Border Collie Breeders | Border Collie Puppies | Taupo, Nz
Available Puppies
Planned LitterS 2026
PREVIOUS Litters
Rainmaker Litter 2025
Spring Days Litter 2025
Rainmaker Litter 2025
Sunrise Litter 2024
Spring Days Litter 2025
Rainmaker Litter 2025
Spring Days Litter 2025
Spring Days Litter 2025
Spring Days Litter 2025
All our puppies are raised by Badass Breeder methods
Socialization
Socialization is essential for raising a well-rounded dog. However, there is a common misconception about what "socialization" truly means. It is crucial not to overdo it with our puppies, especially with breeds like border collies, as excessive socialization can lead to more problems than it solves. Often, the focus is on the quantity of socialization—allowing puppies to meet as many people, places, and things as possible—rather than considering how the puppy feels during these encounters. This approach can be harmful.
When it comes to socializing with other dogs, many adult dogs do not enjoy the company of puppies. Therefore, it is vital to find dogs that are polite, neutral, calm, and gentle with puppies. A negative experience, such as a sharp correction or an accidental scare from a dog, can impact your puppy's confidence around dogs. The same principle applies to interactions with people and children, though they are typically easier to manage than dogs that are not yours.
A bad encounter with any dog, child, person, place, or thing can shape your puppy's perception of that stimulus, potentially leading to lasting fear or even aggression, which can be challenging to address later on. Border collie puppies, in particular, may appear very stoic and seem unaffected by environmental stimuli and pressure. However, they can quickly form negative associations that may resurface later in life.
In my opinion, the primary goal of socialization should be to establish your puppy's trust in you. It is important for them to understand that you will advocate for them and that they should value your guidance above all else.
Desensitization
Just like socialization, desensitizing is also very important and on the same spectrum. Puppies are at their most impressionable point in their entire life, specifically during their first 3-4 months. As they age, their adaptability to new things becomes more of a challenge. Your puppy from Pine Tree Hill Farms will already have a foundation and familiarity with car rides, having his teeth checked, his ears looked at, his nails checked, general body handling, wearing collars, desensitisation to household noises such as the TV, music, noisy vehicles, and so on. You will need to continue these things at your puppy’s pace and always take care to notice your puppy’s state of mind to maintain the best results throughout your dog's life.
Training
Training is one of the most rewarding ways we can bond with our canine companions. Establishing the love to learn, desire to look to you for guidance, and the trust associated with a good training relationship is an unsurpassed joy you get to share with your dog. The intelligence, biddability, and trainability of Border Collies is well known and likely a factor in choosing this breed for your future companion! However, like with all other things, it’s important to emphasise quality over quantity and keep training sessions short and highly engaging until your pup has enough mental and emotional maturity to avoid displacement. Training throughout your dog’s entire life is a great way to provide mental stimulation and maintain a healthy relationship. No dog is ever too old for new tricks!
Setting boundaries with your new puppy or dog right away is also very important. Boundaries can include structured access to freedom, appropriate crate usage, how you manage greetings, whether or not you want to allow your dog on the furniture, and their interactions with other animals. It's unfair to allow something for a while and then expect it to stop easily later on, or to ask them to distinguish between behaviors that are “ok” at certain times and not at others. As a rule of thumb, dogs are not the best at generalizing! It's easier to set these boundaries and expectations right away and be consistent with them during puppyhood, rather than to try to rewire them to do brand new or contradicting things later. Some things may be cute as a little puppy, but once you have a 20kg dog, it might not be so cute! You obviously get to set the rules in your own home, but it is good to establish these rules sooner rather than later.
Physical health and nutrition
Physical health is another key factor in the lives of our dogs. Obesity is the most common preventable disease in dogs, and in 2025, more than 40% of dogs in New Zealand are overweight. (Companion Animals New Zealand). Body condition and weight should be evaluated regularly by feel and appearance. Being even moderately overweight can reduce a dog’s life expectancy by nearly two years, while also increasing the risks for many types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and a faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and even anaesthesia complications. Unfortunately, it can be a challenge for people to realize their dog is overweight, and even some vets can struggle with this. People are very used to seeing overweight animals, to the point where it is often accepted as normal. You may even experience more societal backlash for having a healthy-weight dog from people who mistake them for being “emaciated.”
Another huge problem dogs face is overgrown nails. Long nails can turn a healthy paw into a splayed foot–reducing traction, potentially deforming their feet, and injuring the tendons over an extended period. When nails are too long, they create an unnatural angle for the foot, where the nails “push” their toes up and the “heel” of their foot comes down to balance in a “plantigrade” position, straining the muscles and ligaments in their legs. Overgrown nails also increase the risk of a dog catching their nail on something, ripping off the outer casing of the nail, and exposing the quick and nerve endings. In severe cases, nails can even curl around on themselves and grow into the paw pad. Many people leave nail maintenance up to their vet or groomer, but realistically, nails should be trimmed far more often. Cooperative care is something that every dog should be comfortable with receiving from their owner.
Nutrition is another very important piece of our dogs' well-being. I have always steered clear of “grain free” foods and any foods containing phytoestrogens for the benefit of my dogs reproductive health, but there have also been links with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Phytoestrogens can be estrogenic (have estrogen-like effects and increase the estrogen levels in your body) or antiestrogenic (decrease natural estrogen levels by blocking the hormone’s effects). Phytoestrogen-rich foods often seen in kibble are peas, other legumes, and flaxseed. I always recommend finding a diet that meets AAFCO’s nutrient profile standards like Purina. I don’t generally recommend the “boutique” dog food brands (pet foods made by smaller manufacturers, often using novel or exotic ingredients) as they may meet AAFCO profiles but may not have veterinary nutritionists on staff and or thorough feeding trial data.
I also approve of a properly balanced raw diet. However, please do lots of research on this and transition your puppy or dog appropriately, as an improperly balanced raw diet can be detrimental.
HARLEQUIN MERLE BORDER COLLIES
What makes a dog a Harlequin?
The Harlequin must have a base fur colour of pure white with black or merle — a grayish shade — patches throughout. The dog's neck must be wholly or partially white. Patches of black should not reach a diameter where they're considered to be a blanket instead of patches.
Credit: American Kennel Club (AKC)
Sadie x Cash Litter 2024 Harlequin Merle Coats