BREEDING PROGRAM
Top Notch Border Collies is dedicated to preserving the work ethic, bidability, health, structure, and temperament of the Border Collie through responsible, conscientious breeding. I ensure that both the sire and dam of each litter are thoroughly screened for genetic disorders that may affect the breed. No dog or bitch is bred before reaching two years of age, and all breeding dogs must be in excellent overall health, possess keen intelligence, have sound structure and bite, stable temperament, and be certified free of hereditary eye defects and hip dysplasia.
We strictly avoid breeding two carriers or a carrier to an affected dog for any known disorder. Our dogs undergo comprehensive screening for both common and rare genetic diseases relevant to Border Collies.
Over the past two decades, advances in health testing for Border Collies have expanded significantly, and we stay abreast of these developments by electing to test for each new disorder as reliable tests become available. Below is a list of the health screenings we currently perform on our breeding dogs (as of January 2026), as well as those we plan to implement in the near future.
Each test listed below is a link to learn more. Just click on it to view more information.
OFA Elbows - Elbow Dysplasia / polygenic disease
OFA Shoulders - Osteochondrosis (aka OCD)
OFA Patellas - Patellar Luxation
OFA Spine - Evaluation of the spine
Dentition - Certification of full dentition
EAOD - Early Adult Onset Deafness
CN - Canine Cyclic Neutropenia
DH - Dental Hypomineralization
TNS - Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
Cardiac - Checks for heart abnormalities (murmurs)
B12 or I-GS - Cobalamin malabsorption or Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome 1
NCL5 - Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5
CEA - Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal hypoplasia
BCG - Goniodysgenesis (aka Glaucoma)
My wish for our puppies is that they live long, healthy, happy, and active lives. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the remarkable qualities of this breed—its incredible versatility and intelligence. For those in conformation homes, I recommend exploring performance events, and I encourage companion homes to do the same. Participating in activities such as, but not limited to, herding, obedience, agility, rally, and Flyball is deeply rewarding for both you and your dog. These experiences build character, strengthen your bond, and, most importantly, are a lot of fun!
I typically breed no more than one or two litters a year. I am dedicated to learning as much as possible about this breed by participating in health surveys, contributing samples and funds to health research, joining our parent club, and volunteering for the BCSA Health Committee. I am committed to ongoing education and mentor others on topics such as the risks of over-vaccination and the benefits of a raw diet. I carefully observe dogs in the show ring, at performance events, and while herding in the field. I have a passion for studying Border Collie anatomy and understanding how structure affects movement and working ability. While breeding is my hobby, I take it very seriously and care deeply about every puppy I produce.
My full-time career is as a professional dog trainer and groomer. I hold CPDT-KA, ABCDT, and ABCPDG certifications, own my business, and work from home. My services include dog grooming, group training classes, private training, and boarding. Before starting my own business, I was the head trainer for a chain of five-star pet resorts and taught classes at a local AKC kennel club and for the city where I lived.
As a breeder, I welcome inquiries from loving pet homes and individuals interested in competing in various sports or conformation. Those who purchase a puppy from Top Notch Border Collies receive free training advice for life and discounted rates on certain services.
Regardless of whether you have purchased a puppy from me or not, you are always welcome to join me at shows. I am happy to mentor children or adults who are eager to learn and participate. I’m available to help with any performance events I participate in, as well as with grooming and conformation handling.
Puppy raising
Puppies are born and raised in my home, where they receive constant care and supervision. I regularly share updates—photos and videos—on Facebook, so families can follow their puppies’ progress. Each puppy is weighed daily or weekly to closely monitor their health, and their environment is cleaned and sanitized regularly to ensure optimal hygiene.
To encourage early bonding with humans, we handle and cuddle the puppies every day, and they are regularly exposed to children. From the very first day, the puppies undergo early neurological stimulation. I gradually desensitize them to all types of handling, including cradling, touching their ears, feet, toes, and tail. Weekly grooming routines, such as brushing, baths, and nail trims, help the puppies become comfortable with regular care. Once their eyes and ears open (typically around 10–14 days), I introduce them to everyday sounds by playing sound effect CDs—including noises they may encounter at home or at dog shows.
