Hellooo!

[Michael Romanos]

Well, those responses are very good. On the assumption that they are all true, I would not have any problem with accepting what I see in person before I make a final decision. From a previous thread, some very careful breeders are careful not to let potential buyers see their puppies before they are over five weeks old because of a risk of infection. From the opinion of NZ's leading Pembroke breeders, generally, it is entirely ok for a female Corgi to conceive pups at 14 months of age.

[Bayoucorgi]

If it were me, I would RUN not walk from this breeder. She reeks of being a puppy mill. Sorry to be so frank, but that's what I wish someone would have told me when I was making my decision about my first dog.

The answer about the clearances is absolute proof that this person knows NOTHING about hereditary disease in dogs. I have pedigree proof that many dogs who have parents with clearances DO NOT clear and should never be bred. The fact that they have grandparents that have clearances means less than nothing.

They say they'are breeding to the AKC standard and yet charge MORE for a rare bluie (which is a breed FAULT) - not attribute. Sounds like the people breeding PINTO Aussies which were actually excessive white and used to be euthanized.

And the early age and rate of litter production is disturbing. And the fact that they "place" the old girls after they're used up is disgusting. My dogs NEVER had a litter before 2, actually they had litters at 4 because I was showing them. And then even the OFA Excellent, CERF cleared, Cardiologist cleared, VWD neg, Champions NEVER had more than 3 litters. And I NEVER gave them away because they couldn't produce for me. I have placed dogs carefully, but not just because they couldn't have puppies.

I AM SO SORRY to say this. If you do get you puppy from this person, I will still be happy for you, and I know you will still be thrilled with the cuddly bundle, but make no mistake that this IS NOT a quality breeder. You must know what you're getting.

[LaRositaMonita]

Unfortunately I have to agree with BayouCorgi. The questions I posted earier, like I said, were good guidelines, and this breeder, with her responses, has raised at least three read flags for me. First, mommy is having her second litter before age 2. Second, she seems proud that the great-grandparents were OFA checked, but makes no mention as to the parents of this exact puppy. There's also no mention that any dogs had testing other than OFA (and remember... at a minimum you want OFA, CERF, and VWD testing). Finally, she seems very unconcerned about having dogs fit for showing and about whether or not any of her dogs get bred. This tells me that she's selling pet dogs for profit, rather than breeding dogs for betterment of the breed itself. Correct me, glencorgi or BaouCorgi, if I'm incorrect, but in my experience breeders generally won't give you a puppy's AKC papers for limited registration until they have proof of spaying or neutering for a pet-quality dog. Full registration is reserved for those puppies who are show/breeding prospects. This breeder obviously doesn't show her dogs at all and, in my opinion, can't care much about the standard if she isn't going to show her dogs for conformation or enter them in obedience, herding, or agility trials.

If distance is not a big deal to you and you would like a nice alternative to this breeder, I can offer to help you out! Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near Oklahoma. However, the breeder I will be getting my puppy from lives in Mansfield, Ohio, and will be having puppies possibly any minute now! (She breeders Cardigan Welsh Corgis, not Pembrokes, which might be a turnoff...but I'd be happy to talk to you about the research we did into both breeds and why we're going with our Cardigan breeder.) The litter is going to be a big one, and I don't think there are too many other potential ownesr who even know about this litter yet. Her costs are very reasonable. If you want a tip on Pembrokes, an EXCELLENT, larger breeder is right near us in Philly and will be having two litters before the end of this month. As I mentioned, her pups are a little more pricey, but the parents have all either been shown or are top performance dogs in herding, agility, obedience, etc.

If distance is a concern, I'm sure others on this forum can help you find a better breeder closer to home, if you are interested. I know that neither of the two I would give you info on would probably be willing to ship a tiny puppy to a person they haven't met. Otherwise, feel free to send me a PM and I'll give you both my breeders' contact info.

[Bayoucorgi]

Linh, I want to say again how sorry I am to be the one be critical of this breeder. It weighs heavily on me because I want to welcome you to the forum and not cast doubts on your excitement. I just don't want you to be victimized. I feel so stridently against people who breed for profit, claiming to "love" their dogs when they ditch them when they're to old to pop out a profit. They do terrible damage to the "breed" because they are so ignorant. And they do terrible damage to families that come to love these dogs.

Let me tell you more about our dear friend who bought a puppy mill puppy last summer. She cost $600 from a pet store. My friends have already spent over $2000 in vet bills for her UTI, URI, and the prolapsed eyelid surgery. Well, we just went to her 1st birthday party. Our 16 yo daughters are best friends, our sons are friends, and Chloe and Liam are buddies. Chloe is profoundly lame on her left foreleg and has been for a couple days. From the range of motion - moving stiffly from the shoulder, I am guessing elbow issues. These are dear friends of ours. It makes me so sad because the kids love this dog and she is an ongoing nightmare of health problems.

