DOGSACTUALLY / Breeds / Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Active, powerful, hardy. Good watchdog. Enjoys family activities. May bark.
Wales. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is older than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with the latter being bred out of the former. The Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgis were interbred and considered the same breed up until 1934 when a show judge thought they were too different and separated them into two different breeds. The Pembroke gained in popularity after the separation and is to this day more popular than the Cardigan.
Cattle herder; cattle drover, vermin hunters and farm guards. They drove cattle by barking and nipping at the cattle’s heels. The dog’s low physique helped him roll out of the way of kicking cows.
Devoted, stable, alert; more introverted, less playful compared to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
25.5 to 30.5 cm; 12 to 17.5 kg. Colours are red, sable, brindle, blue merle, black, and tricolored; anything except all white. Usually white around the neck, chest, legs, stomach, and tail tip. The most observable difference between the Pembroke and the Cardigan is that the Pembroke lacks a tail while the Cardigan has a long tail. The Pembroke generally has straighter legs, as it is not as long-bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke’s head is usually more wedge-shaped; the ears are tinier and closer together than the Cardigans; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.
Double coat, dense, medium length; outercoat harsh, undercoat soft and thick. Moderate maintenance; a thorough brushing twice a week suffice, bathe only when necessary. Moderate to heavy shedding twice a year.
Degenerative myelopathy, hot spots, eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, PRA), PDA, epilepsy, intervertebral disk disease. Do not overfeed to prevent obesity, which can cause back problems.
The Cardigan is comparatively more active than the Prembroke; he must have regular exercise, including a daily long walk.
Can live in urban areas if sufficiently exercised. Corgis can get restless indoors when lacking the required workout. An averaged sized yard is desired, although daily long walks can be the workaround.
Bonds to whole family, very devoted to children; can be protective of “his” kids. The Cardigan has more inclinations to “nip” than the Prembroke. Reserved with strangers. Not always good with other pets. Should be socialised when young.
High.
Therapy dog, cattle drover, herding, agility.