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 !

Too Early For Halloween !

Trouble at the door ! Known as Laurel & Hardy , the twins are turning 9 !

 

How Does Your Garden Grow ?

 Over a dozen beefsteak tomato varieties , all but one heirloom . Trying Groundswell from Burpee . Boasts direct planting , no 8 weeks indoors under lights with heat pads . My tomatoes plants from seeds I collected from tomatoes I grew , doing best ! Have a few watermelon , muskmelon , & peppers too . 

Stand Back !

 Lucy doing the Cardigan Zoom Zoom Dance ! All Jane can do is watch !

Sandy's Looking For Cardigan Romance !

Mother Nature makes the final decisions ! I can only plan . Planned on Chuck , a Black & White boy raised to be Sandy's  suitor , took a sour turn . He had to be neutered & rehomed . Now Sandy is heartbroken ! The planned love of her life & dreams is gone ! Chuck was ideal in conformation & temperament to sire litters with Sandy . So now the daunting task of replacing Chuck with another Black & White of equal quality . Leads are scarce . Don't fret Sandy , Cardigan Romance will happen !

Jellybean Turns 14 !

 

Oliver Goes Native !

 Oliver loves his Tee Pee !

So Hard To Chose !

Come on Willie , pick a toy !

 

Watch Out Copper , The Cat Has A Shoe !

 

Whelped On Easter !

 Willow turns 10 at her forever home !

Have a SUPER Easter !

 

Clifford Turns Beach Bum !

 

More Options On Easter !

 

 Or 

Chuck Gets Double Star Home !

 Many of my adult Cardigans go to homes that have one of my pups . Chuck out did himself ! Both mom & daughter have one of my pups ! A double star  for Chuck !

Get Your Red Hot Dire-a-doodle Pups !

Only a matter of time , before people will sell Dire-a-doodle pups ! AKC claims 80% online ads selling dogs are scams ! Check with AKC approved breed clubs .  Even well known breeds such as Cardigans , are haunted with scam breeders . . . who never have a puppy but will gladly sell you a non-refundable deposit , claiming you're on a waiting list ! There are backyard breeders pushing mix breed pups , with non-AKC papers & sickly . 

Best bet ; do not pay for sight unseen delivery . . . visit kennel ( many don't exist ! ) . . . meet mom & pop . . . meet owners . . . ask questions . . . get contract !

Mixed " Corgis " !

Dire-a-doodle ?

Chuck Doing Well !

April 1 , Chuck was neutered & recovered well . He hated the cone of shame but because he didn't lick at his wounds , I made a bold decision . . . no collar while watching him daytime but at night , the cone of shame went on ! Five days of this & 7 days of medication , Chuck bounced back ! 

Inquiries  for his placement in a new forever home have renewed ! It's harder to place older dogs ( Chuck's about 2 1/2 ) . He's DM tested clear , up on all vaccines ( has medical chart ) , crate trained & ready for house , working on leash training , & all Cardigan !

First question I ask " Can you offer a better forever home for Chuck than me ? " . Usually our older dogs go to families that bought pups from us , building friendship & trust . First rule : No free dog goes to the vet ! Chuck will go for $500 ( part of his vet bill ) to new approved people . Let the inquires continue !

National Pet Day !

 

Sick April Fool Joke !

 Dropped Chuck off to be neutered !

Where's Georgie Girl ?

She's here ! 9 1/2 years & doing well with her family ! Always nice to hear our pups bonding well with their new families !

 

National Puppy Day ?

 At Big Ears Kennels , over the 25 plus years , we've whelped about 275 puppies ! Some went on to AKC & Canadian championships & one ( George ) became a Grand Champion . What we are most proud of the hundreds that went on to be cherished family dogs . Some earn their keep on farms . One even became a self-taught life saving alert dog , alerting his human ( & neighborhood ) of pending attacks !

I look back over my association with this remarkable breed & answer my sister " Why don't you pick another breed , Blue Merles are so ugly ! " . Well look at it from the Cardigan's view , we're pretty ugly too ! It's not the color of the dog ( or human ) that should count , it's the size of its heart !

To celebrate National Puppy Day , with Mother Nature's help will plan 2 litters in June or July . We do not have lists or take deposits on puppies we don't have . These funny looking dogs have won our hearts . George had a sense of humor common to the breed ! Yet it all started with Shadi , a Blue Merle AKC Champion that I told people she was a cross between a coyote & Dingo , as no one knew what a Cardigan Welsh Corgi was !