I don't mean to hurt your feelings. Truly. It just that I can tell you so MANY true stories of dogs that were surrendered to me in Rescue because the dogs were purchased from BYB, pet store or puppy mill and they became blind, crippled or chronically ill from genetic issues like eyelid deformities, heart defects, epilepsy, diabetes, thyroid deficiency. Many of the owners could not afford to treat them. Some had bad temperaments - and in some terrifying cases - were dangerous. We euthanized them gently and with many tears.

Again, if you do get a puppy from this person, I will still be happy for you because I know how exciting puppy breath is, but I just want you to KNOW!!!

[LaRositaMonita]

Again, BayouCorgi... beautifully stated.

Linh... I want to make sure you know I feel the same way! Hopefully you'll know how much we all care and, since I know many of us will be happy to provide resources to you, you can use us to find a breeder who will be able to give you a happy, healthy puppy that will bring you joy - not tears - for years to come.

[supram4n]

Thank you all so very much. Sigh.. I feel as if I were not prepared at all when searching for a puppy. I want to continue and try to care for this puppy. I know this is probably the wrong decision, but I just want to try. I feel too attached to the puppy even though I haven't seen it. This is my first dog I've ever cared for. Thank you all again. I really appreciate it.

[Michael Romanos]

Stick to your guns if you believe you are making the right decisions from information you have gleaned. You ask good questions of the breeder and got the kind of responses you wanted. The only thing left to do is see in real life the people you are dealing with and the puppy you would be getting.
I would get a Corgi puppy from breeders I have never met and /or puppies I have never seen, just on their (the breeders) reputation - and I did this with Taylor. His breeder is a internationally recognised Corgi expert in every way. I just asked her to send me a male Pem pup, preferably red and white, as a pet and for possible conformation showing. I didn't need to worry about health checks or certification etc because I had complete faith in the breeder.
Taylor suppose to arrive at 'my door' at nine-ten weeks of age, but the then CEO of the NZ Kennel Club, changed his travel plans (he was suppose to trip down to the breeder's residence) and Taylor arrived some three weeks later with me picking him up from the airport.

[LaRositaMonita]

supra... know that as a community we will support you, welcome you, and love your puppy regardless of who you get him or her from. (At least, this what I believe from my brief experience with these great people.) Just be aware of what you're getting into and make sure you're deciding with your head at this stage, not just your heart. I'll say a big prayer that your puppy comes to you happy and healthy.

If at any minute you change your mind about this little corgi baby, I have those phone numbers ready and waiting for you

[dcole]

Hi Linh,

I'd like to weigh in on this post, if I may. I got my boy Trevor before finding goCorgi, from what you would definitely call a "back yard breeder". I did educate myself about the breed, and somewhat about breeders, before I went looking for a Pem, but I was not armed with all of the information that I've found since finding this site.

When we were finally ready to go looking for a dog (our Spitz had gone to the Bridge five months earlier - took lots of time to heal ) , I knew that I didn't care about "show dog" lineage, so I had no problems looking for a corgi thru the internet and / or newspaper. Again, this was before I knew about true "hobby breeders" vs "BYB" etc. Anyhow, we went to see Trevor's breeder, and while there were some "flags" raised, when he came bounding up to us (he was already five months old at the time - last pup in the litter) it was instant and complete love at first sight. I am telling you this because once you see your pup, there may be no going back, no matter what your head may be telling you.

The good news is, aside from some mild giardia he picked up, he has had no medical problems. Is he a perfect example of the breed? No. He is on the small side, has coat "faults" (white stripe on one ear and an asymmetrical "fairy saddle".) And his topline is kind of off. But, he is the sweetest, happiest dog in the world. Perfect temperment, and the love of our lives. Will he always be healthy, who knows? I can guanatee he will always be well taken care of and loved. That's all any "parent" can do.

Sorry for this rather long post, but I did want you to hear from someone who will admit to having a gotten a "less than perfectly bred dog." All of the advice you have received in this thread is good advice; we do plan on getting another dog in the next year or two, and when that happens, I will follow the advice of those on this forum. But I have absolutely no regrets about getting Trevor. He is the light of my life.

As others have said, know what you are getting into. But, whatever decision you make, it will be the right one.

[Bayoucorgi]

Linh, it's not the wrong decision as long as its an informed decision. You should follow your heart. I know you will love this little dog and it will love you. As Debi said, she loves her Trevor. I loved my Dusty. And my crooked little Liam is the light of my life. I paid my $300 to the rescue and I knew what I was and wasn't getting. I know you must be excited.

