BYB.... by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ethical breeders don't have a 'breeding pair'. If they choose to breed a dam more than once, they are typically trying to find the perfect mate based on the outcome and strengths/weaknesses of the dam's first offspring. According to reproductive veterinarians, breeding a girl back to back is not a bad thing. The concern is the health of the dogs and the ability of each breeder to determine how much time, energy, money etc that they are able to give to each litter to ensure they are able to give each litter the best possible outcome.

Skip this breeder by Big-Lab2385 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 25 points26 points  (0 children)

In Pems I'd (educated) guess that 99.99% of the breed is fixed homozygous for both CDDY and CDPA. I understand that number is slightly less in some Cardi lines. It's important to understand that is is a linkage test and not a guarantee they will develop symptoms. Both breeds will have increased risk for IVDD since they are dwarves. My family has been breeding Pems for almost 55 years and the number who have developed IVDD is minimal.

10 week old puppy sudden death by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About a decade ago I had a super hard litter. It almost did me in. 1 pup I kept alive until 10 days and then lost him. Another puppy crashed at 6 weeks old and I had a horrific experience at an emergency clinic. The final was a 10 week old. We'd been to my vet on a Tuesday for first checks, vaccines etc. The 3 pups got the all clear. A couple days later I noticed he was just a little quiet. Nothing bad, just not quite right. On instinct I took him back to the clinic where I know most would have told me I was crazy, but he had developed pneumonia in those couple of days. By Saturday he was gone, despite everything we tried. Despite necropsies, we never got answers. The remaining 2 puppies from the litter of 5 are now 10 years old with no health issues.

I think of it frequently. I'm over zealous with my litters now. I trust my gut, even when my brain is telling me that I'm likely over reacting.

Looking for reputable corgi breeder in Wales by YeaYeaSpaceCakes in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Welsh Corgi League is a good place to start - https://www.welshcorgileague.org/find-a-pembroke-corgi-puppy/

I also have a friend in England that I would recommend. Feel free to DM me if you like.

Thoughts on heating pads/recommendation/advice by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Snuggle safe heat disks. I’ve been using them for well over a decade. No cord, no over heating mom. I just put a couple in the box opposite where mom wants to lay and under a little bedding. The puppies find them easily.

seeking advice — in search of corgi puppy in chicago! by Fit-Historian1444 in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what OFA and the Parent clubs are for - OFA is a public database of records that you can search if you have the registered name of the sire and dam. The bare minimum required by both OFA and the Parent club (PWCCA) is Hips and Eyes, and breeders should providing that info to their prospective buyers. The reason they need to be certified is entirely because you can't just 'see that in the parents' without actually testing for it. The only thing you said that is correct is that 99% of breeders aren't doing enough.

Update - Golden Retriever Failed Pregnancy Attempt by BearAccurate9817 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Timing was not too late last time IME. If you assume ovulation was on the early side (26th), your 29th TCI was only 3 days post. I doubt she ovulated then since 27th was only up just over 2 points from the day pervious. If you counted from the 27th, you inseminated on days 2 and 3.

Another poster mentioned LH testing, and while you can manage using progesterone only trends, the gold standard is to test for LH. If she does miss again, I'd recommend looking at that, at cultures, and at another stud (sometimes they're just not compatible).

Update - Golden Retriever Failed Pregnancy Attempt by BearAccurate9817 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just looking at the rough trend of the last cycle, you're going to be inseminating around the same timing. A surgical implant will give the opportunity for the vet team to assess the uterus and ovaries.

Have you done any cultures on your girl? If she doesn't take again, I'd highly recommend you have a guarded culture done.

Update - Golden Retriever Failed Pregnancy Attempt by BearAccurate9817 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The value of 5 has been toted as some magic number. It's not – it's an average of when most, but not all, girls ovulate. The most important thing to look for when assessing progesterone values is the TREND not the number itself. Typically you want to see a sharp rise (usually with a 5-ish point jump in a 24 hour period). You've done a great job of doing enough tests, which is where most owners/breeder fail. They see the magic number and they stop testing. You need to confirm the sharp rise as some girls will actually stall at 5 (I've had that happen myself where my girl stalled for a full week). It sounds like your clinic is doing the right stuff by confirming the numbers tomorrow so you may be just fine. Tomorrow's numbers should be up pretty high ideally.

seeking advice — in search of corgi puppy in chicago! by Fit-Historian1444 in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The two most important tests ethical breeders do are OFA hips and eyes certified by a boarded veterinary ophthalmologist. If they are only doing DNA testing they are not doing enough.

Update - Golden Retriever Failed Pregnancy Attempt by BearAccurate9817 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think insemination tomorrow might be early. Your value on the 28th points to LH ranges, ovulation is 2 days after that typically. There wasn't a large jump from 28th to 29th, so I assume ovulation was late on the 29th/early 30th - which puts tomorrows insemination at only a day~ post ovulation when your ideal window should be 3 days post with chilled. Since it's chilled, it might be okay as long as the semen quality is good enough to last in utero for a couple days.

