Anyone can be a breeder...put a male and a female together at the right time and a couple months later you have puppies...few weeks after that, place an ad in the paper and bring in the money!  The newspapers show the availability of AKC purebred puppies in a variety of breeds as well as those mixed breeds or "designer" breeds.  Without a doubt everyone who placed those ads are breeders.  The problem is that all breeders are not created equal...just as the animals they produce.  

It is your decision and/or the decision of your family on not only the breed you want, but how much support you want after the sale and how much money you want to spend.  If it doesn't matter to you, then you have a large selection of breeders to choose from and you can probably save a couple hundred dollars too.  Of course, in order to make that savings and lack of support worth it, you would have to buy the perfect dog.  So, if that is what you are looking for, no need to read any further and I wish you good luck as you are going to need it.  If you are looking for a long term investment from a source that works to preserve the integrity of a breed, then your choice of breeders narrows considerably and you have a lot more work to do.

If you have just started looking or even if you have purchased dogs (or even cats) in the past, you may not have realized the differences in breeders and may even view it like you are buying a used car....you just hope you won't get taken and end up buying a lemon.  There are some things to watch for that will increase your odds of getting a good, healthy match for you and your family.  I have listed below some major groupings of breeders based on what they offer both in support and quality of their animals. 

The "What A Deal!" Breeder
As close as your nearest supermarket entrance, bulleting board, or discount ad circular....they have a special offer just for you because they realize how much you (or your puppy infatuated child) would love the puppy or dog.  Cash is the only method of payment, and they share how wonderful the Mom and Dad are and they have been healthy all their life.  They may ask cursory questions about your family but they won't be doing house inspections and they probably won't offer their phone number or ask for yours for follow up.  The reasons for placing the puppy or dog could range from "we didn't expect another litter so soon" to "we wanted the kids to see the miracle of birth" to "we are moving and just can't take them all". Their only qualifier for you to buy their dog is the money in your hand.  You go home thinking you have a great deal and maybe even helped out some people who were in a bind.  If things go wrong and that suddenly healthy dog has seizures or Hip Dysplasia or any other problems, your good deal suddenly isn't.  

The "Quality Purebred Puppy" Breeder
The most important thing to remember with this breeder is that "quality" may mean different things to different people.  They may test for some genetic disorders and may offer a limited health guarantee (i.e. 48 hours).  The puppies are usually with the AKC or maybe one of the other more "less restrictive" organizations.  It can be hard to distinguish this type of breeder from a truly responsible breeder.  Their monetary motivation is  high on the list (rarely is this acknowledged) however they talk about wanting to offer "healthy" Collies to people who want them. They may put down those who compete in competition (it is just a beauty contest and political) or they may have shown a little in conformation and proudly display some blue ribbons to prove how beautiful their stock is (blue ribbons are nice but unless it was a win at a National Specialty show, they aren't really worth much).  If you are unfamiliar with AKC competition, these ribbons could be enough to fool you into a false sense of security that you really are purchasing the most beautiful dog in the world (but doesn't everyone think that?).  The cost of these puppies is usually the same or even higher than a responsible breeder.  It all comes down to how much they support the dog after the sale and what efforts they are taking to prove their 'quality' both in health screening and receiving acknowledgement for working toward the breed standard.  In other words, they have to talk the talk and walk the walk...they should provide copies of all testing and provide documentation that the immediate family members have successfully competed in conformation and performance to the point that they have earned titles.  Beauty, Brains and Health all contribute to the ideal Collie and if they are not focusing all three points, they are not doing the breed, and the buyer, justice.

The "Puppy Mill" Breeder
Volume is one aspect of this type of breeder but living conditions, testing, and motivation also play a part.  The typical "miller" runs their operation like a business and profit is the only motivator.  Volume is their key to success.  There are, however, people with their families that may keep a small breeding colony of four or five bitches and one male and sell exclusively thru advertising...they seem to always have puppies on the ground or soon to be born. Again the issue is motivation, testing, and living conditions.  Living conditions are often streamlined to take advantage of the most dogs with the least amount of labor (i.e. cage raised).  Bitches are bred early and continually until they are no longer "profitable" and the amount of females is disproportionate to the number of males (i.e. 90% females).  Socialization and genetic testing are not done as it does not contribute to profit...the goal is a healthy appearing puppy in a shop or available for viewing that will be purchased before any health issues become evident.  You are not allowed to see where they were "raised"...they are usually sold thru pet shops but some smaller "millers" may make arrangements to meet you at a predetermined spot.  Again, you are only screened to the point that you can afford to buy the dog. Buyers may fall for them based on an impulse purchase (how much is that doggy in the window?) or feel sorry for them with their sad eyes staring out from a cage.  The problem is, by the time you take home that impulse purchase or that sad face you want to make happy, it is often too late for the puppy to become a well adjusted and healthy animal.  Enough corners have been cut in that young puppies life that their chance for being a successful companion is significantly reduced. 

