Big Ears Kennel: July 2025

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, July 23, 2025

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 !

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

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 !

Friday, July 11, 2025

Clifford Turns Seven !

Clifford used his inherited Cardigan Charm to win his forever home !

Friday, July 4, 2025

Celebrate The Fourth !

But Kate says keep the fireworks simple !