Comment

Comment by Buddy & Wynstan on November 5, 2009 at 4:39pm

I got lucky on finding my breeder, my friend's aunt breeds them in Vicksburg, MS and recommended me to the Micheal Bedwell who I am getting Wynstan from. They asked me a ton of questions over the phone and I returned the courtesy. I visited them before my puppy was born and got to see some of the full grown. They even had a stack of baby albums with pictures of all of the puppies over the last 20 years (showing pictures from 1 hour old until 8-12 weeks old) they have been breeding. I really hope you find one soon and get Waffle when you are ready for him!

Comment by Rachael & Waffle on November 5, 2009 at 4:25pm

They're asking me questions and told me I already answered one of them in my initial email, heh. In turn, I asked them why they breed their dogs and how long they've been breeding and how often they do it. I stopped there because I didn't want to overwhelm them with questions. If they give me a satisfactory answer for why and how often, I'll go on to ask about showing and diseases and all those things. I hope they ask me a lot more questions for the very reason of making me feel like I'm getting grilled and jumping through hoops. At the same time, I feel like if I answer wrong they'll say "No you can't have one". It's like a job interview only much more important (to me), lol. I'll probably like to visit over Thanksgiving break and see the conditions. If this breeder doesn't work out, I'll probably talk to Darlano in Culpeper, VA. I really hope this one does, though, because it makes it so much easier.

Comment by Joanna, Rainy and Calvin on November 5, 2009 at 3:13pm

Good luck!!! Your 'corgi day' draws near... >:)

Comment by John Wolff on November 5, 2009 at 1:28pm

Don't get too excited just because a breeder happens to be nearby.
The PWCCA registration is an encouraging sign.
Ask around! See what local corgi enthusiasts say about this breeder.
I suggest you make a list of exactly what criteria you are looking for in a breeder, and then evaluate breeders according to how well they fit that.
Some of my criteria would include:

How "serious" is this breeder? Are they regularly showing, and having success? I'm not a purebred-show-dog snob or anything, but if they're breeding champions and their name shows up regularly at dog shows and if people "in-the-know" recognize their name instantly, that's an indication that they're really into this and might know what they're doing.

Do they test their Dams & sires for DM? What other screening/testing do they do?

Where are the pups raised? Inside the home, or in an outbuilding? [Since you want a well-socialized companion animal, it's a good sign if the litter is inside the house, with a lot of human contact.]

At what age are the pups released? I'm no expert, but 8 weeks seems like the minimum, and our breeder kept Al until 12 weeks, and I've heard it said that the pups learn some important social things if the little is kept together for those last four weeks (9-12).

Also, if the breeder seems skeptical or circumspect about YOU, maybe making you jump through some hoops to get one of their pups, don't be put off -- that's a good sign, too.

Al's breeder (Carrie Hale, who owns Al's dad), took over his litter when the other breeder (owner of the mom) suffered some kind of family emergency. The litter was in a fenced-off part of her living room. She delivered Al personally to us and spent over an hour observing him to see how he was doing in this new place with Gwynnie. I thought all that showed a high level of commitment.

Comment by Kathryn Graham on November 5, 2009 at 1:19pm

Keep us filled in on what you hear back! I hope they have some puppies planned that will match up your perfect date for having your corgi. We were so lucky to pick up our little guy the first weekend in May as classes ended at VT so we had the summer for training, bonding, playing. And of course I second Maria's post about Dalarno if the Va. Beach breeder isn't currently planning a litter. The breeder will be impressed with your preparation and forethought as we have all been. Tell us when you hear back!

Comment by Beauty and the Beast on November 5, 2009 at 12:05pm

Good luck!
There are at least 2 more PWCCA breeders in Virginia, Carrie Harris (Culpeper) and Debra (sp?) Cox (closer to VA Beach). We got Shiro from Carrie and I've seen a some cute dogs that came from Debra.
Here're Carrie's website http://dalarno.com/index.html

Comment by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on November 5, 2009 at 10:06am

Good for you Rachael!! And Good Luck!!

Comment by Jane Christensen on November 5, 2009 at 8:55am

Good luck and as Beth said ask lots of questions! Both you and the breeder will also get to know each other this way! As a small breeder myself I like question as that makes me know the potential new owner is concerned and wants to know as much as they can! Someone that just wants a dog and doesn't really want to know more might be making a hastey decision and not really looking past getting a pup which can turn out not as good for the dog. I learned this as my one new puppy owner continues to have problems...I know she loves her dog but struggles with training and the time and dedication it takes to be a good owner! Here's to Dogot!

Comment by Beth on November 5, 2009 at 6:55am

Oh, that sounds promising! Make sure to ask lots of questions. The first breeder I contacted was only about a half-hour away, and she was more than happy to communicate via e-mail. However she's a very small breeder and only has a litter every couple years, and in the last litter they had all 3 pups that survived went to show homes and she didn't even place any in pet homes. The second breeder (I was referred to by the first) much preferred telephone so only answered a couple questions via e-mail and asked me to phone.

Waiting for Dogot! Hahaha, that's hysterical. I love it.