[Chip's Mom]

Linh:

I bought my Chip on line and went to the breeders and picked him up. He is everything that I wanted in a corgi and the breeder and I have become great friends. When we found out Chip had an overbite, she offered me another pup but a week after we had went to her home and picked Dale out, she called me and said I couldn't have him because he had an overbite also. Well to make a long story short, we got our Dale overbite and all and we love both of our boys and couldn't be happier with the two. I had not been on this forum when my sister bought me Chip and I didn't know everything that I know now but I still went and picked up Dale even with all of this knowledge on breeders etc. My advice is to go to the breeders and see her home, set up and how she takes care of the adult dogs, what they look like, etc that will tell alot. Good luck If I ever decide to get another corgi, I would either contact our Glencorgi for a rescue or go back to my breeder. I know what you mean about loving him already. That is the way it was with Dale, I loved him as soon as I saw his newborn puppy pic she sent me and I knew in my heart that he was the one that I would pick out when I went there.

[TNCorgi]

No matter what you will love your pup just now you are informed. I had found a breeder before i had enough guts to ask these nice people for info. Luckily I got a hold of a show breeder who was pretty reputable but I did find that even some of them can have some things lacking. Just go with your heart and go armed with information. I have a friend who breeds schipperkes who I believe is an awesome breeder but by some standards she might be catagorized as a hobbyist. Her pups are friendly well cared for and gorgeous while in the same turn some down south of her is a show breeder whose pups are not nearly as socialized and whose coats are not as nice. To get to my point some times you get lucky and those hobbyists know what they are doing and sometimes those show ones might fall short so have hope. Can yall tell I am a glass is half full kinda girl?!

[milles2]

Linh:

Congratulations on making your decision about the pup. I knew when I brought Tucker home I was bringing into my heart the possibility that his breeding might carry with it health problems (ANY dog can have health problems...). To date, none!

Lulu came from a show breeder and clearly had faults/wasn't breed standard (a white face). But both are healthy and very sweet dogs.

Another piece of advice is schedule a check up with the Vet for the day after you bring her/him home. Your Vet will do a thorough check up to be sure the pup is healthy.

Both my pups came home w/ worms and both had received worming treatments from the breeder's Vet. A week of meds and they were fine.

Here is a true story: A good friend got a Corgi Pup and 2 months after I got Tucker. She went to a hobby breeder/backyard breeder. The pup was healthy with once exception, the inner workings of the ear had not developed.

After a few days my friend began to notice things, took the dog to the Vet and the dog had not developed ear drums, etc. Instant thought - take it back to the breeder.

Well, they had fallen in love with this pup, she had young grand kids who had fallen in love with the pup. She took it back to the breeder and switched for a nearly identical pup. The kids never knew.

Someone earlier posted Show breeder=hobby breeder=show breeder.

I don't know if it was GoCorgi where this topic got beaten to death or another one. My memory recalls Show Breeders breed for the perfect pup to meet the breed standard. Show breeders show - they are active in showing their dogs.

Hobby breeders tend to breed their pets and raise the puppies in their home until they go to families. I don't remember the story behind backyard breeders other than the insinuation that they don't know about bloodlines, don't test, don't whelp their pups in the best environment, etc.

A puppy mill to me is someone who lets dogs reproduce in deplorable conditions, the breeding parents are not pets and are not treated as such, and their dogs have poor quality of life. And then there are commercial breeders. Worry about all that stuff another day.

Happy shopping for all the fun paraphanlia. There is a recent thread about all the fun stuff to get your pup.

Susan

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by milles2@rpi.edu

Someone earlier posted Show breeder=hobby breeder=show breeder.

I don't know if it was GoCorgi where this topic got beaten to death or another one. My memory recalls Show Breeders breed for the perfect pup to meet the breed standard. Show breeders show - they are active in showing their dogs.

And they do this as a HOBBY - researching pedigrees, being students of their breed, showing, breeding, competing - all a part of their hobby of being in dogs.

Hobby breeders tend to breed their pets and raise the puppies in their home until they go to families. I don't remember the story behind backyard breeders other than the insinuation that they don't know about bloodlines, don't test, don't whelp their pups in the best environment, etc.

While I don't much like doing labeling anymore, but the above description would fall more in line with - "kitchen breeders" aka "backyard breeders," not hobby breeders. BYB's and/or kitchen breeders generally love their dogs and take excellent care of them. Puppies are well socialized and are of good temperaments usually. Health testing most usually is limited to an annual check up by their vet.

It was me who made the show breeder=hobby breeder=show breeder = hobby breeder and that is how those of us in the show world think of ourselves.

Debbie

[supram4n]

The breeder just sent me some pictures of her.. she's adorable!