Expert+Q+and+A

My Expert I got my expert, or more correctly experts, over e-mail and I got 7 responses from the total 12 people I contacted! Unfortunately, breeders usually only breed one specific kind of dog, so I couldn't find someone who breeds both Cardigans and Pembroke Corgis. Also, the only people who responded to my e-mails were Cardigan breeders, so the answers are answers to questions about Cardigans. The answers are essentially the same for Pembroke Corgis, but there are some differences between the breeds. I asked 5 questions and used answers from multiple people. I chose the best answers from different expert for each question.

 1. What is the attitude of a typical Cardigan towards people? Dogs and other domestic animals? Usually very friendly and outgoing, if the dog has been socialized as a puppy. This herding breed, was developed as a driver of cattle and a watch dog of the herd, so t media type="youtube" key="dZF5S5ko8dc" width="425" height="350" align="right" hey can be cautious of new people or situations. Some call it cautious, some call it aloof, but once a cardigan has accepted a new person or situation they are very friendly and outgoing and like to show off. They usually get along well with other dogs, I know some who take them to dog parks, and want to play with other breeds. However, if they are bullied by a bigger dog, they will stand their ground. I also have cats as well as bigger dogs and they all get along nicely. I have worked on sharing and playing together and settle disputes immediately when they occur.

2. What would you say to convince someone that Cardigans are good pets? First of all I don't convince. I invite people to visit and I watch to see if the people are a good "fit" for this breed. The positive points in owning a cardigan are the joy they have for life and willingness to share that joy with you. Herding dogs are very smart and want to work, thus pleasing the owners. So it is easy to teach them obedience, agility, herding, and general fun games and activities. They are small in stature allowing them to fit in homes with smaller yards and to travel easily. In spite of being small, they have a "big dog" brain and their characteristics are similar to large working dogs as compared to toy breeds. Due to being more of an unknown breed, their relative the Pembroke being much better known, there has been less breeding and they are a relatively healthy breed. I have had cardigans living 18 years with little or no health issues.

3. How do you choose which two Cardigans would be a good match for breeding?  I have been a professional dog handler for almost 40 years. I grew up on a farm where my grandfather bred horses. He taught me what to look for in structure, temperament and stamina in horses. It was easy to move this to dogs. I study the standard, which is developed for each breed by the National Club of that breed. I then look at dogs, at shows or performance trials, review the pedigrees and make my decisions based on this information. Upon breeding, if I am whelping the litter, I watch the puppies very closely thru their physical development. I look at bone structure(conformation), movement, and temperament as they interact in the litter. I am fairly confident when I grade the litter I have picked the best for the show ring, the best for performance trials, and also know which ones would be better in a single dog household and which would do well with other dogs. They all do well with children. Cardigans, raised in a home atmosphere and not in a kennel are great kids dogs. I do not do many litters, only when I think I have the right match.

 4. How long do you usually breed female dogs? How many litters do females have? Most of my female dogs are done breeding at the ages between 6 and 8. They come into season twice a year. They can breed every other season. I don't breed that often though. If one did, the dog could possibly have 5 to 7 litters. However, most Cardigan breeders do not have that many litters per female.

5. How many Cardigans do you suggest for 1 household? Dogs are pack animals. They thrive in a situation where they have a leader and are able to be social and interact appropriately. In many households, one cardigan will be just fine, in many households 2-3 cardigans can live together just fine. You also have to take into consideration the owners and how can they manage, train and love their dogs. Some can only manage one, many can manage several. These dogs are like potato chips, you can't just have one.

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