breeder | Gwendolyn Rose

I remember when I was little, my mom would take me into the petstore in the mall so I could see the little puppies and kitties. I remember they were cute but when I was little I never understood what it meant for them to be there. I also don’t remember (to my knowledge) ever begging my mom for a new puppy or kitten…

Today, I went to a nearby feedstore to buy some grain for my horse. When I pulled up to the store (not my usual store, by the way) I glanced at the sign and noticed the word “CORGI.” This shop is a feed store, pet store, and farm supply store all rolled into one; and they are known to sell puppies and sometimes kittens. They had a Corgi, Keeshund, Cockapoo, Eskimo, Goldendoodle, Papillon, and a Wheaton Terrier (according to their website). After seeing the sign I should have put my car in reverse and left and gone to my normal feed store. I knew it was going to be hard to go in and not go by the puppies, ESPECIALLY KNOWING that there was a corgi right there!!!

I sent a text to my friend Betsy, who is like my own personal dog guru. Anything I need help with with dogs, I talk to her! She’s a dog trainer, has shown dogs, was in 4-H. My text read: OMG as bad as it is to almost even consider this…farmland sign says they have corgis! I have to go in to buy food…how to resist looking at puppies?! I don’t think I’m strong enough! This is like puppy mill animals isn’t it? I’m against those but I also feel totally bad for them! HELP!!!!

Of course I went in. Of course I went by the puppies. And I think you know where this is going… Of course I asked the lady if I could hold the Corgi puppy!

He is an 8 week old red/white male. Born Nov 29th.

He is so dang cute! I spent a little time asking the lady questions about the dogs and cuddling this little puppy. He was so scared and I think maybe a little cold because he was shaking! I felt so bad for him! After a few minutes he started to look around and nibble on my fingers. I felt so bad when I had to hand him back because I couldn’t take him home with me and I needed to finish my errands for the day. I told them I’d think about it…

It broke my heart to hand that puppy back to the lady and watch her put him back in his kennel!

This brings me to the whole point of this. I am afraid to purchase a puppy from a shop like this one because I do not support puppy mills and I am afraid he may be a product of a puppy mill or possibly a random backyard breeder. I asked them if they knew anything about the dog’s parents or the breeder and they said “we have pictures and his pedigree” and they told me that the dog is able to be AKC registered. Puppies that come from the store have their first round of vaccinations, are microchipped and have a health guarantee that if something happens to them health wise in their first year and if I chose not to keep it then they would either refund completely or partially (depending on the circumstances). Now this is reminiscent of the health guarantee that I got when we purchased Gwen from a very reputable breeder but not quite to the same standards.

Gwen’s breeder was a reputable lady who has shown dogs for many years and both the sire and dam (both parents) were champions. Gwen has a pedigree, champion parents that have both been given clean bills of health for their eyes and hips. As a puppy, Gwen was examined and had her little hips cleared. I don’t remember the exact rating they were given but since she is not being used for breeding, I guess we didn’t deem that important enough to remember. All that mattered was she was healthy and had no major health concerns. We were also able to meet both parents on site and were able to see their personalities and temperaments.

What I don’t know with this little one is anything about his background! I feel that if I am going to pay $865 for a puppy then I need to know something about it. If I am going to take a gamble, then I might as well go adopt something else from a shelter or a rescue. Pound puppies can give you their heart and soul for way less. Before Gwen all we had ever had were dogs rescued from shelters.

My friend Betsy evaluated the puppy and said he looked pretty sound mentally and physically but then there is always that off chance that he would develop some sort of health or mental issue in the future. This didn’t really help discourage my interest in this puppy…

Before Andrew left on his current deployment (again) he had started to talk about wanting another puppy or dog. I want to find a dog that needs a rescue home or a rehoming situation. I’d prefer to not have to house train another dog right now and I want something that Gwen can ~~rough house~~ play with now. Almost every email I have gotten from Andrew has some mentioning of puppies or dogs… I made the mistake of telling him about a Cardi that is looking for a home. He was all over that one flies on a hog! I am still contemplating a Cardi and a Pem together. Could be cute…

But I digress! I don’t know if I am ready to take on an itty-bitty puppy by myself. I guess I am trying to convince myself to hold out for our next perfect dog and if it is meant to be then somehow that puppy will find its way into my life. I am trying to tell myself to focus on working and training Gwen. I am trying to convince myself to stick with my original thought of wanting another female and the specific coloring too (black-headed-tri). Though I’m wavering on that one since there is a cute corgi-mix nearby that I’ve had my eye on! I know if Andrew had been with me then I would not even be dealing with these self-arguments but rather trying to keep him from going back tomorrow morning bright and early to bring that little guy home!

I am at war with myself! 😦

Before I leave you with a couple parting questions, here are a couple of links I saw the other day and thought they were quite relevant now after this little event of the day. Please click the link and check them out, they are well worth the read! 🙂