Where to start
Many future owners start their search by typing “buy a corgi”. But it’s much smarter to look not for a puppy, but for a breeder you can trust. Your puppy’s health, temperament, socialization and first months of life depend directly on the breeder.
So the right order of decisions looks like this:
1. Decide on the breed – Pembroke or Cardigan.
2. Find a responsible kennel.
3. Only then choose a specific puppy.
Picking “the cutest one in the photo” is the least reliable way. At eight weeks absolutely all puppies are adorable. But you’ll be living with an adult dog, with their temperament, habits and health.
Don’t rush. Good kennels rarely have puppies “here and now”. Litters are planned in advance, and there may be a waiting list for some puppies. This is not a drawback, but more likely a sign that the breeder is not running a puppy mill.
If possible, meet not only the puppies but also the adult dogs. Puppyhood lasts only a few months, while an adult corgi will be your companion for many years.
Documents: what a puppy must have
A purebred puppy must have:
- a puppy certificate (or a pedigree already issued);
- a veterinary passport with notes on vaccinations and parasite treatments;
- a microchip, whose number matches the documents;
- a sale contract specifying the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
The phrase “without papers, but cheaper” should ring alarm bells. This is not saving money, it’s a lottery: without a pedigree no one can guarantee the breed, the psyche or the health behind that line.
A pedigree is not just a pretty piece of paper. It allows you to trace the dog’s ancestry, learn about their relatives, check titles, genetic test results and make sure you are truly looking at a representative of the breed.
We talk more about this in the article “How to read a dog pedigree”.
Health starts long before the puppy is born
A responsible breeder takes care of the future litter’s health well before the mating.
Corgis have a number of hereditary diseases whose risks can be significantly reduced through thoughtful selection of breeding stock and modern genetic testing. Among them are:
- von Willebrand’s disease (vWD);
- degenerative myelopathy (DM);
- certain hereditary eye diseases;
- hip dysplasia.
Don’t hesitate to ask to see the test results for both parents.
A good breeder will calmly explain which tests were done, what the results mean and why this particular pair was chosen for the mating.
In addition to genetic tests, you should also pay attention to other things:
- the parents’ age;
- the number of previous litters;
- the mother’s state of health;
- the temperament of both parents.
A calm, stable temperament – just like aggression – is inherited no less than conformation.
In Israel, obtaining breeding approval through the Israel Kennel Club currently requires a mandatory set of genetic tests (at the moment — through the Orivet laboratory) in accordance with the current נוהל גידול. This is another mechanism that helps make purebred breeding more responsible.
You can read more about hereditary diseases in corgis in a separate article.
Don’t choose a puppy by colour alone
Very often the first thing future owners ask is:
— Do you have reds?
— Any tricolours?
— Any natural bobtails?
Of course, appearance matters. But colour is far from the most important characteristic of your future dog.
Temperament, health, activity level and compatibility with your family’s lifestyle are much more important than coat colour or tail length.
A cute puppy will grow up quickly, but their character will stay with them for life.
A good breeder also chooses the owners
If the breeder asks detailed questions about your family, previous dog experience, work, daily routine, children and other animals – that’s a good sign.
A responsible breeder is not just selling a puppy – they are trying to match each baby with a family where they will live their whole life.
Sometimes a good breeder will even turn down potential buyers; that can be unpleasant, but this is exactly how responsibility toward their dogs is shown.
A responsible kennel: what to look for
A good kennel is usually easy to recognize by a few signs.
- The breeder is happy to answer questions and does not hide anything.
- Puppies are raised around people, get used to everyday household sounds and receive early socialization.
- You are shown the puppies’ mother and told about their father.
- Puppies are not handed over to new owners before eight weeks of age.
- The breeder honestly talks not only about the breed’s advantages but also about its specifics: seasonal shedding, herding instincts, the need for training and regular walks.
- After the puppy moves to a new home, the breeder stays in touch and is ready to give advice for as long as needed.
Questions you should ask the breeder
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; a responsible breeder is perfectly fine with this and even encourages it.
For example, you can ask:
- What health checks and genetic tests have the parents had?
- Why was this particular pair chosen for the mating?
- How are the puppies being socialized?
- What are the puppies currently being fed?
- What recommendations will you give for the first weeks at home?
- Can we meet the puppies and the adult dogs in advance?
- What will happen if, in a few years, my life circumstances change?
The last question is especially important.
A responsible breeder will never leave their dog without help and, if necessary, will try to take them back or help find a new home.
Red flags
The following signs should make you wary:
- Puppies are always available, with no waiting time.
- Many different breeds are bred at the same time.
- The breeder is ready to sell a puppy to anyone without a single question.
- You are offered to meet in a parking lot or to hand over the puppy without visiting the kennel.
- They refuse to show the puppies’ mother or where the puppies are raised.
- They say: “You don’t need the papers anyway.”
- They cannot show health test results for the parents.
- They cannot explain why this breeding pair was chosen.
- They promise “a perfect puppy with no faults”.
- They insist you decide immediately or pay a deposit even before meeting.
Don’t let children choose the puppy
Children often want to pick the cutest, fluffiest or most active baby.
But the final decision must always be made by adults, because it is the adults who will be training the dog, paying vet bills, organizing walks and taking responsibility for the pet for many years.
A good breeder will also help choose a puppy, taking into account your family’s specific temperament, not just preferences for colour or sex.
Choose calmly and carefully
Buying a puppy is not a race.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, request documents, and inquire about the parents’ health and the puppies’ living conditions.
You are not just choosing a dog – you are choosing the person who has laid the foundation for that dog’s health, character and attitude to the world.
Don’t look for the cheapest puppy or the cutest in the photo; look for a breeder you can trust.
If you’d like to get to know our kennel, meet our dogs, learn about planned litters or ask any questions, we are always happy to talk. Explore the sections “Our dogs”, “Litters” and “Puppy reservation” — and come visit us in person.
