Start Of A New Era !

 General Election is expanding & hiring ! Maybe I can get back my old job ? It's only 47 years since I quit ( the second time ! ) !

GE Vernova to invest $41 million in Schenectady, creating 50 high-tech jobs

Worse Garden Ever !

Over twenty years of vegetable gardening in Glenville , this was the worst ever ! A cool Spring , with nights dropping into the 40s until June , stunted everything ! Planted 16 tomato plants , to " harvest " only 3 tomatoes ! Went to local farm stand . He only had 2 & gave me one ! Resorted to containers on tables , to avoid 100s of sparrows , mice , & chipmunks attracted by neighbor's feeder . My Cardigans patrolled under the tables after any critter foolish enough to enter garden zone ! One success , 3 Paul Robeson tomatoes . ( success ? ) Flavor out of this world !

End Of An Era ?

For over 25 years raised & shown Cardigan Welsh Corgis . Gathered a room full of ribbons with about 50 litters & almost 300 puppies . A boat load of champions & one grand champion . What makes me proud is taking serious my stewardship of this wonderful breed . Met some really nice people that loved our dogs . Now at 77 my stewardship winds down . Mahouts bond so firmly with their elephants , both retire at same age . My 8 year old Copper & I will share my retirement . 

Lil" Copper Had a Rough Summer !

 Not only did he lose one of his buddies , his garden was poor !

Luffy On Point At 4 !

 Spotting big game , Luffy goes on point !

Cardigans Are Like Aspirins & Prunes !

 Are two enough ? Six too many ? I have 4 . Would one or two of my Cardigan friends be happier with another home ? It would have to be a special forever home , one that has a pup or two from Big Ears Kennel . All up on vaccinations , housebroken , & healthy . Rocky , a Blue Merle boy , will be 4 in November . Sandy will be 3 in October . Molly , a Black & White w/tan points will be 5 in November . None were ever bred . Come w/vaccination history & are NYS licensed till March . Price? Depends on with or without papers . To me most interested in placing with Big Ears former home . Forth Cardigan is 8 year old Copper , he stays for sure ! Email bigearsk@gmail.com !

Shadi , My First Cardigan !

Shadi lived till 16 & one month . Had to put her down , as her quality of life failed .She licked my hand as she passed . Here she is in final days reining as Queen of the pack & her prime !

 

Silo Turns 14 !

Silo was my Grand Champion George's brother . Love hearing our pups having a long & happy life !

 

Thanks A Lot Rita !

 Guess Trumpet Vine bragging rights go to Rita !

Collect Your Toys !

Former Laurel & Hardy , are 9 years old on toy collection  !

Best Dog Ever ?

 Is Ollie really the best dog ever ? So many people that have Cardigans from us claim they have the best dog ever ! Can that be ? There is only one gold metal for each event at the Olympics . Sure they have good  dogs . . . but there is only one " Best dog ever ! " . That must mean all other Cardigan families are braggers ! Here's Ollie , claiming to be " the Best dog ever ! " What's your vote ?

Be Careful What You Wish !

 For five years been wishing my Trumpet Vine would bloom . I got my wish !

Don't Adjust Your Set !

Yes that is a Pembroke nestled in with a pair of Cardigans ! Hope Bruno & Quinn don't pick up any bad habits !

 

Love Emails About Our Cardigans !

 Sure a breeder will boast about their dogs , but when the people who buy them also brag. . . that's something ! Few breeders actually breed for temperament & breed's original purpose . Cardigans were originally bred to serve ancient Welsh farmers as family companions , all purpose farm dogs , guard duty , vermin killers , & hunters . Seems from the emails we receive , our pups would please the ancient Welsh farmers !

Emails claim our pups stalk moose , chase bears out of yards , love swimming in ocean , kayaking ? , competing in various AKC events ( scent , conformation , herding ) , sheep farms , & even self taught health alert dog ! Not limited by limited height , they seek high points for observation & can sense objects overhead on tables ! Great loafing dogs , keen for binge TV watching or hiking trails , to be with bonded human . Fierce enemies to dreaded squirrels . Always on alert to passing strangers . Enjoy watching & human attention . Steady under pressure . Adaptable . Yet many report a sense of humor !

Do not advise Cardigan Narwhal riding ! Even a Cardigan has limits !

To Breed Or Not To Breed ?

 When I first started in Cardigans , one could break even at $800 a pup . Seemed all the dogs were natural breeders & whelpers . Then science took over ! Every breeding had to be assisted in vet's office after constant monitoring . Almost every pregnancy ended with a c-section , after nights of sleepless worry . Then after delivery , up to a week of sleepless nights until mom was able to nurse on her own ! Until puppies eyes open , weaned , & ears up . . . we worried ! The vet's share would be around $5000 a litter before we even emailed " Litter for sale ! " . Now if we only had 4 in a litter , do the math how much we'd have to charge to break even & have enough front money for next litter !

