(The following is reprinted with permission from the authors)

Following is an outline of questions a potential owner should ask breeders.

Are they registered purebreds?
In Canada it is illegal to sell a dog as "purebred" without supplying papers. It is also illegal to charge more for a puppy with papers than without. (E.g., puppy 1- buyer doesn’t want papers, puppy price $250.00; puppy 2 - buyer wants papers, puppy price is $300.00).

What registry are they registered with?
There are several different registries that Border Collies in North America are registered with:

Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA)                          
American International Border Collie (AIBC)
American Border Collie Association (ABCA)                           
North American Sheepdog Society (NASDS)
International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) (England)
American Kennel Club (AKC)

Are there any hereditary eye or hip problems in these lines?
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Breeding stock should be certified as having normal eyes by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF). Puppies can be cleared as early as 5 - 12 weeks of age. It is recommended to get puppies checked as there is a "go normal" form of CEA which can only be detected at this age. A "go normal" dog is, in effect, a CEA affected dog, however this is undetectable on a physical exam.
Now, there is also the option of a DNA test to see if a dog is a carrier or a clear.  More information on this is available through Optigen's website.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA can occur at any time, so all dogs should be tested annually.

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
Breeding stock should have their hips x-rayed and certified as normal. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluates hip x-rays and rate normal hips as "Fair", "Good" or "Excellent". Borderline or dysplastic hips are not given a rating. OFA will not certify or rate hips until the dog is 2 years of age.
There is also the option of the Pennhip exam.

Elbows
Due to the large increase of demand upon our dogs due to sports such as flyball and agility, more and more breeders are checking their breeding dogs elbows. OFA will read the x-rays and give a rating of "Normal" to a dog with proper elbows. Elbows, like hips, can be dysplastic.

Has there been any signs of epilepsy in these lines?
Most breeders will tell you that epilepsy is not hereditary. Actually, there is no proof that it is. But, if you look into the background of an epileptic Border Collie, there are generally more dogs that are epileptic. Epileptic dogs should be removed from any breeding programs.

Has there been any signs of malignant hyperthermia in these lines?
Malignant Hyperthermia is a serious hypermetobolic condition triggered by stress, exercise and certain anesthetics. The body temperature of the dog increases quickly to dangerous levels. If the temperature is not reduced quickly, the dog can die.

Has there been any signs of deafness in these lines?
There have been more and more incidences of unilateral (deaf in one ear) and bilateral (deaf in both ears) deafness in the Border Collie. Breeding stock should be BAER (Bilateral Auditory Evoked Response) tested. Again, there are conflicting reports on the mode of inheritance for deafness.
There has also been an increase in deafness which occurs between 2 - 4 years of age. Again, this could possibly be genetic, but the research into genetic deafness is in its infancy.

Do you test your breeding stock for Thyroid abnormalities?
Problems with thyroid levels can result in hyperactive or lethargic dogs. Hair loss, weight gain, flaky skin can all indicate a thyroid problem. The OFA certifies thyroids after one year of age. Breeding stock should always be tested.

What do you do with your dogs? Agility, herding, obedience, flyball, pet therapy . . .
While this question may seem unimportant, it is actually a very good indicator of the temperaments of the parents as well as indicating the amount of time and work the breeder puts into them. It also tells you if the breeder is breeding for a specific type of dog (eg. flyball) or for the versatility that the breed is so famous for.

What kind of environment are the puppies raised in? Barn, kennel only, kennel/house, house.
If the pups have very little human contact, which is very common on farms, there will generally be temperament problems (shyness, etc). If the pups are raised in the kennel/house situation, they are very likely more socialized with people, other dogs and different situations.

Do you ensure the puppies are socialized with both adults and children?
Border Collies are not the best pet with kids as they see them as a type of livestock to herd. This is natural to them and can result in some nipping. If the pups are used to being around kids, they develop the ability to distinguish them from an animal to be worked.

What type of feeding schedule was the bitch on while in whelp?
Poor nutrition while pregnant and nursing can lead to problems in growth and bone development as the puppies mature.

What type of food are the bitch and puppies on? What supplements if any?
Good nutrition is very important to both the bitch and the puppies while she is pregnant and nursing.
Also, a good thing to remember, when you pick your puppy up, many breeders will give you a supply of the food the puppy is currently eating.  Any change to a different food should be done gradually so as not to upset the puppy’s system.

What vaccination and deworming schedule are your puppies on?
A puppy should be vaccinated at regular intervals (every 3 - 4 weeks) from 6 - 7 weeks of age until four months of age, when it gets its final set with the rabies shot.

Do you temperament test the puppies?
Many good breeders now temperament test their litters. These tests help the breeder determine the temperament of the puppy, therefore giving the breeder the best insight into what kind of owner that puppy needs.
It is becoming more and more popular for the breeder to match the puppy to its new owner, rather than the traditional method of the prospective owner picking the puppy. The breeder raises these pups from the time they are born . . . who better to trust when it comes to picking that puppy for you.

Ask for references, get names of people who have previously bought puppies from the breeder (if available)  .
A good breeder will be more than happy to give you references. With this type of information, you can get in touch with the people and find out how the other puppies have turned out. If the breeder refuses to give you any references, run!! They are obviously trying to hide something.

Try to buy from a breeder who sells under contract.
These are very few and far between! Most Border Collie breeders around sell their dogs on a "final sale" basis. They discriminate neither what they breed nor who they sell to.
Ask the breeder what kind of guarantees they have on their dogs (such as money back, free from hereditary problems, buy backs etc). Many tests on dogs cannot be done or certified until they are two years of age. If a breeder is not willing to put their faith in their dogs by drawing up a written contract to protect you, the dog and themselves, why should you have faith in their dogs?
Put it this way . . . would you buy a new car without a warranty?

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These are just some of the questions to ask a breeder. Obviously these are very important questions, and asking them before buying and finding a conscientious breeder who is positive in answering them, will save you heartache later. No dog is 100% guaranteed, but by starting off on the right track you eliminate many problems that may come later on.

Ask a breeder if they do rescue, whether that be foster home or referral service. By breeding, they are adding to the population of Border Collies. Many reputable breeders are actively involved in rescue in one form or another. More and more breeders are taking the attitude "If you can breed, you can rescue." Also becoming more numerous are the breeders who donate a certain dollar amount from each puppy to rescue.

You will also find that a good breeder will question you as much, if not more (after all, these are their babies!!), than you question them . . . So, be ready for what many people call the "Inquisition" from a good breeder!