. . . . Wisconsin-based breeder that came with good recommendations. And this breeder had a litter, with several options available in March.
In doing her due diligence, MJ reviewed the dog’s pedigrees for both parents. And, she asked for references from the breeder, of people who had her puppies. And through this she learned of seizures in a recent litter of puppies from this breeder. And when Mary Jean compared pedigrees of the puppy she was about to buy, with the litter that was having seizure problems, the breeding was exactly the same parents.
Start over! Collie friend Jan encouraged MJ to check out the American Working Collie Association. This group, Jan said, focuses on working collies for activities like search and rescue, herding, therapy work. They would know of healthy, sound, smart collie breeders. At the AWCA website, a vet named Cathy Wolf was listed as a contact for “Soundness.” MJ looked her up, and learned she was located in Mendota IL, about two hours’ drive from Madison. So Mary Jean left a written message at Dr. Wolf’s vet clinic website about her interest in a smart, healthy collie. Fast forward a few weeks, and Dr. Wolf and Mary Jean were in email communication. And it turned out that Dr. Wolf had bred a smooth sable collie and the puppies were due in April.
Mary Jean and Rick were approved for a puppy. MJ did her homework again, and felt good about this litter of puppies. It was fun to talk with Dr. Wolf about her focus on out-cross breeding, rather than the oft-mentioned (by some breeders) “line breeding”.
As the weeks went by, Cathy shared puppy photos. Nine puppies were born on April 14, 2021. Three boys: a tricolor, a blue merle, and a sable. The rest of the pups were females, either sable, sable-merle, or blue merles.
Cathy places her puppies by understanding what the new owners want to do with the puppy, and by her own familiarity with the pups. And Cathy bred this litter to develop and strengthen her own line of collies, and she would probably keep a few pups as well.
MJ and Rick wanted a happy, outgoing, confident dog that could do agility, elder visits, possibly herding. And a pup that would snuggle! And after consideration and consultation, the winning puppy for MJ and Rick is a sable boy whose kennel name is Mountie, like the Canadian Mounties. According to Cathy, his personality is different than the others in the litter. He is funny, attentive, a bit clownish. Cute and funny and with a little white strip on his nose.
Mountie comes to his new home on Wednesday June 9. His crate, food and water dish are all set up. The WoHus are ready for Mountie!
In doing her due diligence, MJ reviewed the dog’s pedigrees for both parents. And, she asked for references from the breeder, of people who had her puppies. And through this she learned of seizures in a recent litter of puppies from this breeder. And when Mary Jean compared pedigrees of the puppy she was about to buy, with the litter that was having seizure problems, the breeding was exactly the same parents.
Start over! Collie friend Jan encouraged MJ to check out the American Working Collie Association. This group, Jan said, focuses on working collies for activities like search and rescue, herding, therapy work. They would know of healthy, sound, smart collie breeders. At the AWCA website, a vet named Cathy Wolf was listed as a contact for “Soundness.” MJ looked her up, and learned she was located in Mendota IL, about two hours’ drive from Madison. So Mary Jean left a written message at Dr. Wolf’s vet clinic website about her interest in a smart, healthy collie. Fast forward a few weeks, and Dr. Wolf and Mary Jean were in email communication. And it turned out that Dr. Wolf had bred a smooth sable collie and the puppies were due in April.
Wonder, the mother.
Mary Jean and Rick were approved for a puppy. MJ did her homework again, and felt good about this litter of puppies. It was fun to talk with Dr. Wolf about her focus on out-cross breeding, rather than the oft-mentioned (by some breeders) “line breeding”.
As the weeks went by, Cathy shared puppy photos. Nine puppies were born on April 14, 2021. Three boys: a tricolor, a blue merle, and a sable. The rest of the pups were females, either sable, sable-merle, or blue merles.
Suppertime!!!
MJ and Rick wanted a happy, outgoing, confident dog that could do agility, elder visits, possibly herding. And a pup that would snuggle! And after consideration and consultation, the winning puppy for MJ and Rick is a sable boy whose kennel name is Mountie, like the Canadian Mounties. According to Cathy, his personality is different than the others in the litter. He is funny, attentive, a bit clownish. Cute and funny and with a little white strip on his nose.
