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Comment by Sharon Miller on July 28, 2010 at 6:54am

Wow I know nothing good comes easy but I have emailed or phoned countless breeders on the Mayflower corgi site in many states and although there maybeme some in the works this is a labor of love trying to find a puppy! Diane may have some red and white in her upcoming litter but mom and dad are tri and I don't know if there will be any red. Anyone else that has a litter has them already spoken for. I realize there can be a long wait but it doesnt seem like anyone other than maybe 1 breeder even has a litter planned. I am getting discouraged. I have been looking for a few weeks and since I joined this site I have been doing spending every day doing nothing but researching and searching for a puppy. The only one i spoke with that had 5 week old red n white was in NH and she was the one that doesn't do any type of testing on the parents. She gives a 2year guarantee against anything "crippling or life threatening" as she states. She does do first shots and worming regime. She says in 12 years she has never had any dogs with problems. I know from what every one recommends that she is not what one should necessarily look for in a breeder. She did email lots of pics and her puppies are home raised, she is not a puppy mill. It just seems hard to secure a puppy anywhere because they are so much in demand. Just venting my frustration. Has others had a similar time? How long did it take others to find a pup? I just want to make sure it will be a good, healthy one but man is this frustrating! This was not a spur of the moment decision to get one, its been in the works for years, and has finally become possible.

Comment by Monica, Orion, and Laika on July 28, 2010 at 1:48am

Oh, and ask if the puppies will be on a deworming regimen

Comment by Monica, Orion, and Laika on July 28, 2010 at 1:47am

As far as the social aspect is concerned, f you can do a visit to see the puppies, please do! Check out the environment they're in and see if you think its suitable. If you can't do a visit ask for LOTS of pictures. Orion grew up in the kitchen of his breeder's house and I had the breeder send me pictures every week and all the pictures were of her on the floor of the kitchen with the puppies and they all looked healthy and happy. Orion's breeder left the radio on around them and ran the vacuum so they would be accustom to sounds like this. Also see when the puppies are going home, Laika (my rescue dog that I got when she was 9 weeks) was bought from her breeder at 5 weeks and we've had a few behavioral issues to work through, not a lot, but she hasn't been as easy a puppy as Orion was (who left the breeder and his littermates at 9 weeks). If you can do a visit, meet the parents, if not, ask for pictures and make sure to meet them when you go to pick up the dog. The father may not be there but definitely check out mama. Good luck with your new pup! :)

Comment by Sam Tsang on July 27, 2010 at 11:08am

Hi Sharon, there are a few articles in the FAQ that you'll find helpful.

Comment by Rachael & Waffle on July 27, 2010 at 10:04am

Puppies and dogs should be raised in the house, not in a kennel outside.
Parents do not necessarily have to be on the premise; Waffle's mom was owned by my breeder, but his father was a tricolor from some other state. It's actually a bad sign to have a "breeding pair".
Parents should have been tested for hips, eyes, VW, and maybe even DM. Bonus if the puppies have had their hearts checked.
Shots should be up to date.
You want a breeder who will give you a guarantee for the lifetime of the puppy. If you no longer want the dog for ANY REASON, you are obligated to return the dog to the breeder and you will get your money back.
Health guarantees should be at least 2 years long; health guarantees of 1 year are faulty as genetic disease appears after the first year and before the second, usually.
Dogs should be bred for health and shape, not personality. Good personality often follows a dog bred for the ring. Breeding for personality means a disregard for the things that make a corgi a corgi, and often a disregard for health.
Parents should NOT be wary of strangers or skiddish. Skiddishness can be a genetic thing as well, not necessarily result of a trauma.
They should have a litter only rarely; female dogs should not be stretched out beyond recognition. Any signs of overbreeding is a huge no.