Meg - 1979 – 1992

Nine National trials

English team 1983

The first of our Main Line of dogs and the inspiration for MBCC

General advice

Anyone studying the pedigree sheets of the great Border Collies of this century will see a link back to the same foundation dogs. These dogs were the cream of the cream, not because they have won accolades (and not all did) but because their genetic make-up was strong enough to influence the future generations.

Breeding is not to be taken lightly, it is not simply a matter of mating two dogs and expecting the desired results because one or both of them has won prizes. This method can not only produce puppies with a less than desirable temperament but will also give the stud dog a bad name, bearing in mind that he may serve many ill matched bitches in six months, to one bitches bad litter.

Registration

Dual registration means registered with the KC (Kennel Club) and the ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) A dog registered with the KC is not eligible for the ISDS. A dog registered with the ISDS may be registered with the KC.

The ISDS recognises the Border Collie and Working Sheepdog as a Border Collie for their register. The KC recognises the Border Collie as a pure breed and that a Working Sheepdog may be a crossbreed. These are all points to be aware of when purchasing a puppy and when breeding and registration can be confusing, if you have any queries contact Mainline and we will try to help you.

Being a Responsible Custodian

‘You are a custodian for one of the noblest breeds of dog,
enjoy every minute of living with your Border Collie’

As custodians of this remarkable breed we must think very carefully about what the future holds for it, as we may be in danger of losing the quality of breeding our ancestors have provided for us over the past century. A quality that is as precious as the very air this magnificent breed breathes if it is to retain its wonderful qualities.

Much is written about the collie and its working traits and most of it is unfavourable, the breed is accused of being hyperactive, of chasing, nipping and being destructive. Are all other breeds perfect? The Border Collie as a breed is not guilty of any of these ‘sins’, but incorrect diet, management and communication are, they can cause a collie to act in a manner that has become known as the BC Syndrome. Understanding the breed helps in training and management but with that knowledge must come an understanding of the breed’s ancestry and of the commitment of the shepherds who cared enough to only breed the best. For without them and their knowledge the Border Collie as we know it would not exist.

Take little notice of comments such as ‘only buy a puppy that’s been bred from pet lines’ and ‘don’t buy a working puppy’. The collie we all know and love is a sheepdog, this is what it was bred to do. Years of developing that wonderful brain, enabling these dogs to work on there own initiative, to solve problems and to give their all for man can be destroyed by careless, thoughtless breeding in a few very short years. A well bred working dog is also a wonderful companion and soul-mate.

Giving - this is what Border Collies do, this is when they are at their best, this is what 100 years of dedicated breeding has given us so please before you breed or even consider breeding look carefully to the future. When you hear people say there are not going to be enough sheep in the future to keep all the dogs working don’t be tempted to believe the working brain should be watered down. Collies are doing Search and Rescue, searching for drugs, they are detecting epilepsy in humans they are doing so much good that the number of sheep in the country is not the crisis as the number of sheepdogs that are being bred to ignore them. We must all play our parts as custodians to make sure this wonderful breed remains what the last century has made it and what the rest of the world is only just discovering, a friend, a soulmate, a workmate, a partner, a sheepdog.