Guidelines for Talking with a Breeder

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Mayflower has developed the following guidelines to help you as you begin your search for the perfect family dog. It is important to remember that puppies are not manufactured to your time schedule, unlike automobiles, and there are often waiting lists. There is a good reason for that. Getting a dog is like adding to your family; they will be part of your life for 10-15 years, and we wish to ensure that these are excellent matches. 

You will often hear dog enthusiasts on the soapbox against pet shop puppies, for GOOD reason. As with all dogs, there are inherited traits that you want to know about: temperament, health issues, proper socialization, etc. These are important to the well-being of your dog. Only a reputable breeder can ensure that you will be getting the right dog for your household. And, should your circumstances change, a reputable breeder will work to finding a new, wonderful home, while purchasing from a pet store or puppy mill will find you sadly leaving Fido at the pound. 

For additional information about Corgis and any available puppies, please email the Mayflower Breeder/Puppy Referral Chair Cathy Santarsiero.

General Guidelines for Talking with a Breeder

• Many breeders also have full time jobs that are balanced with the responsibilities of families and raising a litter of puppies. It is helpful to have one person in your family be the "contact" person and make all the phone calls. Please call back if you do not reach them the first time, especially if the call is long distance. Initial contact by e-mail is fine, but remember that e-mail is unreliable, and if you don't hear back maybe the address changed or they just didn't get the message!
• When you first contact breeders from the Mayflower list, introduce yourself and mention that you got their name through breeder referral. Describe what you are looking for. The breeder will probably ask questions about your family, previous experience with dogs, and how you got interested in Corgis. They will ask so many questions that it feels like it would be easier to adopt a child, but they are just working to ensure that you are prepared for the responsibility and joy of owning a Corgi. If your initial contact with a breeder is by email, include some of the same information that would be covered in an initial telephone conversation.Include some details about yourself and your household members, both humans and other pets.Let them know your experience with dogs , why you are interested in a Corgi and what arrangements you are prepared to make to provide your Corgi with appropriate care.Most Mayflower member breeders receive many email inquiries from families looking for a puppy . An email that lays out the information that is important to breeders is the one that is most likely to get you a positive response.
• Breeders are glad to answer questions about their puppies and the breed. Be sure to leave enough time when you call!
• Most breeders will want to meet you and your family before reserving a puppy. If you cannot make an appointment please let the breeder know as soon as possible; remember that they have busy lives as well and be considerate.
• Even if a breeder has a litter, most will not be able to promise you a puppy right away. Some have waiting lists which can seem long but are worth the wait! Most go through several "sorting" stages in determining which puppies will be show puppies and which will be pets and where they will go. They try to match puppy personalities with your family needs. Please be patient; remember that this dog will be a member of you family for 10-15 years and they want to be sure the match is right. 
  --All breeders will have a contract that you will be asked to sign. Be sure to get a copy early and review it carefully. Be sure that you understand all of the requirements of the contract, as well. Some of the more common clauses will include a spay/neuter clause where you will not receive the dogs' registration papers until they have been altered, and a right of first refusal clause where the breeder has first option if your circumstances change and you need to find another home for the puppy.
  --Ask about health issues such as the parents hip clearances (OFA), eye clearances (CERF) and any genetic traits that might run in this dog's line. Reputable breeders will be happy to share this information with you while pet shops generally do not have this information available.
• Once you and a breeder have agreed on a puppy, you may be asked for a deposit to hold the puppy until it is old enough to go home. Others may hold a puppy on good faith. In either case, holding a puppy means other qualified buyers will be turned down. Please let a breeder know if you have changed your mind about a puppy.

