In looking for a good breeder as a source for your new puppy, there are several points that you must keep in mind. If a breeder meets all of the following requirements, by in large, they are going to be an excellent source. If they meet some but not all of the points outlined, then care should be taken in dealing with them and you should be well aware of their limitations before buying a pup from them. You're only asking for trouble by dealing with them. The breeder should have each of the parent dogs registered with one of the Border Collie registries.
Unknown lineages produce unknown pups.
A breeder should know the genetic problems present in their lines, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each dog's ancestors. Each parent dog should be certified as free of eye and hip problems. Breeding dogs should also be tested free from brucellosis but this may not be a primary concern for you in purchasing a pup. Each parent dog should be well-tempered. Temperament of a dog is founded upon the genetic makeup of a pup, as traits of personality are inherited from the parent lines.