The "Show Prospects" or "AKC Champion Lines" Breeder
It is amazing how many breeders offer show prospects when they have never bred a successful conformation Collie.  If the dog has a few champions in the pedigree four generations back, it only tells you that the three generations closest to your dog did not successfully compete in conformation.   Even Champions have littermates that were not of the same quality so it is not realistic at all to think that one Champion can get you a show dog...even if the parent is that Champion.   Most people who offer prospects for performance and competition are going to be more interested in someone who knows what they are doing and have a track record of success or at least a dedicated attempt.  They may want to run your life (your success is their success), or they could cut you loose and let you succeed or fail on your own.  If you are lucky, you will find someone in between-someone to support you when you ask for help but won't be banging on your door if you have some ideas of your own. If you really are looking for a prospect in the AKC conformation or performance ring, you would hopefully have read up enough on the breed to know the parent club website, the breeder referral network, local breed clubs, and a beginning understanding of the genealogy and "families" of Collies.  If you don't start ahead and do your homework, you could have more than a few regrets. 

The "Responsible" Breeder
Harder to find than a Polar Bear in a snowstorm (or at least it sometimes feels that way).  What is unique about a Responsible breeder is that they often draw from aspects of most of the breeder classifications above. They should combine all the best attributes of each with the motivation being improvement of quality, not improvement of the pocket book.
From the "What a Deal!" breeder they may have been known to make accommodations for a family that had the heart but not the funds.
From the "Quality Purebred Puppy" breeder they take quality even more seriously.  They apply it to conformation, health, and temperament.  They do breed specific testing, make sure their puppies are socialized, and provide health guarantees and often even require home inspections.
From the "Puppy Mill" breeder they keep in mind fiscal issues.  Throwing money at something won't necessarily make it better.  A fiscally sound breeder knows that they have responsibilities to themselves and their dogs and if they cannot afford to keep some due to budget and time, they owe it to the dog to find someone who can.
The "Show Prospects/AKC Champion Lines" Breeder...if you aren't producing quality based on evaluation in the conformation and performance rings then you are ignoring one of the most definable features of the Collie - Beauty.  You also have a responsibility to future fanciers by sharing your knowledge and assisting when you are asked.  You have a responsibility to the history of the breed, the betterment of the breed, and giving the dogs the opportunity to prove they have "the stuff".

In my opinion, I consider a Responsible Breeder to be someone with a high degree of dedication to the fancy and the breed and that includes all the tangibles and intangibles. If you have studied and are clear in your goals for the betterment of the breed and are embarking on your first litter, I would say that qualifies you over someone who produces two or three (or more) litters a year touting "healthy collies" or "champion pedigrees" and is looking no farther than the next "crop" of sales.  A Responsible Breeder is as dedicated to the life of the dog at 10 years of age as at 10 weeks. 

Some things to watch for in advertising:

If they cannot spell 'purebred', don't expect them to be able to produce it.  This may sound harsh, but if they confuse 'purebred' with 'full blood', 'pure blood' or just plain old 'pure' then they haven't learned enough about the breed to use the right terminology, let alone the finer points of the breed and recommended health testing.

Just in time for (insert the holiday of choice).  They aren't stupid...they know they can place more puppies around the holidays so they plan it that way.  Responsible breeders often refuse to place puppies or dogs during the holidays or other hectic times...that is not the time to try to help your new puppy or dog adjust.

Females and males are priced differently.  There should be no distinction...a quality dog is a quality dog regardless of sex.  They are just trying to get a little more for females at the point of sale because they assume you will be making more money with her as you will be breeding her.  Responsible breeders do not allow breeding of any puppies they sell as they realize that quality is hard earned and easily lost.

Pricing is different "with papers".  This type of selling can get the seller barred from AKC privileges and it is not tolerated. The AKC registration papers are not a sign of quality...it is a recognition that the parents, grandparents, great grand-parents etc etc back to a specified "official" beginning of the breed were registered with the AKC.  The dog could be blind, born with 3 legs and not have a tooth in its head and still be AKC registered.

Something with an "oodle" in it (colliedoodle).  OK, if that is your selling point, then nothing I am saying will mean a thing. Mixing breeds to meet a fad is irresponsible and guarantees you nothing for temperament and type.    

For anyone who has ever thought of having puppies, click here for an excellent article by Sheri Graner.

The Collie Club of America

So, will it be an Adult or a Puppy?

Whether it is a rescue or a purchase from a breeder, you need to decide which will best fit into your household and your future plans. 

There are many, many articles and much has been written in helping people find their pets. A really nice new sight is NewPet.Com. It covers a lot of information, including food for thought in choosing an adult or a puppy. The only thing I would add is to stress the importance of staying away from pet stores that offer animals that are not part of a rescue organization or humane society/shelter. Any pet store that is selling purebred non-rescue dogs is not acting in the interest of the dog. They are simply puppy mill outlets. Do not fall victim to the sales pitch on quality and health.

