Thank you.
Well....its every breeders horror story, though not so much "back in the day"...I got my first Pembroke as a Christmas present, believe it or not.
For some strange reason, my parents narrowed the dog choices down to two: a Corgi or a Samoyed (wth? I know...just...wth?)
A friend of the family's daughter showed Keeshond and Am Foxhounds (and later, Poms) and found a reputable breeder of Pembrokes for my parents. I grew up training her (the friend of the family's daughters) puppies, helping her stack and show dogs, etc. Did lots of obedience classes with my dog, and others dogs as a kid, as well.
MsB
Funny...I'm really hoping to get into samoyeds one day, and for me it was between the cardigan welsh corgi and a samoyed.
My mom used to show keeshonden, but she's been out of that for years and years. She's got one girl left. The rest she *gasp* rehomed.
I just got my cardi puppy a week ago, and I'm in love with her. Well, the BF and I both are. She came from a really really good breeder that I met by accident. We're crossing our fingers that her DM test comes back clear.
Her first puppy match is coming up this spring. I think we're going to the national in Gettysburg.
Anyway, welcome to the board.
My suggestion is to take what people say here with a grain of salt. Alot of people on the board are pet or rescue people (we have a rescue too, but she's more the BF's doggie) and I think sometimes breeders don't always get a fair shake here.
As for herding instinct and being sharp, I think maybe the dog has to have an edge to be a good herder. I don't think that Miz Harper would be a good fit in the average home. She's going to be an amazing girl, but she's also alot of work too.
But, her litter sister is sweet and sleepy little puppy so you can have both come out in the same litter. I don't think you have to breed out herding instinct just to breed good temperament.