[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Emmye

Hi

I have a question for breeder

I would like you to tell your story about how you got in to breeding if it starts with another breed start there and then tell how you got in to corgi

I'm going to do a little semantic hair splitting here. "In corgis" means something slightly different to me (and a few others here most likely) than it will to the vast majority of the GoCorgi members. It is the same as being "in dogs" or a "in the fancy." Those who fit what I think of as "in corgis" are a true minority here. "In corgis (or "in dogs) is getting up at zero dark thirty, getting all the dogs fed and pottied to make one's 8:00 AM ring/run time weekend after weekend, spending exboritant amounts of money on entry fees, gas, hotel rooms - all for a 25 cent bit of ribbon IF one is lucky. There are other examples of individuals who are "in corgis" who never step foot in any type of ring (except perhaps the "Miss Paws in the Park" contests) who possess equal dedication, commitment and make substantial contributions to the breed(s) and will never breed a litter. There's a hole one steps into or a line one crosses over the edge when one is "in" a breed or "in dogs."

when did you see your first PWC,

At a dog show, after I had already become interested in the breed(s) and done some substantive research. Through making calls via a local kennel club's breeder referral service, we later visited with a Breeder and her dogs. That visit made the difference between me having a corgi and being "in corgis."

when did you get your first one,

The PWC Breeder we visited had a litter planned and I met the dam to be. I waited through two missed breedings with her, after the second missed breeding it was discovered she had reproductive problems and could not carry a litter. So for you folks who think waiting a couple of months is a long time ... it was over a year after my decision had been made that this was the breed I wanted and this was the Breeder from whom I wished to get my puppy, and it didn't happen. That's not including the reading, research and talking done before I got to that point.

how did you learn about them,

First become aware of the breed? A very tiny statue of a Pembroke in a shop called Everything Scottish located in Grandfather Mountain, NC. I was intrigued by the fox like look.

Learn, as in educating myself about the breed? Still going on. Preliminary - the AKC dog book from the local library, wrote the PWCCA, breed specific books from the local pet shops (not a lot of substance in many of them). Now, being shoved in the deep end of the pool came via acquiring our Cardigan. I mentioned visiting the Pembroke breeder and that visit changed me from "having a corgi" to being "in corgis," well this is how that happened. The Breeder mentioned an activity called Junior Handling which intrigued my eldest nephew. My sister and her two boys were living with us at the time and the whole family made the visit - they would all be living with any corgi that came to my house. The corgi search expanded to find a Cardigan (his preference - blue merle, one blue eye, one brown eye) for him to show in Juniors. Enter a Breeder, now retired, from up near Washington, DC who had a retired Ch they were looking to place. She was perfect. With her came one of the most invaluable commodities a beginner can have - MENTORS. Egomaniacal, control freaks who might have driven me nuts at the time, but I learned and thank my lucky stars for them today - they were right. Online - ShowPem, ShowCardi, Corgi-L, Showdogs-L, these were later added resources. I also attend breed seminars, am a member of the CWCCA and the regional Pembroke club. Lots of time spent talking dogs with breed friends and others in other breeds.

What did you do to get started,

Attended handling classes, even before we had our corgis. Joined the local kennel club, surrounded ourselves with knowledgeable and experienced dog people. paid dues, asked questions, listened, paid dues, attended corgi functions overed by a local, but not defunct club; paid more dues; submerged ourselves in the dog world and paid more dues. Read the standard, re-read the standard and read the standard again - I have periods where I'll pull it out and read it almost daily for a month.[/color]

how long after that did you start to breed,

From my initial interest in getting a Pembroke, to the time the puppies hit the ground, maybe four years or so.

[/QUOTE=]did people try to tell you not to do it..[/quote]

ABSOLULTELY!!! In retrospect, knowing what I know today, I'd never bred that particular litter and they were spot on correct in all advice they gave. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to tell one of them exactly that - and thanked them for being so honest.

how did you feel

To a degree, same as you probably are - HARRUMPPHH!!! Who the do you think you are to tell me anything? Although, some of the ones who were so brutally honest, their reputations and contributions to the breed speak for themselves. Made me think and today I freely admit they were unequivocably correct.

why did you want to breed PWC

Same reason as for breeding Cardigans, I do it for myself - striving for the brass ring.

tell about your first litter of puppies
any problems along the way

PWC's - had a litter of nine. Number 7 was too large for her to deliver naturally, so a speedy trip to the vet's office was in order. Mind you, my sister who was helping had assisted with a couple of whelpings prior to delivery. We also had an experienced Breeder there assisting, Breeder friends from kennel club were just a phone call away. With manipulation, we got the puppy out. On the way home she delivered another one in the backseat of the car, and another one once home. I lost four, even with a Cardigan breeder vet on speed dial, so had five girls left. First Cardigan litter, dam freewhelped 8 puppies, no problems. That streak ran out though.

Long road, stops and starts, taking detours, starting over more than once, discovering original visions were good ones ... never did it just to have puppies for sale or because the breed is so cool "everybody needs one." I made a lot of mistakes along the way, even with good resources at my disposal. Most of us who may come across a little strong, well, usually because we've been there, made the mistakes and got the t-shirts.


Debbie