Sunshine Farm's

Old Time Scotch Collie 2021 Puppies



2021 Puppy Blog


Day 49 - April 2, 2021

We are pleased to announce all the puppies have been placed in wonderful, new homes! We had so many applications that we were able to find mostly farm/homestead situations for them with experienced dog owners. As stewards of this breed, it is our goal to put them in working environments when it matches the puppy's temperment. Putting these dogs in environments where they can show their full potential, helps identify dogs that will pass on the best of the breed's characteristics. Unfortunately, this means that they will be leaving us soon and that is tough, especially for my own little ones.

This past week the puppies had their first nail trim and it went just fine, a little wriggly though. It's good to handle them early and often, all over their bodies so they are used to being touched in case of any need for medical care, it makes the vet's/groomer's jobs a little easier. We will be giving them their first bath when we get out of this cold spell. They enjoy wrestling and sleeping in the dirt and it's starting to show on their coats! While they have nicer accommodations, they often prefer to sleep outside in the dirt!

We have placed a dog house in their yard and a crate in the dog "coop" for them to explore. Many of these puppies are destined to be inside/outside dogs, so we want to get them used to both. While we won't have time to fully crate train the puppies, Montana will show them it is a secure space and that they'll need to find somewhere else to relieve themselves. This should ease the journey for those going on long car rides to their new homes, though I imagine there will be a good deal of holding and snuggling by those family members who are not driving.







Day 40 - March 24, 2021





The puppies are continuing to grow, just like our spring weeds! They are keeping us very busy as we start teaching them to sit and come. They are trained to potty in pine shavings inside very well, although they are more lax with it outside.

We have recently expanded their outdoor play space significantly. Some of the photos show this larger area. They now have access to a shared fence line with our goats, but it is such a large yard they have been too distracted by new smells, leaves, flowers blowing in the breeze, grass, goat poop and wrestling each other to make it over to watch the goats! The new area is contained with electric fence. The first few times they are given access to the area is under close supervision and we're there to comfort them when the pups discover the fence. These first exposures are short, but after a few days, they're given full access under Montana's ever watchful eye.

The introduction to our other animals continues, slowly but surely. We have a photo with a few of them meeting the goat kids and hope to have more for you soon!



Day 31 - March 15, 2021

Montana is a working dog as well as our pet. She guards our animals and property almost 24/7 by alerting us when any non resident animal or human ventures too close. As a working dog, she spends the majority of her time outside. Similarly, these puppies are being raised semi-outdoors in anticipation of most of them moving on to farms as working dogs.

Montana is raising her litter of puppies in an old chicken coop. We kicked the chickens out to a temporary chicken tractor when the puppies were due. However, one chicken has returned to the coop and has been hanging out with the puppies for the past few weeks. At first I started to move this hen back into the chicken area, but each morning I'd find her again in the old coop with Montana and the puppies. She would be in the corner, trying not to draw too much attention to herself, laying her daily egg. She's one smart hen, because it's much warmer in the old coop, since there is a space heater in there for the puppies. There aren't any comforts like this in the chickens current quarters. Eventually, we let the hen be, as neither Montana nor the hen seem to mind being room mates. It has turned out to be a good low key way to get the pups introduced to chickens without all the excitement of a full flock.

Other introductions have started too and in the coming weeks, the puppies will be exposed to all our other hens, our cats and our goats. It takes a bit of time and diligent puppy watchers to make this work so everyone stays safe and happy. We don't need puppies having their first experience with goats to be one in which they are head-butted or where they are getting too nippy with the week old goat kids! We watch carefully for signs of stress and sweep in to intervene if it looks like either party is going to have an unhappy encounter. Short, controlled exposure to new creatures that ends while everyone is still happy, is key. In addition to puppy pics, we are including a goat kid video, because they are cute too!






Day 29 - March 9, 2021

The puppies started eating semi-solid food today and LOVED it. Slowly weaning them off mama milk gives Montana a break from being their sole source of nutrition, but doing so slowly ensures the puppies still receive all the necessary goodness from her milk including essential antibodies that are passed along. They start off with soaked kibble, either with bone broth or goat's milk added in and gradually move towards just dry kibble.

The puppies now also have access to the outdoors this week since we've been having some lovely afternoon weather. We will see how adventurous they are...we aren't going to show them the way...just provide the opportunity to venture out.


Day 24 - March 4, 2021

We gratefully had a beautiful day on our 14 yr. old's birthday today! She has been an essential helper on our farm and especially loves caring for the puppies!

We are having some early spring weather here in the Asheville area. Our 3 week old puppies enjoyed their first group trip outside in this video. They aren't quite sure what to make of their new surroundings at first, but mama Montana is there to check in on them and help them feel at ease. The pack disbanded in short order; some to go exploring their yard while others thought the warm sunshine made perfect napping conditions.






