Big Ears Kennel: May 2023

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, 2023

Stumpped !

With each litter we receive about 100 email inquiries . The ones that stump me ask about testing for diseases I never heard of before ! My first instinct is to blame myself for not keeping up on research , then my experience kicks in . . . Cardigans are a hardy breed with few genetic problems , most are addressed by responsible breeders .

Trendy designer dogs ( mutts ! ) bring problems . " Crossbreeding Cardigans with other breeds will not produce a better dog but can, in fact, introduce inherited genetic diseases like Exercise Induced Collapse, Von Willebrand’s Hemophilia and Multiple Drug Resistance that currently don’t occur in Cardigans." ( CWCCA source ) . There are over 200 canine defects & diseases , many don't apply to Cardigans !

All I can promise is , I will breed hardy Cardigans within AKC & CWCCA standards that ancient Welsh farmers would approve . Been doing this for 25 years !

Monday, May 29, 2023

Yardwork !

Moxie is supervising . All that material is oak pollen raked off the lawn ! Houses & garage roofs are also covered with pollen . That's Nature , she goes into over drive , then next year nothing !

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Cardigan Swimming Lesson !

Limit first lesson to chest deep !

Maddie ( champion in 8 shows ! ) top , Riley ( left ears up at 6 weeks ) & Cary ( other left ) First lesson !

Cary swims for shore , Riley goes neck deep !

Cardigan Math !

Now usually 2 plus 2 equals . . . wait I'll get my calculator ! We have 2 older pups & 2 retired Cardigans looking for forever homes . We're planning a vacation this year ( last one was 10 years ago ! ) , so no litters planned till Spring of 2024 ! So if you're a special approved home , looking for a great Cardigan , email for details !

Friday, May 26, 2023

Old Saying . . .

To make an omelet , you have to hatch a few eggs ? In this case robin eggs !

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Still On Nest Duty !

Living A Dog's Life !

How is Jane ever going to adjust to another home ? How can I unspoil her ? Too many Ritz Crackers night snacks !

Monday, May 22, 2023

Beware Of The Lil' Copper Gang !

Friday, May 19, 2023

Happy Birthday To Me !

Even the dynamic duo , wish me a Happy 75th Birthday !

90 Degrees !

Nights drop down to 30 & need space heater on . With a little sun , mini-greenhouse hits 90 by 10 am & needs venting ! Still waiting for nights to warm up , so I can plant outdoors !

Thursday, May 18, 2023

A Third of My Life With Cardigans !

Turned 75 today ! Been raising & showing Cardigans over a third my life . Like the TV commercial , where the girl questions " Dog food in the refrigerator ? " , girls have come & gone . . . but I still have my Cardigans !

Does Big Ears Breed To AKC & CWCCA Standards ?

I guess so ! We try to be stewards of this ancient herding breed , that Welsh farmers would approve .

Jane Home Gal !

Gather some breeders don't really breed & raise at home . Some breeders only keep females . The males are owned & kept else where's . Big Ears Kennel raises its own stock from pups , with mom & dad here . Occasionally we need outside bloodlines but breed back to our own sound stock . We select the best pups from our litters to produce pups in the future . Yes our pups & breeding stock are home raised in our home . The Whelping Room is a converted bedroom . Here's Jane , justly named Home Gal , in the Whelping Room !

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Down To 30 Degrees Tonight !

No plans to transplant tomatoes , eggplant , peppers , or melons yet ! Keeping plants in greenhouse with space heater on !

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Cool Mother's Day Morning !

Well not this cool , but still too cool to plant transplants outdoors ! Happy Mom's Day !

Giant Robin Eggs ?

No , eggs from my Ameraucana hen ! Still monitoring robin nest .

Saturday, May 13, 2023

How Green Is My Valley

My mini-Greenhouse is doing well , but Mother Nature is not helpful ! Thursday morning will dip down to 37 ! Much to cool for tender transplants . Once the black tarps are spread , I'll consider planting with milk jug cold caps . Located on southern side of house & tar driveway , should help . Then Summer comes on like gang busters . Next year will start seeds later . Upstate NY Spring too fickle !