Purchasing a Corgi

[fogebotom]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

"Supposed to be" being the operative words. They aren't breeding true to the hype they have been given. Just as with mix breed/mutt, there can be wonderful specimens, but there is no predictability to the outcome. You should hear groomers blast them. Coat is a major issue, might have a Lab type coat, might require as grooming as a poodle. The health issues in each breed are being dealt with. Many are over the top hyper active in temperament.

Debbie

Oh I gotta chime in here---I posted just yesterday to another list a website I ran across. It had a whole page of the necessary grooming items needed for a doodle cross. There were more items there then I use on my cardigans! They also sold a starter kit that must have had 12 or more of the most important things to have-mat rake, combs, special shampoos and conditioners, etc.

They are mixed breeds plain and simple. And I have yet to meet one person doing these designer mutts that takes in to consideration health and temperment testing. Some of my worst clients in obedience, are doodle mixes. Groomers dread the dogs and people really have more maintenance on them then they will ever dream of.

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom
www.foggybottomusa.com

[MyPemCharlie]

Most of us Corgi owners are likely to "poo poo" high maintenance dogs as far as grooming goes. I know one of my own priorities in selecting a dog breed was an "easy-care" coat. My rottie had a similar coat to the Corgi coat...he shed year-round and blew his undercoat out twice a year...but he was still easy to brush through in a few minutes.

For others though, high grooming needs are not a off-putting. My neighbors who were talking to me about Labradoodles seem to have their heart set on one. They own two dogs, and their oldest senior girl is not likely to live much longer (natural old age). It's funny, their two dogs (rottie and mix short haired dog) should both be easy to groom. They make it even easier by taking their dogs to the vet clinic where they work and keep their dogs shaved for the 10 months here when the weather is warm. They'll probably just have a bald (shaved) Labradoodle in their future.

Oh well, to each his own. Labradoodle is not the dog for me, but neither are most breeds for me. My Charlie is my perfect dog.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

The guy who recently joined the WWCWC who is a Pem breeder in his late stage of life, will never be a 'reputable' breeder. But there is nothing amiss with the temperament of the Corgis he owns and has bred to date or their pedigrees.

Not all casual breeders are bad, some mean well, but they don't do the health tests. Remember that in the US we have the puppy mills too and often the byb's get their dogs from puppy mills to start with.

I'm just saying that many of the dogs that come into rescue with kid related, or biting problems have been from poorly bred sources. Might be just that alone, and might be caused by lack of training. Or a combination of both.

Peggy

[Chip's Mom]

Peggy - I have to add that it might be from mishandling by the children. I have seen many children too rough with animals and the parents don't discipline the children or teach them the proper way to behave with a pet.

[Michael Romanos]

Chip's Mom - that's why you don't get a dog for the children. You get a dog for yourself and your spouse/partner, and the children can participcate in the dog's upbringing if they can behave themselves and show some responsibility

[Chip's Mom]

Unfortunately, Michael too many people get the dogs for their children and then expect them to take care of them and when the don't, they end up at Peggy's or Debbies/

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Peggy - I have to add that it might be from mishandling by the children. I have seen many children too rough with animals and the parents don't discipline the children or teach them the proper way to behave with a pet.

You're right, I kind of lumped that in with lack of disipline of the children. Often it's not the dogs fault.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Unfortunately, Michael too many people get the dogs for their children and then expect them to take care of them and when the don't, they end up at Peggy's or Debbies/

Yup, they do. I've had a few kids contact me about puppies and I always ask to talk to the parents. And I want to meet the WHOLE family. I make sure everyone is ok with having a dog before one of mine go to a home. And I ask what happens if the kids fall down on the care part. If they assure me that "oh that won't happen" well, I'll most likely not be placing a puppy of mine there. I've raised kids, I know how that goes...

Peggy

[Chip's Mom]

You are absolutely right. I have seen it to many times. That places way to high of expectations on some children. Another problem is life changes with a child almost daily, sports, homework, new friends, sleepovers and on and on. Good for you to not place your pups there.

[jakort1]

Maybe I'm a bit over the edge on giving a pet to my children, but, as I told my son when he asked me to get him a dog...he can choose the dog (breed, etc.) when he's willing to take on the lions share of the commitment, I'd even pay the bills and purchase price. Until then I choose. I had to explain to him why our current Cardigan follows me around and not him (or his sister, or my wife) it's because I take care of him consistently.

I am trying to give more responsibility to my kids, walks, playing, feeding so they understand some of what it takes. I do feel that my Cardi is probably one of the more small kid friendly dogs in the neighborhood since I encourage interaction between the dog and my children.

