Puppy Placement & Family Selection

At Emerald Park Border Collies, I take the process of matching puppies with families very seriously.

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Because of the temperaments of my parent dogs and the extensive early intervention and enrichment my puppies receive, my litters tend to produce balanced, “middle of the road” puppies rather than extremes. This consistency means I don’t have strong concerns about suitability between puppies and families.

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I do conduct temperament testing, but this is not used for placement — it simply gives new families an idea of what their puppy is like at the time.

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A big part of my approach is education. I spend considerable time preparing families so they understand:

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• Puppy development

• Realistic expectations

• The importance of the first 12 months

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Why do I allow families to choose their puppy?

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1. The joy.

Watching families connect with their puppy is one of the most rewarding parts of breeding.

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 2. The science.

Research consistently shows that behaviour at 8 weeks is not predictive of behaviour at 12 months, with the exception of exploratory tendencies.

What truly shapes a dog is:

• Environment

• Training

• Social experiences

• Owner consistency

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Selection is done in order of waitlist application, and families understand the process well in advance. Because all puppies are raised with the same care and intention, I’ve never had to manage disappointment. Every puppy is presented honestly and celebrated for who they are.

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This approach combines thoughtful breeding, transparency, and careful family preparation, putting both puppies and families in the best position to succeed. 

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I am always happy to assist those families who would like guidance in selecting a puppy. Some families even ask me to choose for them.