FAQ

Health Testing & Responsible Breeding

What health testing do you do?

Every well-bred Pembroke Welsh Corgi should come with documentation showing registration with a reputable kennel club and proof of health testing completed prior to breeding. At Ovaris Corgis, we follow all recommended health screenings to make informed breeding decisions. While no testing can guarantee a puppy will be free of all health issues, it demonstrates our commitment to using every tool available to breed healthy, sound dogs.

We perform the following OFA-recommended health tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

  • Eye Exam conducted annually by a board-certified ophthalmologist

  • Hip Evaluation:

    • OFA hip X-rays reviewed by three board-certified radiologists (performed at 24 months), or

    • PennHIP evaluation, which can be completed earlier
      Hip health is complex and influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

  • Elbow Evaluation:

                      OFA Elbow X-ray (preformed at 24 months)

  • Genetic Testing:
    Using reputable laboratories such as Paw Print Genetics or Embark, we test for known recessive conditions in Pembrokes, including:

    • Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC): Rear-leg weakness following intense exercise

    • Von Willebrand Disease Type 1 (vWD): A mild blood-clotting disorder

    • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD3): Progressive, non-painful vision loss

All testing helps ensure we are making responsible breeding decisions and producing healthy, well-structured puppies.

Why Should My Puppy Be Registered?

Registering your Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a reputable kennel club—such as the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or American Kennel Club (AKC)—and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Canada demonstrates a breeder’s commitment to responsible breeding practices, recommended health testing, and breeding toward the official breed standard.

Registration also provides a documented pedigree, allowing you to trace your puppy’s lineage for generations and ensuring you are receiving a purebred, pedigreed dog.

Why Do You Show in Dog Shows?

Showing our dogs is an important part of our breeding program. We breed toward the breed standard, which emphasizes structure, temperament, and movement. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a working/herding breed, and correct structure is essential for long-term soundness and longevity—even for pet dogs.

Dog shows allow us to evaluate structure and movement, compare our dogs to others in the breed, identify potential breeding partners, and maintain breed integrity and working ability.

While we appreciate the beauty of our dogs, showing is not about winning ribbons—it is about ensuring our dogs can physically and mentally do the job they were bred for and live long, healthy lives.

Can I Choose My Puppy?

Puppy placement depends on your position on the Contact List and the size of the litter. After puppy evaluations and temperament testing at approximately 8 weeks, we contact families to discuss which puppy may be the best fit based on your application, lifestyle, and our observations.

Each litter is raised with early neurological stimulation, early scent introduction, and structured socialization. Puppy placement is based on temperament, personality, and lifestyle compatibility. Color is the final consideration, as it does not affect a dog’s ability to work, train, or live successfully with a family.

Can I Visit the Puppies?

Possibly. Biosecurity is extremely important, especially during the early weeks. For the health and safety of the puppies, visits are considered only after the litter is at least one week past their initial vaccinations.

When visiting, you will meet the entire litter, not a specific puppy. Visits are limited to approximately 30 minutes, which is not enough time to fully determine individual personalities. Puppies may be tired, hungry, or at different developmental stages than their littermates.

This approach keeps the puppies safe, healthy, and low-stress while still allowing families to meet the litter and begin forming a connection. Final puppy placement is determined after 8 weeks, once evaluations are complete and the best matches can be made.

Families unable to visit in person may participate via FaceTime or Zoom.

Do I Need a Fully Fenced Yard?

A fully fenced yard is preferred but not required. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are active, working dogs and thrive in homes with engaged owners who provide regular exercise, training, and mental stimulation.

How Are Your Puppies Raised and Socialized?

Our puppies are raised in our home as family members using positive reinforcement and science-based methods, including:

  • Suzanne Clothier’s training principles

  • Avidog programs by Dr. Gayle Watkins

  • Puppy Culture methods by Jane Messineo Lindquist

This approach helps ensure our puppies are confident, well-socialized, and ready to thrive in their new homes.

Contact List & Deposit Policy

Contact List

We use a Contact List rather than a traditional waiting list, as timing and readiness vary for each family.

After completing a puppy application and participating in a phone meet-and-greet, you may be added to our Contact List. This allows us to ensure a good fit for both the puppy and the family.

There is no deposit required to be placed on the Contact List.

Deposit Process

When a breeding is planned and an approximate timeline is available, we contact those on the Contact List to confirm continued interest and whether the timing works. Interested families are then contacted in the order applications are received.

Some families choose to remain on the Contact List for two to three years due to personal circumstances such as senior dogs, young children, or future planning. Others may step away due to changes beyond their control.

Once a pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound (approximately 20–30 days gestation), we request deposits. At that time, we typically have an estimated puppy count. Average litter size is 5–7 puppies, and we usually move forward with 3–4 families.

A $500 deposit is required at this stage. The deposit is refundable only if:

  • We are unable to offer you a puppy due to loss or unforeseen circumstances, or

  • We are unable to offer the sex of puppy you requested

We ask for commitment at this stage so we can responsibly plan each litter and place our puppies in prepared, lifelong homes.