How to Choose a Reputable Corgi Breeder
Choosing a breeder is the most important decision you will make when you bring home a corgi. A good breeder gives you a healthy, well-socialized puppy and support for years afterward. A poor one can leave you with medical bills and heartache.
I am Michelle Horning of F&M Corgis in Mulberry, Kansas. Here is what I tell every family to look for, whether they buy from us or somewhere else.
Look for registration and licensing
A reputable breeder registers their dogs with the American Kennel Club and can show you the parents' papers. Ask whether the breeder is licensed where required. We hold licenses as a breeder in Kansas and with the USDA, and we are members of the Tri-State Kennel Club of Joplin, Missouri.
Registration alone does not prove quality, but a breeder who cannot provide it is a red flag.
Ask about health testing
Both parents should be health tested. For Pembroke Welsh Corgis, that usually means DNA tests for degenerative myelopathy (DM), von Willebrand disease type 1 (VWD1) and exercise-induced collapse (EIC), plus OFA evaluations of hips, elbows and eyes.
Ask to see the results. At F&M Corgis, the individual dog pages on Our Corgis list each parent's results. Our guide to health testing explains what the terms mean.
See how the puppies are raised
Puppies raised in a home or farm environment, handled daily and exposed to people and other dogs, adjust better to new homes. Ask where the puppies live, how often they are handled, and whether they are started on crates and potty training.
Our puppies live in climate-controlled housing, play in a 2-acre fenced area, and have constant contact with people and other dogs. We invite visits by appointment.
Read the guarantee and the contract
Ask what the health guarantee covers and for how long. Every F&M Corgis puppy comes with a genetic health guarantee, and our About page describes a 5 year health guarantee. Read the contract before you pay a deposit.
You should also receive registration paperwork, microchip information, vaccination and worming records and a vet health certificate.
Notice how they treat your questions
A good breeder asks you questions too: about your home, your schedule and your experience. They answer yours patiently and do not pressure you to send money quickly.
Be wary of anyone who will not let you see the parents, will not provide references or reviews, or only wants a payment app. Read what past families say about us on our home page and on Google.
Make sure support continues after the sale
The best breeders are available for questions long after your puppy leaves. Families tell us they appreciate that I answer questions even years later, and I am glad to do it.
If you are ready to talk, see our available puppies or contact us. I am happy to answer anything you want to know before you decide.
Red flags that should make you walk away
Several warning signs deserve attention. A seller who will not let you see the parents or the place the puppies live is hiding something. A seller with many different breeds available all the time may be running a puppy mill or reselling. A seller who refuses to answer questions about health or only wants to talk about payment is not looking out for the puppy.
Be careful with ads that reuse the same photos, that ask for payment through unusual methods, or that offer a price far below the usual. Trust your instincts and ask for a video call if you cannot visit.
Why reviews and references matter
Past customers can tell you what the sales page cannot: how the breeder communicates, whether the puppy matched the description and whether help was available afterwards. Look for reviews on independent sites and ask the breeder for references.
Families who bought from us share their experience on Google, and a few are quoted on our home page. Reading them helps you see whether we are the right fit.
Visiting the farm or home
If you can visit, do. Look at the cleanliness of the area, the condition of the dogs and how the puppies interact with people. Meet the mother. Ask to see where the puppies sleep and play.
If you cannot visit in person, ask for a live video tour. We are happy to arrange one, and shipping is available for families far away.
A simple checklist to take with you
Before you commit, check these items: the parents are registered and health tested, you have seen where the puppies live, the contract and guarantee are in writing, the price is clear, the breeder answers your questions patiently, and there is support after the sale.
If any item is missing, ask. If the answer is evasive, keep looking. The right breeder will be happy to help you feel confident.
What we do at F&M Corgis
We raise puppies by hand on our farm in Southeast Kansas. They run in a 2-acre fenced play area, live in climate-controlled housing, and are handled daily. Every puppy is AKC registered, microchipped, vet checked and wormed, and comes with a genetic health guarantee.
We are also available by phone and email, before you buy and after. You can call (620) 764-3565 any time during our posted hours, or visit by appointment.