Getting Dewey

[glencorgi]

Both the parents are purebred PWC's, poorly bred, but purebred - also known when doing rescue ID's "purebutpoorbred." Both look very young, not even 2 years yet would be my guess. They are in very poor condition, extremely underweight and I hate to break it to Aaron, but that "ain't" the way a b*tch that has just given birth looks "different."

I have one huge concern now though. I have pictures of Dewey's parents and I don't know if they are pure bred or not. Aaron insists they are but I am not convinced. I don't really know what to look for. The mother looks like a mix of something (Aaron said they look different after having babies) and the dad looks scrawny (Aaron said the breeder keeps them that size cause the extra weight isn't healthy).

The parents are good examples of what happens when one doesn't breed for type or to the standard and how the look that makes a corgi look like a corgi is easily lost. This is a prime example of why many of us get upset when some on the forum indiscriminately encourage all comers - "sure go ahead and breed a litter or two." Drop eared dogs should never be bred from, the drop ears do give a completely different "look" to a corgi which is causing some of the confusion. Keeping extra weight off is in a corgi's best health interest, however that means one should be able to feel the ribs, not count them. These dogs are emaciated. Aaron's explanations, well to be blunt they fall into the category of what I cleaned up in the dog lot today after letting the dogs out. I don't know what kind of lines or talk Aaron may be throwing around at work to lead you believe he has any understanding of dogs in general or breeding or that he was in any way connected into reputable, responsible breeding communities; but he has demonstrated he knows nothing. Actually what Aaron seems to be doing is brokering and that isn't necessarily a compliment. Sorry, but your trust in him as a mentor or to find you a quality corgi is misplaced. You have had sounder, more constructive advice and direction from forum members here, complete strangers, than he has given. I have to wonder what kind of cut he was getting out of this sale.

As has been mentioned by others, you are the one going to be living with this dog for the next 12 to 14 years, not Aaron. You mentioned being wary of a rescue because of issues, well IF you were dealing with a reputable rescue then those issues would be known and discussed thoroughly with before adoption - you would know what you would be getting into and you would not be matched with more than you could handle. You would have been more in the position of buying a puppy in a poke, than had you gone with a rescue in this case. A responsible breeder is NOT going to go through a third party (nor will a rescue group) to place one of their puppies. They will want to deal with you, get to know you and guide you in your decision matching the right puppy to your home.

There is plenty of information in the archives on this forum on how to find a breeder, warning signs to watch out for, lots of things to help you make an informed and educated decision yourself in selecting a corgi for your home.

Take a breath, regroup, do your homework, research, talk to people with corgis that come into the store, check out the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of the Potomac's website (I gave you that link), read the archives here, and be patient. You will be glad you did in the end.

Debbie, who's irritation level is not directed at Dewey at all


Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Hell. I haven't seen more pititful looking Pems than those two. I don't think they come into my category of strong and certifiably healthy. Shoot the breeder.

[corgimom]

Originally Posted by Dewey

I want a healthy dog, yes, but if I can get a good deal in the process why not? The breeder thinks Aaron is getting the dog. Because they are friends she is dropping the price down by $600 for him.

But now that the deal is off I owe Aaron $50. A waste (I could have paid my cell phone bill, meh) but it's nothing compared to the $400 I could have spent.

I am sending out emails to all of the breeders in my area right now. I feel so bad that I have to turn down the dog I have already named... I wonder what is going to happen to him...

Dewey, I am confused by something you said in here. You initially said the pup was $400(with shipping) - but now you say that because the breeder knew Aaron. she was droping the price down by $600 for him - does that mean she would have charged $1000 to you for the pup bred from these poorly bred dogs, had she not known Aaron?? if that is what Aaron told you, well something is not right. If Aaron told you it was a good deal, well it was; for the breeder's pocketbook- you made a good decision;


Deb gave you very good advice/pointers; take a breath, regroup and do your homework; you will be glad you did

[Cardiguy]

Good move Dewey in cancelling. That situation had all the ingredients for a disaster. Don't worry about the pup Dewey as you will be getting another pup who you will give your love to. Do your homework and you will give your pup the best chance to turn out to be everything you always wanted.