Day 21 - March 1, 2021

One of the many wonderful characteristics of OTSC’s is their so-called “off switch”. They are ready for the work when asked, but can chill out with ease, as seen here. There is a sort of running laugh within the OTSC community of how these dogs can really relax; so much so that you will find numerous photos of OTSC in various mellow poses. There are many belly up photos on the Facebook groups and here is Lily doing her best to make sure her pic is up there with the rest.

The pups spend their first few weeks primarily sleeping and eating, so we are so excited to see their first attempts at being active and playing.




Day 15 - February 23, 2021









Day 14 - February 22, 2021

The puppies have all doubled their birth weights and have opened their eyes. Most are taking several steps and then resorting to scooching to get around the whelping box to find mama, investigate or locate their next napping spot.

These past few weeks we have been engaging the puppies in early neurological stimulation. A series of brief “exercises” that are thought to stimulate the puppies already innate natural abilities. Some of them don’t mind at all, but others wriggle their way through the last few exercises voicing their objections! We have discovered a few puppies practicing their bark. Despite their protests, the benefits for doing these neural stimulations are lifelong and include:

  • Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
  • Stronger heart beats
  • Stronger adrenal glands
  • More tolerance to stress
  • Greater resistance to disease

Individual puppy photos coming soon!





Day 6 - February 14, 2021
2021 valenties day picture of puppies

Happy Valentine’s Day! These cuties are the sweetest Valentine’s my family could ask for. We have a new puppy pile photo for you. The puppies are all gaining weight nicely, we weigh (and snuggle) them daily and chart their progress. They should double their birth weight in 8-10 days. They have started wriggling their tails while nursing which is something our children remember fondly from our last litter, it’s really cute. The next milestones are eyes opening (about 12 days) and walking (1-2 wks).



Day 2 - February 10, 2021
Montana's 2021 litter

We are happy to announce Montana’s 2021 litter! Montana whelped 6 puppies on Mon. and into Tues. (Feb. 8 and 9, 2021).

There are 3 boys and 3 girls. See the litter names and collar color below. Most of the puppies are sable and white. A few of these are a darker sable and white than the puppies in Montana’s 2018 litter were at birth. Only one (female) is tri-colored with some brown coloring similar to what we remember Maria and Marta looking like in the 2018 litter.

Our vet stopped by on her way home on Tuesday and did a health check on everyone. Mama and pups are all doing well. We are getting to know all of them with our children frequently checking in on them day and night- “No, you don’t need to go say ‘goodnight’ to the puppies again.” The puppies enjoyed their first snuggles from friends today and Montana managed to get a few moments to herself and enjoy stretching her legs on unseasonable, 62 degree day.

    Females
  • Lily has a pink collar
  • Iris has light purple
  • Violet has dark purple (she is the tri-colored puppy)
    Males
  • Oak has a green collar
  • Hickory’s collar is blue
  • Cedar has a brown collar



Montana and WallaceIn December of 2020, Montana was bred to Glen Craigean's Dunrovin Cormac (call name Wallace) again. We have had such great feedback from owners of the 2018 litter, we decided to pair Monatana and Wallace for a second and final time. These links have more information about Wallace , his genetics and some photos.

We are excited for the pairing of Montana and Wallace. This line is unrelated to many OTSC’s currently being bred. This match brings new genes into the OTSC gene pool which is necessary to help keep up the preservation of these fabulous dogs. Both of these dogs are working farm dogs who either live with or have been exposed frequently to various types of livestock and farm animals. They are both excellent at pest control. Wallace’s favorite past time is catching squirrels and rats. Montana is savvy enough to cut woodchucks off from their burrow and chase them into the nearest tree. Both dog's are excellent guardians to their young human family members as well as their animal charges. This is what owners of the puppies from the 2018 litter have to say:

"He's amazing and if you bred those two again we'd want another." "He's a homebody not super outgoing or into new situations with lots of unfamiliar factors. But has never shown anything other than barking in those times. That's the only thing I could actually sort of frame negatively. He does fine at friends houses, vet, etc. Not a park dog. Great with all people and kids coming here. Barks/alerts with strangers and backs off when we give ok. He has an awesome fierce bark!"

“We were graced with a puppy from this pairing last year (Montana x Wallace 2018), and couldn’t be happier with our dog. We have a close relationship with another dog from that litter and she is incredible as well. I highly recommend this combination of fantastic dogs!”

“We think he is great! He has a blast with all the kids and still exhibits herding instincts. I think Wallace and Montana were a great pairing."