ABOUT BORDER COLLIES
The Border Collie dog is one of the best performers amongst the herding dogs. The breed is believed to be a descendant of the Scottish Landrace Collie. Today’s Border Collies come from a dog named Old Hemp bred by Adam Telfer. The Border Collie breed got his name from his place of origin—Northumberland, England—which lies along the English–Scottish border. The history of the Border Collie began around the gradual dissipation of the Roman Empire. The Romans brought small yet fleet-footed Spitz-type herding dogs during their occupation in Britain. These canines were later on bred with the dogs introduced by Vikings who raided Britain. Their compact, active, and lithe offspring mark the beginning of the Border Collie breed. The progenitors of the Border Collie became a handy guard dog and sheepherder. There were different variations of the breed, depending on the work or terrain needed in each region. The names these dogs were linked to the regions they work in—for instance, Highland Collie, Northern Sheepdog, Scotch Collie, and Welsh Sheepdog. The Scotch Sheepdogs were shown during the second dog show held in England in 1860. One of the dogs caught Queen Victoria’s eyes, who was on a trip to Balmoral. This coincidental encounter started the Queen’s fondness for the breed. The first sheepdog trial began in Bala, Wales, in 1873. The Border Collie’s natural talent for herding sheep and other livestock is shown in the event, which led to his consistent breeding. Secretary of the International Sheep Dog (ISDS) Society, James Reid, was the first to use Border Collie name in 1915. The group wanted to separate this breed from the Collie breed that was recognised by the Kennel Club. Although they came from the same working stock, the Border Collie was bred differently in terms of appearance. The Border Collie had been effectively working as a herding dog for hundreds of years, but only became popular in 1984. This was when Old Hemp won the dog trials in Bala, Wales. The breed was first recognised by the Kennel Club in 1977, which standards were amended a year later. After the Border Collie breed was introduced in America, he became a star in several films and TV shows including Babe, Hotel For Dogs, and Mad About You. Aside from basking in the Hollywood limelight, the breed proves to be adept in sniffing out narcotics and bombs.
HOW WE BECAME BORDER COLLIE BREEDERS
Welcome to Contact Point Border Collies, where excellence in breeding and a passion for canine sports come together. Our journey began in June 1999 with the arrival of our very first litter of Contact Point Border Collies, and it is a breeding program that fills us with immense pride.
We are honored to have been bestowed with the esteemed title of AKC Breeder of the Year for Agility in 2014. This prestigious award recognized the top breeder in agility across all breeds for that particular year. It is a singular honor, bestowed only once per breeder, and we were thrilled to have our dedication and commitment acknowledged in such a remarkable manner.
As we continued our breeding journey, after more than 23 years of breeding Border Collies, we achieved the remarkable distinction of AKC Breeder of Merit Platinum. This milestone is a testament to our commitment to the breed. To earn the Platinum level recognition, we have bred a minimum of 100 dogs who have obtained AKC titles, with at least 60 of them achieving a Championship. We take immense pride in being the first and only Border Collie breeder to reach this remarkable level of distinction.
Our Contact Point Border Collies have found loving homes all across the globe. From the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, England, Germany, Spain, Russia, to Japan our pups are living their best lives with their new owners. They excel in various dog sport venues, including Agility, Herding, Disc Dogs, Flyball, Dock Diving, Obedience, Rally, Tricks and even as performers in the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Shows.
While our Contact Point Border Collies shine in the spotlight of sporting arenas, they are also beloved family members who relish a wide range of activities with their owners. They are enthusiastic participants in hiking, camping and various outdoor adventures, bringing joy and companionship wherever they go. Moreover, they have touched the lives of their owners as cherished Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs, providing comfort, support and assistance when it is needed most.
Understanding that each pup possesses unique qualities and strengths, we are committed to working closely with you to determine the best fit for your new companion based on your aspirations and plans. Whether it be finding the ideal sport or lifestyle, we will guide you to ensure a perfect match.
Thank you for visiting our website and exploring the world of Contact Point Border Collies. Join us on this extraordinary journey as we celebrate the achievements, showcase the remarkable talents and share the love and devotion that our Border Collies bring to our lives and the lives of their fortunate owners.