it after is not enough for us.  We want show homes who will exhibit the dog to the highest standards, homes who are dedicated to presenting our dogs at their very best.  Homes who are aware of the exercise needs of a show dog who must maintain muscle mass and a full coat.  Owning a show dog takes work and dedication.  In addition we want to know why you want our lines specifically.  What about them do you like? If you have Border Collies already where does our dog fit into your breeding program? It is not a matter of simply putting two top winner dogs together.  We are looking for homes that understand the concept of line-breeding, in-breeding and out-crossing. Lastly, most important of all, we want homes that LOVE their show dogs and who always do what is in the dogs best interest for it's entire lifetime, not just finish, breed and dump em! These dogs are available in a co-ownership only.

Can I choose a puppy?

I never sell pups on a "first come first serve" basis.  Once I pick the pup(s) that will be staying here with me, I will then choose a puppy for you.  I KNOW my puppies from the moment they were born, and thus know them better then anyone. A person can not pick their puppy through a picture, or from meeting the litter for a few minutes and picking the puppy that way.  I know each pups quirks and temperament and I try to get to know the owners as best I can.  PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL DESCRIBING EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT IN A PUPPY, IN DETAIL!!! What you write is what I use to match you with a puppy. Some puppies are show quality and some are pet quality due to many factors.  As a breeder I am responsible for which puppies go to live in show homes and possibly contribute to the breed for generations, and which ones go into pet homes.  This is not in anyway saying that the show puppies are so much better then the pets and that as a breeder I am sending you low quality.  Something simple such as a blue eye on a black puppy, or a hazel eye instead of dark brown, or white markings on the body, more or less angles then I prefer, and other simple things that do not have a huge effect on a dog as a pet. However those are factors I consider on a dog that might be bred from later!  Show dogs are often on the road a lot and I often choose the energetic naughty and tireless ones to be a show dog over the calm ones that would be better as pets. Please understand that we do this because we want our pups to fit into their home so that they have a home for LIFE. We believe matches are better made based on temperament traits rather then the physical traits you see in a picture.  Other breeders who let you pick this way, or when the pups are only a few days old, are incredibly irresponsible and uneducated.  They just want your money. I will let you know which puppy is yours between 6-8 weeks of age.

What is included with my puppy?

Pups ALWAYS come with:
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  • AKC Registration (Limited/Full)
  • CKC Miscellaneous Certification Number if both parents have CKC MCN numbers
  • Vaccinations according to Nomograph, and  medical records
  • UTD wormings and worming schedule
  • Full Inspection by a Board Certified Veterinarian and proof of such
  • Puppy Information Package Located Online with printable PDF files (Password Protected area)
  • ISO International Trovan Microchip implanted at the withers
  • Bellaclan Pedigree Certificate
  • SIX weeks of FREE PetSecure pet health/accident insurance from the time you take possession.
  • BREEDER HELP FOR LIFE

What is a puppy contract?

All my pups are sold with a completed contract. There is NO EXCEPTION to this. This contract is in place to protect you as the new owner, myself and the Bellaclan line/prefix, and most importantly...THE PUPPY!  I will not let a puppy leave my care till this is completed. A signed contract must be in my hand BEFORE your puppy leaves my hands! Review the contract before you give me a deposit!

How much are your puppies?

Although I find it "tacky" to list the price of a puppy on my website I find that it clears the air from the get go before one contacts me, Currently prices are as listed below and depend on how much the stud fee was, and if we used frozen semen/progesterone testing, number of pups, if we imported the parents or did a live breeding, make note that these are typical prices for a high quality purebred dog in Canada: Keep in mind that was have spent a lot of money ourselves to breed dogs that are this quality, we have spared no expense! PET QUALITY: $2000-$2500, SHOW/BREEDING PROSPECT: Please Contact. 

When can I put down a deposit on a puppy?

If the pups are NOT born yet I will NOT accept a deposit/retainer. If the pups are born and I have approved you for a puppy, a $500 deposit/retainer is due immediately to hold a puppy for you. Do NOT send a deposit/retainer until you have been approved and have reviewed and AGREE with the terms on our puppy contract.  Please be positive that you want a dog from us as the deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

When do I get to pick my puppy up?

If you know you are getting a puppy from us you MUST make arrangements to pick your puppy up between eight and nine weeks of age. In the event that the puppy cannot be picked up, you will be charged a boarding/training/feeding fee of $20 per day. If you live in Canada, a puppy can fly with you on the plane under the seat between 8-10 weeks of age, depending on size of the puppy.  If you are importing a puppy from us and are outside of North America there will be boarding fees, though we offer a discounted rate as we understand that there are many age restrictions set by foreign countries. We are happy to make arrangements to show the dog while still with us if possible, and of course show training and socialization is included with boarding and showing, at no additional cost! Show owners just need to pay entries and a share of travel expenses to shows.

Can you ship (fly) the dog to me?

Shipping (Airplane travel) is available to pretty much anywhere in the world. The cost of shipping is the responsibility of the new owner. Shipping is many times less stressful than driving your puppy many hours home, and much more cost effective and is faster. We will make sure your puppy is used to the kennel and ready to fly prior to departure.  Shipping within CANADA for a 8-16 week old pup is normally about $400-$500, this includes a kennel that you get to keep, bedding, toys, the flight. Gas to and from is extra, depending on what airport. London, ON is 1 hr from us, Windsor, ON - 1 hr, Detroit 1.5 hrs, Toronto is 3hrs. If you are located in the USA, we are willing to send a puppy to you as rules have changed in 2019 and Canada is now considered rabies-free when entering the USA so no vaccinations are needed going from Canada into the USA. State laws still apply. We can ship from Canada, drive to USA and ship from a USA Airport, or you are welcome to drive or fly to us to pick your pup up (depending on our own show schedules and litters in the house etc.). Shipping (Flight) is generally very easy, hassle free, and stress free for the puppy. Our dogs live with friends in Finland, Poland, Australia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Belgium, Australia and all over Canada and the USA.
Still want a puppy? Fill out our puppy application below!