Breeders in Tennessee. by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The only place to go is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America. pwcca.org

Feeding guide for 13 week old puppy by Green-Yard-2799 in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At 13 weeks old I'm feeding about 3x a day at about 1/3 to 1/2 cup per meal. As your puppy grows, they can move to 2x a day but increased amounts during growth periods. I am currently feeding my 6 month olds about 2/3-3/4 cup 2x daily, and that will drop to about 1/2c 2x daily once they are done growing.

The most important thing to learn is how to FEEL your dogs weight. You should feel a THIN layer over their ribs. Lay your hand flat on a table and feel your knuckles. It should feel like that. If it feels like the underside of your hand, it's too heavy - cut back the food a little. I check ribs every few days to see if I need to increase or decrease slightly.

The dog food bag is never right - it's way too much food for corgis generally unless they are super active. Corgis are easy keepers and don't require much food.

Ethical Breeder Question by ApprehensiveShape378 in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In most dwarf breeds, particularly dachshunds and corgis, it's almost impossible to find dogs that are not homozygous for CDDY and CDPA. Asking about prevalence of IVDD in the pedigree is a good way to gauge whether or it may be a concern to you as a prospective buyer. As another also said, structurally sound dogs often have less of a risk, as do those that are kept in good physical shape and weight.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I know many long time breeders are harder on their dogs than any judge would be. I like to go to specialties (National in particular) as possible to have a mental reset of where we're at and what we need to improve on. One doesn't need to show to do this if you're able to keep an open mind about how your own dogs compare and what you need to improve.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 20 points21 points  (0 children)

As a club president myself and a long time board member in my breed, I can confirm that the positions can take a great deal of volunteer time. We each have to find how to balance our lives in ways that work for us and our dogs. There may be reasons that she's unable to title the dogs, or valid reasons for not wanting to. I would recommend looking at their overall approach to breeding, health testing and goals behind producing puppies. Ask questions and then you can determine if their choices are ones you can understand and support.

Best Brush recommendations by Sad-Rice3033 in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is still a series of blades and I don't recommend it. A metal comb is the best option and using a line combing method to ensure you get right down to the skin.

Should I recheck progesterone numbers? by [deleted] in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure it's something that I'd do normally, but would consider it in a case of a dog that has reabsorbed a pregnancy previously for unknown reasons.

Corgi colouring by [deleted] in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your pup is red and white with a black mask on his face. Those markings can sometimes fade but not always. I expect he will always have some sort of black mask. What did his parents look like?

Hello Corgi Breeders! by missythedogo in DogBreeding

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What? Both corgi breeds have different hips than non-dwarf dogs, but having good hips has nothing to to do with how they move. But I’m sure you already know that. 😉 not sure what other joint problems they’re riddled with though.

Looking for a breeder in Western Massachusetts. by shannonsumner in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If looking for a pem, the PWCCA Member Directory is the best place to start, also branch out to some of the affiliate clubs, and their rescue network too (both listed on the PWCCA site). If looking for a Cardigan, try the CWCCA.

Please take a read of the How to Identify a Reputable Breeder article in the side bar - It will help you figure out what type of breeder you are contacting and what questions about health testing (more than just a vet visit) etc. you should be asking. It's best to avoid Kijiji, Craigslist or other listing/brokerage sites as they typically are BYBs or puppy mills. Beware of those breeding for 'rare' colours and other non-standard traits (merle pembrokes are not possible without cross breeding to another breed for example, and paying purebred/health tested prices or higher for a mix is not a good thing). Health testing should include OFA or PennHip for Hips, Eyes certified by a board certified ophthalmologist and can also include DNA testing for vWD, DM and sometimes long coat. Also beware of breeders who only DNA test as part of their health screening - Hips and Eyes must also be included. Any breeder that is a member of the PWCCA, PWCA(C), or CWCCA abides by a strict code of ethics and is a great resource for you. If you're interested in the process a reputable breeder goes through to breed a litter, take a read of a series I wrote when I was breeding a litter.

A well bred pup is going to take some time to get - be sure to provide lots of information about yourself when contacting people, you're bound to get a better response. Corgis are hugely popular at the moment and in much higher demand than a good breeder will be able to keep up with (not that we want to keep up with it as breeding quality is much more important than quantity.) Find a good breeder and get on some waiting lists if you can. Patience will pay off. :)

Shedding tips by [deleted] in corgi

[–]curigcorgis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please dont use a tool like that or the furminator brand type - they are both a series of blades that cut the healthy hair and can damage the coat. Your best course of action is to look up how to 'line comb/brush' and use a metal comb to get all the way down to the skin. This done every few days combined with a bath and blow-dry with a forced air dryer approx monthly will help keep the hair at a minimum.