Selection of a Cardigan puppy for your family really depends on what is available and what you are looking for. So often people become impatient when looking for a puppy and they tend to buy the first one available. Buyers beware! A puppy is a long term commitment and should be dealt with, with that in mind. If you want a pet puppy tell the breeder this up front. In the case of a show puppy you should choose wisely and have the breeder show you why it is a show puppy and not a pet. "House raised" puppies usually will come to greet you and want to play and lick your hand. Most often "kennel raised" puppies do not have the same curiosity. Now, to make this very clear, just because someone has a kennel does not mean that they do not "house raise" their puppies. Always ask where are your puppies raised? The kennel puppy that has had little contact with people will need more of your time and effort to make itself into a house pet. Your choice should depend on how much time and patience you will be able to spend with the puppy.

When you are introduced to a choice of puppies, there is always one puppy that is sure to endear itself to you-and you are "hooked." I find that when this happens, the puppy is as happy with its new owner as the owner is with the puppy. It is very difficult to tell someone what to fall in love with. But, remember that a bright eyed, healthy looking puppy is what you want. A healthy puppy will be alert and active; he will have a shiny coat and feels good in your hands; and it will have clear eyes (i.e., with no matter in them). Other than looking for these things, let the charm of the Cardigan make your decision for you.

Both males and females make great pets. Both have the same joyous ways and both are good with children or adults, yes, even the handicapped. They are equally clean when housebroken and have much the same energy and playfulness. Whether you choose a male or female is really a matter of personal preference at this point. Always get a health record on your puppy and be sure to ask about health guarantees. It is better to have these guarantees than to find yourself with a puppy that needs medical attention for a congenital defect.

Cardigans Welsh Corgis are intelligent and also full of fun. They like to see if they can win you over to their way of thinking. If you are looking for a docile couch potato, Cardis are not for you. I like to believe that in each Cardigan there is a little "Welsh Fairy" that is just waiting to see what and how much fun they can put in your life. The Welsh are full of wit and humor and likewise the Cardigan is too.

Since Cardigans have an affinity for children and will side with them when corrected by parents, be careful not to correct your child in front of the Cardi. They are gentle enough to accept any and all antics from children. They seem to sense if someone is handicapped and they adapt their play to fit the situation. On the other hand if you play "fetch the ball" with them they will keep it up for hours, take a short nap and be ready to go again. They have a great deal of energy and do not tire easily.

Cardigans are more laid back then Pembroke Welsh Corgis, yet bold enough to make them excellent guard dogs. They can also hear a butterfly over a neighbor's house, so they can and do bark. If you are looking for a quiet dog, a Cardigan is not for you. Now, barking can be controlled with some gentle corrections. Yet barking in case of danger can be a blessing. I know when someone pulls in my driveway or approaches the property and I feel that is a blessing for I live in the country. I remember well, a young family of four who had a fire one night and their nine month old puppy barked till the father got up and all were saved and the house was totaled. Another family had a six month
old puppy and a two year old child. The baby wandered toward the street at a family picnic and that young puppy held on his shorts and pulled him back from the street.

Cardigans believe that they are big dogs, so I call them "big dogs in small packages." On the other hand, they are like "potato chips" and one is never enough. Once you have lived with a Cardigan it will be hard for you to go to another breed of dog.

They are "wash and wear" dogs and do not need extensive grooming. Look for show grooming in that chapter. For the pet, a bath when dirty and a weekly brushing will do. Since they are a herding breed, they do not like to have their feet fiddled with. In the grooming chapter you will find some easy ways to combat this.

Making great companions and loving to be with their families they soon are a big part of the family. They do not object to being alone for periods of time. Crate training is always helpful and helps to contain their creativity when you are not home. As they grow older they are great house sitters without the crate.

The greatest enjoyment of the Cardigan is that they love to entertain you and love doing it. But, BEWARE, they are great con artists. To me a Cardigan is truly a dog "for all seasons and every reason."

When you go to buy a show puppy you must have faith in the breeder and in their line.
You must never buy on impulse and not be swayed into selecting because of the winning record of the sire or the dam. You MUST look at the STANDARD of the Breed and learn what it contains. Many people are born with "an eye" for good dogs. What this means is that they can look at any breed and find the good ones. This is not true of everyone and sometimes people never really capture this trait.