[Chip's Mom]

Michael:

Those pictures are prime examples of dogs that are being bred in puppy mills here in the States. Unfortunately, they are not the exception they are the rule in these puppy mills. Have you ever watched animal planet's SPCA programs in NY, Detroit, Texas, Florida etc. That is why I am so against puppy mills and people breeding dogs that don't know what they are doing or what they are getting into. Many people just end up accumulating these dogs and try to breed them to recoup some of their money and think they are doing the right thing for these dogs. Chip's breeder just took on 2 corgis from a puppy mill breeder - an emacipated female who had lost an eye and a little 8 month old male pem that had never been out of a kennel and is stunted because of poor diet. Doesn't know what toys are and has not wagged his tail in the days she has had him. Had never even seen grass. I get angry too. It tears me up when I hear or see our beloved corgis neglected or abused. Thank you all for listening to me vent!

[corgimom]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Michael:

Those pictures are prime examples of dogs that are being bred in puppy mills here in the States. Unfortunately, they are not the exception they are the rule in these puppy mills. Have you ever watched animal planet's SPCA programs in NY, Detroit, Texas, Florida etc. That is why I am so against puppy mills and people breeding dogs that don't know what they are doing or what they are getting into. Many people just end up accumulating these dogs and try to breed them to recoup some of their money and think they are doing the right thing for these dogs. Chip's breeder just took on 2 corgis from a puppy mill breeder - an emacipated female who had lost an eye and a little 8 month old male pem that had never been out of a kennel and is stunted because of poor diet. Doesn't know what toys are and has not wagged his tail in the days she has had him. Had never even seen grass. I get angry too. It tears me up when I hear or see our beloved corgis neglected or abused. Thank you all for listening to me vent!

I agree with you Bonnie. I especially feel sorry for those two dogs and the life they live; they just don't look healthy to me.

[Dillydoodle]

oh Bonnie, I tear up too about this. This is why I cant bear to hear about people buying puppies at petstores, becuase whether they know it or not, they are supporting puppy mills. I have heard about the abuse of these poor dogs, the female dogs are nothing more than a uterus... they keep them just alive enough to have litter after litter of poorly bred puppies to be sold for the money, which doesnt go back into the health and welfare of the dogs but into the greedy puppymill people's pockets. I am also against people breeding who have not done the research to try to BETTER the breed.
The photos of those two dogs breaks my heart, they are very unhealthy looking and obviously not fed properly...they will probably be bred over and over again and thrown away when they are no longer able to have puppies. GRRRRRR
Emilie

[Jespah]

Good for you for making a difficult decision Dewey. Be patient - believe me I know how hard that can be! There's lots of people here more than happy to help you find a puppy that will be purebred and healthy with the potential for a long happy life with you.
Hang in there!!!!

[Fluffypants]

Poor Dewey - what a hard decision to make. But you definitely would be doing the right thing by cancelling. I'm glad that you were able to get some unbiased advice (since you were clearly getting very partisan advice from Aaron) before you gave your whole heart and soul to this pup. Imagine how heartbroken you would be if you brought him home, and then had to watch him suffer with a horrible illness or die.

Those poor dogs look miserable and unhealthy, it breaks my heart. And buying a pup from that breeder would just be promoting the suffering. Poor babies. I can't decide between wanting to cry for them and wanting to beat the $#@% out of the person responsible for their condition . . . maybe both at the same time?

[Dewey]

Another update on the puppy-formerly-known-as-Dewey.

The deal was a officially cancelled but Aaron sent me more pictures before I told him to call it off.

Here are three shots of the pup:

http://www.geocities.com/teachersfirstpupil/dewey.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/teachersfirstpupil/dewey1.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/teachersfirstpupil/dewey2.jpg

A side-view of mommy:

http://www.geocities.com/teachersfirstpupil/mom1.jpg

I'm glad I asked for a side-view. You can see her ribs!!.

[corgimom]

Dewey,

That is a terrible picture of the mom - she is so skinny I don't know what else to say about that, but I think it is awful! That dog deserves to be in a better home.

[Dewey]

I sent out emails to the breeders who had email addys listed. They all responded but only one breeder has pups and she only has one male left. Her asking price is $1,000 but I only have $400. I told her this and she said she is still willing to talk to me (she does phone interviews and then she meets the potential owners in person).

I am very nervous but I did all of my research, I've bought all of the equipment I need -- I'm ready!