Financing my love of this special breed was one thing , but at 77 a small army of doctors enter ( 6 to be exact ! ) . I feel fine but have health insurance & eager doctors ! Phased out the rabbits & chickens , as winters were to dangerous working outdoors . Miss the critters , as they added a balance to my Big Ears Project . Now my main project is battling long cold Springs to get vegetable garden planted & harvested . Down to 4 Cardigans , will keep an eye open for special people who might offer a better home than me .

The plus side , I've flown far beyond my Brooklyn start . Met some of the greatest names in the Cardigan World & was part of the breed's history & future for over 25 years . We had something like 48 litters & 275 pups added to the breed . Mother Nature will tell me if this wonderful ride is over , or those furry beasts have other plans !

Clifford Turns Seven !

 Clifford used his inherited Cardigan Charm to win his forever home !

Celebrate The Fourth !

 But Kate says keep the fireworks simple ! 

Original Cardiganshire !

 What would the ancient Welsh farmers think of our beauty show winners ? Found a photo of last working Cardiganshire in early 1900s . It was a farmer's all purpose working/herding dog ! Current confirmation judges would be horrified on ear carriage ! Well my Rocky comes from a dozen generations of erect ears ( they were up for a while ? ) . Molly his intended bride , also comes from a dozen generations of erect ears . Now if I remember my Mendel breeding program , this couple has a overwhelming percentage of throwing erect ears ? Here's the original Cardiganshire that our Cardigan traces too .

T: Cardiganshire   Followed by M & B : lovebirds !

I Ain't Got Nobody !

 Poor Sandy , is starting her heat but without her Romeo ! Wrote 5 Cardigan breeders over the last 6 months , seeking a Black & White boyfriend for Sandy . No one replied ! Had bred a Black & White boy for this very reason , but he had to be neutered . Perhaps Sandy might find Romance on her next heat ? Perhaps I might get my second wind & decide one more litter is doable ? In a few days Molly will be seeking Cardigan Romance & I have Rocky picked out ! I'll have to think it over . Some many negative votes , only a few positive to breed again !

T: Rocky   M: Molly  B: broken hearted Sandy !

Big Ears Early Days !

 A line in an old movie " A man must know his limits ! " . The Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed may not have limitations , but this 77 year old guy does ! Here are a few photos from the early glory days !

Zbigie Turns Eight !

 Family says " She's the best dog ever ! ".

Time To Retire ?

When I started breeding & showing over 25 years ago , I met many of the greats that were stewards of the breed . They were wonderful people that loved their dogs , but somehow the parade passed them by . Now 25 years later with AI , computer advancements , & social media sites . . . the parade has passed me by !

The new shakers & trend setters have set a new Cardigan World , mostly to favor their goals ( maybe not the dog's ! ) , which in 25 years the parade will pass them too ! Who knows maybe herding instinct , temperament , multi-purpose farm dog , that makes a great companion will be important . That's crazy talk !

Like a old boxer , dreaming of one more fight , I thought I could share a few more litters . My goals & ideas of Cardigan stewardship are blocked by the newcomers . Time to step aside . People that have my dogs are happy & don't feel this way . To breed or not to breed , is the question ! It was a good run .

 

Georgie Girl Proudly Wearing Of The Green !

Georgie Girl can't resist a freshly cut lawn . What Georgie Girl doesn't realize , green is not an official AKC color for Cardigans !

 

Ollie Goes Moose Hunting !

 Some where on other side of water or woods , is a moose the Ollie spotted ! Think it's at the water's edge !

Soggy Father's Day !

It may be another gloomy  weekend , but at least it's not snowing !

Father's Day Weekend !

Rocky is thinking about becoming a father soon . Molly , his chosen future mate , should be looking for Cardigan Romance , in a few weeks . Then 63 days or so to whelp & 8 weeks to wean her litter . A lot to ask Mother Nature ! Rocky ( top ) & Molly . 

They Grow Up So Fast !

 Can't believe Copper will be eight on 06/15/2025 ! Still a goofy puppy ! Have to watch him , he knows how to open gates !

Betty Boop , Still Smiling !

 

Is It True ?

 

Hold Still !

Tallulah & Perceval , both related to my grand champion George , pose for a painting . This is what Cardigan owners do , when photographs will no longer express what great family dogs they are !

 

Today's . . .

 5/25/25 ! Neat numbers !

Cardigan Sea Dog !

 Ollie touring Lubec ME. searching for Quoddy Head Lighthouse !

So Many Taurus Cardigans !

 Ziggy waiting for his Birthday Ice Cream !