Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog is famous for his exceptional herding abilities. These dogs have evolved side by side with Pembroke Welsh Corgies, and have long been considered the same breed. It was not until 1934 that separate breed standards were developed for each of the two dogs. These dogs originated in Cardiganshire, Wales. The term ‘Corgi’ is a derivation from the Celtic word, which stands for ‘dog’.

The first Cardigan Welsh Corgi was represented in 1919 in England and in 1926 the English Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association was founded. In 1931, the dog was imported to the United States. Both in England and in the United States, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Corgi were officially declared two separate breeds. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America was founded in 1935.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small yet robust dog, measuring approximately 12 inches high at the withers. Males weigh 30-38 pounds, and females weigh 25-34 pounds. The dog’s water-repellent double-coat is of medium length, and it comes in the following color permutations: brindle, red, sable, blue merle and black. These dogs have an intelligent facial expression and very large erect ears.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs are intelligent and lovely companions. They are very devoted to their loved ones and very protective. They are quite suspicious of strangers, and hence they must be socialized from early on. With their herding instincts so strong, they often practice them on other pets and children. Not infrequently, they do this on adult people, but it is possible to teach them not to do so.

Cardigans are ardent barkers, and they always use their voice on seeing or hearing someone approaching their domain. They are much more territorial than Pembroke Welsh dogs – their closest relatives. Males can be very dog-aggressive. Despite their small size, these dogs require a lot of attention, as they love to play with their owners. If left alone for a long time, they get frustrated and can become extremely noisy. Cardigan Welsh Corgies are well accustomed to apartment life and they do not need a large yard.

These dogs are quite healthy and long-lived. Their life expectancy is 12-15 years. This is a rare breed, and breeders have a good opportunity to track the dog’s genetic development. Some dogs develop Progressive Retinal Atrophy and glaucoma. These are serious eye problems, which often end in total blindness. Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dogs diagnosed with these diseases should not be admitted to breeding projects.