As the puppies grow and become more mobile, they are given opportunities to explore the outdoors and play with specially selected toys designed to promote balance, curiosity, confidence, and exploration. These include wobble boards, rocker boards, tarps, tunnels, bells, and so much more. I follow the widely respected Puppy Culture protocol throughout their time here, up until they go to their new homes at eight weeks old. We also incorporate a lot of the fun training games performed at Training Canines LLC.
At six weeks of age, I host a puppy party—everyone on the waiting list is invited to meet, play with, and interact with the puppies, all while enjoying a homemade lunch. This is a special opportunity for families to bond with the puppies and for the puppies to have positive experiences with new people.
Once our puppies are weaned, they are transitioned to an all-natural raw meat diet to support their optimal health. We provide a balanced mix of ground raw meat, bones, and organs. In addition, they enjoy a wide variety of different protiens, steamed fresh vegetables, ripe fruits, berries, and many different natural whole food supplements such as turmeric, coconut oil, kelp, nutritional yeast, hemp seed, fresh sprouts, and bone meal, just to name a few. We also include fresh or frozen fish, kefir, oysters, and eggs in their meals. While I encourage all puppy buyers to continue a raw feeding regimen for the lifetime of their dog, it is not a requirement. If you would like more information about raw feeding, please feel free to contact us at any time. We highly recommend the recipe book “The Forever Dog Life” by Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker.
Unlike some breeders, I do NOT remove the front dewclaws from my puppies. My reasons are best explained in the article “With A Flick Of The Wrist” by Chris Zink, DVM, PhD, a noted sports veterinarian. Dewclaw removal is not considered a fault in the breed ring, but did you know that in some countries, dogs may be disqualified from showing if their dewclaws are missing? Removal can lead to injuries during performance events and may contribute to arthritis later in life. Tradition alone is not a justification for causing unnecessary pain to your dog.
I believe in vaccinating our puppies, but do not support over-vaccination. I strongly encourage you to research minimal vaccination protocols for your companion. Our puppies receive their first vaccines at 8 weeks, prior to going to their new homes. When appropriate, we recommend administering only the 3-year vaccines. For more information, we suggest starting with Dr. Schultz’s research on vaccines. I also highly recommend looking into titer testing to ensure your pet is protected and to avoid unnecessary vaccinations.
Before leaving for their new homes, each puppy receives a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, which includes a thorough examination, initial vaccinations, and a check for parasites. During this exam, our veterinarian carefully assesses the puppy’s eyes, heart, joints, testicles, ears, teeth, and skin condition. Each puppy will also be microchipped, and this comes with a pre-paid lifetime membership in the AKC Reunite program.
All new puppy owners receive a comprehensive puppy pack, which includes treats, toys, food, digital copies of all your puppy’s photos and videos from birth to 8 weeks, a contract, temperament test results, and more.
Purchasing information
Please be aware that all prospective homes will be offered on a co-ownership basis for an indefinite period. We require that all puppies remain unspayed or unneutered until they are at least two years old, to ensure their bodies have ample time to fully develop—unless otherwise advised by your breeder or for compelling medical reasons. Early spaying or neutering can deprive dogs of important hormones needed for healthy growth. In rare cases, as the co-owner, I reserve the right to request earlier spaying or neutering. For example, if you introduce another dog with known health issues into your home, we may ask that your puppy be altered to prevent accidents. Similarly, if your puppy is known to escape or roam, early alteration may be required.
For more information on why we recommend waiting until your dog is at least two years old before altering, please read this article by Chris Zink, DVM, PhD, DACVP, DACVSMR.
All puppies sold (conformation/breeding prospects, performance, or companions), regardless of breeding intentions, will be placed on limited registration and co-owned by the breeder, Angela Efinger. The breeder will cover the cost to upgrade registration from limited to full for conformation homes only after the new owner has demonstrated responsibility and dedication to the breed, including making appropriate preparations for showing in conformation. Only individuals with a proven history in the breed will be placed on full registration at the time of purchase.
Every puppy, no matter its intended purpose, will be co-owned to ensure it always has a safe place to return if needed. Under no circumstances may the puppy be resold or surrendered to a shelter. The breeder retains the right of first refusal—a right we are committed to upholding.
Co-ownership agreements are tailored to each individual and their intended purpose, particularly when breeding is involved. Our goal is not to exert control, but rather to foster responsible breeding practices and support the well-being of our dogs. If you are new to breeding and wish to start with one of our dogs as your foundation, we encourage you to be open to mentorship. I am always available to share knowledge and guidance with those eager to learn.
