Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mochi The Corgi on April 15, 2008 at 6:44pm

Wow sounds like you have everything down to the T, i'm sure others will give you more suggestions. But i seriously didn't ask that many questions from my breeder, and now i kinda of wish I had. I just found out that someone in my puppy social acutaly got two dogs from the same breeder at different times. To me it sounds like she is breeding all the time. And i hope its not the same Dame.

YOu seem like on the right track!

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Permalink Reply by CorgiLove on April 15, 2008 at 6:49pm

Congrats on getting ready to get your puppy! I'm in the same boat as you, just starting to research the breeders in the area and all that fun stuff before I pick a litter and a pup :) Looks like you've got a good list going, I'll just add a few more things from my list that I didn't see in yours.

Make sure to ask about hips, eyes, and back problems specifically, as those are the most common genetic defects for corgis.
Ask about shedding and grooming requirements - if the breeder says corgis don't shed, run :)
Will the puppies get any flea/tick preventative while in breeder's care, how much?
What does the breeder feed corgi adults, what about puppies?
Does the health guarantee include passing OFA at 2 years of age?
What are the goals of this particular litter? Were they bred for temperament, conformation, pet, working, herding drive, etc.?
Will the puppies receive any training, what kind?
Do the parents take any joint or other kind of supplements, why?
Are there any champions in the pedigree?
What kind of socialization will the puppies receive, will they be exposed to other dogs, cats, children, loud noises, etc.?
How do the parents react to other dogs, cats, kids, strangers, change of environment, etc.?
Are there special requirements from the buyer, for example not to allow the puppy on stairs until a certain age?
Were there any previous puppies whose ears did not stand up, did many puppies require taping?
Does the breeder dock the tails (if you want a dog with a tail, will the breeder be willing to do an un-docked litter)?

Can you tell I have a very long list? I hope these help and give you a few more ideas. I think it's best to ask most of these questions as part of a conversation when you meet with the breeder in person, especially since a lot of questions are related (health, parent history, temperament). I'll be watching this thread to add to my list as well. Best of luck in your search! :)

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on April 15, 2008 at 6:51pm

That's a great list! Glad you asked sunshine PWCC for info, they are a great bunch :) We have quite a few members in Florida, a few of them are looking just like you. I think the most important thing is go there and visit, I don't think a busy breeder could really go over the 24 questions over the phone. It will be helpful if you meet with some of the members near your area and ask about their experience.

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Permalink Reply by Karen & Bailey on April 15, 2008 at 8:16pm

yay! congrats! =) how about ask them if they plan to start the puppies on potty pad or outside potty training before they go home with you. if they are willing or already do this, that would help you a lot once you get them home! and ask them what food they'll be having the puppy on and why they chose that. do some research, theres even a forum out there where everyone posted what particular food they feed their corgi. the breeder will usually give you a sample pack so you can transition it to your preferred food by mixing hte new and old food gradually. Also see if there are older corgis on site (over 6yo)- it tells you teh breeder really cares for the breed and has them as pets, and just not breeding and getting rid of the older ones. Also, check to see the general area where the puppies will be raised before you take them home (ask them to show you) - you can see if this is clean and meets your standards. Also ask if the kennel has ever contracted any diseases, etc, (which is common) - like fleas, coccidia, etc. Ooohhhh.. and maybe you can ask if their corgis eat their own poo (a lot of dogs like poo of any kind as treats - do they pick up regularly? - kinda relates to teh potty training question - you don't want them raised in a big pit where they can just pee/poo anywhere and its left out to eat up). ok well good luck! =P

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Permalink Reply by Junior and Griffey on April 15, 2008 at 8:33pm

Thanks for the replies so far. The only issue I truly have is that the majority of the kennels are 4-8 hours away (my luck) so I don't know how feasible it is going to be for me to visit them all just to ask these questions.

I was kind of hoping to do it over the phone or through e-mail and then pick out 2 or 3 to visit to make sure everything is in order. Is it really going to be a problem if I ask these questions over the phone or through e-mail? I plan on visiting the kennel I choose based on these conversations at least once before I pick up the little guy, but driving 800-1200 miles every weekend for a month is pretty rough.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on April 15, 2008 at 9:53pm

I'm not sure who are the breeders on your list, but there are a few of them that are not too far away from Ft Lauderdale. The problem with email is just about anyone can write one and make it sound good. Documents and family trees can be forged, so that leaves meeting the breeder is the only reliable way to get a real sense of the breeder, you'll get to know what kind of environment they were brought up in, how were the temperament of the mother and father. You can also recruit help from our members here, see if they have experience with a certain breeder :)

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Permalink Reply by Patti on April 15, 2008 at 8:30pm

you are off to a great start. a few other things - other than getting a great pup to start - as he or she can i contact you in the future?, can i contact your vet? do you have any families that you have placed puppies with that i can contact? what do you require of me? my breeder put me thru the "hoops" before i was even allowed to view the pups - i consider this the best form of breeder. She was concerned where her pups were going and what kind of life they would have - i was as much interviewed as she was.

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Permalink Reply by Sam on April 16, 2008 at 7:13am

Choosing to contact the regional club is a very good idea. Reputable breeders will have nothing but AKC stock in the corgi world, one or both parents will be finished champions. These breeders will also have tested their dogs. CERF will reveal PRA which is not as common in pems as it is in cardigans. Vwd does not have to be tested in pups if the parents are clear which is typically stated in the paperwork. OFA testing can not be done until a dog is two years of age though the parents should be done. Young pups can be considered as show prospects but one can not truly know until the pup grows on a bit. This is why many breeders elect to keep certain pups much longer. Reputable breeders rarely let their pups go before 10 weeks of age and provide a wonderful packet containing the pedigree (at least 5 generations) pictures of the sire, dam and sometimes grandparents. They will provide a contract which generally has a spay/neuter clause and limited registration. They will offer information regarding puppy care, suggestions for good food and training. The contract will also accept responsibility of the dog should you no longer be able to keep them. You also have the wonderful assurance that you have the support of the breeder for the life of the dog. Good to see someone that has taken the time to learn what to look for in purchasing a pup. Your breeder will help you in making just the right choice in pups. The referral person at the Sunshine Club is a long time friend and my corgi mentor. She has been involved with corgis for near 40 years.

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Permalink Reply by Junior and Griffey on April 16, 2008 at 11:57am

Well I guess this place is just as good as any to ask whether or not any one has heard of these breeders. I'm not sure what the policy is for this forum about naming specific breeders, but the kennels names that I have been in contact with are:

1) Cameo Corgi's
2) Cymric Corgi's
3) McCarty's Corgi's

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on April 16, 2008 at 12:07pm

It's fine Junior, I welcome the discussion. There was another thread a while ago that ask if anyone has heard of a specific breeder as well. If may be beneficial if you start a new thread with the breeders name along with their info like state, phone number...etc. We have a lot of rescue people among our membership as well, they can also offer you their opinion as well.

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