Cardigan Welsh CorgwnThis guide is still under construction, so check back for updated versions. I also hope to post a downloadable PDF version in the near future.
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Do you have a fenced yard? Although cardis in general are not a breed prone to wandering, a fenced yard is is a must. In some cases, invisible fencing has worked, but most cardigan breeders prefer to place puppies in a fenced home and Wyntr is no exception to this rule. There are far too many sad stories about owners losing sight of a puppy just long enough for them to reach the nearby road and an approaching car or about injury caused by another animal entering the unfenced area. Another precaution is to place a reliable lock on the gate. There are just as many stories about the one time the gate was left open or accidentally opened by neighborhood kids with unfortunate results.
Do you have young children (under age 6)? Cardis usually do get along well with young children, but because young children require a lot of time and attention, adding a puppy to the mix can mean a lot of work and dedication. Young children by nature are also less responsible, so can't be expected to be full time caretakers of a dog no matter how they might plead and promise. Take time to very carefully consider whether or not you (and/or your spouse) will truly have the time to raise and train a young dog as well as give proper care and attention to your young child.
Where will the puppy be staying in your home? The ideal place for a cardigan is as a household companion. Dogs kept outdoors alone in a yard, on a chain or in a kennel pen often develop serious behavioral and emotional problems. For this reason, Wyntr only places puppies to be household companions regardless of being sold as pets or showdogs. Puppies should have their own crate to use for sleeping and as a safe haven. A dog crate is a useful tool for housebreaking and early training and should never be used as a long-term puppy storage facility.
Will someone be home enough to be sure the puppy gets enough time and attention during it's first months? The first twelve months of a dogs life are the most important ones and will determine if the dog becomes a good citizen or ends up being turned over to rescue or put in a shelter. Several hours of somebody's time each day will need to be devoted to feeding, grooming, playtime and basic training. If the adults in the family are working full time, it will be important to work out a reliable schedule and arrange for a pet sitter during the hours nobody will be home. If this isn't feasable, it might be best to reconsider adopting a puppy until someone has more free time to spare.
Do you plan to attend at least basic obedience classes with your puppy? The #1 reason for this question is that pets of ANY breed who are surrendered to shelters or sent to breed rescues are usually sent there for behavior problems. Not spending enough time in early training or improper training are most often the cause. Puppy and obedience classes are also a great way to get expert advice on preventing or solving problems before they get out of control. Most cardis are intelligent dogs who love to cooperate with their owners and excell in obedience. One way to find a good and reputable obedience school is to ask your veterinarian or groomer. Also, don't be afraid to call the school and ask questions. Cardigans respond best to the newer training techniques using positive rewards and 'no force' methods.
Do you plan to have a baby or move in the next year or so? If there is a job change, a new baby, a move or some other time consuming event expected in the near future, it might be better to wait before getting a dog. Also see 'Questions a buyer should first ask themselves'.
Are there any allergy problems with any family members in the household? This is a serious concern. Many dogs are returned to breeders or sent to breed rescue or shelters because of family members with allergies. Cardigans are a shedding breed, so should only be adopted into 'no allergy' home. If there is any possibility of a family member developing allergies, take time to decide what course you are willing to follow. Also see 'Questions a buyer should first ask themselves'.
Are you interested in showing or just a companion? Show dogs do not have to live in a big kennel and travel all over the world. Many show dogs are owner handled at local shows and when they aren't at shows, they are perfectly normal family dogs. For every show dog seen in the ring, there are usually several littermates living in perfectly wonderful pet homes. And in every litter there is often a puppy the breeder feels might be good enough to be a show dog, but for one reason or another they may not want it bred. Usually these dogs will be placed as pets, but sometimes they are lucky enough to find an owner who is interested in learning how to show their dog. Many people enjoy showing their dogs on weekends and it is no less expensive than many other hobbies. It is a great way to do something with your dog and you get out to meet people with similar interests. Any area that has a fairgrounds or similar facility will usually have at least one dogshow a year and many places will have dogshows within a few hours drive almost every weekend.
Do you have any plans to breed? Cardigans might be fun to show as a hobby, but a title and/or a pedigree doesn't always mean the dog must be bred. Breeding is very serious work requiring expensive testing, careful pedigree research and being prepared for a lot of expense in the event something goes wrong during whelping or after the puppies are born. Cardigans sold as 'pets only' should not be bred and most breeders will sell cardigans intended to be 'pets only' with a limited registration. Limited registration means a dog is guaranteed to be a purebred example of their breed, but their offspring cannot be registered or shown in conformation (dogs with limited registrations are allowed to compete in obedience, agility and other performance events). Some people like to purchase a female with an interest in breeding her to get back the purchase price or to have their kids witness "the miracle of birth". These are not good reasons to breed. Cardigans can have up to as many as 13 puppies and finding homes for them can be very difficult. Cardis are not a breed for everyone and while their unusual appearance is endearing to some, many others don't feel the same way. C-Sections are also not uncommon in the breed and this can mean an expensive surgery at best or the loss of both mother and pups at worse. It is important to screen the parents for potential health problems and have a very good knowledge of pedigree to make the best possible match before breeding. All of this can be very expensive and time consuming. And finally, the birth of a puppy is indeed miraculous, but it is also messy, often painful and confusing for the dog (especially for the first time mom) and might be more frightening than interesting to a young child. Breeding should only be done with the guidance of an experienced mentor in the breed or not at all.
