Corgi Forums

rockandroll · **Corgi time soon! -** 05-04-2006, 05:49 PM

Hey all I am about to purchase a corgi. On Saturday I am going to a breeder who has Corgi's who will be 6 weeks on the day and one who is 7 weeks. My other option for corgi's isn't until June from a lady who breeds them and keeps them for 12 weeks.

They lady who keeps her Corgi's for 12 weeks does a lot to help them out and insists the 12 weeks is crucial for helping the puppy adjust. She wants $800 for one.

I haven't talked much to the lady who is willing to let them go at 6 weeks but I know she does show them and also breeds horses on her ranch. This lady is letting them go for $300.

I will go with a lot of questions this saturday and have read a lot of books about raising puppies. Part of me wants to wait for the 12 week old corgi but I am hesistant due to the price and the age of the corgi when I get it. The six or seven week corgi's from the other lady seem a nicer price but I am not sure she does as much as the 12 week lady.

I am having a hard time making a decision. What are some pointers you all could help me with?

Jeni D · 05-04-2006, 07:27 PM

Hi Rock and Roll
I would be hesitant to get my puppy from someone willing to give them up at 6 weeks. That's really too early to be taken away from littermates and mom. This is how they learn lots of socialization skills and how to be a good dog. The longer they can be with mom, the better. I've heard 10-12 weeks is ideal with 8 being the absolute minimum. I would wait for the other puppies if I were you. They will be just as cute at 12 weeks!

Michael Romanos · 05-04-2006, 07:28 PM

I'd say that $300 sounds infinitely more reasonable than $800 if cash is any kind of obstacle. From what Debbie says on Go Corgis US$800 is tops in price and therefore one would expect a Corgi up with the best. I don't think any breeder can rate their advice on puppy rearing as worth $500 to an individual new owner - not with all the information that abounds. I'd ask the horsey lady if she could keep whatever Corgi you choose, for a further few weeks until the Corgi is at least 8 weeks which is the more usual age for letting puppies go from their mother and birthplace. Any sooner is not recommended. Keeping Corgis for three months before being released is fine especially if a breeder is anxious to see further development eg for conformation showing purposes, in the pup/pups before releasing them to a prospective owner. But somewhere in the vicinity of and 8 and 12 weeks is what one would expect and is in keeping with good breeding practices.

glencorgi · 05-04-2006, 07:55 PM

My advice is pretty simple - wait. What I can tell you about the six week $300 breeder is that she is not breeding within the Code of Ethics of the parent club. That includes the minimum guidelines for a responsible, reputable breeder. You say she says shows her corgis, it what venues and under what registery? What evidence does she have to offer as proof. IF they are match ribbons - she's pulling a fast one.

Are both parents health screened for eyes or hips? If she says her vet checked them out and he said they were healthy - NOT GOOD ENOUGH! If her vet says that hip dysplasia isn't really a problem or she says none of her dogs have ever had a problem - walk away.

IF you get one of the 6 weeks puppies, expect a lot of mouthing - biting and very little bite inhibition, fewer doggie skills and etiquette. House training will be more of a challenge as will many other early skills that the puppy would learn if left with mom and sibling for another month. I see the complaints routinely on various corgi lists.

That the six week litter is coming from a horse person is no surprise and stereotypic. I apologize if this offends anyone, however the horsey corgi breeder types are a big source of rescue dogs. They take your check and you are on your own. Temperaments can be iffy and health issues often arise.

The 12 week litter will be better adjusted, have better social skills, likely already beginning house training, leash training, crate training have age appropriate veterinary care.

No contest as to which litter from which I'd choose a puppy. As far as the price difference - breed knowledge, experience, knowing a breeder has done everything humanly possible to bring the healthiest soundest puppies into the world for their new homes and will be there if something should go awry, plus having a vested interest in the puppy for its lifetime - priceless.

Debbie

corgimom · 09:55 PM

Rockandroll,

I totally agree with everything Deb said - a 6 week old Corgi from a Horse breeder sounds fishy to me - wait for the 12 week old dog - even if he or she costs more- it may cost you lots more in the end for the 6 week old dog especially if eyes or hips weren't checked on the parents and that puppy may have problems later on.

Take Debs advice.

linda

rockandroll · 05-04-2006, 11:09 PM

Wow I cannot argue with that resounding response. It just so happens a lot of what you mentioned of her saying like "I have never had a problem" is exactly what she told me today. I think I will hold out for the $800 corgi. My worries were that I would miss an oppurtune time to bond with the dog once they are 12 weeks old. This is great because it gives me more time to prepare for the corgi!

Michael Romanos · 05-04-2006, 11:49 PM

Good on you (or "yer" as they say down-under).

corgimom · 05-05-2006, 06:31 AM

rockandroll,

I know some people argue the bonding thing by saying it is better to get a pup at 8 weeks versus 12 weeks, but I got my Corgi at 11 weeks and he is bonded quite well to our family - very friendly guy who loves everyone - I would not worry about that, you will have a lifetime to spend loving and bonding with a 11 week old puppy.

Look at how many rescue dogs are adopted at adult ages and bond very well with their new families - you must know someone who has adopted an older adult dog.

linda

Jane Austen · 05-05-2006, 07:07 AM

Duchess was seven when I adopted her and she bonded with me almost instantly. I am retired and home much more since I got her,but when I do have to go out and not able to take her I feel guilty that she will miss me.

corgimom · 05-05-2006, 07:49 AM

rockand roll,

I also forgot to mention in my last comments that I adopted my last Corgi
when she was 2 and she was very bonded to me and was the most wonderful
well mannered dog I had ever owned and ever encountered.
Linda

Chip's Mom · 05-05-2006, 08:23 AM

I got Chip when he was seven weeks old and I will say that we had a lot of biting issues. Chip wasn't being mean, he was just playing, however, I still have the scars. The only thing that helped us is my poor old Jasmine (ten years old and part rottie) adopted Chip and has taught him so much - especially the biting. She taught him much like a mother would. Puppy teeth are so sharp. Please note: Chip is still perfect!

Shelly · 05-05-2006, 09:48 AM

I adopted my female corgi at 8 years old from a corgi rescue and she bonded great. Any new home (and family) takes a little adjustment, but they do fine.

jprechel · 05-06-2006, 09:23 AM

We got Ace at barely 8 weeks. We knew it was early but the breeder insisted on it. We would have waited longer if we would have known. We had a hard time bonding and biting is still an issue. Ace is now 12 weeks old. We can't help wondering how different he would be if we could have waited longer. Our bond still isn't what we would like it to be but... it is getting better!

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