Family Raised. Thoughtfully Bred. Loved for Life.
Raised in Our Family. Ready for Yours.
Northfield Border Collies is a family home first and a breeding programme second. Our puppies are raised underfoot — handled daily, socialised thoughtfully, and given the individual attention that shapes a steady, confident dog. When a puppy leaves us, it is genuinely ready for the life ahead of it.
- Raised In our home, underfoot
- Go home at Eight weeks, never sooner
- Matched by Temperament, not by turn
Why Border Collies
One Breed, Understood Properly
We raise Border Collies and nothing else. It is the only way we know to say something useful about a puppy at eight weeks old.
A Border Collie is not a difficult dog. It is an unusually capable one, and capability is only a gift in a home that has something for it to do. Bred for generations to read a flock and a handler at the same time, to think several moves ahead, and to work all day without being told what to do next, this is a dog that arrives already wanting a job.
Live with that properly and you get something remarkable: a companion who learns sequences most breeds never attempt, who watches your face for the next instruction, and who is still learning new things at ten years old. Live with it carelessly and the same intelligence turns inward — into pacing, herding the children, obsessing over shadows, and a dog that is exhausting rather than extraordinary.
Everything we do here is aimed at the first outcome. We breed for the temperament that copes, we raise puppies in the noise and traffic of a real household, and we are honest with families about the exercise and the thinking this breed actually requires.
Why Northfield
The Northfield Difference
Six things we hold ourselves to. None of them are difficult to claim, which is exactly why we would rather show you than tell you — ask us about any of them.
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One litter at a time
We raise a small number of litters and never two at once. It is the only way every puppy gets watched as an individual rather than counted as part of a group.
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Inside the house, not beside it
No kennel block, no outbuilding, no run at the end of the garden. Puppies are born and raised in the middle of family life, with everything that involves.
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Temperament decides everything
Which dogs we breed from, which litters we plan, and which family a puppy goes to. A sound mind in a house is worth more than any other quality a dog can have.
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Matched, never allocated
Puppies are not handed out in the order deposits arrive, and markings do not decide. We spend eight weeks learning who each puppy is, and we use what we learn.
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The mothers come first
Our girls are family dogs who happen to have litters, not breeding stock who happen to live indoors. They are rested properly, and they retire here rather than moving on.
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We are here afterwards
The day a puppy goes home is the middle of the relationship, not the end of it. Ring us at eight weeks, eight months or eight years — and if life ever changes, they come back to us.
Family raised
What “Family Raised” Actually Means
It is one of the most overused phrases in breeding. Here is what it has to mean before it means anything.
A puppy learns more in its first eight weeks than at any other point in its life, and almost all of it comes down to a single question: is the world a safe and interesting place? That lesson is not taught in a session. It is absorbed from the ordinary business of a household going about its day.
Our puppies hear the dishwasher and the kettle, the door knocking and the vacuum starting up. They feel tile underfoot, then carpet, then grass, then gravel. They are handled every day by adults and by children who have been shown how. They meet visitors, ride in the car, and spend short, deliberate periods on their own so that solitude never becomes something to panic about.
None of it is dramatic. All of it matters. It is the difference between a puppy who arrives at your house already broadly confident about life, and one who has to learn all of it at once, in an unfamiliar place, on the hardest day it has had so far.
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A family environment
Puppies grow up inside our home, not in a separate building. Ordinary domestic life is their normal from the first week.
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Daily human contact
Being picked up, talked to, stepped around and played with is part of every single day — not a scheduled enrichment activity.
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Early socialisation
Thoughtful, age-appropriate exposure to people, sounds, surfaces and the outdoors — always at the puppy's pace, never all at once.
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Individual attention
Each puppy is weighed, watched and known as an individual. By eight weeks we can tell you honestly what each one is like.
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Ready for family life
Crate introduction, house-training foundations, car journeys and short separations — so the first night in a new home is not the first of everything.
The first eight weeks
How Our Puppies Begin
Eight weeks is not very long, and almost nothing about it can be done later. Here is roughly how it goes.
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Weeks 1–2
Warmth, milk and rest
Their mother does the work she does better than anyone. We weigh daily, keep the room quiet and warm, and otherwise stay out of the way — apart from the brief, gentle daily handling that teaches a newborn that being touched by a person is unremarkable.
