4/7/2006 Update. Our litter was born right on time, without a hitch, Friday morning EARLY - we got 4 tri colored; 1 male and 3 females. We will evaluate the litter in mid June 2006. At that time we will have a better idea whether there are any show prospects. Right now they are all perfect (!).... seriously, they are very nice, have good length and pretty markings. None are mismarked. Mom is doing very well and is taking great care of them. I will know what I will have available for homes in July 2006. when they are a little older (right now they are little tri colored squeaky toys...).

5/1/2006 Update: Well, the puppies now have their eyes open and are walking around pretty much on their own. Once their eyes were open they "discovered" they have playmates, so they spend the days playing, sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating, playing, etc.... They are TOO cute! During the day we are hearing tiny growls, yips and barks coming from the puppy pen and by the time we get there to see, they are fast asleep again... Fannie is the BEST mom and takes great care of them. When she's not puppy-sitting, she's eating or bugging one of us to throw her ball. I can't imagine where she gets the energy! Soon they will be weaned and we can get them in the outside pen. Right now they have been dubbed: MaeMae, Dottie, Ruthie and Barry. We named them for baseball/softball greats, since their sire is "Cal Ripken."

6/8/2006 update: Wow! the pups sure have been growing up fast. Right now they are entertaining us by zooming around the yard, ears and legs flopping every which way and taking a tumble now and then when their momentum gets in the way. Fearless, they monitor the goats, lamb and keep the bigger dogs on their toes. They love their kiddy pool and swim regularly. They are fully weaned, have had their first shots and been wormed. One girl is promised so far and will be flying to New York state soon. The rest are not yet promised until they are evaluated to see which may go on to the show ring. We have a waiting list, so email us to have your name added if you are interested in a pup.

6/29/2006 update: Well, at least we got to keep them this long.... This litter has to be one of the most fun we've ever had. But now they are gone, placed with terrific new families. Ruthie went all the way to New York, and Barry went to a show home in Los Angeles. Many thanks and congrats to all our new friends.

Meet the Parents

Dam:

"Fannie" is the mother dog. She is a beautiful tri colored (red head) Pembroke Welsh Corgi, 6 years old and is a "free whelper," which means she has had her puppies naturally, NOT by cesarean section. (This is a GOOD thing) "Fannie" is a competitor in the sport of "agility" and is quite an athlete. She and her owner (my teen-aged daughter) have been competing in American Kennel Club and North American Dog Agility Council sanctioned trials since 2002, were they have earned eight titles together, cumulatively. "Fannie" was also shown in conformation shows until she was about two, won a few classes, but really didn't like it much. Once she started agility she perked right up; performance in an athletic event has proven to be more to her liking and she's GOOD at it too!

"Fannie" is a sweet, energetic, smart girl. She learned the agility obstacles quickly, without fear, and just as quickly learned how to "be a little devil" too. With a gleam in her eye and a BIG smile on her face she may just miss a pole, or make her own way around the course, just for the fun of it! She is a great companion too, with a large repertoire of tricks and is well mannered without vices or bad habits. She is a dedicated "ball dog" and has perfected the art of dropping the ball directly into your lap in order to make it as easy as possible for you to throw it - over and over and over...!

Sire:

CH Triple H Cal Ripken," Cal" is a GORGEOUS red & white male who is co-owned by Faerie Glen Corgis, in Hollister, CA, and Carol Swinney (Larklain). Cal is a proven sire and has been producing some really fantastic litters which are winning all over the country.

Health:

Both sire and dam are vWD clear (von Willebrand's Disease), CERF clear and OFA Good (eyes and hips). Check these links to learn more about these tests

What does this mean to you? Our dogs are tested, shown and bred to "build a better Corgi" for show and performance competition. From a litter, maybe one or two will reach the show ring. The rest are placed as PETS. The decision is very subjective and it is often a very slight difference that sends one pup home as a pet and another to a show home. Occasionally it may be something as simple as a "mismarked" white tip on an ear or eyes a shade too light, that determines whether a pup misses the show ring and is placed as a pet. The pet owners are the big winners in the long run. Bottom line, ALL the pups are healthy and strong, with less likelihood of any genetic disorders or health problems later in life.

The litter is evaluated at about six weeks, when that determination is made. Pets are sold on Spay/Neuter contracts: once the pup is spayed or neutered the new owner sends me the certificate and then I send the AKC registration papers to them.

