Last updated 06/12/07

Elbereth Puppy Promise

My philosophy is that every puppy I rear deserves a fun, kind and loving family for the WHOLE of its life, with this in mind I do my best to rear happy healthy and outgoing puppies, and look to select kind and caring families for them all.  My web site is dedicated to all the dogs bred and owned at Elbereth - and I am delighted that many of my puppy owners have become friends, and continue to keep me updated on their dogs lives for all its life.

Please realise that we like to get to know you so you will not be able to phone and 'buy a puppy off the shelf' but you will be welcome to visit and meet us all but this is as it should be - a careful decision, wisely made taking into account all the pros and cons of having a dog share your life.

As someone who has had dogs all her life - I know how much joy they can bring and hope that by careful planning I can help you share your lives with my puppies.  But only once I have got to know you.

I do not breed puppies commercially  - but as a pleasure, with a dedication to the health and well being of my breeds.   I do not breed any specific colours - or fashions, simply my aims are to breed healthy happy examples of the Border Collie and Finnish Lapphund who conform to the breed standards.  The facts that I have had success in the show ring for conformation, obedience and agility is a bonus, and I am happy to support any new owners in what ever hobby they choose to adopt with their dog.  Because my dogs deserve a happy and normal life integrated with my family - it means I cannot keep them all - so we do not subscribe to the ethos keep the best and sell the rest.  This means I am thrilled to see pups I have bred in their new homes reach the top, be it the show ring or agility (so far) - or just be great family pets.

Is your home suitable?

I do not sell to homes where people are at work all day - remember a dog is a pack animal which needs company - your family will form its pack - and it will not be a contented dog if everyone is away all day every day.  Also how can you house train a pup which needs to pee every hour until about 4-5 months of age! if you are not there.  

Both breeds are hairy and will moult - can you and your hoover cope?

Both breeds are active mentally & physically  - are you?

and don't believe anyone who tells you pups don't chew!!!

Interviews

The right home and family for my pups is of paramount importance to me - are you happy to come to Surrey and undergo an interview as a whole family - not once but twice or more - to prove your commitment to the breed?  Are you happy for me to visit you at home and see that your home and environment suits the breeds?

Breeding

My aim is to breed quality not quantity - I have traveled far to try to ensure that I only breed from the best males for my girls taking into consideration temperament, type and conformation plus health.  Some of my puppies will be from imported lines simply to try and ensure that new fresh blood is available when required (my Finnish Lapphund litters have involved 5 different overseas stud dogs to keep the quality high and gene pool open).

Rearing

• All puppies are reared in the house (my dogs are house pets not kenneled dogs) - and this ensures that they are well socialised and lively fun puppies.  I have one son - so with help from his friends the pups are socialised with children from an early age, and handled a lot!!.

• They are left with the bitch as long as she wants them - and then weaned onto a top quality complete food, Purina Pro Plan/Nutro (puppies are supplied with ample food when hey leave hoem)

• They are given noise stimuli in the form of a CD of sounds to learn to accept firework, cars, thunder etc. As house dogs they soon get used to noise of normal family life (if you can call my life normal!)

• As far as the weather permits they are given regular access from 4 weeks of age to the garden to try and encourage them to learn to be clean in the house, in my experience most of the pups leaving here have in principle the idea of being housetrained, you just need to keep it going. 

• They are wormed with Panacur regularly before leaving home.

• They are groomed regularly and their nails clipped so these are accepted practices for when they move to their new families.

Sale

I do not take deposits for my puppies until you have met them a few times and we are both 100% sure that they are right for you - this way there is no formal commitment on both sides, although I am more than happy to put interested family's names on my waiting list once I have met you and liked you.

All my puppies are sold subject to a satisfactory home visit - coming here to look at the litter does NOT guarantee a purchase.

All puppies are sold with a puppy contract:

• The puppies will be registered with the Kennel Club

• The puppies parents will be eye tested and hip scored

• Where possible the puppies will be eye tested before leaving home (Border collie puppies will be hearing tested) 

• The Border collie Parents will have been DNA tested for CEA and TNS and CL

• The Lapphund parent will have been tested for their DNA status in respect of the prcd-1 PRA gene

• The Kennel Club papers will be endorsed puppy not for export and progeny not for registration - this protects my pups from unscrupulous people who may wish to export to unsuitable homes or breed from these dogs irresponsibly.  In my contracts I add a note that should the dog be of good quality (my decision) and hip and eye tested satisfactory then I may lift the endorsement for breeding.

• I rarely export my pups as I cannot check out their new homes!

• I do not sell puppies as potential show winning stock - they are all pets to be loved - I am happy to help advise on your hobby and help you choose a pup which may suit your hobby - but puppies are not widgits and there is no guarantee that a promising puppy will turn into the show winner of the future.

• We are Kennel Club Accredited Breeders

Support

I give unconditional support and advise for any puppy I breed - I place my puppies into their homes carefully and this protects them from people who only want a puppy as a novelty for the immediate future.  BUT if circumstances change my contract requires that you return you puppy/adult dog to me, so I can ensure that any further homes in which it is placed are checked out with just as much care as when it left here as a puppy.  I do not wish to see my puppies passed from home to home, or left for months on end in a rescue centre. (I can provide references from past puppy buyers)

So you want a puppy

• Well first you must make sure you have seen the breed in the flesh - for the Lapphunds this maybe difficult as they are still rare in Uk - only about 400 - but if you give me your address I am sure I can suggest a way for you to meet the breed.  Visitors are always welcome to us in Surrey - I would rather you decide now that the breed is not suitable for your family than buy a cute puppy and then decide its not suitable after 6 months.

• Agree to meeting us here in Surrey and not minding the personal questions about your lifestyle

• Agree to a home inspection

• Check out www.sfls.org.uk for more general information on the Finnish Lapphund and some opportunities to meet the dogs.

Then just wait patiently until the puppy is born