Tips on Buying a Working Pup.
Pick Your Breed
If you already don't have a "breed of choice", go to some trials, talk to other breeders/owners. Find a dog that you not only like looking at, but also one that you will be able to take care of properly if they have any special needs like grooming.
OK.. I know what breed... But what breeder?
This is the most important part of your research. Find a breeder that does health testing, and is open about any health problems that plague the breed or may be in their lines.
Find a breeder that actually works or trials their dog, or has placed puppies with people that either work or trial their dog.
Check with the National Breed Club to get a list of "Code of Ethics" breeders that work their dogs. The Canadian Kennel Club can help you locate the National Breed Clubs of your breed if the breed is a CKC reconized one.
The Parents have HIC and or HT titles!!
Personally... I wouldn't get a "working" pup from a breeder who only has a HIC (Herding Instict Certificate) or HT (Herding Tested) titles on their dogs. Especially if you want a serious trial dog, or a dependable "hired hand" on the farm. Why? Well.. as much as I hate to say this, but just about any dog with a capable, talented handler can get thru a HT (and even HS!) course. The HIC is only the opinion of one person, that may or may not actually know what their doing, or what a real working dog is, and quite frankly, you can't tell the quality of a dogs "working ability" in 10 minutes that it takes to pass or fail an Instict Test.
BUT.. If you are looking for a dog that will your pet first, and maybe a showdog or other dogsport dog, without needing to have that dog that doesn't necessarily have to be a working dog or a serious trialing dog, then that HIC or HT title is better than nothing.
Need a serious working dog?
Then buy a dog from a breeder that has not only working dogs generations back in the pedigree, but that they also work the sire and dam (if they are retired, find out why). If your able to actually watch the dogs work great.. if not, you'll need to do some research.
Herding titles are one way to tell.. Advanced Titles tell you (for the most part anyways) that the dog has enough talent to get past started, talk to other fanciers of your breed, some breeders may have dogs from their line working in the real world, with owners far to busy to trial, they may work feedlots, or community pastures or sale barns. Most people that rely on using dogs for livestock management won't hang onto a dog that doesn't "earn their keep" or are "mediocre".
Keep in mind that not all dogs (reguardless of their pedigree) that are bred for working, will "work out" as working dogs. Some dogs can only go so far in their training and will never get to that "advanced" level. Make sure that your breeder will take back the dog if the dog doesn't "work out" up to your expectations. Don't be afraid to ask for references... and don't be afraid to check them either.
You may want to consider buying a started dog from a breeder/trainer, if the risk of "falling in love with a so-so pup" bothers you...
Stock Sense and Bidablilty
A good dog will be able to read stock, and work on their own without commands to do various tasks, like a hold a line when driving, go on blind outruns etc. However, it doesn't matter how talented the dog is when it comes to stockwork, it will be useless and unreliable if the dog isn't bidable.
The dog should be willing to work with a handler, and be able to take commands, even if the dog thinks that "right now is not a good time to lie down". I think that bidability is as inherited as any instinct or genetic trait, although there are always exceptions.
Herding Articles & Stock Resources