Unfortunately, there have been several recent attempts by puppy mills and puppy brokers to acquire female cardigans, especially blue merles, with the intention of breeding them for the pet store trade. This has resulted in breeders being even more careful and intensive about questioning potential buyers. Cardigans do not do well in puppy mill situations, they are not a breed for everyone and cardigan breeders are dedicated to keeping the breed safe from profiteering. If you see a Cardigan Welsh Corgi in any pet store or shelter, please contact the CWCCA's Cardigan Rescue and never buy any puppy from a pet store, even if the store assures you they don't buy from puppy mills.
See this website for more information: http://nopuppymills.com/
Do you prefer a male or female or have no preference? Everyone has their pros and cons regarding which gender is best. Both genders of cardigans are wonderful and it may just be a matter of availability or personal preference. Many cardigan breeders and owners say their males are more affectionate, while their females are more independant, but this can vary from individual to individual. In some cases, there may be another dog in the household and getting a puppy of the opposite sex is one way to reduce the chance of conflict between them.
Are there other pets in the household and have you owned a dog before? These are important considerations. If you have other pets, how will they accept a newcomer? If your dog or cat has always been an 'only' pet, they may view a puppy as an intruder instead of a 'baby'. They may see the attention you give the new puppy as a threat to their previous authority. Introduction should be made with great care. No puppy should ever be left unsupervised with an older dog or cat as this has great potential for trouble. Use of crate training is also a good way to ensure safety during times when supervision is not possible. Take time to discuss with your family and the breeder how you plan to introduce a new puppy into your household.
If so, how many and what kind of pets and how long did you have your dog(s) and what happened to them? If you have had previous pets, the breeder will want to know what they were and what eventually became of them. This information will help the breeder to determine if a cardigan is the right sort of dog for you and what sort of puppy might be more suitable for your household.
Do you have a regular vet? Be prepared to have a regular vet for your puppy to administer vaccines and health exams. It is always a very good idea to set up your puppy's first veterinary visit the week before you bring them home. Regular examinations are good preventative measures and are a great way to identify early signs of health problems before they become big trouble.
Decide where the puppy/dog will stay. A dog crate is one of the safest sleeping places to use for a dog bed. If introduced to it properly, a crate will become a safe haven and favorite sleeping spot for a dog, not a cage for unwanted confinement. Find a secure place in your home where you can place a dog crate so it is both out of the way as not to be tripped over, yet in a place were the dog can be easily seen and monitored. Also make sure no drapes, bedding, wires or other objects can be reached and chewed on through the sides or front of the crate. Provide safe chew toys like Nylabones® and be sure the dog had time to eliminate and been exercised before placing in the crate.
Make an appointment for a first veterinary exam. Be sure to call your veterinarian and arrange an appointment in advance for your new puppy's first exam. A puppy should see your vet within the first 48 hours after bringing it home from the breeder. This way a problem can be identified early. If possible, try to avoid giving vaccines until the 2nd visit so the puppy doesn't learn to associate every trip to the vet as something to dread.
Getting food and other supplies. Find out what food the breeder is feeding and try to use the same when the puppy is brought home. Most breeders include a small bag of food with their puppy packet. If you want to use a different brand, gradually change the puppy's diet to avoid digestive upset. Get a dog crate of the right size for your breed (Cardigans require at least the 200 size Vari-Kennel or approx 19"x20"x29" sized crate). If you aren't sure, ask the breeder what size crate they use. A crate should be large enough for an adult dog to stand up, turn around and lie down in comfortably. Be careful not to use bedding that a puppy might chew up and swallow. It may seem uncomfortable, but no bedding is probably the safest option until the puppy is older and less likely to chew. Get a collar that can be adjusted as the puppy grows and a good quality leather leash. A nylon leash may be prettier, but it is also more likely to cut your hands if the puppy pulls suddenly. Check the collar weekly to make sure it isn't too loose or getting too tight and to be sure the puppy hasn't found a way to chew on it.
Sign up for Puppy School. Check with your veterinarian, yellow pages and pet food store to find local schools. Find out what methods they use, preferably those using modern motivational techniques as opposed to 'correction' training. Cardis seem to do best with the more motivational techniques. A good school will show you how to train your own dog using an assortment of methods depending on your handling skills and your dog's ability and temperament. Puppy school is usually an excellent social experience for you and your dog and many people have gotten into showing in obedience and other performance events as a result. Cardigans especially enjoy doing things with their owners, so puppy school is a great place to start.
Registration, Puppy Buyer Contracts and Identification. Be sure to get registration papers that are properly filled out and don't forget to send them in to the breed club. AKC charges an extra fee now for any puppies registered late. They also use registration information to develop statistics that can be useful for breeders. Most importantly, registration is necessary for legal transfer of ownership, so it is very important to send those papers in even if the puppy will only be a pet.. Make sure you read any puppy contracts and understand them completely before purchasing your puppy and don't be afraid to ask questions. Many breeders use microchip and/or tattoos to permanently identify their puppies in case they get lost. Two common microchip systems are AKC's Home Again and the internationally recognized AVID. Be sure to fill out and send the papers provided by these systems. It could make a big difference if your puppy should ever become lost. If your breeder doesn't microchip, it isn't a bad idea to have it done. Most veterninarians provide it as a regular service and installing the chip is no less painful than a vaccine. Tattooing is another good identification method, but is less reliable over time and more difficult to access if the dog is large and/or heavily coated.
Permission granted to copy and use this guide as needed.
Kathleen Carter, Wyntr Cardigans
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