Corgi Search

[LaRositaMonita]

We had a great weekend advancing our search for a puppy this weekend out near Philly...we hooked with a friend we've made through two other Corgi forums (the Corgi-L list and the PhillyAreaCorgis yahoo group, if anyone frequents there) and hung out for part of the afternoon with his two Cardigans, age 7 and 2. They are GREAT dogs and have us even more sold that a Corgi is for us. Of course, this presents us with a dilemma, as it seems we're keeping so many options open we'll soon have to make a tough decision. We have found a Pembroke breeder near us that we really like. We have also found a Cardi breeder in Ohio whom we absolutely adore. We're on this list for both their litters, which are each planned right in our time frame. The pups aren't born yet, but we're already going crazy about which is the better decision. What do you all think? Here are our pros and cons:

Pembroke Breeder:
-Focus on temperament and matching the owner to the dog (since Pems are a little more high-energy, we want someone who's going to be a bit more laid-back)
-Closeby
-Runs really awesome obedience classes
-A little less warm and friendly than our Cardi breeder
-Pups are $900 (not bad for our area, we're learning)
-We can visit the pups/mom/breeder a lot more often when they're young because she's only a 30 minute drive away

Cardigan Breeder:
-Totally down-to-earth and friendly; she has become our #1 go-to for questions, concerns, advice, general desire to obsess over our future puppy
-Pups are $500-600 (basically awesome)
-Focuses on temperament and matching the owner to the breeder
-Socializes her pups really well so that they will be laid-back but friendly and happy with strangers
-Lives WAY out in Ohio, about a 7-hour drive from us
-Distance means that we will only be able to make two trips (max) out to see our puppy and his or her mom - probably once not too long after birth to pick out our dog and once more to actually take him or her home
-Traveling means added cost - we estimate that, between gas to drive out there and someplace to stay overnight each time, we will break even, if not wind up spending a bit more overall...depending on where we eat when we're on the road.

-Add to this that we're just outright split on which breed we like better, and we're torn! (Pems have that butt! But Cardis have the tail! Pems are more happy go lucky overall! But Cardis are more laid back! Cardis have bigger, even cuter ears! But we don't really like that blue merle color! Okay, really, either dog works for us...who knows?!) We are splitting the difference a bit and have e-mailed a few more local Cardi breeders to see what they're like, as our gal in Ohio found us and sold us on Cardis through a call she made to us about rescue...we had not considered the breed until she helped us realize a Cardi would be great for us.

Basically... give us some input to hlep us make a decision

[ZdogZ]

How about one of each?

[Clogs]

Well, I can't say much about Cardi's, as I've never had one. But Pems - well, they're just the bees knees for us.
Hard question, and if you're considering the $, I suppose what you save on the travel to a more distant location could be spent on a more expensive pup from the the more local area.
Plus, it is nice, I think, to be able to at least see your prospect a couple of times. Although we only saw Rose the once. That was enough.
The obedience classes sound as though they might be useful.

[Mvons]

I'm SO jealous you have a choice. If there is a litter in April, we will be driving out of state 7 hours too and probably won't get to see in person before we pick up.

The one thing I think would be nice to have a breeder close by is IF they will take the dog in an emergency. We had a bad experience with a kennel and in an extreme emergency would nice to have a breeder as a back up to family and friends.

Good thing about far away is that it will be easier to wait. Close by I'd be dying to have the puppy early or stop by often. Will both be letting the puppies go at the same age, or is one older (12 weeks) so that more training will be done? This is important if you both work and could use the extra training ahead of time.

Merrie

[LaRositaMonita]

I would LOVE one of each! Sadly, that's not in the cards yet with expense and space and confidence in raising two puppies at once

Even if we get our pup from a long distance away, we'd still be able to take advantage of the Pem breeder's obedience classes...she does dogs of all types, but it would be cool to have her own pup coming to her.

Both dogs would be let go at about the same age, but the Pems will be born a little sooner. One thing we LOVE about both breeders equally is that they let their pups go a little older - our Pem breeder at 10-12 weeks, depending on the puppy, and our Cardi breeder at 12 weeks period, so she can give them a particularly good start on crate training, socializing, and housebreaking. Basically, our Pem would be ready right at the beginning of summer (mid June or so) and our Cardi would be ready at the end of June or, more likely, the very beginning of July. Again, all of that is perfect for us!

Seriously. Tough decisions.

[Clogs]

Sounds to me that you've done the head-work - so what does your heart say?

[LaRositaMonita]

I got some good, "keep it simple, stupid" advice from another forum that said I should wait till the pups are here, visit each one, and let a puppy pick me. I kind of like that.

[milles2]

Kristi may have the right idea... one of each!

Cardi Lulu is anything but laid back! She's as obnoxious as Tucker (Pem) is!

[tandemgal]

I haven't had the cardi - yet!

As a general rule I've read the cardi are more laid back and reserved towards strangers. Of course they are a little bigger too. Some members have had trouble with chewing issues BUT some pem owners have also! so chewing I think may be an individual dog issue

My pems are different as night and day... Emma my older one has always been very mellow, not a lap Girl but she is always close by and comes up to be petted and is very loving, but she is more stubborn.

Chloe is very active, loves to run and jump (think kangaroo)more than Em was at her age. She is soooo much the lap Girl - If I'm on the sofa or bed she is right next to me. Her recall is very good - if I am at one end of the yard and she's at the other end (apx 1 acre) and I whistle she comes running.

My point is each dog is different - breed or not. Perhaps since you have two weeks between both Pem and Cardi you could visit the Pem ask them to wait and then visit the Cardi and see which puppy seems right for your family? That way you could compare puppies not the breed.