I do not know of any National or Regional Breed Club that condones this type of market, and if a member is found selling to this type of store, they are usually ousted from the club. The ONLY exception to considering a pet store puppy is the store owner who also breeds and shows his own stock...and just happens to extend his work into a pet shop. This owner will be very aware of the lure of the "impulse purchase" and will take extra steps to make sure that you really are the right home for one of his/her dogs. These dogs may spend their day at the store, however they are taken home at the end of the day. This type of situation, however, is few and far between.

Health?

It will probably be very difficult to obtain health information on an adopted animal. Exhaust all of the sources but realize that the best planning and awareness does not account for Murphy's Law....whether it be for an adopted dog or a purchase from a breeder.

If you are buying a purebred Collie puppy, require eye checks for CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly), some type of health guarantee, and as much detail on the pup's ancestor's as possible, including how they died if applicable. Seeing as much of the family is always a good idea, but realize that the stud dog may be clear across the country...in which case photos and the name and address of the stud dog owner is recommended. Other items to inquire on are Hip Dysplasia and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy). The former is not considered a major health concern in Collies at this time, and the latter as been successfully reduced to only affect limited numbers of dogs. Another concern gaining momentum is the issue of bloat (gastric torsion). Again, education is your best defense.

Cost?

Be prepared for it to be expensive whether you choose to adopt or purchase. Do not assume that your adopted dog will be inexpensive to maintain since you will probably not have information on the health history. Many rescue groups have an "adoption" fee which is usually under $100 and covers the medical maintenance that the dog may have needed during the time it was rescued. The advantage to an adopted dog is that the majority do not cost any more than usual to maintain, and will often allow a family with limited income to enjoy the companionship that a dog can offer. It will also be very satisfying to give a dog a second (or third) chance at a new life.

Be prepared to spend anywhere from $400 to $1200 for a quality Collie that is not intended for showing or breeding (this cost will often vary according to location and age). Show prospects will average $500 to several thousands of dollars depending on age and show history. A show prospect does not mean that it will be a show dog, but that at the time of the sale, the dog shows considerable signs of quality and continuing improvement. In addition to the initial investment, sometimes the best laid plans go to ruin and an unexpected genetic or environmental crisis hits. The advantage to choosing a well bred dog is that selective breeding has attempted to retain the best attributes of the Collie while reducing the likelihood of a major health problem. You also should have access to the breeder's knowledge and help should something unexpected happen.

There are two ways to look at a dog....one you would want to show and win with, and one you would want in your breeding program. Ideally, they should be one and the same, however some of the best producers either never saw the show ring or took such a dislike to it that it was a waste of time to try.

For the show dog, you can then get into physical specifics however your personal specifics will vary and must be balanced against the degree of fault or excellence.  For the breeding prospect, the stakes are raised due to the health considerations. This is also where so many fanciers go different directions.

Arguably one of the biggest issues affecting Collies is Collie Eye Anomaly. Realistically, a dog with mild CEA sees no better or worse than a normal eyed dog. I would prefer to use normal eyed stock (either pure or with a mild recessive), but unfortunately I do not see enough dogs that are normal eyed and that fulfill my other genotype and phenotype requirements. 

A healthy immune system is the key to avoiding many of the major problems in Collies. Some problems that are believed to be linked to a compromised immune system include DM (dermatomyositis) and thyroid which are complicated by genetic inheritance. In recent years, many breeders are evaluating the role of vaccinations in the health of the dog. The current vaccination schedules may be too intense for many individual dogs, families of dogs, and/or breeds of dogs. Another problem is bloat which is currently thought to possibly be linked to conformation, temperament, and genetic predisposition.

One of the most wonderful aspects about this breed is the availability of two coat types. For some, the care that is involved for the rough variety can be daunting. The smooth may be the answer as you get all the Collie for half the work. For others, there can be no match for the elegance and image of the rough collie and the extra grooming becomes a bonding time for owner and dog. Both varieties shed the same (it just varies in volume), and for the most part the temperaments are the same, although smooth owners often testify that their variety has a unique outlook on life.

For the show hopeful, the smooth Collie is often the introduction of choice. The number of points required for winning is directly related to the number of dogs registered with the AKC, therefore it takes a win over many more roughs to get the points than Smooths. This doesn't mean that a smooth win is "cheap" or "easy". A good dog will rise to the top the majority of the time, regardless of coat. Remember, it just takes one dog to beat yours and take the points! It is often easier for the newcomer to start with a smooth as the pressure in competition is different. It is much easier to feel confident in a ring of five than in a ring of twenty five, not to mention you are usually going to be hauling around less grooming materials and spend less time brushing and blowing.