Pet pups have NO restrictions - they may be shown in ANY event except conformation dog shows. There are MANY performance events which cater to purebred dogs, regardless if they have been spayed or neutered. Obedience, Rally, Agility (our personal favorite), Tracking, Herding, etc. Corgis are ACES in ALL these events. It's fun too! Check out performance events on the American Kennel Club web site.

Our Corgis are bred for BOTH conformation and performance - the all-purpose Corgi!

What you need to know about Corgis:

Corgis are a member of the Herding group. They were bred to move livestock. They need room to get plenty of exercise. On the other side of the coin, they are a good size (25-30 lbs; 12 inches high) so they do well in a smaller space, like an apartment, but MUST have a dedicated owner who will exercise them religiously. Physically, with their long back and short legs they are susceptible to weight gain and will break down their back if allowed to get too heavy. The extra weight is very hard on their heart too. This can be a challenge, as Corgis are VERY GOOD at fooling you into feeding them too much! Funny article about Corgis and their irrepressible appetite!

Corgis get along well with people, other dogs, cats and livestock. They are usually GREAT with kids, if socialized well when young. Because of their size, they are not physically intimidating to kids, but they are not so small as to be easily breakable either. (Corgis are pretty tough!) Corgis do better in pairs (at least), with another Corgi(s) or other breeds. They are active and need a buddy or else they get bored. Boredom leads to barking, digging, chewing and other unpleasant habits. Corgis are masters at being couch potatoes too, so with a Corgi you have the best of several worlds: they are great at being indoors, outdoors and because of their size, they FIT well, almost everywhere. Corgis travel well too. Ours go EVERYWHERE with us; and are welcomed too, since they are always on their best behavior, friendly and affectionate with everyone. Keep your Corgi company, happy and occupied and you will have a friendly, outgoing companion who is a joy to live with and take with you everywhere. Corgis are not usually the best guard dog (typically they will run up to the burglar and ask for a snack and to be petted...), but will bark briefly when a strange person, dog or vehicle arrives.

Corgis SHED. Be aware. My favorite example is, "after a Corgi sheds for a couple weeks you can assemble a whole new dog." Now, it's not THAT bad. But, Corgis DO shed. Brush them now and then, and sweep the floor - often.

Reputable Corgis breeders test their dogs for health issues (vWD, eyes and hips) and do not breed any who are not clear of genetic disorders. In this way the breed is being kept free of hereditary problems. If you find a Corgi "cheap," or from the pound or the paper - BEWARE. Of course, nothing is absolute. Occasionally some obscure disorder will manifest itself in a well-bred dog, or a "pound puppy" will live to the ripe old age of 17 without a single health problem. Remember the odds. These are exceptions. Good quality, well-bred Corgis have a minimum of health-related genetic disorders as compared to many, many other over-bred breeds, overall.

This is NOT to say you shouldn't take a RESCUE Corgi - if you have the opportunity! "Rescue" Corgis are often the best buddy you will ever make. Due to unforeseen circumstances, occasionally a Corgi will be abandoned or lost. The Corgi Rescue organization is RABID about finding and taking these dogs in, caring for them and placing them in exactly the right home. Rescued Corgis are the luckiest dogs! Look for one at www.goldengatecorgis.org/rescue.htm.

Our Puppies:

Our secret weapon is my teen-aged daughter, an experienced "puppy wrangler." She raises these pups from day-one with care, affection, firmness and love. They spend their first month in her room; then they are moved into a large enclosure, either on the back porch or in the garage (weather dependant). They are clean & healthy; handled constantly; taken outdoors to play; exposed to our cats and horses and other dogs (when old enough). They are vaccinated, wormed and groomed regularly. No aggressive behavior is tolerated from the beginning. By the time they go home with their new owners they are brave, outgoing, healthy and strong. And FUN! We hear from our "old" puppies quite regularly and get photos and email often.

AND, for some reason our line of Corgis have a propensity for water. (Not THAT unusual, but not typical either) Most are talented swimmers; lakes, rivers, swimming pools, livestock water troughs or the ocean - makes no difference to them! Many are dedicated "ball-dogs" as well (retrievers). ALL are fun!

SIRE: CH Triple H Cal Ripken
www.faerieglencorgis.com

DAM: Rocky L Pajama Party, NA NAJ OJP OAP NAC NJC OJC NGC
DOB Apr 6, 2000