F.A.Q.

Here are some questions that have been forwarded to us through the Facebook page .  If you have any questions please send them through Facebook messenger and we will add them here.

If a breeder does screen for DM and Von Willebrands and has the parents hips and eyes certified, other than the fact that the puppies can’t be registered as a pure bred, are there any other known problems?

Since these puppies are produced by combining Pembroke Welsh Corgis with other breeds, the puppies are not only capable of acquiring the problems that occur in Pembrokes, but also those of the other breed that has been added.  Here are the list of other genetic problems that can occur by these additions:

Cardigan Welsh Corgi – Hip Dysplasia, PRA, DM

Collies (Rough & Smooth) – PRA, Multiple drug sensitivity,  Collie Eye Anomaly

Australian Shepherd – PRA, Multiple drug sensitivity,  Collie Eye Anomaly, Hip & Elbow Dysplasia, Autoimmune disorders

Shetland Sheepdog – PRA, Multiple drug sensitivity,  Collie Eye Anomaly, vWD, MDR1, Congenital Cardiac Disorders

Source:  Caninie Health Information Centre – the site for requirements for the CHIC clearances

If I accept that these are mixed breeds – what is a fair price for a puppy?

The price of these puppies should be comparable to any other mixed breed puppy – ask what your local shelter charges for mixed breed puppies.

Why is it bad that these puppies are being bred?

For hundreds (and in many cases thousands of years) purebred dogs have been bred to accomodate a purpose -whether it be a hunter, a livestock guardian, or a drover, a lap dog, or a vermin catcher.  Each National club has a written Standard, describing the ideal specimen of each breed.  Most of these closely match the standard of the Country of Origin – the country where the breed was developed.

Just as not every person cannot win a beauty pageant, every dog does not perfectly fit the standard.  Dogs that do not closely align with the Standard should not be bred as their progeny will most likely also not adhere to the standard.  So reputable breeders place these puppies in loving pet homes under spay or neuter agreements.

In order to ensure that the dogs that they produce look like, and work like the specimens of their breed should, reputable breeders participate in Conformation shows and/or in some type of field trial for their breed – whether it be hunt tests, or herding trials, or sled dog trials.   They spend large sums of money ensuring that only the best representatives are bred.

On the other hand there are breeders who cater to puppy buyer flights of fancy and egos.   There is no purpose for their breeding other than to sell puppies.   They breed colours and coat types that do not conform to the Breed Standard.  They do not provide lifetime support, nor take back dogs that they have bred.  They are simply in it for profit.   When profit is the main motiviation, shortcuts need to be taken – health testing isn’t done, registration is falsified or vanity registrations are used.   Anything that will reduce the profits of the breeder is done as economically as possible or eliminated.

Breeders who are members of their National Breed Club are sworn to uphold the Code of Ethics of the Club.   Breeders who breed outside of the standard have no higher authority to be accountable to, and do not need to maintain a high level of integrity.

I just want a pet.  Why does it matter whether it is registered or not?

A breeder who registers dogs with the Canadian or American Kennel Club, are held to a certain standard of quality.  It also means that your puppy’s true heritage is documented and can be verified by the Stud Books.  Ensuring your puppy is properly registered is just one more step to ensuring that you are purchasing a well-bred healthy puppy.