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Weeks 3–4
The world arrives
Eyes and ears open. First wobbling steps, first sounds, first curiosity. This is when the household starts to become audible — voices, footsteps, the kettle — at a volume a three-week-old can take in without alarm.
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Weeks 5–6
Learning at speed
A period of extraordinary absorption. New surfaces, new sounds, visitors, the beginning of house-training habits, and short separations that teach a puppy it can be alone and be fine. Everything is introduced deliberately and at the puppy's pace.
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Weeks 7–8
Becoming themselves
Confidence and coordination arrive together, and so do personalities. Crate introduction, name recognition, first car journeys, first grooming. By the end of this fortnight we can tell you what each puppy is genuinely like — and which household would suit them.
Nothing here is rushed and nothing is skipped. A puppy that misses this window does not get a second one.
Meet the breed
Meet the Border Collie
Brilliant by Nature. Remarkable by Design.
The Border Collie was shaped by a job. Generations of shepherds in the border country between Scotland and England bred for one thing above all others: a dog that could think several moves ahead, read a flock and a handler at the same time, and work all day without being told what to do next. Everything the breed is today follows from that.
What you get is a dog of genuinely exceptional intelligence, capable of learning sequences most breeds never attempt, with an athleticism that makes agility and flyball look effortless and a focus that can be slightly unnerving the first time it is turned on you. They are sensitive — they read tone and body language closely and do not need a raised voice. They are loyal in a way that is specific and personal rather than general. And they are playful well into old age.
They are also, without exception, high-energy dogs with a working mind that needs something to do. A Border Collie without meaningful physical exercise and mental work will find its own occupation, and you will not enjoy what it chooses. The herding instinct does not switch off because a dog lives in a suburb; it simply finds something else to herd. This is the most rewarding breed we know, and it asks a great deal in return.
At a glance
The Border Collie at a Glance
- Height
- 19–22 in
- Males approximately 19–22 inches; females approximately 18–21 inches.
- Weight
- 30–55 lbs
- Adults commonly fall in this range, with individual variation.
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
- A long-lived breed when well cared for.
- Energy
- High
- Daily physical exercise is not optional for this breed.
- Intelligence
- Exceptional
- Quick to learn — including the things you did not mean to teach.
- Trainability
- Very high
- Eager to work with a person they trust.
Individual dogs vary based on genetics, sex, development, nutrition, health and lifestyle. These figures describe the breed in general and are not a guarantee about any particular puppy.
The growth journey
From Tiny Paws to Athletic Adults
A Border Collie changes enormously in its first two years. Knowing what is coming — and when — makes those years far easier and a great deal more enjoyable.
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Newborn Upload this stage
Newborn
Entirely dependent on their mother. Warmth, milk and rest — we watch closely, weigh daily, and otherwise let her do the work she does better than anyone.
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3–4 Weeks Upload this stage
3–4 Weeks
Eyes and ears open onto the world. First wobbling steps, first sounds, first curiosity — and the beginning of gentle daily handling.
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6–8 Weeks Upload this stage
6–8 Weeks
A period of remarkable learning. New surfaces, household sounds, visitors, and short separations that teach a puppy it can be alone and be fine.
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8–12 Weeks Upload this stage
8–12 Weeks
Confidence and coordination arrive together. Crate introduction, house-training foundations, name recognition, and the first car journeys.
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3–6 Months Upload this stage
3–6 Months
Rapid physical growth and a real appetite for work. Stamina builds quickly; so does the need for something meaningful to think about.
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6–12 Months Upload this stage
6–12 Months
Adolescence. Bright, testing, occasionally forgetful of everything they know. Consistency now shapes the adult dog more than anything else will.
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1–2 Years Upload this stage
1–2 Years
Physical and behavioural maturity settle in. The dog you have been raising becomes recognisably themselves.
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Adult Upload this stage
Adult
Athletic, responsive, deeply attached to their people, and happiest with a job to do — whether that is a trial course or a long walk every single day.
Scroll to follow the journey
Size & development
Small Puppy to Athletic Adult
Bone, coat, height, weight, muscle and coordination all arrive on their own schedule — and rarely at the same time. Here is roughly what to expect along the way.
