For the past 16 years, Jacko and Joules Kuipers have turned their affection for border collies into a fun annual tradition — hosting the ultimate border collie party, complete with a sausage scramble.
The couple’s love for border collies began over 20 years ago, and the parties started after one of their dogs had its first litter of puppies.
“I thought it would be nice to see the pups again, so when they were around a year old, we threw a party here at our Lee Valley property, and it just grew from there. Now we welcome all border collies around the district,” Jacko says.
Over the years, Jacko and Joules’ dogs have had four litters, and now even great-great-great-grand pups from the original dogs attend the parties.
“Border collies are very smart, full of character, and excellent working dogs,” Jacko says.
“But they’re not couch pooches— they need to be out doing something.”
The 2025 party, which recently took place, marked the first time Jacko introduced an agility course, bringing lots of fun for both dogs and their owners.
The event features a river swim, chase games and ends with Jacko’s traditional sausage scramble.
“I would like to thank Pet Mart Richmond and Town and Country Vet Richmond for their support with prize donations for the agility course,” says Jacko.
“This year’s People’s Choice Top Dog went to Fletcher, a young, five-and-a-half-month-old brown and white collie.”
If you’re interested in joining the next party, you can find more details on the ‘Border Collie Owners Nelson’ Facebook page. You can also contact Jacko directly on 0274 338277 to be added to the mailing list.
