Thunder Ridge Border Collies

Puppy Info

At Thunder Ridge Border Collies, we take great care in matching each puppy to the right home. Bringing a Border Collie into your life is a big decision, and we want the experience to be a positive and lasting one - for you and for the puppy.

I ask that if you apply for a Thunder Ridge puppy, you do so with commitment to my program rather than applying to multiple breeders at the same time. A lot of time goes into reviewing applications, contacting references, and building relationships. I don’t want families to disappear because another puppy became available sooner. Please take time to explore other breeders before applying, and once you decide Thunder Ridge is right for you, we move forward together.

If you're interested in welcoming one of our puppies, the first step is filling out our Puppy Questionnaire. This helps us get to know you, your lifestyle, and your goals for a dog. We may follow up with an email or a casual phone call - just to connect and learn more. Our puppies are placed in approved homes only, and we may request references as part of our due diligence.

We personally review every application and try to respond within a few days. If we feel you may be a good fit for one of our upcoming litters, we’ll stay in touch with updates along the way.

Please answer the questionnaire thoroughly. Short or one-word answers often don’t give us enough to go on. If your primary focus is things like coat colour or eye colour over temperament and suitability, we may not be the right breeder for you. We care deeply about placing our puppies in homes that value what makes these dogs so special on the inside - not just the outside.

Deposit Info

I do not accept deposits until puppies are born and thriving. Once they arrive, I contact the homes on my list to confirm interest and availability, then take deposits. At that point, we’ll request a $500 CAD non-refundable deposit to hold your place in the litter. You’ll have one week to respond and place the deposit. If we don’t hear from you within that time, we will move on to the next family on our list and your spot will be bumped down or removed.

We do this to keep things fair and organized - for us, and for the other families waiting. We know that life can be unpredictable, so if something comes up and you're no longer able to move forward, please just let us know. We're always happy to work with respectful communication.

If you place a deposit and, after final puppy evaluations, there isn’t a suitable puppy for your needs or preferences, your deposit can be transferred to a future litter or refunded.

Please understand that once a puppy is matched to a home, it is taken off the market. Backing out at that point means we have to start over finding the right home during a critical bonding window. That’s why we take placement seriously and ask that you only commit when you're truly ready.

Guardian Homes

From time to time, we may place a puppy in a guardian home when they show strong potential in conformation, competition, or working ability. The placement works just like any other, you are matched with a puppy that fits your home, lifestyle, and goals. If that puppy also happens to be one we’d like to keep in our program, and you are open to a guardianship arrangement, it becomes a bonus for both of us. You still receive your puppy as a cherished family member, while they also play an important role in the future of Thunder Ridge. We never place a dog in a guardianship home simply because someone is open to it, the puppy must be the right fit for you first.

We only consider guardianship placements with families in Southern Ontario - typically those we’ve gotten to know well and deeply trust. These placements are rare and only happen when a particular puppy shows the right combination of health, temperament, and structure we’re looking to preserve.

We may currently be looking for a potential show or competition guardian home. If this is something you're open to, feel free to mention it in your application.

The Process

What to expect when you're waiting for a Thunder Ridge puppy

We know waiting for a puppy can be both exciting and a little overwhelming, especially if it's your first time going through the process. Here’s a clear outline of what happens once you've joined our waitlist.

The Breeding is Confirmed

Once a planned pairing has taken place, we wait to confirm the pregnancy via ultrasound - usually around 4–5 weeks after breeding. When the pregnancy is confirmed, we reach out to those on the waitlist for that pairing to check in and confirm their continued interest. At this point, it’s helpful to clarify your most important criteria (such as working goals, temperament needs, or sex preference), as these can shift over time. This helps us keep things organized and accurate for the next steps.

The Puppies Are Born

After the puppies arrive, we take a few days to focus fully on mom and pups, ensuring everyone is doing well. Once we’ve had a chance to assess the litter and feel confident in how they’re doing, we’ll contact the families we believe may have a potential match and invite them to officially place a non-refundable $500 deposit. Families have one week to respond and confirm with their deposit.

At this stage, we also begin sharing regular updates and photos so you can follow along as the puppies grow.

Evaluations and Matching

Around 7–8 weeks of age, we complete temperament assessments to help us understand each puppy’s personality, working potential, and ideal home type. We use what we’ve learned about you through your application and conversations with us - along with what we know about each puppy - to carefully make matches.

We do take preferences into account, but our priority is always placing each puppy where they will thrive. Matches are not made based on coat colour or markings, and we do not allow families to “pick” puppies based solely on looks.

Families will be notified of their match shortly after evaluations are completed. At that time, the remaining balance for the puppy is due, with payment required before go-home day.

Visiting and Go-Home Day

Once the puppies are old enough (usually around 6 weeks), we schedule a visit day for local families to come meet the litter and spend time with the puppies. For those who are farther away, I'm always happy to hop on a video call before or after that visit - or really, anytime you’d like to check in or connect!