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Small Puppy
8 weeks
- Soft puppy coat, no undercoat yet
- Bones still soft and growing quickly
- Short bursts of energy, then deep sleep
Small Puppy Upload a photo -
Growing Puppy
4–6 months
- Legs lengthen ahead of the body — the leggy stage
- Adult coat begins to come through
- Stamina climbing steeply; joints still developing
Growing Puppy Upload a photo -
Adolescent
9–14 months
- Close to full height, still filling out
- Coordination sharpens noticeably
- Peak energy, with judgement still catching up
Adolescent Upload a photo -
Adult
18 months onward
- Full coat, including weather-resistant undercoat
- Muscle development settled and athletic
- Steady focus — the working mind fully switched on
Adult Upload a photo
Every dog grows at its own pace. Two puppies from the same litter can reach these milestones weeks apart and both be entirely normal — the pattern matters more than the dates.
Temperament
Intelligent. Athletic. Deeply Connected.
A well-bred, well-raised Border Collie is one of the most responsive dogs you will ever live with. They watch you, they anticipate you, and they want to be doing whatever you are doing. The flip side of that attentiveness is a dog who notices everything — including your moods and your mistakes.
- Intelligence
- Energy
- Loyalty
- Trainability
- Sensitivity
- Athleticism
- Focus
- Human connection
These describe the breed as a whole. Individual puppies differ, which is exactly why we match each one to a household rather than letting families pick on looks alone.
What the breed asks of you
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Daily physical activity
One to two hours for an adult dog, most days, in most weather.
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Mental stimulation
Training, scent work, puzzles or a genuine job. A tired body with a bored mind is not a settled dog.
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Training
Not because they are difficult — because they learn constantly, and will draw their own conclusions otherwise.
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Human interaction
This breed attaches hard. Long days alone are genuinely difficult for them.
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Enrichment
Novelty, problems to solve, and somewhere to use their nose and their brain.
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Structure and consistency
Clear, predictable rules from everyone in the household. They notice the inconsistencies.
An honest question
A Wonderful Breed — For the Right Home
We would far rather help you reach the right answer than sell you the wrong puppy. If this section gives you pause, that is useful information, and we are always happy to talk it through.
May be a great fit for
- Active families who are outdoors most days
- Runners, hikers and cyclists wanting a companion
- Anyone interested in agility, obedience, flyball or herding
- Owners who genuinely enjoy training a dog
- Households with time, patience and a sense of humour
- Working properties with a real job to be done
May not be ideal for
- Households that are quiet and largely sedentary
- Anyone wanting a low-energy or low-maintenance dog
- Homes where the dog would be alone for long days
- Owners not intending to invest time in training
- Families wanting a dog purely for appearance
- Anyone unsettled by a dog who watches and thinks constantly
Health & responsible breeding
The Part That Happens Before the Litter
Every health outcome in a litter is decided long before there is a litter — in which two dogs are paired, what is known about them, and whether a breeder is willing to cancel a planned mating over an inconvenient result.
- Breeding decisions come first Every health outcome in a litter is decided long before the litter exists — in which two dogs are paired, what is known about them, and whether the breeder is willing to cancel a planned mating on the strength of an inconvenient result. That is where responsible breeding actually happens.
- Testing reduces risk; it does not remove it Screening breeding dogs for the conditions known in the breed meaningfully lowers the chance of passing them on. It cannot eliminate it, and anyone who tells you their line is free of every problem is describing a hope rather than a fact.
- Veterinary care, recorded Examinations, vaccinations, worming and microchipping are only worth anything if they are documented. Every puppy leaves here with dates and products written down, so your own vet can continue from exactly the right point.
- The mother matters as much as the puppies A dam who is well-fed, well-rested and properly spaced between litters raises stronger puppies. How a breeder treats their adult bitches is the most reliable single indicator of how they treat everything else.
Available puppies
Meet the Northfield Puppies
Explore our currently available Border Collie puppies and learn about their individual personalities, development and care.
No puppies are available at the moment
We plan our litters carefully and there are stretches with none at all — it is usually a good sign rather than a bad one. Tell us what you are looking for and we will be in touch when a litter is planned.
What to expect
What Adopting From Northfield Is Like
No surprises, in either direction. This is what we do, and this is what we ask of you.
