My Experience With 2 Pet Shop Corgis
I'm writing this today to try and make more people aware of pet shop puppies and why one should not buy a pet shop pup or at least be more aware of the breed your looking to purchase.
This started when on 2 occasions I had puppy buyers inquire on my pups because they fell in love with a Corgi pup at a pet store. The first pet store was Kamm's Corner Pet at the corner of Lorain Rd. and Rocky River Dr. in Cleveland. The other was Petland in North Olmsted this past weekend. I was asked to look these puppies over and give my honest opinion. I warned these people that I do not condone the selling of pups in stores, specially when buyers are not screened and impulse buying is promoted.
At Kamms Corner, the pups were not on wire but well bedded clean large pens with other pups for socialization. Regularly the pups were allowed out to roam the store. The owner of the store was friendly and more then willing to answer my questions and show me paperwork. This Corgi pup on the other hand didn't seem healthy. He was not very social for a 3-4 mo old puppy, pot bellied, and skinny. The quality of this pup was lacking. The price was more reasonable then most pet store pups with discounts on many additional needs the pup would need for $650.00. BUT....I was told the pup was AKC and came from a reputable breeder. After that being said I asked to see the paperwork to learn this pup wasn't AKC and came from Missouri. I am in noway suggesting that Missouri only homes puppy mills but when a pup travels this far with no AKC paperwork to a pet store, well if it walks and quacks like a duck...then I see it as a duck.
Petland in North Olmsted earns a big fat F. They are misleading, deceiving, and in noway screen buyers anymore then the credit they hold by promoting puppy sales and monthly payment plans. Considering the price of this Corgi pup on sale for $1299.00, I would say they'd need to offer a payment plan for most impulsive pet buyers. The pups were kept on wire bottoms with smaller breeds having their paws slipping through. Even with being on wire bottoms to keep pups out of feces, the pups hair coat was grimmey and a lot of shedding which tells me they are not groomed or bathed regularly. His weight was good, nails short, good bite, eyes clean, but horrible tail job. Very happy pup that was out of control with biting anything his mouth could be laid on without any concern of retaliation that they learn from litter mates or mother. He had no idea how to behave amongst humans and had been allowed this behavior and fear that someone who is a novice or has a young kid is not going to be a good combination. When walking away he seemed cow hocked and weak in the back legs for a 12 week old pup but with the small limited space provided for viewing and the slippery service and overly excited pup it was hard to evaluate.
I asked if he was AKC registered and was told he was. Was also told he had Champions in his pedigree and when asked to see his pedigree was denied not once but several times. I asked where the pup came from and who was the reputable breeder and was denied over and over again as well. WHY??? This is my right!!!
If I'm going to buy this pup for $1299.00, I want to see the paperwork. I wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, seeing the title, or having a carfax report. The blond who was trying to keep her cool with me went in the back to get me some of the information I was persistently requesting to only come back with vet records and to say she learned the pup had no AKC papers, only ACA and no Champions but still failed to tell me this reputable breeder. OH WAIT..that's right, pet stores feel USDA approved kennels are reputable. We all know whats been found in some of these USDA approved kennels. If not, open your eyes and google for some links on these so called reputable approved USDA kennels. You be the judge.
She then tried to sell the pup by saying they guarantee the pup against diseases for 3 yrs. They will pay all vet bills. Such a guarantee when they know nothing on the pedigree and no testing on parents but for $1299.00, I guess they could afford some vet bills. The question is, what hoops do you need to jump through for them to approve the diagnosis and receive payment? Puppies have died just days after going to their forever homes to have the pet store turn their backs. Not a guarantee I'd trust. Needless to say, with them hiding information that I am rightfully to know and misleading some of the information, they are hiding something and this pup is not worth no where near $1299.00.
This is where you as the buyer need to learn more about the breed you are purchasing and be patient to wait for the right pet puppy from someone who has the sire and dam and can easily be reached for the life of that pup to answer your questions and guide you when something is troubling you or the pup. Talk to other breeders and compile the information but don't buy pet store dogs. Your only helping the problem to persist in the long run. Your not saving all the other pups who will follow because you felt you needed to save this one.
