Quality Breeding
SilverstarZ takes careful consideration and research into each Bearded Collie selected for breeding.
We strive to follow lines that have outstanding temperament and conformation,
and feel that these attributes are an absolute must with a breed of this type and size.
Taking much pride in each foundation, lines SilverstarZ considers for the breed are researched from breeders who strived for a
'Better Bearded Collie'.
The Bearded Collie today is a relatively healthy breed and we have dedicated breeders throughout the breeds history to thank for this.
Although like all breeds and most living creatures there are disorders and issues to be concerned for
and where possible efforts are continuing to be made by responsible breeders to eradicate disorders found.
SilverstarZ are proud of the foundations within our lines and continue to research our selections for Quality Breeding.
Bearded Collies SilverstarZ considers for possible future breeding are eye tested, elbow scored, hip scored,
and if any signs of hyothyroidism, thyroid levels are tested.
SilverstarZ considers temperaments with the typical Beardie nature important to the breed.
Bearded Collies are a friendly, loyal, and intelligent breed and should not show signs of nervousness or aggression.
This is taken just as serious as any possible health issues.
Our home of Bearded Collies are raised within a clean family home environment, well loved and socialised,
producing confident, happy and secure pups with the best possible start in life.
When choosing a breeder and a puppy of any breed, it can be a daughting experience.
Often you are left relying on a breeder to provide you with an adorable healthy puppy and the correct information.
This is some information we find important when selecting a Bearded Collie.
♦ Be sure to buy from a registered breeder who has agreed to the code of ethics of responsible breeding.
You can find listings of registered pure breed breeders through the Australian National Kennel Council web site, your local Canine Associaton or the dogzonline web site.
♦ All responsible breeders will sell their puppies wormed, vaccinated, microchipped and with registered pedigree papers.
Limited papers for a companion pet or full papers if applied for a Show prospect puppy, agility, or 'other'. The puppy should have started a worming program at 2-3 weeks of age and every 2 weeks from the initial worming. It is recommended the puppies be started on heartworm medication following this.
♦ Talk to the breeder and get to know what type of home the puppies are raised in.
Ask them about what type of home the puppies were raised, where the puppies are raised, if the puppies have been well socialised, given plenty of human contact and love and trained from an early age, were they kept in a clean environment. All this information will most often have a great effect on the puppies behaviour and training in the future.
♦ Do not be put off if a breeder asks you to provide information on your family home environment .
All responsible breeders want to know where their puppy is being homed, this is a good sign the puppy is well cared for and won't just be handed out to the first available buyer with no concern as to how the puppy will be treated. The breeder may ask you what type of home you hope to provide for the puppy, if you have sufficent fencing, if you are committed to own a Bearded Collie and other questions for keeping the breed.
♦ Don't listen to breeders who openly force their opinions on you.
This unfortunately is common with in all breeds and sometimes can be frustrating when asking for advise on the breed and few breeders get confused they can use this excuse to insult other breeders. This is extremely unprofessional and against the code of ethics as a ANKC registered breeder.
♦ Ask the breeder if you can view and meet both the Dam and Sire of the litter as well as the puppies.
Spend some time not just looking or picking out your puppy, but time to get to know the parents of the puppies to see if they show normal behaviour of the Bearded Collie breed. Make sure they have the typical Bearded Collie temperament, fun, alert and playful this is important. Are they well socialised and trained, check their eyes are clean and clear of signs of infection, feel their coats to check they are not matted or unclean, check for healthy ears, are their gums a healthy pink, check they kept in good condition and are they well cared for or show any signs of illness, flakey skin or sores.
♦ Do the parents of the puppies show any signs of hypothyroidism, and if so have they been tested for adequate thyroid levels?
The most common endocrine disease found in dogs is hypothyroidism. There are a wide variety of symptoms caused by hypothyroidism and signs begin gradually and are often put down to an over active teenager, and as they grow mistaken for ageing as we presume all dogs become less active and a little moody as they age.
In young puppies the signs may show as an attention defineciy or hypoactive disorder. These pups and young adults may have problems sitting still, slow learing and fail to relax, these are often the puppies who are usually asked to leave their puppy classes. These dogs can appear to be bouncing off the walls or become antisocial, often showing aggression to other dogs or even their owners.
Because of the constant state of stress in which hyothyroidism dogs live, their behaviourial problems will depend on how a dog has learnt to live and cope with the stress. Problems to look for in the parents are aggression, looking tired, nervousness, fear, obsessive compulsive and repeated behaviours such as barking for no apparent reason, staring into spaces or lights for long periods of time or an obsession with toys or blankets and chewing on them repeatedly well past teething.
Some believe hyothroidism is over-diagnosed while others belive it is under-diagnosed though in terms of the quality of life, addressing thyroid issues can mean a better way of life for not only the puppy but also the bond it shares with its owner.
♦ Ask the breeder if there has been any signs of heriditary illness or disorders within the lines.
No one can guarantee you a perfect and healthy puppy for its entire life, all dogs like humans can get sick unfortunately. There are relatively no "common" disorders found particularly with the Bearded Collie, and where possible efforts are being made by dedicated and responsible breeders to eradicate any disorders found.
♦ Disorders which are rare though have had incidence in this breed:
 Click here for more information.
Cataracts Loss of transparency in the lens of the eye often resulting in blindness of the eye, while small non-progressive cataracts may not interfear with vision. Signs of cataracts are a inflammation, redness or a blue-grey spot in the pupil.
Corneal Dystrophy is a heriherited abnormality that affects one or more layers of the cornea causing reduced vision, both eyes are usually effected.
Hip Dysplasia the hip joint is formed by the ball shaped top of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket of the pelvic bone. In most cases these two structures fit toghether snugly, held firm in place by the muscles and tendons. In hip dysplasia the joint dosn't develop properly so that the femur can slip back and forth in the socket and with time other degenerative changes occur resulting in chronic arthritis or osteoarthritis. Signs your dog may be suffering from hip dysplasia are if your dog seems to experience painful, lame and weakness in the hind end although dogs don't usually show signs until they are mature.
Ask the breeder if the parents have had their hip and elbow scores and if they fit within the recommendations for the Bearded Collie breed. Scores should be taken after two years of age, although some may agree 18 months is mature enough, scores taken before this age may not be accurate.
Pemphigus foliaceus and erythematosus deveplop around 4 years of age. Both conditions begin with pustular, crusty lesions on the face and ears although with Pemphigus foliaceus the lesions spread to the feet, the groin and other areas. This causes itching and pain and severely affected dogs may loose their appetite and become depressed.
♦ Other disorders which are rare in the Bearded Collie:
Addison's Disease also known as hypoadrenocorticism is a rare but serious disorder and is believed to be an inherited disorder. Signs of Addison's disease include lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, poor appetite and muscle weakness. The other presentation of this disease is an episode called the 'Addisonian crisis' in which the animal collapses in a state of shock or in more extremes the heart can stop.
Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia are a group of syndromes which have a common abnormal hair loss and abnormal changes in coat quality. It is a rare inherited disorder which is seen in mixed breed and pure breed dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy The cells of the retina receive light stimuli from the external environment and transmit information to the brain where it is interperted to become vision, in progressive retinal atrophy deterioration of the retinal cells causes blindness.
Von Willebrand's Disease is normally suspected if the dog has a history of abnormal bleeding such as unexplained nose bleeds, increased bleeding with trauma or heavy bleeding during surgery. still born pups that die during or shortly after birth 'fading pups' may be a result of both parents being carriers of the gene for von Willebrand's disease. The most common form of the disease is thought to be an autosomal trait with incomplete dominance.
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