Chicarlyn German Shepherd Dogs

If you've been following my Page for a while, you will have noticed that I love to freeze a variety of different goodies in silicon molds to add to dog bowls. While I'm a fan of freezing straight fruits & vegetables following blitzing or cooking, I also like to add snippets to different bases. My favourite three bases are: oils, Greek yoghurt & kefir.

What better way to include some healthy herbs in your dog's diet than freezing in oil. I've shown a variety of goodies frozen in coconut oil before, but you can also use: fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, h**p seed oil, sunflower oil. It's easy to Google what oils are healthy for dogs.

It's also easy to Google which herbs are good for dogs. I like to use the ones I usually have in my garden: a variety of mints, parsley, basil, oregano, sage & thyme. Dandelion is also great & usually not hard to find about the place!

Have fun & I'd love to see photos of your creations!

🐑🧠 TERMINOLOGY MATTERS. IT ISN'T ABOUT SNOBBERY, IT'S ABOUT KNOWLEDGE.

One thing that has bothered me for many years is when breeders use incorrect terminology, whether accidentally through lack of knowledge, or deliberately because it sounds more appealing to buyers.

This isn't about being a "snob". It isn't about expecting every puppy buyer to know the correct names for colours, genetics or working traits. Most people shouldn't be expected to know these things.

Breeders should.

Words have meaning. In dog breeding, terminology is not simply descriptive. It reflects an understanding of genetics, anatomy, behaviour, health and breed function. Using accurate terminology allows breeders, veterinarians, judges, researchers and puppy buyers to communicate clearly. Using incorrect terminology creates confusion and, in some cases, can mislead buyers into making important decisions based on inaccurate information.

The Border Collie is one of the most intensively studied dog breeds in the world. Decades of research into genetics, inherited disease, behaviour and livestock working ability have given us a common scientific language. There is no reason not to use it.

Here are a few examples.

🐾 Colour terminology

Calling a puppy "champagne", "honey", "golden", "strawberry", "caramel" or "wheaten" may sound attractive, but these are not recognised Border Collie colours.

A genetically red and white Border Collie is simply that, red and white. A dilute black is blue. A dilute chocolate is lilac. Merle, sable, brindle, slate and seal all have specific meanings based on identifiable genes.

Colour genetics are now well understood. Using recognised terminology allows breeders to discuss inheritance accurately, predict breeding outcomes and communicate clearly with other breeders around the world.

Inventing colour names may sell puppies, but it does nothing to educate buyers.

🐾 Health testing

One of the biggest areas where terminology matters is health testing.

Saying a dog is "DNA tested" tells buyers almost nothing.

DNA tested for what?

A Border Collie may be tested for conditions such as CEA, TNS, IGS, SN, MDR1, NCL or others. Each test provides different information and has different breeding implications.

Similarly, "clear by parentage" has a very specific meaning. It does not mean "probably clear" or "the parents looked healthy". It means both parents have documented DNA results that guarantee the puppy cannot inherit that particular mutation.

Using these terms correctly helps buyers understand genetic risk and prevents expensive misunderstandings later.

🐾 Working ability

The Border Collie was developed as a livestock working dog. Many of the words used to describe working ability have precise meanings.

"Eye" is not simply staring.

"Balance" is not just running around sheep.

"Power" is not barking loudly.

"Cover", "cast", "lift", "outrun", "fetch", "drive" and "feel" all describe different aspects of stock work that experienced handlers recognise.

Using these terms incorrectly gives buyers unrealistic expectations about a dog's natural ability.

🐾 Drive

This is probably one of the most misunderstood words in the breed.

A puppy bouncing off the walls is not necessarily "high drive".

Hyperactivity, poor impulse control, anxiety and overstimulation are not the same thing as working drive.

True working drive is purposeful. It involves motivation, persistence, focus, resilience and an ability to continue working despite distractions or fatigue. It is not simply endless energy.

Confusing the two can result in families purchasing a puppy they are not prepared for, or assuming normal puppy behaviour is evidence of exceptional working genetics.

🐾 Structure

Terms such as angulation, shoulder layback, upper arm length, croup, topline, proportion and movement all describe measurable aspects of canine anatomy.

These aren't just "show dog" terms.

Correct structure influences efficiency of movement, endurance, jumping ability and long term soundness. A dog bred to work all day on rough terrain needs good structure just as much as a successful show dog.

Using these terms accurately helps preserve sound, athletic Border Collies for future generations.

🐾 Lines

Another term that is often misused is "working lines".

A Border Collie descended from generations of agility, flyball or companion dogs is not automatically from working lines simply because it is energetic.

Likewise, not every registered show dog lacks working ability.

Pedigrees, selection criteria and generations of breeding all contribute to whether dogs have been bred primarily for livestock work, conformation, sport or companionship.

Using these descriptions honestly helps buyers choose a puppy that genuinely suits their lifestyle.

🐾 Why does this matter?

Language shapes understanding.

If breeders use incorrect terminology, new breeders repeat it.

Buyers repeat it.

Social media repeats it.

Eventually misinformation becomes accepted as fact.

Good breeding depends on accurate record keeping, honest communication and evidence based decision making. The words we use are part of that process.

One question I often ask myself is this.

If a breeder cannot correctly identify something as fundamental as the colour of their own dogs, or cannot explain the health tests they have performed, what confidence should buyers have in the far more complex aspects of breeding, such as genetics, pedigree analysis, temperament selection or structural evaluation?

That doesn't mean someone is a bad person.

It does mean buyers should ask more questions.

Fortunately, there are many knowledgeable breeders who are generous with their time and willing to mentor others. There are excellent veterinary resources, genetics laboratories and decades of published research available. We all started somewhere, but continuing to learn is part of being an ethical breeder.

Knowledge is not about knowing everything.

It is about caring enough to learn, using accurate terminology, and passing on correct information to the next generation of breeders and puppy owners.

Because in the end, words matter.

For the dogs.

For the breed.

For the future.

Donna Williams,
Emerald Park Border Collies.
www.emeraldparkbc.com

"Making life better
- through understanding dogs!"