Received an email from a person in Mexico that will be visiting California this September , asking if I had any Blue Merles left but would be interested in other colors . Then asked price .
Several times a year I'm contacted by agents who work for international pet brokers . All they ask is price . It is rare they admit to being brokers . Sometimes they come up with touching stories about buying a pet for their daughter but can not make a visit to my kennel . Instead they will send an agent , send a check , meet me at an airport , while never saying who they are .
So when I'm first contacted , the interview process begins ! One email asked only " price for a female ? May be interested " . I gave my standard reply " based on very little info . . . female . . . price . . $82,000 " . He asked if I was on crack ! Asking only price & for a Blue Merle , makes me nervous . They are so many important questions to ask a Cardigan breeder , same I ask when seeking or selling a pup . Asking for a Blue Merle , especially before they are whelped , is like asking for NO#1 issued Superman comic . People get upset as I try to explain , I may have only one or two Blue Merles a litter but we also have wonderful Black & White pups .
It is very important the pups of this special breed get matched to special owners . Email exchanges & visits help . It took me 2 years of researching Cardigans , kennels , & breeders before a breeder would sell to me , a non show home . We will have more litters , more Blue Merles , & more wonderful Black & White pups .
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 !
I commend you for this Bruce! Well done.
ReplyDeleteThis is specifically how I knew you're a responsible breeder. You list no transport fees, nor do you offer it. I'm only happy to make the beautiful drive for another corgi someday.
ReplyDelete