Question for Breeders
I was wondering if anyone can help me. I am looking at getting a cardigan in the future to show in the confirmation ring. I have been researching a number of breeders and their views/methods of breeding and what corgis should look like etc. However, when I get to the part about serious inquiries about obtaining a puppy, I keep running into the same obstacles.
1 - Many breeders won't sell you a show prospect if you haven't owned a show corgi in the past. I can't figure a way around this. Should I buy a corgi that is not what I want just to own a previous show dog? That doesn't seem right? Shouldn't it count for something that I have researched lines thoroughly and think you have the best dogs? I understand the worries for this, but wouldn't it make more sense to have some kind of clause in the contract that I would have to fulfill regarding showing?
2 - I have had a lot of breeders says they will pick the sex and color of the puppy I will receive. I have said, well, I would like a male that has this color coat, can't we just wait until you have one that would suit me? And then they never talk to me again because they are all insulted that I wouldn't want whatever dog they choose for me. I understand that the breeder is the best person to match you with a dog, but is it that insulting that I want a certain sex and color? Is there some way to approach this that doesn't make people mad?
3 - Some of the breeders I have tried to talk to get irritated that I ask a lot of questions. Isn't that a good thing? I always make a point of having a list of questions before I contact a breeder (i.e. what age do you release puppies, what training do they have in your care, what conditions are they raised in, what do you feed them, etc, etc). I can't believe how many people have turned me away because they said I asked too many questions and they didn't have time to give me that many answers. What??!! I thought it was good to ask questions and show that I am serious about wanting a puppy?
Anyway, I could probably list a couple more things, but the real question I have for any breeders on this site is how would you recommend that a potential buyer approach you? Apparently I am offending everyone and I don't know why, so if you could provide any tips or advice, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!!!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris West on
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Ya, that's not really my intention either. I have a 4 year old daughter and a husband and a job, so it would not be weekend after weekend after weekend of dog shows. I figure if I get a good dog, I can show him for years. I don't have to worry about hurrying and getting his championship by the time he is 2 like some of the breeders I have met do.
That's another reason I am kind of particular about the dog I want to get. I am not just looking for a "show dog." That is like a bonus. I want a family dog, a dog I will have for its whole life, that will BE a part of my family. One of the breeders I spoke to had this to say to me...
"Take my advice. Don't get attached to your dog. If you get a dog to show, it may not work out. Then you will need to get rid of that dog and get a new one. So you should never form an emotional attachment to your show dog, because you will eventually need to get rid of it for a better dog."
What??!! That is NOT the kind of dog show person I want to be. Showing is not the most important thing here. That dog is. If I was all about showing, I would have never taken Frosty. I wanted a show pup when we got Frosty. But he is awesome. I didn't care that I could not confirmation show him. What did that matter? He is beautiful with an amazing personality and an awesome part of our family. I would never get a dog and if it didn't show well, just dump it and get a new dog. If my show dog didn't like the ring, no problem, I would keep him and Frosty and then when one of them passed, I would get a new pup. Or maybe at some point I would be in a position to own 3. I absolutely refuse to go through dogs like some sort of toy that can be easily discarded.
I my opinion, having a dog is just as big of a responsibility as having a child and not something I take lightly.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy on
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That's an interesting comment for a breeder to make. Granted I have placed some of my older dogs. Some for the fact that I had a major personality conflict in the pack and others simply because a more perfect home for them, then mine came along. All went to the most awesome homes and totally spoiled rotten. BUT, there are dogs in my house-show dogs, that will never ever leave. We joke with my dad as my first two show dogs were the "replacements" for a one my older dogs, who recovered and lived another 6 years. Every time a new dog came, it was a replacement for Sophie.
But dogs like Moose, Fred, and Clairee, never ever will leave. Heck my oldest collie is retired to my home after her show career and 5 other homes. My three toy dogs-2 brussels and a pom are all retired show dogs, who came to do some performance work and now are totally retired to a life of harassing the cardigans and collies.
It's kind of like the question at people always ask me-don't you feel awful when the puppies leave for their new homes? Yes of course I do-they've been the center of my world for the last 5 months, but I know that I'm placing in them in great homes and get to see them when I want-which I make a point of doing when we travel in the areas where the pups are placed. The other answer is no---I start to look forward to them going home and no way will I miss the chaos, the clean up and the stress of caring for them. Especially after the litter of 12--seriously, it was soooooo nice to have peace and quiet and be able to walk through my kitchen or the yard with out tripping and falling on puppies!
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Permalink Reply by Jean on
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Chris
I am new to Mycorgi but not new to either of the corgi breeds.
The first thing you need to do is find a few breeders who have exactly what you want in a Cardigan. Then you need to talk to several of them until you find one you are comfortable with. A breeder should be willing to answer all your questions. Joining the local club and CWCCA is a good start. You finding that perfect dog may be impossible, but finding one that is close to perfect can be possible.
A breeder, who cares, will take the time to get to know you and be willing to work with you so that you can find the right Cardigan in the future.
As you know :, " Not all breeders are created equally "
You also have to remember that breeders at shows can be very busy before they show. After the Cardigans have been in the ring, is the best time to have a long conversation with any one at a show.
You want to find a breeder who does health testing for hips, elbows, eyes, DM ect. The parents of a litter should have and OFA–PennHIP rating for hips that are fair or better. Have a CERF test, and have a line clear or tested PRA rating. Elbows should have OFA rating of normal. DM test for carrier or clear. There can also be Thyroid and Cardio tests
There should be Certificates from OFA, CERF or PennHIP, Vetgen ect. for all the health testing. Not just someone telling you they have had them done , or someone saying their local vet did the health testing.
You want to find a breeder who cares enough for the Cardigan breed, that they do not breed anything just because they own it. In my book, a breeder who will breed a cardigan with known genetic problems like hip dysplasia is not doing the breed any justice for the future of the breed.
A lot of breeders will not mention temperament; you want a solid stable temperament.
If you want a certain bloodline, go to the original breeder of that bloodline. They can help you find someone, that they trust, andb knows who is doing good thing in their breeding program with that bloodline.
There are a lot of new people in the breed that are doing good thing and then there’s questionable one too. So do your homework, you will find that right breeder-who has the right Cardigan for you and your family.
There should always be a contract, which protects you and the breeder when buying a Cardigan. Some contracts are way over the hill and some are just a few words on paper. Buying a Cardigan and paying a going market price $800-$1200.00, should not include so many puppies back or so many FREE breeding. That is just taking advantage of a new person to the dog show world. It is likes buying a new car, you are not going to let the dealer drive it for 200 miles after you buy it .
Please don't just buy a Cardigan just because it is a certain color.
You have question, I am willing to answer them for you, as best of my ability.
I have had both Pembrokes and Cardigans. I have been showing since 1988.
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