Finding a Reputable Breeder

[Jeni D]

Well, since we were lucky enough to be given this forum, I thought I would be the first one to start a thread about one of the most important parts of finding a corgi. So, how does one find a reputable breeder? Why is this important? What kind of questions should one ask? What is the difference between a reputable breeder and "non-reputable breeder"? What are some warning signs to watch out for when finding a breeder?

[Gizmo's mom]

You all have heard our misadventures with getting a corgi pup in the other threads, so I'll just sum it up here:

DO NOT dismiss advice everyone is giving you! This sounds easy, but, boy, do nco (newcorgiowner) and I feel like wayward teenagers whose parents are too mature/nice/wise to say "we told you so." Everyone said if you don't feel right about the breeder or the dogs, if anything seems off, then walk away. There are other breeders, there are other dogs, and this is not just a monetary investment, it's a very emotional one too. We love Gizmo but we hope to god this heart murmur is nothing and we won't be faced with some agonizing decision between losing her or endless expensive treatment we can't afford. We dismissed warning signs with the "breeder" and let her reassurances override our common sense. Do your research, ask questions, and if the breeder seems put off by them or avoids giving you a straight answer, especially on health issues, find another breeder.

-Gizmo's mom, speaking from painful recent experience

[LuvMyFluffy]

Gizmo's Mom, I'm also a "Gizmo's Mom", my Giz will be two in October.
Several years ago I wanted to get my hubby a beagle pup, he loves beagles. Being a newbie at this sort of thing, I only knew to look through newspaper ads, I had no idea how you'd go about finding a reputable breeder. One place that advertised was a puppy mill, geez, never again. We did end up finding a local breeder selling a beagle, we didn't have any medical issues with her, but lost her in an accident.
Since then I've learned a few things:
A reputable breeder will interview YOU, and they want to know about the environment and intentions of the people adopting.
Contacting local breed clubs is a very good start. Our local club in Chicago, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club is very specific on their rules for breeders, so they screen the breeders. These clubs are into improving the quality of the breed. Which a good breeder will have their studs and bitches tested for genetic disorders. They might even advertise it, like for hips and eyes.
If you think a reputable breeder charges more than you can afford, well look at the long term expense. If you buy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill, you might get a bargain on the purchase of a pup, but may end up having tons of vet bills due to genetic problems.
Well, those are just a few things I felt I might offer, I'm sure others can offer more advice.

[Gizmo's mom]

Originally Posted by LuvMyFluffy

Gizmo's Mom, I'm also a "Gizmo's Mom", my Giz will be two in October.

I noticed that! We've had ours about a week and a half at this point (feels like forever!) and she's just over ten weeks, she'll be eleven this coming Saturday. Three months on August 6.

We've noticed ours even *sounds* like Gizmo sometimes. Does yours?

A reputable breeder will interview YOU, and they want to know about the environment and intentions of the people adopting.

We were told that too, and ignored it. We've heard it some more since, and wish we'd listened. A breeder who doesn't care where her animals are going is a breeder who probably doesn't care about other things. Heck, it was harder to get my cat Marla from the SPCA than it was to purchase this corgi. The SPCA verified our that our apartment took dogs and our income and we had to sign papers that we'd get her spayed and etc etc etc. It struck me as odd that a woman raising AKC certified dogs would be less discerning. Listen to your common sense, I can't emphasize that enough.

If you buy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill, you might get a bargain on the purchase of a pup, but may end up having tons of vet bills due to genetic problems.

SO true. And the vet bills are bad but they're nothing compared to listening to my fiance fret about EVERYthing being connected to Giz's low-level heart murmur. I don't blame him, and I love Gizmo and wouldn't trade her for the world, but if we could go back and do things differently we probably would.

[darci]

Most people know what I found out after buying a dog from a petshoppe, just heart breaking to learn about the puppy mill she came from. So my first BIG advice would be never buy from pet stores, dont even go in......

When I found the breeder who had Egan, it was such a good experience from day one. We met with them 3 different times and had several phone conversations.

We meet both parents,good contract, they have first right to Egan no taking them to the pound if it doesnt work out, you also cant sell or give the pup to anyone. They will take him back at any age with a full refund no questions asked.

But I went through 2 different breeders before I got to ours, and I can tell you flags went off with the first 2 breeders.

[newcorgiowner]

From what I have seen, I think it is actually more expensive to go to a pet store in most cases then a real breeder. The puppies I priced ranged from 550 - 750 for most of the breeders I saw. Just for fun (we would never buy from a pet store) we priced the Corgi puppy in the mall pet store. They were asking...I forget now but I remember it was somewhere between 1200 - 1400. People are willing to pay extra for the convienence of not having to contact/find/research a breeder I think

[corgimom]

newcorgiowner,

Pet shop puppies come from Puppy mills - in case you haven't seen one, you can click on this link:

http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com...interview.html


Note the Corgi(click on the picture) and then scroll down and click on "Inside a Wisconsin Puppy Farm". Now this guy sells to the general public, but he may also sell to stores, I am not sure. I think he breeds at least 15 to 20 different breeds.There are many puppy mills throughout the US that ship their pups in semis to pet shops. I think they refer to the state of Missouri as the state of "Misery" in regards to puppy mills. I don't really want to get started on this again, as I brought this topic up once before, but thought maybe you would want to read it.

Do not support pet stores that sell puppies as they will only replace the one you just purchased with another puppy mill dog.

Linda