All of my families also have access to a private Facebook group, where we stay connected and share updates. I post more there than on my public page, and I often go live so you can see the puppies growing and developing in real time while you wait.

Puppies go home around 8 weeks of age, provided they are healthy and ready. At go-home, each puppy will have had a full veterinary check, age-appropriate deworming and vaccinations, and will be microchipped. You’ll also receive your puppy’s health records and a personalized puppy pack. CBCA paperwork is mailed out once pup is spayed/neutered unless otherwise arranged.

What If Things Change?

We understand that sometimes life throws curveballs. If you’ve placed a deposit but end up unable to move forward due to a major life event (such as illness or personal crisis), please reach out as soon as possible. In those cases, we may apply your deposit to a future litter or offer a refund depending on timing and circumstances.

Once a puppy has been matched and taken off the market, last-minute changes are difficult for both us and the puppy. We ask that you only place a deposit when you’re truly ready to bring a puppy home within the next few months.

It’s Time for Puppies to Go Home! Now What?

Bringing home your Thunder Ridge puppy is such an exciting time. By the time go-home day arrives, your puppy will have gone through early socialization, exposure to new sights, sounds, people, and environments, and gentle crate and car introductions. They’ve had a solid start - and now they’re ready for their next big adventure: home.

When Can My Puppy Come Home?

Puppies are ready to go home at 8 weeks of age, provided they are healthy and well-adjusted. If your puppy is flying to you with a flight nanny, they may need to stay a bit longer to meet minimum airline weight requirements. We’ll let you know if that’s the case well in advance.

Travel & Transport Options

If you aren’t able to pick up your puppy in person, we’re happy to help coordinate transportation with a trusted flight nanny (flying or driving). We do not ship puppies in cargo - only in-cabin, as this is a much safer and lower-stress experience for young puppies.

To arrange transport, we’ll need your destination and a few date options by the time puppies are five weeks old. This helps ensure our flight nanny can secure the right flights and fit you into her schedule. She will handle booking the flights and any travel needs, and her fee is paid directly to her.

In cases where travel arrangements must be made earlier due to flight availability, your puppy’s full payment may be due sooner to allow for booking.

What’s Included at Go-Home

When your puppy goes home, you’ll receive:

A copy of their health records
Info on their food and daily routine
A personalized puppy pack
And, of course, ongoing support whenever you need it

If you have any questions leading up to go-home day - or after - I’m always happy to hop on a call or video chat.

Puppy Price

Puppies are $2600 CAD, and placed on a non-breeding contract with lifelong support from me.

This price reflects the time, care, and resources that go into raising well-rounded, healthy puppies. From early enrichment and ENS to top-quality food, vet care, and a thoughtfully structured upbringing, I put everything into giving these pups the best start.

It also reflects the investment made in the parents, from extensive health testing to training, high-quality nutrition, and in some cases, the cost of using an outside stud (sometimes even international, with imported semen and all the extra steps involved).

Your puppy comes with a lifetime of support, and I’m here for you every step of the way.

CBCA registration is included and will be mailed once proof of spay/neuter is received.

What to Expect After Go-Home Day

Your puppy’s journey doesn’t end when they leave Thunder Ridge - it’s only just beginning. While we lay the foundation through early handling, socialization, exposure, and enrichment, the most critical stage of development continues with you.

Research shows that the first 14 weeks of a puppy’s life is the most important window for shaping their confidence, social skills, and ability to navigate the world. We do everything we can during the early weeks to prepare each pup for success, but the work really starts when they come home.

Your puppy will arrive having experienced crate training, short car rides, safe exploration, and age-appropriate challenges to build problem-solving skills. They’ve learned to settle, to engage, and to bounce back from novelty - but this window closes quickly. What you do with your puppy in the first few weeks at home makes a lifelong difference.

We strongly encourage all new puppy owners to explore positive, enrichment-based training methods that focus on communication, confidence, and calm. There are many excellent resources out there, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction if you’re not sure where to begin.

Please remember: puppies are not born knowing the rules. They learn best from consistency and kindness, not frustration or harsh correction. Clear boundaries from day one are far easier than trying to “fix” things later. If you don’t want a full-grown dog on the furniture, don’t start with a puppy on the couch. If you don’t want jumping, don’t reward it while it’s cute and small.

Your Border Collie will take their cues from you. They’re incredibly intuitive - able to read your voice, your energy, even your body language - and they want to work with you. That sensitivity is part of what makes them special, and it deserves thoughtful handling.

With patience, play, and purposeful training, your Thunder Ridge puppy can grow into a calm, confident, and connected partner - whether that’s in sport, work, or daily life.

We’re always here for our puppy families and love to stay in touch throughout your dog’s life. Whether you need support, advice, or just want to share a fun update, you’re part of the Thunder Ridge family now.

We also have a private Facebook group just for our puppy owners, their families, and close friends. It’s a space to connect, share stories and photos, ask questions, and find helpful resources as your puppy grows.

Looking for More Answers?

Visit our FAQ page for common questions.

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