This started when on 2 occasions I had puppy buyers inquire on my pups because they fell in love with a Corgi pup at a pet store. The first pet store was Kamm's Corner Pet at the corner of Lorain Rd. and Rocky River Dr. in Cleveland. The other was Petland in North Olmsted this past weekend. I was asked to look these puppies over and give my honest opinion. I warned these people that I do not condone the selling of pups in stores, specially when buyers are not screened and impulse buying is promoted.
At Kamms Corner, the pups were not on wire but well bedded clean large pens with other pups for socialization. Regularly the pups were allowed out to roam the store. The owner of the store was friendly and more then willing to answer my questions and show me paperwork. This Corgi pup on the other hand didn't seem healthy. He was not very social for a 3-4 mo old puppy, pot bellied, and skinny. The quality of this pup was lacking. The price was more reasonable then most pet store pups with discounts on many additional needs the pup would need for $650.00. BUT....I was told the pup was AKC and came from a reputable breeder. After that being said I asked to see the paperwork to learn this pup wasn't AKC and came from Missouri. I am in noway suggesting that Missouri only homes puppy mills but when a pup travels this far with no AKC paperwork to a pet store, well if it walks and quacks like a duck...then I see it as a duck.
Petland in North Olmsted earns a big fat F. They are misleading, deceiving, and in noway screen buyers anymore then the credit they hold by promoting puppy sales and monthly payment plans. Considering the price of this Corgi pup on sale for $1299.00, I would say they'd need to offer a payment plan for most impulsive pet buyers. The pups were kept on wire bottoms with smaller breeds having their paws slipping through. Even with being on wire bottoms to keep pups out of feces, the pups hair coat was grimmey and a lot of shedding which tells me they are not groomed or bathed regularly. His weight was good, nails short, good bite, eyes clean, but horrible tail job. Very happy pup that was out of control with biting anything his mouth could be laid on without any concern of retaliation that they learn from litter mates or mother. He had no idea how to behave amongst humans and had been allowed this behavior and fear that someone who is a novice or has a young kid is not going to be a good combination. When walking away he seemed cow hocked and weak in the back legs for a 12 week old pup but with the small limited space provided for viewing and the slippery service and overly excited pup it was hard to evaluate.
I asked if he was AKC registered and was told he was. Was also told he had Champions in his pedigree and when asked to see his pedigree was denied not once but several times. I asked where the pup came from and who was the reputable breeder and was denied over and over again as well. WHY??? This is my right!!!
If I'm going to buy this pup for $1299.00, I want to see the paperwork. I wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, seeing the title, or having a carfax report. The blond who was trying to keep her cool with me went in the back to get me some of the information I was persistently requesting to only come back with vet records and to say she learned the pup had no AKC papers, only ACA and no Champions but still failed to tell me this reputable breeder. OH WAIT..that's right, pet stores feel USDA approved kennels are reputable. We all know whats been found in some of these USDA approved kennels. If not, open your eyes and google for some links on these so called reputable approved USDA kennels. You be the judge.
She then tried to sell the pup by saying they guarantee the pup against diseases for 3 yrs. They will pay all vet bills. Such a guarantee when they know nothing on the pedigree and no testing on parents but for $1299.00, I guess they could afford some vet bills. The question is, what hoops do you need to jump through for them to approve the diagnosis and receive payment? Puppies have died just days after going to their forever homes to have the pet store turn their backs. Not a guarantee I'd trust. Needless to say, with them hiding information that I am rightfully to know and misleading some of the information, they are hiding something and this pup is not worth no where near $1299.00.
This is where you as the buyer need to learn more about the breed you are purchasing and be patient to wait for the right pet puppy from someone who has the sire and dam and can easily be reached for the life of that pup to answer your questions and guide you when something is troubling you or the pup. Talk to other breeders and compile the information but don't buy pet store dogs. Your only helping the problem to persist in the long run. Your not saving all the other pups who will follow because you felt you needed to save this one.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Thank you, Wendy, for the very informed article.