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Code of Ethics

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The Code of Ethics is established in accordance with the objectives of the Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club to protect and advance the interests of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  It is written to provide guidelines for responsible ownership and ethical breeding practices, and it is dedicated to the preservation and welfare of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

All Members 

1. The Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club (MPWCC) members must be responsible for adherence to the Code of Ethics.
2. Individual members of the MPWCC and an Officer of the Club shall reaffirm acceptance of the Code of Ethics on an annual basis, by written confirmation accompanying the MPWCC dues notice.  
3. Shall maintain the best possible standard of health, cleanliness, safety and care of their Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
4. Shall consider breeding a litter only if the breeder is prepared to keep the resultant offspring for as long as it takes to suitably place each puppy.
5. Shall take lifetime responsibility to ensure that Pembrokes of their breeding are cared for in a safe and healthy environment.
6. Shall not release Pembroke Welsh Corgi litters, puppies or adults to pet dealers, commercial retailers or distributors or to any party for the purpose of resale, auction, lottery or raffle prize.
7. Shall sell puppies and adults in a manner that reflects the member’s care, concern and integrity, by selling puppies or adults in good condition, good health, and of sound temperament.
8. Shall display good sportsmanship and conduct at all times and in such a manner as to reflect credit upon themselves, the MPWCC, and the breed.
9. Shall bear responsibility for truth and accuracy of any photographs or information personally used for breeding or advertisement.
10. Shall be accountable for the actions of a handler in their employ as they pertain to the Code of Ethics.
11. A Pembroke bred by a member of the MPWCC or sired by a stud dog owned by a member of the MPWCC that is turned in to rescue shall be provided for, financially or in fact, by the breeder or stud dog owner.
    

Breeders and Owners of Bitches and Stud Dogs, Alike, Should:

1. Agree that the prime objective for breeding the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is to produce animals of exceptional quality.  To that end, only breed dogs and bitches of sound temperament and structure, good health and characteristic type as described in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) approved Official standard for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
2. Be informed of and work diligently toward the elimination of hereditary health problems of the breed by refraining from breeding a dog or bitch if they have, in 2 litters to different partners, produced offspring with the same serious genetic defect, such as:  blindness, deafness, PDA, lameness, or impairment of vital functions which prevent these offspring from living a normal healthy life without major surgical or significant medical intervention.
3. Ensure that bitches and dogs to be bred are in robust health.  Eyes and hips should be checked by accredited veterinarians and declared to be within normal limits.  Members should make an effort to submit all health tests performed to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), for inclusion in their database.
4. Not breed a bitch prior to 1 year of age or older than 8 years; not permit more than 6 litters in her lifetime; not breed a bitch more than 2 out of 3 consecutive seasons.
5. Not breed to an unregistered Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
6. Honor all contracts regarding sales, co-ownerships, breeding rights, agreements, compensations, leases, stud service and/or any other written agreements set forth.
7. Acknowledge that the owner of the sire is as responsible as the owner of the dam in all matters of the welfare of the offspring.  Anyone standing a Pembroke at stud gears great responsibility to the future of the breed; therefore, a stud owner should use the dog discriminately and with the paramount intention of advancing and protecting the breed.
8. Release puppies only at or over the age of 10 weeks.
9. Furnish written instructions on their care, feeding and health care to the new owner, as well as a written health record of immunizations or medical treatments.
10. Sell puppies and adults with a Health Certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within a month prior to sale or request that the puppy or adult be examined by the new owner’s veterinarian within two weeks of the transfer.
11.  Provide accurate and valid documentation of the AKC registration and pedigree.
12. Use a spay/neuter contract in the sale of a puppy or adult that shows a health issue or very serious fault as described in the Standard.  Members are encouraged to use the limited registration option offered by the AKC.
13. Be prepared to accept and provide care for any puppy/adult returned directly to the breeder.

It Is Strongly Recommended That:

1. Written agreements be used in all practices of co-ownerships, breeding and/or selling of Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
2. MPWCC members serve as ongoing ambassadors to all individuals interested in our breed.
3. A copy of the Code of Ethics be given to each buyer at the time of sale.
   

Violations of the Code of Ethics shall be considered prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the breed.  As such, charges are addressed in Article VI – Discipline, Section 2. of the MPWCC Constitution and Bylaws

Effective- 1-1-08

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Breeders Introduction

Why do you want a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? Go here to learn more about them.

Breeder Listings

Find a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breeder near you!