Big Ears Kennel: May 2017

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 !

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Bruno Takes A Swim !

Another Cardigan goes for a swim !

Where's Kate ?

Kate knows that with my delicate features , I shouldn't be lifting . FedEx left ten 40 pound boxes of dog food . Now where's Kate ? Someone has to move these boxes indoors !

Luckily it stopped raining . The FedEx truck was still parked in our driveway , so I parked in the neighbor's driveway till he left . I went for rabbit pellets , so now there's rabbit pellets in the car & dog food on the porch . Hope Kate paces herself , still lots of yard work to do !

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Fun Got Higher At Big Ears Kennel !

Fun peaked out with completion of rabbit hotel's roof !

Harry giving himself a belly rub in the sand , with the belly laugh on watching construction !

More Cardigans !

New mom & dad out of George !

Saturday, May 27, 2017

The Fun Never Stops At Big Ears Kennel !

Who knew fence building was a North Dakota Memorial Day Tradition ?

I learned a lot about Kate while replacing our elderly neighbor's fence . Women can swear like real carpenters ! The last wind storm was too much for our 85 year old neighbor's fence . With Kate's strength & my talent , we replaced it today .

" Put A Flower In You Hair ! "

Abi taking a break !

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Started Container Garden !

With rabbit barn project & rain day after day , garden project pushed bad . Will have time for container garden .

Eggplants & peppers followed by cherry & beef steak tomatoes . See 2X4 against neighbor's fence ? Tomorrow will buy supplies to replace fence . Blew down on my birthday with power shortage !

Some of the melon seedlings to be transplanted in containers .

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Volunteers Wanted !

Looking for strong , strapping , volunteers that love yard work . No takers ! Even Kate turned down the exciting offer for outdoor adventure !

Friday, May 19, 2017

Birthday Boys !

Bruno turns one today !

Leggs also turns one today , on my birthday !

Bruno's birthday bash !

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Seedlings Ahoy !

Hardening off seedlings . Various melons , tomatoes , & sweet potatoes . Too much going on for a big garden , but had to grow something !

Bending Nails !

Step one .

Add insulation .

Add tin roof .

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Summer Heat Can Be Rough On Pets !

Just ask Dug !

Monday, May 15, 2017

Moving Day !

Moved 4 bred does to new quarters .

Momma checking out new digs !

Some like indoors best !

2 up , 2 down !

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Beat By The Rain !

Was able to do some work inside .

Better idea of what is done .

Am I good ! A shelf inside a shed I'm making & the bubble hits level !

Each level will hold 2 rabbits .

Rain won today .

Friday, May 12, 2017

3PM Ran Out Of Steam !

Added double unit outdoor run to end .

Can you see upper unit of double run ?

2 single outdoor runs , upper & lower .

Cut unit to 18 inch high . 24 inch high didn't fit plan .

Unit was 24 inch high .

Single units to be used on sides .

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Our Californian Rabbits !

The new rabbit barn under construction will dress up the yard & remove clutter !

All this will be under one roof . Will be able to have lights , fans , & heater !

This little guy will be able to use automatic watering system soon !

Construction Season At Big Ears Kennel !

Construction takes a lot out of Ricky & Harry !

Half the roof in place on the Rabbit barn !

other roof half in place !

Mesh wire unrolled To breath before use .

Mesh wire on walls & openings to prevent chewing .

Getting there !

More Blues !

Just a pretty face ?

Two girls from my kennel . Owner having trouble finding a mate . Rare breeds have limited gene pools . With Blue Merles , only a Black & White male may be used .

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

I Do Believe In Fairies !

If not , who put these sections of the rabbit barn together ?

First end

Another view