Collies . . .collies and more collies!!!
Rick and MJ drove the two hours to Mendota IL where Cathy the breeder lives. At her home, we are first greeted by two household collies, both sweeties!
Cathy has a little chat with Mountie, who is always interested in what is going on.
Faith, Cathy’s daughter and owner of mama Wonder, considers Mountie her favorite of the litter. They share a special good-bye.
Mary is always full of questions, and she and Cathy discuss next steps with vaccinations, and review a bit of paperwork.
Then it is time to go! After a bit of snuffling around the yard, Mountie says goodbye to Cathy and heads off for his new life in Wisconsin.
Wonder, Mounties mother, was out with us and had to geti n the last photo (see bottom of photo) before Mountie was loaded up and headed north to his new home.
Time for a little puppy ride to Wisconsin. Mountie did quite well . . . no upchucking!! (Cathy had given him a mild sedative earlier in the day to help ease the trip to Wisconsin.)
It has been a long day, and Mountie is so tired!
We’re home now! Mountie sniffs the dairy air in Fitchburg, WI.
How the puppy got his name
Names are important, so MJ began compiling a list of potential puppy names once it looked like things were working out with Cathy in Illinois. We had a nice list of boys’ names and girls’ names. As the days went by, and Cathy came closer to determining which people were best suited for each puppy, we learned more detail about which potential puppy girl or boy might be our next companion. The puppy whose kennel name was Mountie would be our guy. Cathy described him as funny, clownish, attentive, curious. His personality stood out from his litter mates.
Leading names were: Toby, Monty, and Rudy. Toby has a nice clear ring to it. Monty was our play on the boy’s kennel name of Mountie. It would be a great name! One day after a spring bike ride Rick came home with an idea of the name Rudy.
Rudy won out because:
* Rudy was born on MJ’s mother Ruth’s birthday, so it is a tie to her. As a toddler she called herself “Rootie”.
* The name Rudy is fun and funny like this puppy is!
* Dashing and talented men like Rudy Valentino and Rudy Vallee have had this moniker.
* Rick had a great uncle named Rudy!
* And here is a coincidence: Internet research shows that Rudy (Rudolf, Rudolph) means “famous wolf”. And Rudy’s breeder’s last name is Wolf!
The puppy’s American Kennel Club collie name will reflect his baby-hood name and his new name:
“Royal Mountie Inspector Rudy”
Note from MJ: I think I am quite clever, because the Royal Canadian Mounties have various leadership positions, and “Inspector” seems to fit this curious collie!
Click the image below to go to Rudy's breeder, Dr. Cathy Wolf's collie website:
Names are important, so MJ began compiling a list of potential puppy names once it looked like things were working out with Cathy in Illinois. We had a nice list of boys’ names and girls’ names. As the days went by, and Cathy came closer to determining which people were best suited for each puppy, we learned more detail about which potential puppy girl or boy might be our next companion. The puppy whose kennel name was Mountie would be our guy. Cathy described him as funny, clownish, attentive, curious. His personality stood out from his litter mates.
Leading names were: Toby, Monty, and Rudy. Toby has a nice clear ring to it. Monty was our play on the boy’s kennel name of Mountie. It would be a great name! One day after a spring bike ride Rick came home with an idea of the name Rudy.
Rudy won out because:
* Rudy was born on MJ’s mother Ruth’s birthday, so it is a tie to her. As a toddler she called herself “Rootie”.
* The name Rudy is fun and funny like this puppy is!
* Dashing and talented men like Rudy Valentino and Rudy Vallee have had this moniker.
* Rick had a great uncle named Rudy!
* And here is a coincidence: Internet research shows that Rudy (Rudolf, Rudolph) means “famous wolf”. And Rudy’s breeder’s last name is Wolf!
The puppy’s American Kennel Club collie name will reflect his baby-hood name and his new name:
“Royal Mountie Inspector Rudy”
Note from MJ: I think I am quite clever, because the Royal Canadian Mounties have various leadership positions, and “Inspector” seems to fit this curious collie!
Click the image below to go to Rudy's breeder, Dr. Cathy Wolf's collie website: