Description of the Welsh Corgi-Cardigan dog breed: character, care, purpose

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small, energetic shepherd that retains youthful exuberance and stamina throughout its life. Representatives of this rare ancient breed are distinguished by their calm character, aristocratic appearance and incredible friendliness. Therefore, their popularity among dog owners is growing.

The Cardigan Corgi, as this breed is also called, resembles the Pembroke Corgi in appearance and character. You need to be able to distinguish them from each other. We have studied everything about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed, in this article you will find all the information about these interesting shepherd dogs.

History of the origin of the Welsh Corgi-Cardigan breed

Historians believe that the ancestors of the Welsh Corgi came to Wales along with the ancient Celtic people, this happened around 1200 BC. The nimble dogs helped Welsh farmers and shepherds manage their flocks and herds of cattle. Agile and tireless shepherd dogs bit the animals' legs as they ran, directing them in the right direction. The corgi's dwarf size allowed them to avoid the impacts of animal hooves that inevitably followed bites.

At a time when the Cardigans were not busy working with the herd, they guarded the territory of the estates and fought against rodents. Pembrokes and Cardigans have been considered two branches of the same breed for thousands of years. Over time, the breeds were divided into two related but independent species. Since 1934, there have been two approved standards: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Character, intelligence and behavior

Corgis are distinguished by their positive attitude towards life. Their main desire is to please their loved ones and have fun. The breed has very developed intellectual abilities. This is due to their primary socialization, which consisted of control over large herds of livestock and skillful maneuvering around them.

Welsh Corg Cardigans are able to express their emotions in different ways. These are various grunts, whistles, howls. You can see how animals change their behavior from playful to very serious.

Despite its cheerful disposition, the breed cannot be called a small sofa dog. The corgi has a sense of self-esteem, he has his own opinion on everything. He will not tolerate a condescending attitude towards himself. But you should not consider the Welsh Corgi as a protector. He is devoid of aggression.

Description of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan breed - appearance and character

A strong, agile shepherd dog with an expressive fox face is the Cardigan Corgi. A distinctive feature of the breed is its short but very strong limbs. Corgis are professional shepherds; they are always ready to herd anywhere. Don't be surprised if you find your pet herding your family, considering them his flock.

Why do corgis have short legs?

The first question that arises for everyone who has just become acquainted with this breed is: “Why do Welsh Corgis have short legs?” And this is natural - this exterior feature is the most noticeable. To answer it, we need to turn to the history of the origin of this type of dog.

Keeping a cow or sheep from straying from the herd was originally the corgi's job. How did they do it? They bit the cattle's legs. Their extremely low stature and mini-limbs helped the dogs deftly avoid blows from horns and hooves.

The paws of mini shepherds are indeed straight and short, but this does not prevent miniature shepherds from running at high speed. This greatly helped the dogs maneuver when they were in the middle of the herd.

Pembroke and Corgi - similarities and differences

According to the breed standard, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi differs from the Pembroke in some characteristics and qualities.

Let's look at the characteristic distinguishing features that distinguish the Corgi Cardigan from the Pembroke:

1. Cardigans are more reserved and wary of strangers. Pembrokes are sociable dogs and treat even strangers well.
2. Cardigans have wider bones and are taller and heavier than Pembrokes.
3. Pembrokes have pointed ears. Cardigans have rounded ears.
4. According to the standard, Pembrokes have four regulated colors: red, fawn, black and tan, and sable. For cardigans, the standard allows any color variations.
5. Cardigans have a smaller list of genetic diseases.
6. Previously, the tail of Pembrokes was docked without fail - this was the main distinguishing feature of the breed. Today this tradition is not supported by all dog breeders, but the tail of the Cardigan is longer, fluffier and more beautiful.

The similarity of the breeds lies in their affectionate character, pretty appearance, reminiscent of both a fox and a dog. Another important advantage of both breeds is that they are suitable for inexperienced novice dog breeders.

History of the breed

Origin

There is a beautiful legend about the origin of the corgi. They say that a long time ago these dogs were ridden by elves. One day, these magical creatures made friends with the kids from the farm and gave them a couple of puppies as a sign of friendship. Since then, these short-legged creatures have lived side by side with humans.

More reliable historical facts indicate the following. The history of this breed goes back to ancient times and, according to some sources, dates back several thousand years. The Welsh Corgi originated in Wales, United Kingdom.

In the first millennium AD, these short-legged shepherd dogs were used by local shepherds. They accompanied the cattle to pastures, bravely fought with robbers and wolves, guarded the herd during the day, and led it home in the evening. These smart dogs were not just helpers, but also a full-fledged replacement for shepherds.

Activity

At that time, the inhabitants of the county received the main income from the sale of meat in the markets, so four-legged shepherds were required in large quantities. Over time, people began to breed birds on their farms. The Welsh Corgi turned out to be very useful here too. The dogs had the same success herding restive geese and ducks, not allowing them to disperse, and they did this without unnecessary barking, so as not to frighten away the domestic animals.

These ridiculous little ones were worth their weight in gold. In the 10th century, the ruling monarch established compensation for the accidental death of a corgi for the owner in the amount of a whole ox, since the death of a four-legged shepherd threatened the death of the entire herd, and the herdsman himself risked being sent around the world. On top of that, the attacker who killed the shepherd dog faced the death penalty.

Over the years, these dogs have excelled in a number of other professions. It turned out that they have an excellent sense of smell, and they are able to pick up a trail even in city asphalt conditions. This same quality allowed them to take their place in the ranks of the police when searching for narcotic substances.

Pembroke and cardigan

Piecing together the history of the breed was not easy, but tracing its ancestry turned out to be completely impossible. Throughout their existence as herding dogs, corgis freely mixed with their outbred and pedigree counterparts, which is why the variety of exteriors was quite wide.

Cardigan and Pembroke

The world community learned about corgis only in 1892, when they began to be shown at herding dog exhibitions. And only 28 years later this breed received official recognition and the name “Welsh Corgi”.

Another 5 years later, a breeders club was formed, but it was difficult to evaluate such diverse dogs. It was decided to divide the breed into two types:

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi;
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Most likely, the names were taken from two Welsh counties where the dogs lived: Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire. Geographical distance made it possible to avoid unnecessary interspecific crossing and consolidate the characteristics of the two breeds. As a result, the differences between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan are not only in appearance, but also in character.

In 1932, a Pembroke puppy came to the palace as a gift to the future Queen of England. Since then, the shepherd has gained fame as a salon dog - this has contributed to the growing popularity of both breeds around the world.

Welsh Corgi Cardigan breed standard

According to the European FCI breed standard, purebred dogs must have the following characteristics:

• Body type. Strong, stocky, with a powerful long body. The waist is clearly defined. The body must not touch the ground.
• Rib cage. Deep, moderately wide.
• Back. A smooth curve from the dog's withers to its croup. The shoulder blades are strongly inclined.
• Limbs. Short, massive, strong.
• Paws. The front ones are slightly turned outward. The hindquarters are large, rounded, the toes are tightly packed, the pads are well defined. Dewclaws (if present) are removed without fail.
• Gait. Active, with free movements. The forelegs have good reach but are not excessively lifted off the ground. The movements of the forelimbs and the thrusts of the hind limbs occur in unison.
• Neck. The proportion to the size of the dog is maintained. Muscular.
• Head. Fox-shaped, with a flat and wide skull. A dome-shaped curve between the ears and eyes. There is a moderate transition from the muzzle to the forehead.
• Muzzle. Tapers smoothly towards the nose. The nose is contoured, not blunt.
• Nose. With a black lobe.
• Bite. Scissor-shaped. Teeth are strong.
• Ears. Large, standing. Planted far away. Moderately wide base and slightly rounded tips.
• Eyes. Small, widely spaced. With a clear, lively, alert expression. Eyelids are dark. The color can be black or harmonize with the coat color. Corgis with blue eyes are found among the blue merle colors.
• Tail. The shape resembles a fox. Located at the level of the topline, almost touching the ground. Length – moderate. Calm state - lowered down. When in motion, it rises slightly above the line of the back, but is not thrown back.
• Coat. Coarse and straight guard hair of short to medium length. Waterproof. The undercoat is well developed.
• Color. The standard allows for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi to be of any color, with or without white spots. The only condition is that white color should not dominate.
• Height at withers. The ideal according to the standard is 30 cm.
• Weight. The FCI standard does not regulate the weight of the Corgi Cardigan. It must be balanced and proportional to the size of the animal.
• How long do they live? The average life expectancy is 12-14 years.

Important: Corgis with blue eyes (one or both) can only be merle blue.

How to choose a puppy

When choosing a Welsh Corgi Cardigan puppy, you first need to study the description of the breed, find out what appearance standards exist, read reviews from the owners, and you can even visit exhibitions. You need to be responsible when choosing a nursery. Corgis are difficult to breed, so there are not many good kennels. It is better if it is located outside the city, where puppies can run freely and develop harmoniously.

Thoroughbred cardigans are expensive, self-respecting breeders do not discount them. If the price of a puppy is below average, then most likely it has some defects.

It is necessary to ask the breeder for information about the puppy’s parents, because many features of physical development are inherited. A healthy Corgi baby is active, has clean ears and eyes, and a shiny coat. It is worth asking if the puppy has any diseases, and also ask about any vaccinations received. An experienced breeder must provide all the necessary documents, as well as talk about the care and feeding of the puppy.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy

Characteristics and description of the character of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed

We have already said that the Cardigan Corgi is an ideal family dog ​​that gets along well with both adults and children. Some sources indicate that Cardigans are dogs of the same owner. Compared to Pembrokes, they are more “shepherd-like”. The Welsh Corgi-Cardigan breed received this description for its character.

What character traits make cardigans family favorites:

• restraint and phlegmatic calm;
• goodwill towards people;
• great sense of humor;
• lack of jealousy;
• not intrusiveness;
• intelligence and insight;
• lack of ambition and attempts to dominate the owner.

Cardigan's family members are his best friends. He will be equally happy to support joint activities with both adults and small children. By joint activities we mean: fun active games, lounging on the couch with the owner while watching a TV series, a walk in the park, mushroom picking.

Wariness towards strangers also makes dogs good watchmen, sort of “bells” that report the approach of strangers. The performance requirements of modern Corgis are virtually unnecessary, but they still herd. Shepherd their family. They keep a watchful eye on all the children, and as soon as they cross the imaginary line that the dog holds in his head, the cardigan tries to return the “lost sheep to the herd.”

He does this, as he did thousands of years ago, by lightly biting the child’s leg. Adult family members should not encourage such behavior, no matter how cute or funny it may seem. Firstly, the child may be in pain. Secondly, a dog that has not been told that such behavior is unacceptable will repeat it again.

Care and maintenance

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a versatile breed. These pets can be kept both in a private country house and in a city apartment. The apartment may not be the largest size - corgis are dwarf dogs, they do not need a lot of space to keep them.

Of course, a house with a fenced lawn is an ideal place for small shepherds. But not everyone has this opportunity. An important condition for keeping cardigans in an apartment is regular active walks and workouts. Shepherds are active by nature, they need to realize this activity and spend energy.

Rules of care

To ensure your pet has a long and happy life, follow these rules for caring for your dog:

1. Supervise your Corgi at all times, as if he were a small child. Lock the doors so they don't accidentally crush your dog. Close the windows and put protective bars on the windows. Keep it clean and tidy to prevent your corgi from grabbing something dangerous.
2. Your pet's coat should be brushed weekly, and during the shedding period (twice a year) daily. This will help your dog get rid of dead hairs, and it will be easier for you to keep your house clean.
3. Cardigans naturally have strong, healthy teeth. To keep them healthy, they are brushed twice a week with a special brush and veterinary toothpaste.
4. The ears are gently cleaned once a week. It is best to do this with a cotton pad soaked in warm boiling water.
5. Dogs require daily activity. To keep their mind and body busy. Bored corgis can exhibit destructive destructive behavior.
6. To prevent injury to a pet with a long back and short legs, do not allow the corgi to jump from a height. Be extremely careful when picking up cardigans.
7. Regular training is necessary for dogs of this breed. It is important not to overdo it at the very beginning. Increase the duration and intensity of exercise gradually.

How to prepare for a puppy

By the time you pick up your pet, you need to completely prepare your home and yard. Prepare in terms of safety. Corgi babies are very inquisitive and very active. Remove anything that could harm them from the dog's reach: electrical cables, poisonous plants, sharp instruments.

The second thing to do is to create a comfortable area for the baby to rest and sleep. Puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop healthy. Place the bed in a quiet, warm place. Make sure there are no drafts or sources of noisy sounds that could frighten your pet. When your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy is sleeping, try not to disturb him.

An important condition for comfortable initial adaptation of a new pet is your presence around the clock. Take a vacation during this time or try to adopt a puppy when one of the family members is always at home. This will make it easier for the baby to get used to it, he will not be left to his own devices - this is important so that he does not get bored and does not behave destructively.

Teach your Welsh Corgi Cardigan puppies to spend more active “play time” outside, and try not to play noisy games with them at home. This way they will quickly get used to being quieter when they are in the house or apartment. And in the yard and garden they will frolic and make noise.

What to buy for a puppy

When preparing a dowry for a puppy, the anatomical features of the breed are taken into account.

You will need:

• orthopedic mattress-bed;
• a bowl with an adjustable height stand so that the dog does not have to bend over;
• a raincoat so as not to get your belly dirty - for walks in the wet season;
• long-toothed comb, massage brush, slicker brush;
• playpen or baby gates on the door;
• a variety of toys, including chewing ones;
• toothbrush and toothpaste;
• scissors with rounded ends;
• harness and a pair of strong leashes.

Breeding Welsh Corgi

It is vitally important to entrust the breeding of dogs and the subsequent birth of puppies to professionals. The fact is that Welsh Corgis have a lot of problems related to the topic of procreation, and given the cost of dogs, you should only trust professionals.

Corgi sexual maturity occurs at approximately 18 months of age. Dogs go through their first adult moult, their coloration and bones are finally formed, and their spine becomes strong.

You need to bring the bitch for mating on the 10th-11th day of her heat. This is the optimal time for fertilization. Before you start mating, you need to let the dogs get to know each other. To do this, they are walked together for about two hours, allowing them to get to know each other in detail.

Dogs are mated on the dog's home territory. This allows the male to feel at ease and not get lost in an unfamiliar place. Due to his small stature and short legs, it can be difficult for a male dog to enter a female dog's vagina, and the breeder must guide the dog and maintain stability during mating. On average, mating lasts 30-40 minutes, after which the animals must be allowed to rest.

After two days, a control mating is carried out. After another 4 weeks, the bitch must be taken for an ultrasound to determine the timing of pregnancy and how normally the puppies are developing. The duration of pregnancy is 8-10 weeks.

Childbirth in Welsh Corgis is especially difficult. This is a long and painful procedure for both the animal and the owner. In 50% of cases, childbirth in corgis occurs with complications and then a caesarean section is necessary. For this reason, it is important that an experienced dog breeder be present at the birth. He will provide advice and determine how successful the birth is and whether it is time to seek help from a veterinarian.

Health

Cardigan Corgis live quite a long time provided they are well cared for, have a balanced diet and get enough exercise. But they have a number of health weaknesses.

Genetic pathologies:

1. Dysplasia of the hip and elbow joint.
2. Congenital deafness.
3. Degenerative myelopathy.
4. Intervertebral disc disease.
5. Glaucoma.
6. Cataract.
7. Progressive retinal atrophy.
8. Residual pupillary membrane.

Other diseases to which the breed is prone:

1. Dental problems: tartar, plaque.
2. Infectious diseases.
3. Obesity.
4. Urolithiasis disease.
5. Problems with the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
6. Reproductive problems, difficult childbirth.

Important: many genetic pathologies can be detected by veterinary tests. Ask breeders for documents about the health status of the puppy’s parents and the results of its genetic tests.

Training

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed is distinguished by its intelligence and intelligence. Dogs are easy to train, and in training they show themselves from the most positive side. In order for the puppy to be interested in classes, excessive seriousness and monotony must be avoided. The training is carried out in a relaxed playful manner, trying to interest the pet. Stupid and unquestioning execution of commands is not for corgis!

What to pay attention to when training:

• the Cardigan Corgi works best for food rewards;
• Aggression, physical punishment and rudeness in education are not acceptable;
• constantly set new tasks for your dog - this develops its mind and relieves excess energy;
• interest is the main motivator during training and study.

Education and training

It is better to start training a Corgi Cardigan puppy from the moment the pet arrives in the house. Particular attention should be paid to:

• accustoming the dog to a name, a place to sleep and feed, and a toilet;
• execution of basic commands “near!”, “in place!”, “sit!”, “lie down!”, “come to me!” and others;
• teaching your baby to use a leash;
• encouragement and proper punishment for misconduct - everything should be in moderation; too strict, demanding treatment can disrupt the dog’s immature psyche, making him angry, wary, cowardly;
• socialization - up to 3 months of age, you need to introduce the puppy to other animals, strangers, he must get used to public places, and not be afraid of street noise;
• behavior correction - at 6 months of age, puberty begins, males begin to try themselves as a leader - for the owner this is a test of strength.

The peak of activity occurs at 9-10 months; the dog should not be allowed in under any circumstances - pranks and bad behavior must be stopped immediately. If you do not have enough experience in training, it is recommended to invite an experienced dog handler to classes, who will select the correct training method for the puppy and implement it.

If you prefer video lessons from the Internet, be sure to pay attention to the age of the pet and the conditions of the classes.

When raising and training a Cardigan Welsh Corgi you should not:

1. Showing cruelty and rudeness - the breed is quite smart and well trained, so kind words, encouragement in the form of strokes and treats are quite enough.
2. Repeating the same thing in class for a very long time - the animal gets tired of the monotony, and the lessons learned are poorly learned. Something new needs to be constantly introduced into training, active tasks can be swapped, and it is better to dilute training with outdoor games.
3. Completely trust your own knowledge and experience - it would not be a bad idea to seek advice from a specialist. This will allow you to avoid mistakes in independent training and not miss important moments in growing up.

A properly raised dog becomes a sociable and devoted friend for every family member. She can guard livestock on the farm, delight the owners with various tricks, but she is not suitable for protection - she can only give a voice, warning of approaching danger.

What to feed

A Welsh Corgi Cardigan dog can be kept on two types of food: natural and ready-made industrial food. Whatever type of diet is chosen, you need to monitor its quality and balance. It is important not to overfeed the animals - corgis are prone to overeating and gaining excess weight. Cardigans can beg for food - the owner will have to be firm in this matter.

Industrial feed

It is best to choose food of at least a “premium” class; they have a balanced formula and contain all the micro- and macroelements necessary for the dog’s growth and development.

The best brands of food for cardigans:

• Acana Regionals Wild Prairie Dog Grain Free;
• Orijen Adult Dog Fit & Trim Grain Free
• Acana Heritage Light & Fit Grain-Free;
• Guabi Natural Adult Dog Mini
• NOW Fresh Small Breed Grain Free;
• Farmina Natural & Delicious Adult Dog Mini Breed Lamb, Pumpkin & Blueberry Grain Free.

Natural nutrition

The basis of the diet for natural feeding should be lean frozen raw meat. They give it in the following dosage – 20 g. per 1 kg. dog's weight. 1-2 times a week, the meat portion is replaced with fish. They give you boiled sea fish fillet without bones.

Also on the dog's menu must be:

• offal, tripe;
• fermented milk products;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• cereals, except semolina;
• bran;
• quail egg;
• vegetable oil;
• vitamin and mineral complexes.

Diseases and health problems

There are practically no genetic diseases in Welsh Corgis. This is due to the fact that this ancient breed appeared as a result of natural rather than artificial selection. Therefore, it is not surprising that dogs do not have genetic diseases and are in enviable health.

One of the main diseases of dogs is obesity. Unfortunately, Corgis are prone to overeating and obesity inevitably follows. Even if the dog is 2 kilograms of excess weight, this will inevitably lead to problems with the spine and cause high blood pressure.

In old age, about 30% of dogs suffer from spinal cord damage. This disease is characterized by weakness of the hind legs and gradually progresses to paralysis. There is no cure for degenerative myelopathy, and it is recommended that a dog suffering from this disease be euthanized.

Also, at the age of 8-10 years, a dog may begin to have eye problems. Cataracts, lens luxation, glaucoma - all this occurs quite often in older dogs. Such diseases can only be treated surgically in specialized clinics.

Important fact: Due to their short stature, Welsh Corgis often suffer from back problems. In particular, if you let a dog fall from a height to the ground, then it will inevitably develop problems with the spinal discs. You shouldn’t let your dog jump a lot, this is clearly not something Corgis are good at.

Narcolepsy can be distinguished among mental illnesses. Dogs get sick from it in their youth. Its main symptom is sudden sleep. Simply put, a dog can fall asleep anywhere and almost instantly. As a rule, this disease goes away on its own over the years.

Photos of Welsh Corgi Cardigan colors

Brindle. The beautiful brindle color of the corgi is inherited by puppies if one of the parents had this color. Any modifications of this color are allowed. There are two varieties of brindle corgi:

• red tiger (cardigan corgi of red brindle color);
• dark tiger.

Tricolor. Black Cardigan Corgi with red or brindle markings. The breed standard allows for various variations of the tricolor color.

The red Cardigan Corgi is particularly fox-like. All shades of red are allowed.

Soboliny . This beautiful color allows any shades of red hair with blackening.

Blue merle. Another unusual color. It has two varieties: with red markings and with brindle markings.

Pros and cons of the breed

Let's look at the pros and cons of the Cardigan Corgi breed.

Pros:

1. Ideal character. Balanced, non-aggressive dogs, alert and not timid.
2. Intelligence and intelligence.
3. Friendliness. Great companions.
4. May get along with other pets.
5. Treats children well.
6. He is devoted to his family members. Not jealous.
7. Easily masters tricks and trains.
8. Could be a watchman.
9. They don't raise their voices without a reason.

Minuses:

1. Tendency to self-will and stubbornness.
2. It is difficult to bear parting with the owner.
3. Has a habit of biting legs.
4. Needs long walks.
5. Heavy seasonal shedding.
6. There are difficulties with reproductive function. It's hard to give birth.
7. High cost of puppies. Difficult to buy.

Owner reviews

Anastasia: “I doubted the choice of dog breed for a long time, so I chose a Corgi Cardigan. Now I think that I was not mistaken in my choice. This is an incredibly positive, pretty, sociable girl. She is always by my side. If she sometimes plays a prank, she will make such a face that it is impossible to be offended or swear at her.”

Sergey: “Everyone writes only good things about the Welsh Corgi Cadigan. They are balanced, get along well with children, and are devoted to their family. We wanted just such a dog. They took a baby boy and named him Korzhik. The dog turned out to be smart, but stubborn. If he needs something, he will do anything to get it. It’s difficult to walk with him, he always tries to turn in the wrong direction from where the owner is going.”

Diana: “My Willie is a big glutton. To get another piece of his favorite treat, he is ready to whine, jump and demand. They say that all cardigans are like this. But other than that, he’s a cutie, the life of the party, a charming dog with smart, expressive eyes.”