Thundering Paws Farm Working Collies
- Strafford, VT
- Responds within a day
Available puppies
Berg
5 months old · Male
Patch
5 months old · Male
Taff
5 months old · Female
Prima (working collie)
9 months old · Female
Jett (working and companion collie)
10 months old · Male
Belle (companion and working collie)
1 year old · Female
Anne (working and companion collie)
1 year old · Female
Faye (working collie)
1 year old · Female
Meet the breeder
I'm Charles D., the breeder behind Thundering Paws Farm Working Collies located in Strafford, VT. We breed working border collies from imported stock. The aim is to retain and improve through breeding, the skills, instinct and fine temperament that defines the working breed. In every litter, some pups are destined for herding distinction, other will just be fine companions, often they are both.
Q. & A. with Charles
Why did you start breeding?
Working/living in the UK for the 1990s, I got out of London into the countryside every chance I got. I chanced upon super smart border collies and working dog competitions and swore that when I got back to the USA, I would get a collie of my own. One collie led to two led to breeding my own to get the working dogs I want. Breeding is for me to get the dogs I want and share the surplus with others.What makes your program special?
I breed with UK/Eire stock, imported females and stud dogs via frozen semen. Each litter is carefully chosen for known/demonstrated characteristics and screened for DNA/health markers. I breed for temperament first, then working ability. I keep 1 or 2 pups per litter who best fit my model, train them and breed or sell them later. I am 100% forthright about each pup I sell, so the fit is correct.What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies include smooth and rough coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are black and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in a kennel on my property.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Gail (companion and working collie)
Went homeFemale
Kim (working or companion collie)
Went homeFemale
Jill
Went homeFemale
Annie
Went homeFemale
Jett
Went homeMale
Rob
Went homeMale
Clare (working and companion collie)
Went homeFemale
Gwen (working collie)
Went homeFemale
Coal
Went homeMale
Nick
Went homeMale
James (working collie)
Went homeMale
Fluff
Went homeFemale
Bett
Went homeFemale
Sean
Went homeMale
Sue (working collie)
Went homeFemale
Mike
Went homeMale
Peter
Went homeMale
Jeff
Went homeMale
Josh
Went homeMale
Mirk (working collie)
Went homeMale
Leif (companion collie)
Went homeMale
Beck (companion collie)
Went homeMale
Jani (companion and working collie)
Went homeFemale
Sigi (working collie)
Went homeFemale
Tor
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Charles
Charles has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Charles partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 12 weeks old.
“Puppies are graded on a 1 - 5 scale of power-intensity, normally distributed around 3. Most working collies are 3. Some are 2's an 5's. Rarely, we see 1's and 5's; they are clearly outliers for the breed. 4's and 5's do not go to pet homes. 1's and 2's are not working dogs and go to companion homes. Pups that show on sheep or in related games are often retained for training or breeding. Some are sold to working farms. Pups without demonstrated working aptitude (at 16 weeks) are offered to companion homes, sometimes sooner. ”
Price
“The breeding program is designed to produce working collies. All pups are evaluated on sheep: good, better, best. Pups displaying high aptitude for herding are more expensive than companion pups.”
Contract & health guarantee
Charles may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Charles offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Charles directly.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.
What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Microchip
- Vet records
Extras
- Basic obedience & manners
- Registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Charles.
Breeder's location
Meet in Strafford, VT
427 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Gen. Edward Lawrence Logan Airport
409 miles away
·
More about Charles
Club memberships
Charles is a member of International Sheep Dog Society.
Charles has been a member of Good Dog for over 2 years
Charles was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.
Charles’s links
Charles is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Thundering Paws Farm Working Collies meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Nel, mom
Border Collie
About Nel
Nel is a physically strong, intense female, bred from some of the best working and trial dogs of the last 20 years. She is my best breeding female, constantly producing large, powerful and vigorous pups.
Sue, mom
Border Collie
About Sue
One of my best females, James McCloskey’s Nel, with smooth style and masterful control on sheep, was bred to Dewi Jenkins’ Clwyd Bob, who is the top stud dog in the UK/Eire. Bob produces smart, tough pups who win on the field and command the top prices at auction. Sue was the biggest, toughest pup of the litter. She is strong, intense, smart, and impressive physically. She is confident, biddable and resilient. On sheep, Sue is passionate. She has a muscular, vigorous style. She will take on anything, but she listens. She has a super stop on her. Sue has the look and feel of the classic sheepdogs of old, before the light, wispy things. On my 5 pt. power/intensity scale, Sue is a 4+. I would call her a working dog rather than a trial dog. Her power, strength and endurance are suited to working life.
Mirk, dad
Border Collie
About Mirk
Mirk was sent to me as a pup by Dewi Jenkins, in Wales, a son of his international champion, Jock. Mike has excellent style, natural instinct and a superb working drive. A highly biddable dog, Mirk is a pleasure to work, a young dog, with passion and energy,
Pete, dad
Border Collie
About Pete
Pete is a male Border Collie. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Charles decided to make him part of their program. Charles has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Gail, mom
Border Collie
About Gail
Gail is a female Border Collie. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Charles decided to make her part of their program. Charles has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Jazz, mom
Border Collie
About Jazz
Jazz is striking pricked-eared female with stunning markings and an exceptional temperament. She can go anywhere and be sure to delight with her happy personality and great looks. Nothing mean in Jazz. A complete delight to have around. Jazz is smooth and focused on sheep. Not afraid to show ewes she is boss. Lives to work, never wants to go back home.
Max, dad
Border Collie
About Max
Max is long, lean athletic dog. Agile and unbeatable on the spring when those long legs of his get going. He has a super nature, friendly to people and dogs. Can take him anywhere. He is smooth and deft with sheep, but has the power to flush them out of the thicket when they get stubborn.
Bryn, dad
Border Collie
About Bryn
Bryn is a male Border Collie. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Charles decided to make him part of their program. Charles has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Becca, mom
Border Collie
About Becca
Becca is a female Border Collie. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Charles decided to make her part of their program. Charles has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Meg, mom
Border Collie
About Meg
Meg is a foundation bitch out of Martin Feeney’s celebrated Jack and Phil McLaughlin’s open winner Jill. The bond with Meg was instant and complete. She is my head bitch: tough, smart, agile, talented and composed.
Parent health testing
Good level
Thundering Paws Farm Working Collies reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Border Collies.
Hip Dysplasia (rDVM, not registered)
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
DNA Disease Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Charles to bring home their puppies.
Bruce G.
Verified owner · Sept. 2024
We had a great experience visiting with Charles. Our dog Rob is a joy and adjusted very quickly to our home and arrived from the farm crate trained.
