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Originally Posted by woogiebear
I have come up with a question that I am sure crosses all newbies heads. How exactly do you define a *backyard breeder*? And how would you know if you came across one? |
Linda has given a good description of someone who meets the definition; Michael too has elaborated. I recommend checking thru some of the back threads where it has been covered in more detail.
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Originally Posted by woogiebear
Corgi's are not very popular here. You rarely see one. It may be the climate down here (Houston is VERY hot!) and I have found my one Corgi sheds more fur than my three cats do!
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Corgis are a whole more popular in Houston than you have discovered yet. There is a regional Pembroke Club located in Houston: <http://www.houstonpembrokes.org/> and they do offer get togethers and activities for all corgi owners. In addition to the club's rescue program, there is also an independent corgi rescue based in the Houston area. Both stay very busy.
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The only Pem breeder here in the city sells her pups for $950 and up. What would be a reasonable price for one so that we would know we are not being taken for a ride? (I did not buy mine locally.)
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It is not an out of line price at all. Again, check the thread where I itemized out expenses that can be incurred from a to z by Breeders.
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AKC has rescue programs and to obtain a rescue Corgi is at least $300 in itself. What would be the difference in paying this much for a rescue versus a non-rescue Corgi?
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AKC does not actually have rescue programs, their clubs do, but not the AKC itself. $300 is the average adoption fee my club's rescue program charges and that is the usual amount we have invested in a rescue's veterinary care - spaying/neutering, wellness exam, all vaccinations, heartworm testing. So the $300 is really just covering the veterinary expenses on a healthy dog. Should they turn out to be heartworm positive, we treat for that as well as other medical issues that should arise. The rescue has been in our homes a minimum of two weeks for evaluation (usually longer). A good rescue program is like a good Breeder; they will do everything they can to make sure the corgi one would be adopting is as healthy as possible, all personality quirks and/or issues are disclosed and that the individual rescue will be a good match for your home. For $300 out of an ad in a paper, 99% of the time you'll get what is hopefully a purebred corgi and the only thing that matters is whether your check is good. Granted with rescues there is often a lot of unknowns as far as background and history, but it is not quite buying the pig in the poke that it is sometimes buying from internet, ads in papers and road side signs "breeders." With rescues, from reputable rescue groups, you also get a support and network system for the life of your corgi.
Hope this helps clear up some of your questions.
Debbie who will be away until Monday