[Michael Romanos]

Had a strange call from a local woman who wants a Corgi for her elderly but active, living alone mother who has had five Corgis in her lifetime. She said she wants a Corgi for her mother as a guard dog and didn't want a pup but a older dog - perhaps rescued or unwanted by an owner or offered for rehousing from a breeder.

I told this woman that Corgis are not guard dogs. They may bark at approaching strangers but they are not going to protect anyone from anyone and they are not going to scare many people away. And then I asked what kind of Corgi did she want for her mother - an ill tempered Corgi who might wish to bite anything in sight including the new owner. No said the woman not one of those.

Then this woman didn't want to pay for a Corgi or pay little. I said who is going to give a Corgi away. Once in 20 years you mignt find a Corgi at a dog pound or with the SPCA in New Zealand. But a dog available for rehousing by a breeder is unlikely to be given away free.

I think this woman has got the wrong breed in mind.