Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Beth on October 1, 2009 at 6:22pm

I do understand what you are saying and appreciate the feeling. It seems to me, though, that most of the dogs in shelters are not unwanted puppies (though there are some of those). They seem to be either:

Adolescent/ young adult dogs with either lack of training OR bad temperaments who the owners no longer find amusing, or

Adults who are surrendered because the owner could not keep them (moving, allergies, illness of owner, divorce, new job, etc).

As long as we keep pets, there will be dogs in shelters. The numbers on their face are awful: about 1.5 million dogs euthanized in shelters each year. On the other hand, there are about 75 million pet dogs in this country, so there will always be a certain percent that are surrendered.

I have tried to do my part by talking up how much work it is to have a dog. We get so many compliments on Jack because he deals so well with everything. He's good with kids and crowds and dogs, toddlers poking him and track teams gathering around him and other dogs tromping on him. And you know, I always felt a little like I was not being fair when I just smiled and said "Yes, Corgis are great dogs. They do shed a lot and need exercise.... yada yada." So, now I smile and thank people for their compliments when they say how well-behaved he is, and say "We trained him to be this way." For some reason, that really changes people's outlook. They still like the dog, but they are not ready to run out and get one tomorrow like they used to seem to be before.

I think responsible dog owners do their part when they are honest about the hundreds of hours that go into getting their dog to that point. I think what sums it up best is a story a young work colleague told me. She went to visit a friend out-of-state and apparently the friend has a wonderful lab that they went hiking and swimming with and stuff. And my colleague said to her friend "Oh, I love your dog! I want to take him home!" to which the friend replied, "Only if you can give me back the two years I spent getting him here."

People see cute playful puppies, and they see beautifully behaved adults out playing at the park, and they DON'T see the years of work that lie in the middle.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on October 1, 2009 at 8:16pm

That is a great idea, Beth. People always complement us on how well behaved our corgis are and ask how corgis are as pets. I always tell them they shed profusely and are great with training, While Izzy probably would have been easy whether we trained her or not Sparty would have been a disaster without very consistent training.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Beth on October 1, 2009 at 8:33pm

Thanks! You know how I finally got the idea? By watching my normally well-behaved dog turn into an unrecognizable nitwit with two people who were giving him treats.

On weekend mornings, my husband sometimes gets up early and takes Jack out and they meet some other people with dogs in the park. Unbeknownst to me, two of these people were doling out treats to all the dogs.

Well, when Jack sees me getting a treat, his backend hits the ground. He might drool a bit, but he sits and he stays and he takes it very gently.

These other people just dole out the treats regardless of how the dog behaves. Well. I have run into them a couple times with Jack off leash, and let me tell you, my well-mannered therapy dog barrels over to them and leaps at them and nips at them and tries to get into their pockets. It is positively embarrassing, but these people brought it on themselves by handing out treats to dogs that were being rude and pushy. (on-leash he will pay attention to me most of the time regardless of who else is around).

And I watched my nightmare of a dog leaping like a crazed maniac and mugging people for treats, and I thought "That's what your dog would be like without training, Beth." It had never really occurred to me before, even though I know we put a lot of work into him.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alice on October 1, 2009 at 10:05pm

I am the same way. I hear people say they want t certain breed just because they know someone who has one of these dogs and he/she is so well behaved and just a joy to be around. Yes, breed plays a part in the dogs overall disposition and personality but the manners, respect and socialization come from the owners. Pembrokes are becoming popular here in Az but you will rarely find a Cardigan. People see our Cardi and want one because he's "so cute", happy and friendly. They don't ask about the breed, just about where they can get one. Even the trainer of Finnigan's puppy class wanted one. She was asking me about nearby breeders and was seriously entertaining the idea of buying a blue merle female to breed to Finnigan. Several problems with this. First of all, we had no intentions of breeding Finnigan. Not only was that what we agreed with the breeder but I do not want to be responsible. We are not breeders and have no plans of becoming breeders. Next issue would be that you cannot breed two blue merles together. This is a huge mistake that can lead to health issues and even death for the pups. After hearing this trainer talk I decided people need to be discouraged from buying a Cardi. if they are really interested they will look into it regardless but I can at least make them think. I tell them about the shedding, the potential health problems, how they are not a dog you can just stick in the back yard and forget about because they love their people and of course about the fact they they are herding dogs and require appropriate training. I love Cardigans and want others to love them too but a breed becoming popular often has negative affects on that breed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Beth on October 1, 2009 at 10:19pm

Oh, definitely, I'm with you on this one! I had heard two blue merles should never be bred.

Don't get me wrong, Jack was an easy dog to train. He's a bright and eager student, but training he needs. I have known dogs that were naturally sweet and polite. Without training, Jack is not. He jumped. He nipped. He would take your hand off giving him a treat. He would not respect your physical space at all. Give him an inch and he'll take a mile, but give him some boundaries and he's really a fabulous dog. I don't think he's unusual for a Corgi, either; many of the herding dogs are that way.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alice on October 2, 2009 at 11:45am

Absolutely, herding dogs are different than any other group and some people are not fit to own one of these dogs. Finnigan has always had a certain amount of respect but he too will jump and bark and is a puller on the leash. He's had training and we continue to work with him and will eventually take an intermediate class (he's only a year old). It can be a lot of work training a dog but you rarely see well trained dogs in shelters. People who will put in the time and effort are the type of people that are unlikely to surrender the dog. In the event they could not keep it, they would find a new home with owners they approve of.

Permalink Reply by David on October 1, 2009 at 11:59am

I really do not see the point of "hybrid" breed, unless it is used to breed a hypoallergenic dog with a specific temperament like labradoodle. Also, let's not forget Cojack, Corgi and Jack Russel Terrier Mix. Weird name and I do not see the point of the cross breeding there.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alice on October 1, 2009 at 10:07pm

I hadn't heard of that one. That can't be a good mix.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shippo & Koga Corgis on October 2, 2009 at 12:13pm

I say why fix what's not broken? I love corgis the way they are... I see no point of mixing them on purpose...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on October 2, 2009 at 4:50pm

I totally agree!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tiffany on October 14, 2009 at 12:29pm

i've seen part corgi part siberian husky..I'd adopt one in a heart beat.. considering that Siberians will always be my first love. But again, not a fan of these hybrid "on purpose" breedings.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alice on October 14, 2009 at 1:59pm

There is someone on the site that has a Husky/Corgi mix. They live here in Az and I met their dog at a meet up. Very cute and sweet.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• Next ›
• Page