Our Family Dogs
The height of our Collie breeding years were from about 1994 - 2003. At the time we didn’t realize how much we would wish to preserve this line of dogs and most of them went to non-breeding homes. Between 2005 - 2013 we managed to arrange for two breedings that kept our line alive. We owe much to the two families who agreed to breed their Faraway Farm Collies and help us preserve our canine family! In 2013 a puppy from our final litter went to Jessica Hennings of Gracehaven Old Fashioned Farm Collies. We are so grateful that Jessica included one of our dogs in her breeding program which allowed our line to produce another generation. Although Jessica has recently retired from breeding, we have located two males descended from our line who will be siring puppies in the coming years.
On this page you’ll see a collection of old photos showing our family Collies and a bit of the story about how we tried to keep the line going over the years. In future breeding decisions, we hope to encourage the same look and temperament that worked so well for us in these earlier generations. When compared to the modern Rough Collie, our ideal dog has a wider head, a “stop” or transition between forehead and nose, larger eyes, a moderate coat, and naturally tipped ears. One unique trait of our dogs that has disappeared in the modern collie is the white blaze on their faces. Although some breeders value Collies for their working instincts, we always tried to breed for companionship rather than farm work. Collies have a natural caretaking instinct. They are gentle, loyal, and attentive, making them ideal family dogs.
Bosco was a pure-bred AKC rough collie from the Parader Line. He lived on a farm near us in far Northern Vermont. Laura first bred him to an Aussie named Flip. We kept one puppy from that litter - Duchess who was our most amazing and beloved family dog. When she died in an accident at age 6, Laura went on a mission to find Bosco, buy him, and get another litter of puppies with him. The next litter produced Angus, who lived to be 16 and sired all of our future puppies.
Duchess was our first Farm Collie, born in 1988. Her parents were Bosco and Flip
Angus, on Left, here with his mother Tubby, an Australian Shepherd. His father was Bosco, a purebred Rough Collie.
Jada was a purebred AKC rough collie. She and Angus were the parents of our next generation of old fashioned farm collies.
From Left: Tubby, Angus, Jada.
Clockwise from left: Angus, Emilie (the human) Isabelle, Gracie, and Maisie.
Angus in his old age on the right. Gracie is on the left - she was a daughter of Angus and Jada.
Tess was a daughter of Angus and Jada
Gracie with her puppies
Angus, on left, and Gracie (Angus x Jada) on right.
Isabelle was a daughter of Angus and Jada, our line survives through her descendants.
Isabelle (Angus x Jada)
Isabelle (Angus x Jada)
Isabelle’s daughter Maggie was bred to an Australian Shepherd (pictured here) named Chevy in 2005. At the time we had run out of collie stud dog options and decided to try another Aussie cross to keep our line going. Chevy had an unusually calm temperament and the puppy in this picture is their daughter Lucy, who carried on the next generation of our dogs.
Laura and Lucy in 2008.
This is Finger Lakes Wess, descended from Jessica Hennings’ Gracehaven Line. He sired a litter of puppies with Lucy in 2013, ensuring our line would continue for another generation.
Ruby, daughter of Lucy and Wess. Sadly she never had puppies.
Annis, daughter of Lucy and Wess. Annis was bred to Gracehaven’s Jamison to produce the next generation.
Gracehaven’s Jamison a.k.a. Jamie, bred by Jessica Hennings. (his parents are Caitrin and Bones a.k.a. Romany-Widdershins Galloping Hatrack) He and Annis had a litter of puppies in 2018.
Gracehaven’s Lyon is the son of Annis and Jamison. We love that he has a full white blaze, and a beautiful mahogany sable coat that is silky and lightweight! Lyon has tested clear for CEA, Mdr1 and all other possible genetic diseases through Embark. His DMS score is aabbCc. In May 2021 two AI breedings were attempted between Lyon and Carabella Vintage Collie’s Lady Bell and Creekside Collies Kiva. Stay tuned for confirmation of puppies! Anyone interest in puppies should contact Margarett Hershberger and Tera Stone.
Gracehaven’s Lyon, in profile
Gracehaven’s Rowan is the son of Annis and Jamison. He may also have puppies and we will gladly share news of them here! All breeding decisions will be made by his owners and Jessica Hennings.
Gracehaven’s Rowan.