If you would like a copy of my contract, please email me.
I require everyone to fill out a TOP NOTCH BORDER COLLIES QUESTIONNAIRE.
Thank you for your interest in our puppies. Once you complete the puppy questionnaire, I will review your responses and add you to our waiting list if your application is approved. Please ensure that you provide references, as they are required for consideration. Applications without references will not be processed. Our waiting list is not maintained on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, I carefully match each puppy to the most suitable buyer, which is a process that typically finalizes when puppies are around 7-8 weeks old. Admission to the waiting list does not guarantee that you will be offered a puppy from the current litter.
As the breeder, I reserve the right to first pick from every litter, as my breeding program is primarily focused on my own goals. Puppy placement decisions are made based on the preferences you indicate—such as color, gender, temperament, and the intended purpose of the puppy (companion, show, breeding, service, or performance)—as well as my evaluation of each puppy’s structure, temperament, and personality. Because of this, I ask that you avoid becoming attached to a specific puppy until you have been matched and one has been promised to you. If you prefer a breeder who allows buyers to select their own puppy, please note that this is not our approach. Additionally, we do not place two puppies from the same litter in the same home, as raising littermates can lead to significant challenges.
I am confident in our matching process and, for this reason, do not require a deposit unless you need us to hold your puppy past 8 weeks of age. This may occur if, for example, the puppy is being exported and requires a rabies vaccine at 16 weeks, or if you need to delay pickup due to travel. In such cases, a boarding and training fee may apply for any additional time your puppy remains with us after 8 weeks of age.
Our puppies are not priced according to gender, color, or intended purpose. The price reflects the high quality of our puppies and our unwavering commitment to responsible breeding. All breeding dogs are thoroughly health screened to ensure the healthiest possible puppies.
Many people are unaware of the significant costs associated with responsible breeding.
Bringing a puppy into the world involves expenses such as but not limited to:
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Stud fees (Ranging from $1,800 to $3,500 on average)
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Collection, shipping, and insemination fees ($800–$4,000+)
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Travel costs for breeding (gas, food, hotel ~$800-$2,000+)
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Dam health testing and certifications ($4,500+)
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Veterinary visits and, if necessary, c-sections ($1,500–$5,000+)
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Puppy starter pack ($100+ per litter)
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Individual health certificates ($80+ per puppy)
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Vaccines and dewormer ($200+)
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Time off work (loss of income)
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AKC registration fees ($40 + $3 per puppy)
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Microchipping and AKC Reunite enrollment ($20 per puppy)
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Cleaning supplies and enrichment toys ($200+ per litter)
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Countless hours of hands-on care and socialization (priceless)
Raising a litter with the Puppy Culture protocol is demanding, time-consuming, and exhausting—but I do it because I want the very best for every puppy.
Please be aware that the price of the puppy does not include shipping or any associated costs. If export certification is required for international destinations, an additional fee—payable directly to the veterinarian handling the necessary paperwork—will apply. I do not export to Asia or to any countries with a known lack of animal welfare regulations, under any circumstances.
All puppies are sold for $3,200 (Cash Only)
If you are planning to ship your puppy or fly in to pick up your puppy:
You are welcome to fly into either Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, SC (approximately 23 minutes from my home), or Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC (about 70 minutes away). There are also several smaller airports available in the Greenville and Spartanburg areas.
All puppy buyers are invited to stay as guests in our home when picking up their puppy. This gives you the opportunity to meet the dam (meeting the sire depends on the specific breeding) and spend time with your puppy before heading home. If you choose to take advantage of this, please schedule your visit in advance. I can comfortably accommodate up to two guests at a time; if more than two buyers are scheduled for the same day, you will need to arrange a hotel stay. If you plan to fly in and depart the same day, I am happy to bring your puppy to the airport. For overnight stays, I can provide transportation to and from the airport with prior arrangement; I simply ask that you cover the cost of gas.
All puppies require a signed sales contract. This contract states that, should you ever become unable or unwilling to care for your dog, you must return the dog to me. If it is discovered that the dog has been sold to a third party, surrendered to a shelter, or mistreated in any way, legal action will be taken for breach of contract, including fines and prosecution. This policy is in place to ensure that all Top Notch Border Collies remain out of shelters and in loving homes.
If you would like a copy of our contract, please contact us directly.