FAQ

Health Testing and Responsible Breeding

What health testing do you do?

Every well-bred Pembroke Welsh Corgi should come with paperwork showing registration with a reputable kennel club and proof of health screenings performed prior to breeding. At Ovaris Corgis, we follow all recommended testing to make informed breeding decisions, though no testing can guarantee a puppy will be free of all health issues.

We perform the following recommended OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) health tests for Pembroke's:

  • Eye Exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist (recommended annually).

  • Hip Evaluation: OFA X-rays reviewed by three board-certified radiologists or a PennHIP score. OFA evaluation is done at 24 months, while PennHIP can be performed earlier. Hip health involves multiple genetic and environmental factors.

  • Genetic Testing: Using reputable labs such as Paw Print Genetics or Embark, we test for known recessive disorders in Pembroke's, including:

    • Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC): Weakness in rear legs during intense exercise.

    • Von Willebrand Disease Type 1 (vWD): Mild blood disorder.

    • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RCD3): Progressive vision loss.

All testing ensures we are making responsible breeding choices and producing healthy, sound puppies.

Why should my puppy be registered?

A registered Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a reputable kennel club (such as Canadian Kennel Club or American Kennel Club) and breed club (Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Canada) ensures:

  • Ethical breeding practices

  • Adherence to recommended health testing

  • Breeding toward the official breed standard

Registration also provides a pedigree, documenting your puppy’s ancestry for generations. This protects both the puppy’s lineage and your investment.

Why do you show in dog shows?

Showing is essential for breeding toward the breed standard, focusing on structure, temperament, and movement. Pembroke's are working/herding dogs, and proper structure ensures longevity and soundness. Shows allow us to:

  • Evaluate conformation and movement

  • Identify strong breeding partners

  • Maintain breed integrity and working ability

This is not just about appearance — it ensures our dogs are healthy, strong, and able to thrive as active companions or working dogs.

Can I choose my puppy?

Puppy selection depends on your position on the contact list and the litter size. After puppy evaluations and temperament testing at approximately 8 weeks, we contact families with recommendations based on your application, lifestyle, and our observations.

We carefully raise each litter using early neurological stimulation, early scent work, and structured socialization to give every puppy the best start. Selection is based on personality, temperament, and lifestyle compatibility — color is the last consideration.

Can I visit the puppies?

Possibly, bio security is extremely important.  For the safety and health of the puppies we wait until the litter is a week past their initial vaccines.  

  • When visiting, you will meet the entire litter, not a specific puppy initially. Visits are limited to about 30 minutes, which is enough time to observe the puppies but not enough to fully determine each individual’s personality. Puppies may be tired, hungry, or at different stages of development compared to their litter mates.

    This approach ensures the puppies remain safe, healthy, and stress-free, while giving you an opportunity to meet the litter and begin forming a connection. Final puppy placement is determined after 8 weeks, so we can match each puppy to the family that best fits their personality and energy level.

     

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

Do I need a fully fenced yard?

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

How are your puppies raised and socialized?

Our puppies are raised as family members in our home 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 ensures our puppies are well-socialized, confident, and ready to thrive in their new homes.