What you can expect from us
- An honest description of every puppy, including the parts that are inconvenient for us
- A real conversation before any money changes hands
- Our recommendation about which puppy suits your household, and why
- Every piece of paperwork we hold, sent to you before you commit
- Preparation guidance in the fortnight before homecoming
- Answers for the life of your dog, not just the first fortnight
What we ask of you
- Tell us the truth about your days, your household and your experience
- Ask us the awkward questions — we would far rather you did
- Arrange your own veterinary examination shortly after your puppy arrives
- Commit to the exercise and the training this breed genuinely needs
- Keep us posted, even briefly. We think about these dogs for years
- Come back to us first if anything ever changes
The process
Your Northfield Journey
Seven steps, and nothing asked of you before you are ready. The first one costs nothing and commits you to nothing at all.
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Meet the Puppies
Read the profiles properly. Each one is written to describe a particular dog, not to sell a litter.
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Submit an Application
Ten minutes, no commitment, no deposit. It is a conversation on paper, not a contract.
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Have a Conversation
A phone or video call. Ask us everything — this is the part most families find reassuring.
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Choose Your Puppy
We tell you which puppy we would put with you, and why. You decide from there.
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Prepare for Homecoming
A practical list, sent in advance, so nothing important is bought in a hurry.
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Bring Your Puppy Home
An unhurried handover, all the paperwork, and something that smells of home.
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Stay Connected
We check in. You ring whenever you like. That does not have an expiry date.
- Raised indoors, in our family
- One litter at a time
- Matched by temperament
- Paperwork before payment
- Support for the life of the dog
Questions
The Things Families Ask Us
The nine that come up first. There are two dozen more on the Questions & Answers page — and if yours is on neither, write to us rather than guessing.
The price of each puppy is shown on its own profile. Where a figure is not shown it is because we would rather discuss it with you than advertise it. [ADD YOUR PRICE RANGE AND WHAT IT INCLUDES] Whatever the figure, it is the same for every family: we do not price by markings, by sex, or by how keen somebody seems.
Eight weeks at the earliest, and not a day sooner under any circumstances. Those last two weeks with their mother and littermates teach bite inhibition and canine manners that are genuinely difficult to replace later.
Both, in that order. We tell you which puppy or puppies we believe suit your household and explain exactly why, and you decide from there. What we will not do is hand out puppies in the order deposits arrive, or let a family choose on markings alone — eight weeks of watching tells us things no photograph can.
For a healthy adult, plan on one to two hours a day, most days, in most weather — and understand that physical exercise alone is not enough. A Border Collie who is run for an hour and then left with nothing to think about is a dog who will find their own occupation, and you will not enjoy their choice.
A well-bred, well-raised Border Collie is typically gentle, patient and deeply attached to its family. What they are not is indifferent to chaos: running, shrieking children can switch on the herding instinct, which usually looks like circling and sometimes like nipping at heels. It is manageable with supervision and consistent rules, and it is much easier when everyone in the house follows the same ones.
Our testing is described in full on the Health & Responsible Breeding page, and we will send you the actual certificates for both parents before you commit to anything — not a summary, and not a screenshot of a summary. [ADD THE SPECIFIC TESTS YOU CARRY OUT AND THEIR RESULTS] If there is a test we have not done, we will tell you that rather than let you assume otherwise.
Most adults stand around 19–22 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 30–55 pounds, with males generally at the larger end. Individual dogs vary with genetics, sex and development, and a puppy's parents are a far better guide than an average.
Both are possible, and the options are set out on the Delivery & Collection page. However your puppy travels, they travel with a person who is responsible for them — never in a cargo hold, and never handed to a courier. [ADD THE AREAS YOU WILL DRIVE TO AND YOUR TRAVEL COSTS]
Then we will explain why, kindly and plainly. It usually means the timing is wrong, or that this breed is wrong for the life you have described — not that anything is wrong with you. We would far rather turn down a deposit than place a puppy where we can already see the ending.
Raised in Our Family. Ready for Yours.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here.
Somewhere in the next twelve to fifteen years there is a walk in the rain you will remember, a dog who learned something you did not mean to teach, and an animal who knows the sound of your car. That is what this is actually about.
If you have read this far, you are the kind of family we hope to hear from. Tell us about your household and what you are looking for, and we will tell you honestly whether one of our puppies belongs in it.