The Canine Chronicles Directory
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small sized, well-built dog that sits low to the ground.
The medium to short double coat is straight, waterproof and has a smooth, dense
outer coat. Hair on the coat is short around the ears, head, and front of the legs
and long around the ruff, back of the legs and underside of tail. The colors of
the coat are usually red, black, blue merle, black/tan, sable/brindle, and black/brindle.
Many times the coats have white markings on them. All colors, except all white,
are accepted when showing the breed. The broad head has a round, tapered muzzle
and the occiput is not emphasized. The jaw is strong and the teeth should meet in
a scissor-like bite. The medium sized, wide-set eyes should be blue if the coat
is merle and dark if the coat is any other color. The large ears should stand erect
and should be slightly rounded at the tips. The muscular neck merges into well-developed
shoulders. The broad, deep chest is well-sprung and the topline is straight. The
legs are short with the front feet slightly turned out. The round feet should be
large. The tail is bushy, "fox-like" and carried over the back.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi's are loyal, affectionate, obedient, protective and devoted
little dogs. They are good with older more considerate children. Due to their strong
herding instincts, they may attempt to herd people by nipping at their heels; however,
they can be trained to stop this behavior. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are small in size
but many of them have lost their lives defending their homes and families. They
are generally suspicious of strangers, although Cardigans are more social than the
Pembroke variety. They are usually good with non-canine animals and other Corgis,
but they can become combative with other dogs. Males are especially aggressive around
females in heat.
The origin of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is still unknown. It is believed that they
are either descendants of the Swedish Vallhund, brought to Wales by Vikings in the
800s or that the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older variety of Swedish Vallhund,
brought to Wales by the Celts in about 1200 BC. However, records have been discovered
that state the breed existed in the British Isles during 1200 B.C. They were also
mentioned in the Domesday Book written in 1086. The Celtic word for dog is "corgi"
and is the speculated origin of the breed's name. This breed was actually developed
in Cardiganshire, Wales and was used as cattle drovers, vermin hunters and farm
guards. They drove cattle by barking and nipping at the heels of the animal. Their
size helps them to move out of the way when herded animals try to kick. The Pembroke
and Cardigan varieties of Welsh Corgis were interbred until 1934 when they were
recognized as separate breeds. Both breeds are recognized by the AKC and the UKC.