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Permalink Reply by Sam on March 14, 2008 at 6:15pm

I would look at the website of the Palmetto Welsh Corgi Club website. Often those that are active in their regional corgi clubs have a code of ethics that they must adhere to. This is a good place to start. Looking for a corgi on the smaller side may not bode well for you as if folks are breeding smaller dogs they are typically not breeding to standard or do health checks. Those that do health testings and do show their dogs often do far more selective breedings and are far more knowledgeable about the breed. Spending a bit more in the beginning often saves you far more $$ in the long run.

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Permalink Reply by K Hartshorn on March 15, 2008 at 3:49am

The basics is that you want to make sure that the breeder is doing health checks on the dam and that if she owns the sir that she is breeding for quality not, because she is not paying for stud feed. The Sir also needs to have health checks, breeder have options to avoid known genetic problems such as long coats (fluffies), mismarks, monorchidism, hip dysplasia and inherited eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy.
So questions to ask are:
Are the sire and dam screened clear of hip dysplasia via an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) evaluation?
Are the eyes certified clear of inherited conditions by a veterinary opthamologist?
Describe the temperament of both the sire and dam. Any noise sensitivity or other observed fears? How do they react to new situations?
What other inherited conditions are found in Pembroke, Cardigan? (Hint: if the answer is "none"-that's not the right answer!) Does the breeder openly talk about reproductive issues, cancer and auto-immune diseases, hips and eyes?
Hip dysplasia
Eye problems: progressive retinal atrophy, retinal folds, persistent pupilarily membranes, cataracts
Cancer and auto-immune system problems (including under-active and overactive immune systems)
Reproductive problems: uterine inertia during whelping, sterility in males (related to auto-immune problems?)
So, just remember, you might not want to show, but many quality breeders do, they also might specialize in agility, herding, and more. It is less expensive in the long run to not have to ask your self if you really want to pay $2,000, to $6,000 to have your dogs hips reconstructed, or chose to watch the animal live in pain. Please also make sure that the breeder is available to answer questions for the rest of your dogs life, and if you want ask the breeder if they have referrals.

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Permalink Reply by Kaydee's Corgis (Kim) on March 16, 2008 at 10:35am

Hi Dottie-
"Top tier Champion breeders" often have very nice, healthy, physically and mentally sound pets available that will save you money and possibly heartbreak in the future. Knowing that all health checks have been done on the sire and dam prior to breeding helps insure that offspring too, will be healthy. Prices may be higher at the onset but well worth it in the long run!
A lot of money, thought, love for the breed and years of experience go into every litter produced by a RESPONSIBLE breeder, most never "make money" on a litter... they are lucky if they break even.
Take Care!
Kim

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