The thing is, it's easy to feel like you are saving "this puppy" but when "this puppy" never sells, sad as it is, perhaps the pet store owner will consider a move to supplies and fish and stop selling puppies and kittens. The one you save just clears a cage for the one coming in behind it, and it's a never-ending supply.
Unfortunately, the puppy mill business now has a huge presence on line, and they usually say something like "farm-raised" and show cute pictures of puppies being cuddled by someone's blond daughter.
More unfortunately, some of the rescue people are loudly (very loudly) campaigning that NO ONE should be breeding puppies when millions of animals die in shelters each year. They are confusing the message by not giving people accurate info. I did some research, and it turns out that around 15 million puppies are born each year, and there are about 75 million existing dog pets.
While it's true that 3-4 million poor creatures die in shelters each year, about 1.4 million of those are dogs and the rest cats (many the litters of feral or semi-feral queens). Of the 1.4 million dogs that are destroyed in shelters, about 700,000 are pit-bull type dogs. Now there are sweet pit bulls, but certainly they are not the breed for the typical novice owner in a busy family environment.
That leaves about 700,000 (still too many) non-pit-bull dogs destroyed each year. Now, in a country where 15 million puppies are placed in homes each year, I'm not sure how the "rescue only, never breed" folks think that 700,000 rescued dogs can fill the spots currently being filled by 15 million puppies.
The campaign SHOULD be on how to spot a responsible breeder such as yourself. If we did that, and everyone spayed and neutered, the unwanted pet problem would virtually disappear. As it stands, most breeders are involved with rescue as well; at the very least they will take back and rehome pups that for some reason don't work out for their original owner.
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Permalink Reply by Lou Ann Lemaster on
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I ran into the same problem when I was looking for a corgi. I just happened to be in a pet store and a puppy was there. My husband had never seen one before and this gave me a chance for to him look at my dream dog. When I asked about papers, they said it was AKC registered, yet, refused to let me look at the papers when I requested. They said it came from Oklahoma and was up to date on it's shots. Price was $900...on sale. I told her not interested since I couldn't see the papers, not that I was going to buy the puppy. But, it does tug on your heart strings seeing them in the cages.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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We did not go the Pet Shop route but got two corgis from horse people that just happened to have puppies. Since my father bred beagles when I was growing up I would have preferred going to a breeder but I must admit my husband was reluctant to get another dog so we went the easiest route as soon as he relented. After the second one, Buffy, lived a short life (6 years) filled with various health problems I called a breeder in our area and we got Izzy. In her short 2 and a half years the vet bills have been very minor. In the same time period Sparty (I love him anyway) and poor Buffy more than made up for any money we saved by purchasing from someone who just wanted to breed their dog. Not to mention the heart break of seeing a sweet animal suffer with all kinds of genetically predisposed health issues. My business man husband is now convinced that it is worth the extra effort and money to go through a breeder. I always feel the pain of seeing a pup in a pet shop but harden myself to it because I know it just encourages over breeding but I wish everyone would do more to advocate for sensible laws that would still make puppies available to people in all areas but stop the abuses. A non show puppy from a good breeder does not cost as much as a pet store puppy or much more than a "happen to have puppies" and will come with some very important qualities. A puppy matched to you and socialized early will make a much better family member and you save a lot in vet bills! Thanks for bringing this topic up again because it is so important.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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I'd thought Al & Gwynn were way expensive at about $750, but sounds like pet stores are asking even more than that. We've had no non-routine vet bills (so far, crossing fingers) and no behavior problems (except for that boot).
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Jack was $1200 and we thought that was a bit insane, but there are only a small handful of breeders within reasonable distance. We live near enough Amish country (puppy mills) that you can't be too careful here. Not sure why pure-bred pups are so expensive in my neck of the woods, but it might be something to do with the proximity to the New York/ New Jersey market.
