Border Collie Breeder · Development Breeder · Border Collie Puppies · NZ
About Pine Tree Hill Farms™
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s central Waikato, Pine Tree Hill Farms sits on a 450-hectare dairy farm surrounded by rolling pine-covered hills, natural springs, and tranquil ponds. The land is abundant with wildlife — a sensory dream for our Border Collies and the perfect environment for them to explore, learn, and thrive.
At Pine Tree Hill Farms, we raise exceptional Border Collies with heart, purpose, and deep respect for the breed’s intelligence, sensitivity, and working heritage.
Our Philosophy
We believe that exceptional dogs are shaped long before they ever leave for their new homes.
Through thoughtful breeding, intentional early development, and deep respect for the breed, we strive to raise Border Collies who are confident, capable, and deeply connected to their people.
Pine Tree Hill Farms operates under Pacific Milk Limited, a proudly New Zealand–owned and GST-registered business. What began as a personal passion for thoughtful, ethical breeding has grown into a carefully developed program built on knowledge, transparency, and genuine love for the breed.
A cornerstone of our program is The Pine Tree Hill Puppy Curriculum™, a structured early development program designed to give each puppy the strongest possible start in life. Beginning from just three days of age, puppies are thoughtfully guided through carefully timed neurological stimulation, early scent exposure, environmental enrichment, and positive human interaction.
This intentional early development helps nurture puppies who are confident, curious, emotionally resilient, and well prepared for the world beyond the whelping box.
Equally important is the care taken when matching puppies with their families. Every placement is made thoughtfully and with the puppy’s temperament in mind, ensuring the best possible partnership between dog and home.
We are deeply proud of the honesty, transparency, and professionalism that define our approach — and of the beautiful corner of Waikato that our dogs are fortunate enough to call home.
Bringing a Puppy From Our Home to Yours
We intentionally maintain a small-scale breeding program so every puppy receives the individual care and attention they deserve.
Our puppies are raised in our home alongside our children and other animals, experiencing the natural rhythm and activity of family life from the very beginning. This early exposure helps puppies develop strong social skills, adaptability, and comfort around people.
Combined with the guidance of The Pine Tree Hill Puppy Curriculum™, this nurturing environment helps shape puppies who are not only intelligent and capable, but also calm, affectionate companions ready to thrive with their new families.
Our goal is simple — to raise Border Collies who reflect the care, dedication, and love invested in their earliest weeks of life.
In Loving Memory
Tasha 2010-2025
“In loving memory of Tasha — our faithful Huntaway, gentle nanny to our first puppies, and a cherished part of the Pine Tree Hill story.”
Tasha was my partner’s purebred Huntaway working dog and a deeply loved member of our family here on the farm. For many years she worked faithfully alongside Josh, known for her steady nature, loyalty, and beautiful temperament.
When Sadie joined our family as a young Border Collie, she quickly formed a close bond with Tasha. Growing up beside such a calm and balanced dog made Tasha a wonderful role model and companion for her.
When our first litters of puppies arrived, Tasha naturally stepped into the role of a gentle nanny. With remarkable patience and kindness, she became a calm and trusted presence around the puppies, quietly teaching them through her example. Watching her interact with them remains one of the most special memories from the early days of Pine Tree Hill Farms.
Tasha lived a long and happy life with us and passed away peacefully at the age of fifteen. Her gentle spirit, wisdom, and influence will always remain part of this place and the story we continue to build here.
Tūī
Wild Aotearoa Litter
Whelped: 7 December 2025
Grew her wings: 11 December 2025
Tūī was a tiny and precious member of our Wild Aotearoa litter whose time with us was heartbreakingly brief. Despite every effort and careful support, she sadly failed to thrive and passed away peacefully at just four days old.
Although her life was short, she was deeply loved and will always be remembered as part of this special litter and the story of Pine Tree Hill Farms.
Some puppies leave the smallest pawprints — yet the deepest marks on our hearts.
BORDER COLLIE LIVING ENVIRONMENT
Ideal Border Collie Lifestyle
When you welcome a Border Collie puppy into your home, you are also welcoming the lifestyle that comes with them. Border Collies are an extraordinary breed — intelligent, driven, and deeply people-oriented — but they do require thoughtful ownership and daily engagement to truly thrive.
Border Collies are not naturally suited to sedentary lifestyles or environments where their physical and mental needs cannot be met. They are an active working breed that benefits from regular exercise, purposeful training, and meaningful interaction with their people. Without appropriate outlets for their energy and intelligence, they can quickly become bored — and a bored Border Collie will often find their own entertainment, which may include redesigning furniture, relocating shoes, or gardening with your houseplants.
While wide open spaces such as farms, lifestyle blocks, or rural properties are certainly a Border Collie’s idea of paradise, I do not automatically rule out city living families. Some of my puppies are thriving in Auckland homes where their owners are highly committed to meeting their needs. These dogs enjoy regular pack walks, consistent training, structured activities, and plenty of enrichment, followed by the love and companionship that Border Collies value so deeply.
What matters most is not the postcode — it is the lifestyle.
Border Collies do best with owners who can dedicate time each day to physical exercise, mental stimulation, and ongoing training. They thrive on routine and partnership with their humans, often enjoying activities such as obedience, agility, hiking, scent work, frisbee, or simply learning new skills together.
For active individuals and families who enjoy an engaged lifestyle, a Border Collie can be an exceptional companion. They are enthusiastic teammates, loyal partners, and eager learners who truly flourish when they are included in daily life.
It is no coincidence that Border Collies are widely recognised as one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world — but with that intelligence comes the responsibility to provide them with the guidance, stimulation, and connection they need to reach their full potential.
