Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Often alone
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Miss Melinda Mills (JENINDA)

woofwoof@jenindacorgis.com
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Breeder - Mrs Sharon Hall (GIANDARRA)

sharonhall6@bigpond.com
See Details

History

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) were ﬁrst bred in Pembrokeshire in Southern Wales as cattle dogs, or ‘homestead’ dogs. The breed is a combination of the local herding dogs, much like the black and tan Lancashire Heelers, and the Spitz breeds, like Vallhunds, brought over by the Vikings who landed around the Pembrokeshire coast.

The Cardigan Corgi was also originally bred to work closely with the farmers of Wales as a herder of cattle, guard dog and companion. These qualities mean that, even today, a typical Corgi likes to organise its family and is resilient and innovative.

Appearance

The Welsh Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan) is a low-set dog with a body somewhat long in proportion to its short legs. It is sturdy, but athletic and active. The breed’s head has a foxy quality and appearance, with large upright ears and a bushy tail that should be carried high when the dog is excited or moving.

The Cardigan has a short or medium-length coat which comes in an intriguingly wide range of colours including red, sable, brindle, black, blue merle and black and tan.

Temperament

The Cardigan Corgi is biddable, ready to please, as well as independent and resourceful. The breed is totally devoted to those it loves and can adjust to almost any lifestyle, be it herding livestock or living in a city apartment.

Health

The Welsh Corgi is a robust, generally healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 12-16 years, and often it is still very healthy and playful up until the end. There are no very common health issues, but the breed can have Hip Dysplasia and Von Willebrand Disease, a blood clotting disorder. Knowledgeable breeders have tests for these and screen breeding stock so that these conditions do not become more common.

Maintenance

The Cardigan Corgi’s short coat requires no stripping or trimming, but will beneﬁt from a daily brush and an occasional bath. The breed is perfectly happy with a small yard, as long as the owner takes it on a brisk walk daily.

Suitability

The Corgi makes a great family pet and loves to join in all the family activities. Because it is highly intelligent and a herding dog, the breed is at its best when it is well trained. Its best feature is its huge personality – the breed is full of fun and excels as a watchdog, as it has a keen ear and a remarkable memory.

Words: Robin Robertson and Jean Georgiou on behalf of the Welsh Corgi Club of NSW

Image: Shutterstock.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Dec 2015)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Sturdy, tough, mobile, capable of endurance. Long in proportion to height, terminating in fox-like brush, set in line with body.

Characteristics

Alert, active and intelligent.

Temperament

Alert, intelligent, steady, not shy or aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head foxy in shape and appearance, skull wide and flat between ears tapering towards eyes above which it is slightly domed. Moderate stop. Length of foreface in proportion to head 3 to 5, muzzle tapering moderately towards nose which projects slightly and in no sense blunt. Underjaw clean cut. Strong but without prominence. Nose black.
Eyes	Medium size, clear, giving kindly, alert but watchful expression. Rather widely set with corners clearly defined. Preferably dark, or to blend with coat, rims dark. One or both eyes pale blue, blue or blue flecked, permissible only in blue merles.
Ears	Erect, proportionately rather large to size of dog. Tips slightly rounded, moderately wide at base and set about 9 cms (3 &1/2; ins) apart. Carried so that tips are slightly wide of straight line drawn from tip of nose through centre of eyes, and set well back so that they can be laid flat along neck.
Mouth	Teeth strong, with scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Muscular, well developed, in proportion to dog's build, fitting into well sloping shoulders.
Forequarters	Shoulders well laid, angulated at approximately 90 degrees to upper arm; muscular, elbows close to sides. Strong bone carried down to feet. Legs short but body well clear of the ground, forearms slightly bowed to mould round the chest. Feet turned slightly outwards.
Body	Chest moderately broad with prominent breast bone. Body fairly long and strong, with deep brisket, well sprung ribs, clearly defined waist. Topline level.
Hindquarters	Strong, well angulated and aligned with muscular thighs and second thighs, strong bone carried down to feet, legs short; when standing, hocks vertical, viewed from side and rear.
Feet	Round, tight, rather large and well padded.
Tail	Like a fox's brush set in line with the body and moderately long (to touch or nearly touch ground). Carried low when standing but may be lifted a little above body when moving, not curled over back.
Gait/Movement	Free and active, elbows fitting close to sides, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs reaching well forward without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.
Coat	Short or medium of hard texture. Weatherproof, with good undercoat. Preferably straight.
Colour	Acceptable colours are blue merle, brindle, red, sable, tri colour with brindle points and tri colour with red points.All of the above with or without the typical white markings on head, neck, chest, underparts, legs and feet, white tail tip. White should not predominate on body or head where it should never surround the eyes. Nose and eye rims must be black. Liver and dilute colours highly undesirable.
Size	Ideal Height: 30 cms (12 ins) at shoulders.Weight in proportion to size with overall balance the prime consideration.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.