We visited a smaller breeder nearby who charged $800, and she said most of the people on her show circuit were charging $1000 but she could not bring herself to go that high. She only had one litter a year, though.
My parents paid $900 for their Chessie 6 years ago.
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Permalink Reply by Susan and Merlin on
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We babysat a corgi a few years ago for a friend, she had gotten hers from a pet store... the thing was insane, poorly bred, and while a very happy and happy-go-lucky dog, you could just look at her and tell she was absolutely not a good example of the breed by any stretch of the imagination. She also had some sort of neurological problem with her back legs. And why did my friend buy this dog? Because she had been at the pet store so long, nobody wanted her, and she felt sorry for her.
sigh.... i did love that dog though :)
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Beitzel on
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Although I got my Pembroke at a petstore, I am in no way endorsing it. Considering this thread was started very shortly after I posted the story of my puppy I feel the need to clarify a few things. I love my dog. I like to be positive about things, but no, our lives with him have definately not been all sunshine and rainbows. We have spent the last year rehabilitating him so that he can be around people and other dogs. The first week we had him he bit me hard, in the face. When I couldn't understand how such horrible behavior could come from such a cutie, I started doing research, talking to vets, seeking out a good trainer, etc. I had no idea until that moment of the puppy mill epidemic. I grew up in farm country where you adopted strays, or someone gave you a puppy or kitten from their pround new momma. I had no idea of what his background may have actually been. (as opposed to what the petstore tells you) But was I going to take him to the shelter? no way! I had made a commitment to this animal, and I was going to do everything in my power to give him the love, attention, and maybe most importantly, the structure, that he deserves.
Would I ever get a puppy from a petstore again? of course not, not after knowing what I know now. When we decide to get him a little brother or sister it will be from a reputable breeder or a rescue. But yes, I've spent thousands of dollars on a dog that cost much less than that, but I'm never going to say that I regret it, or that he's not worth it.
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Permalink Reply by Sam on
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Very good post. It is frustrating to the point of being incredibly tempting to hand out flyers in front of the pet store in the mall to educate people just what they would be getting by buying from them. Makes me really mad everytime I walk by the place when I go to the mall.
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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Amanda...this posting had nothing to do with your blog. I had posted this and then noticed your blog and feared you would think that. Its just a pure quinkie dink, Honest!!! Sorry for the troubles you have gone through w/your Corgi but am grateful of you posting your troubles honestly for others to learn from this. Its not just medical issues but behavioral issues most would not see when looking over a puppy to buy and that is what I am trying to get across w/this post. Thank you.
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Amanda, I also did not want to be critical of your post! We also would never regret getting Sparty and Buffy because they are and were wonderful, quirky examples of the breed! Your's is a great story because it illustrates the truth about pet ownership. It is taking responsibility for a helpless animal no mater what.
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Permalink Reply by Beauty and the Beast on
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Amanda, you have great spirit and the best mommy that your dog could wish for!
Unfortunately not everybody is like that, especially when a dog is purchased on a whim. A lot of people have no problems throwing their pups to shelters. This is why pet stores selling pups is a bad thing. When people do their research, wait for months to get a puppy and meet with the breeder before any transactions happen, they really put a lot of thought into it.
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Would ANY "reputable breeder" release a puppy to a pet store?
The sorriest-looking "corgi" I ever saw was skittish, awkward, poorly docked, perhaps 15 lbs., looked part Jack Russell Terrier, and when I asked, "How old is your puppy?" the answer was, "Three years".
"Where'd you get him?"
"At a pet store in ________. He was kind of an impulse buy."
We've had two huge, ugly puppy-mill busts here in western Washington just this past year.
I am so grateful we found the breeders we got Al & Gwyn from.
TIP: Look for sellers who seem hesitant to let you have one of their puppies. If they make you jump through a lot of hoops, that's a good sign that they're careful and concerned about the fate of their animals.
Though I value careful breeding, I must say that I see lots of excellent, beautiful dogs that are mutts from the shelter. "Hybrid vigor" can be a real thing.
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