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 !











Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Feeling Like Ben Gunn !

Ben Gunn ( no relation to Peter Gunn ) was a character in Treasure Island , who was marooned on a deserted island . We too are marooned due to the virus restrictions & trying to decide who should visit first , approved homes , emails , & scheduling visits . 

Best I can do with a litter this size , is divide the visits from approved homes into three days .  Day one will be for repeat buyers , who already gave homes to our pups . Day 2 & 3 will be for approved homes , first time buyers . They will chose from pups still available . I will try to steer towards choice wishes . Keep in mind a Cardigan is a Cardigan ( didn't Shakespeare say something like that ? ) no matter the color or gender . 

Keep emailing & bring cheese !



Sunday, December 27, 2020

Doubled Your Pleasure !

We doubled Jane's litter space . In time pups will self train themselves to using one section as a potty area & other sleep/eating area . Mom has access . Soon we'll extend the area , giving them free range to whelping room . Mom will have a raised bed , keeping her out of puppy reach ! All moms should have such a safe zone !




Thursday, December 24, 2020

Just Like Momma Makes !

 Second feeding , just like the first !



Once Is Not Enough !

Looks like feeding Jane's pups soft food once a day , is not enough . Will feed a second time latter today !


 

Cats & Dogs !

Why can't we all get along for Christmas ?


 

YoYo ?

Are you on Santa's Naughty or Nice List ?


 

Big Ears Getting Ready For Christmas !

 Seven , a Black & White girl with tan points , is into the Christmas " Spirit ": ! Egg Nog for everyone !



Wednesday, December 23, 2020

What is Black & White with fur all over ?

Jane had 4 Black & White pups  , 3 were females . Two have tan points & 2 have brindle points ( one has two white spots on her back ) ! We may keep one female for a future breeder .  Too early to tell which female will stay with us .



Don't Turn My Brown Eyes Blue !

Jane's litter had 5 Blue Merles , 2 were female . Hard to say , but 2 may be blue eyes !


 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Food Fight !

First time Jane's litter exposed to soft food . Mixed results . They would lick some of my fingers & each other , but not so much the dish . Will try again tomorrow !




 


Lucy & Gang !

 Waiting for Santa has become a 3 dog effort !



Thursday, December 17, 2020

Who Let The Dogs Out ?

 Laurel & Hardy break out to enjoy a snowstorm !



Cardigan Snowtrench !

 Snowfall amounts in area run around 30 inches . With my delicate features , I'm waiting for my nephew to help snow throw . Cardigans wait for no man to play in the snow !



Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Santa's Sending A Snowstorm Soon !

 We're ready but it doesn't seem to upset Jane's litter ! Best looking litter we ever had ! 




Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Cupid ?

Spotted this Black & White girl with Brindle markings , having two white spots on her back . On closer inspection , one white spot looked heart shaped & the other an arrow . . . cupid ? As she grows the spots may out grow their current shape . Not the best angle , she's the one in center with a yellow ribbon . 


 

Spread Out !

 



Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Nurse !

No , not that kind of nurse ! Cardigan fever has struck ! Their eyes are still closed . None have left . There is no waiting list . None will leave until 8 weeks old . We will get serious about selecting approved homes once the pups are starting to eat . The litter isn't even registered with AKC yet ! During this pandemic , Cardigan pups have become stalked like toilet paper ! Don't worry the 8 pups available ( yes we will keep one ! ) will be sold to the best 8 homes !



Monday, December 7, 2020

Still Groggy !

Tonight will be the 5th night of cat napping between puppy rotation . Every 2 hours  , I would rotate 5 Blue Merles with 4 Black & White pups , to nurse on mom . Just placed all nine pups with mom . Prior 4 nights would split the pups , as mom was not eating or drinking well . Didn't want to over stress new mom . Mom eating & drinking better , so we'll have a full family union !

Will start to review emails of interest tomorrow . In a few days will begin narrowing to ones that show most interest & place to live . Don't worry , we're not making final selections till pups are 3 weeks old . So start sending emails . Remember we don't ship , too many horror stories .

Jane With Nine Squealers !

 



Thursday, December 3, 2020

Sleep Alert !

 Next few days Kate & I will be on puppy watch . Once we catch up on sleep , we'll review emails of interest . 

Afternoon Rush Job !

5 Blue Merles & 4 Black & Whites ( 2 have tan points ) !


 





 


Should I Stay Or Should I Go ?

Scheduled a visit for tomorrow for Jane at the vet's . However Jane made me think not to wait . There was nothing dramatic but I felt she was getting ready for early stages of whelping . Not betting Jane will hold off until morning , I took her in . Vet agreed right move ! All signs are go ! By 3pm I'll check back with vet to pick up Jane & family . Now for 2 sleepless nights !



Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Nine ?

Had Jane X-rayed for puppy count this morning . Vet said 9 puppies ! Now with a Dec 6 due date that falls on a Sunday , vet closed ! Do I go for a natural delivery at home ( most likely Saturday night ) or do we schedule for a C-section Saturday morning ?  Guess Friday we'll have a progesterone test & sonar gram , to see where mom & pups are . Maybe Saturday morning a C-section ?




Monday, November 30, 2020

To Eat , Or Not To Eat !

 Please eat something Jane ! Last week of pregnancy there is little room for food & puppies !



Saturday, November 28, 2020