John

[Rinaldo]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Rinaldo,

This may sound like it's coming out of left field, but you have mentioned your obvious love for Labs, but also mentioned Poodles having the lower energy level you now seek. Have you considered a Labradoodle? It's not a "real" breed, e.g. non AKC recognized, but they've grown in popularity since someone in Australia started breeding them in 1989.

They are supposed to be low-shedding, low allergen like Poodles and have the friendly disposition of Labs. My neighbors who work at a vet clinic were telling me about some Labradoodles who came in at their office, and now they want one for their next dog. My first instinct was "Oh no...human scientific experiments with perfectly good dog breeds.", but then again, all our purebred dogs started as experiments with breed mixes.

Anyway, they apparently come in three to four sizes with the miniatures being in the same weight range as Corgis. Just food for thought.

I am well aware of the Labradoodles and I would be interested in one if I didn't find them Hideously unattractive I'm also not in favor of the current trend towards the bastardization of breeds by people creating "designer dogs" I think it's the paris hilton Generation and it's wrong. Hundreds of years and thousands of dog Generations to create a breed and we take it upon ourselves to mix them for fun? It's an entirely different argument all together.
I'm looking into a Corgi breeder in south Florida this weekend and will try and get a better sense of the breed and how they behave and interact with children. My daughter wants a Maltese and I refuse ! lol
Thanks again everyone.

[KJohnson]

We just got our Corgi Westin about a month and a half ago at 8 weeks. He is extremely rambunctious and is prone to what we call his "sprints" in which he runs around the house in circles as fast as he possibly can. Living in a one bedroom, one bath condo doesn't exactly give him the space he needs to play. He does, however, like to be picked up like a baby and have his tummy rubbed ((when I read the part about your daughter, I knew that would be a good thing for you!)) I would warn you though, from my experience, that it seems like our corgi is either VERY hyper or he's asleep. They don't tend to bite too hard, but they do nip quite a lot. They are adorable dogs, very lovable and extremely smart. I hope you decide soon!

[fogebotom]

Originally Posted by jakort1

Maybe I'm a bit over the edge on giving a pet to my children, but, as I told my son when he asked me to get him a dog...he can choose the dog (breed, etc.) when he's willing to take on the lions share of the commitment, I'd even pay the bills and purchase price. Until then I choose. I had to explain to him why our current Cardigan follows me around and not him (or his sister, or my wife) it's because I take care of him consistently.

I am trying to give more responsibility to my kids, walks, playing, feeding so they understand some of what it takes. I do feel that my Cardi is probably one of the more small kid friendly dogs in the neighborhood since I encourage interaction between the dog and my children.

John

One of my 4-H families that has dogs does it a very interesting way. The kids when wanting a different dog, had to submit a business plan to their father outlining the goals with the dog, how much it would cost to house, feed, vet the dog. How they would go about reaching their goals and they then had to pay for the dog. I really liked that approach. I kind of do the same thing at my house, but my son and I are full partners in the cardigans-breeding, raising, showing and training. My youngest is just getting started and when she wanted her new agility dog, had to write out why she wanted a different dog. She's got a contract with his breeder too that says what kind of training she will do, how she will help promote the dog-he's a stud dog-so showing in juniors, breed, agility etc.

After years of training kids, many are spoiled and don't get it but lots of kids are underestimated and wonderfully responsible owners.

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by Rinaldo

I am well aware of the Labradoodles and I would be interested in one if I didn't find them Hideously unattractive I'm also not in favor of the current trend towards the bastardization of breeds by people creating "designer dogs" I think it's the paris hilton Generation and it's wrong. Hundreds of years and thousands of dog Generations to create a breed and we take it upon ourselves to mix them for fun? It's an entirely different argument all together.
I'm looking into a Corgi breeder in south Florida this weekend and will try and get a better sense of the breed and how they behave and interact with children. My daughter wants a Maltese and I refuse ! lol
Thanks again everyone.

LOL. I looked at some internet photos of Labradoodles after the conversation where my neighbors brought up the subject. Some of them look absolutely gorgeous (the ones with the fur coat that I personally would not want to manage) and the ones that looked like the might have a manageable coat looked a bit lit the Son or the Bride of Frankenstein. So I know what you mean!

Glad to see you back. I was afraid we might have scared you off the forum! Two of the breeders I spoke with were wary of their particular Corgi lines around children. The place I bought Charlie had raised her Corgis with her kids and vice versa and thought they were wonderful together, but she has had Corgis since she was 13 years old...so probably over 20 years now with the breed first and kids later.

As usual...keep us posted!

[Chip's Mom]

There were children in obedience classes that were very responsible with their pets. They worked with them and took care of them. I watched the parents and could tell they had been taught how to interact with dogs and puppies. There are a great many children that are very responsible with pets and then there are a great many who are not. It depends on how they are taught when little I think.