BREEDERS...WHAT DO YOU THINK
I've been in the market for my puppy for almost a year now, found a great breeder, should've had a puppy by the end of this month, but the breeders bitch missed, and she only does one litter a year in the spring. Being that her bitch missed, she's not trying again till next spring. So I started my search over calling breeders that are members of the pwcca and within driving distance from me (I don't care for the idea of shipping) and found a breeder that has a yr and a half old male she's been showing, but she says he doesn't enjoy the traveling or the conformation showing, but that he's a great house/ pet dog. Sweet & Loving, gets along great with other dogs, cats, & kids. I plan on going to meet him, but I was just wondering what you guys thought, and if you get any red flags from the info I've given you. Also what should I ask, check for, and be concerned about? I also attached a pic of this beautiful boy!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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He looks like a cutie. Talk to Beth on mycorgi she has a retired show dog and can probably help.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Oh, he's stunning!
There is nothing unusual about a breeder placing a retired adult, an older puppy who didn't mature out how they hoped, or a young adult who for whatever reason isn't shining in the show ring. This is something reputable breeders do, and is not any reason for suspicion. If the breeder otherwise checks out and you have heard good things, then that part should not be a problem.
Having raised one Corgi puppy and gotten a second Corgi as an adult, I can say they are very different experiences and so it depends on what you are looking for. The upside with an adult is that usually housebreaking and basic house manners, as well as socialization, are already in place. You bring home a dog and after a short adjustment, you can continue with your life without the huge interruption a puppy brings. If the dog was raised by an experience Corgi person, chances are he''ll stand for grooming, roll over for nail trims, stay still for a bath, sit nicely for the vet, and all sorts of other wonderful things that us amateur owners sometimes have difficulty convincing our Corgis to do!!
The other thing to consider, though, is you are basically getting the breeder's dog. The breeder socialized the dog, and did his early training, and therefore has in large part shaped the dog. Don't get me wrong, young adults are still very flexible and can learn a lot. But, to a large degree, you are getting a dog whose personality you won't shape quite as much as you would with a puppy.
The other thing is that if you have any unusual aspects to your life (the dog needs to get along with donkeys and loose parrots, say!) then you are better off with either a puppy or with a dog that was raised in a house that also has donkeys and parrots. Early experiences are key and it can be tough to get an adult used to something he's never seen before.
Go into the meeting with an open mind. We met two adults, and the first we walked away from even though she was a lovely dog because she was not the right match for our home. The second we brought home as a retired show dog, and she is fabulouse. I have no regrets, BUT I had just raised a puppy, after just building a house, and was not looking forward to raising another. Had I not raised my first puppy so recently, though, I would have forever regretted missing that chance. It's a unique experience, and so is bringing home an adult, and you want to be brutally honest with yourself about how you'll feel 6 months from now if you make the one choice over the other.
Good luck!
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By the way, if you have any direct questions about the experience feel free to send me a private message. You'll have to send a friend request first, usually. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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I don't have any experience bringing an adult dog into my home (I got Casey as a 10 week old pup), but I can tell you that if I ever get another dog, I will most definitely be looking to get an adult. Our breeder had a few adult dogs available when we went to look at the pups, but I was dead set on getting a puppy. In hindsight, I should have gone with an adult dog. I don't really have the patience for a puppy, and she drives me crazy more often than it's been worth having a puppy.
It turns out that what I want in a dog is not the crazy puppyness, but a calmer companion who likes to go for walks, go to the dog park/off-leash trails, and hang out. Not a none-stop maniac who never tires and never sits still.
Don't get me wrong, I like my dog and wouldn't give her up, but would I go back and do it again? No, I wouldn't.
The point of this rambling: I think an adult dog is a great idea, and I don't think there are any red flags that would go up with this information. Obviously if you go and see him and feel uncomfortable or whatever, than yes, red flags, but overall, I say go for it! You'll be giving this pup a good home and I'm sure you'll both enjoy each other very much.
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Upon re-reading, my reply seems a little strong. I should clarify by saying that this is simply reflective of my personal experience and the realization of my personality as it relates to dog ownership. I'm sure there are lots of people who love having a puppy and think it's the best part of dog ownership, so take from it what you will.
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Funny, because I'm just the opposite and love puppy-raising. But at the time we got our second dog, we'd had several crazy years in a row (building, moving, puppy, husband's job-loss) and the thought of being tied to my house and not able to do anything for yet another year was NOT appealing, so we were very happy to get an adult. It just fit better into our schedule, but I do love that year or so of shaping the puppy into the dog you want!
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I think it takes a certain type of person to raise a puppy well, and I don't think I'm that type of person. I'm a very anal, type-A personality, and for me, that doesn't jive well with puppy-ownership. My husband once described me as impatient, quick to anger, easily frustrated, hot-headed and stubborn (all true!), and those attributes don't exactly make for the best puppy trainer. I want perfection and I want it now, and that's not the reality of puppy ownership (or dog ownership in general, but much more-so with puppies).
Fortunately for Casey her puppy-hood experience is tempered greatly by my husband.
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Permalink Reply by Kristin & Archie on
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Hey beth did you get my message with the info about this dog. I think I sent it to you, but I'm not sure if I did it right
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Yes I did, but I'm at work and only have limited time. :-) I'll answer this evening.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I was going to suggest messaging Beth but I see she's responded. He is extremely handsome! I'd do it if it were me!
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Thanks Jane, that means alot coming from a good upstanding corgi gal like you. I just e-mailed her and said as long as he'll have me I'd love to be his new mom. She's scheduling his neutering, and as soon as he's recovered from that I'll be on my way. I'm SOOO excited. It's funny when youu're this excited you can't find a key on your keyboard, or a word to describe how happy you are.!
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