Welsh Cardigans

We specialize in breeding quality Black & White and Blue Merle Cardigan Corgis since 1999 . Have taken a fancy to Black & Whites and Blue Merles with tan points . We offer puppies for sale to qualified homes and generally have three litters per year. Our older Cardigan friends will sometimes be placed in special homes to enjoy their retirement .

Thanks to the enforcement of zoning restrictions from the Town of Glenville , we are no longer allowed to have chickens . Still enjoy vegetable gardening . Wife's two retired Greyhounds have passed away , but we still have YoYo ( a 3 legged cat ) .

We welcome inquiries about Cardigans and am generally available by email , bigearsk@gmail.com . Am member of Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America . Breeder in good standing with AKC . Have AKC , Canadian champions & Grand Champions . Recently AKC notified us that based on our history , number of champions , showmanship , & number of litters successfully whelped , Big Ears Kennel can apply for Breeder of Merit status !

Over the years two things that bother me are ; those that ask only price & the term corgi . There are so many questions a interested party may ask about Cardigans , price should not be the first & only question ! One fellow's entire inquiry was " How much , might be interested in a female " ? My reply based on this limited inquiry was " $82,000 " . He did not appreciate my humor . Now corgi is my second bafflement . Few people realize there are two corgi breeds . I've answered " corgi " inquiries in great detail , in a series of emails , only to learn they were only interested in Pembrokes . So if you inquire about " corgis " , I will try to define which breed . If your only question is price , I may not reply !

Wish people will understand Mother Nature limits color & gender of pups available . We try to match the best pup to a good home . That can only be done by visiting & bonding . Shipping is not an option , too many horror stories . Many online sites promise Blue Merles & shipping . Before you send money to these sites , check them out . AKC states 80% are fronts for puppy mills & scams . Some will never see their money or puppy . One site had over 144 complaints !

A common request we get for this uncommon breed is " A Blue Merle female " . Cardigans are not a common breed . There are only a few breeders east of the Mississippi . Only a few of these breed for Blue Merles . To get a quality Blue Merle , one must breed to a Black & White for crisp color & avoid genetic faults attached to recessive genes . Breeding for Blue Merles a litter may produce one or two Blue Merles . One might be a female . For every Blue Merle pup we get 10 inquiries . So don't be hurt if Mother Nature is cruel !











Saturday, January 1, 2022

Socializing ?

 A common question I'm asked , besides vaccinating for over 200 diseases ( many do not affect Cardigans , some can't be done till 2 years old , & would cost a fortune ! ) is " Do we socialize our puppies ? " . Before you ask , did you consider a puppy's just starting their vaccination program should have limited public exposure ? Heck , during this pandemic , I have limited public exposure !

Some breeds have limited human social abilities / skills & must be trained at an early age to accept public surroundings , pets , children , & other people . There was a fighting pit dog called Blue Paul . The breed is now extinct , because is was not handleable by even its owner ! Not Cardigans . Cardigans are an extremely adaptable breed from puppyhood to advance age , Advanced efforts to socialize Cardigans is like another coat of paint on a brand new car , or teaching Jesse Owens to run !

Having said this , the Cardigan breed standard states " Aloof with strangers " . Cardigans are herding dogs raised originally by farmers . Just like farmers , are aloof with strangers . Once you win over a farmer or Cardigan , you have a friend for life ! 



4 comments:

  1. Personally, I have not experienced the "aloof" attribute with my Cardi. He loves to meet new people.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Clifford loves people. If he hesitates, or gives a growl, I know there is something suspect about that person. Doesn't happen often, but when it does I trust his instinct.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for reminding everyone of this socialization process.
    Also, aloof was our now-gone Theo. He was happy to "watch from afar." And while he was initially cautious with "strangers," he eventually accepted them. And yes, if he ever "woof-ed!" you paid attention!!
    His little half-brother Owen was the exact opposite. There wasn't a person that he didn't want to go up to and share his story, always ready for a tummy rub!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for stating this. I’m listening carefully to your practices because I’m so impressed with your results. My first, Royal was aloof, but Daphne was more eager to meet strangers, and Roy picked that up somewhat. Roy is sensibly cautious and I appreciate his opinion. A perfect combination!

    ReplyDelete