I find it can happen on any brand of presta-valved tube I use, and more so if they have been dormant for a long time. It can be disconcerting to apply the head of the pump (floor or frame) and to find suddenly that high-pressure strokes are required. It really has only needed the stem of the valve to be pushed in, twisted a bit and pulled up and down to get it to perform properly.
However, if your valves are defective... ?