Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh corgi ( /ˈkɔrɡi/) is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh corgis that originated in Wales, the other being the Pembroke Welsh corgi. It is one of the oldest herding breeds.

Cardigan Welsh corgis can be extremely loyal family dogs.^[1] They are able to live in a variety of settings, from apartments to farms. For their size, however, they do need a surprising amount of daily physical and mental stimulation. Cardigans are a very versatile breed and a wonderful family companion.

History

Pembrokes and Cardigans first appeared together in 1925 when they were shown under the rules of The Kennel Club in Britain.^[2] The Corgi Club was founded in December, 1925 in Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire.^[2] It is reported that the local members naturally favored the Pembroke breed, so a club for Cardigan enthusiasts was founded a year or so later.^[2] Both groups have worked hard to ensure the appearance and type of breed are standardized through careful selective breeding.^[2] Pembrokes and Cardigans were officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1928 and are lumped together under the heading Welsh Corgis.^[2]

Origins

Cardigans are said to originate from the Teckel family of dogs, which also produced Dachshunds.^[3] They are among the oldest of all herding breeds, believed to have been in existence in Wales for over 3,000 years.

Popularity

Cardigan Welsh corgis can compete in dog sports also known as dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.

Name

The phrase "cor gi" is sometimes translated as "dwarf dog" in Welsh. The breed was often called "yard-long dogs" in older times. Today's name comes from their area of origin: Ceredigion inWales.

Modern breed

Originally used only as a farm guardian, they eventually took on the traits of a cattle drover, herder, and many more.^[4] They are still highly valued for their herding, working, and guarding skills, as well as their companionship.

Description

• Life expectancy 12-14 years.^[5]

• Pups

The Cardigan is a long, low dog with upright ears and a bottle brush tail.^[6] The old American Kennel Club standard called it an "Alsatian on short legs". The Cardigan's tail is long (unlike the Pembroke Welsh corgi, whose tail may be long, short,^[7] naturally bobbed or docked^[8]). Cardigans come in a variety of colors including any shade of red, sable, or brindle, as well as black, with or without tan brindle or blue merle, with or without tan or brindle points. A few other unofficial colors can occur, such as red merle, but these colors are not considered acceptable per the Cardigan standard. They usually have white on the neck, chest, legs, muzzle, underneath, tip of the tail and as a blaze on the head, known as the "Irish pattern." Other markings include ticking on the legs and muzzle, smutty muzzles and monk's hoods . An average Cardigan is around 10.5 to 13  inches (260 to 315 mm) tall at the withers and weighs from 30 to 38 lb. (13.6 to 17.2 kg) for the male and 25 to 34 lb. (11.3 to 15.4 kg) for the female.

Temperament

• Originally bred for farm work, including herding sheep and cattle. Cardigan Welsh corgis were bred long and low to make sure that any kicks by cattle would travel safely over the dogs' heads without touching them. Known as "a big dog in a small package,"

• Cardigans are highly intelligent, active, athletic dogs.

• Housepet They have proven themselves as excellent companion animals, Cardigans are affectionate, devoted companions that can also be alert and responsible guardians. If socialized at a young age, they can be nice with other dogs and housepets. Some Cardigan corgis are 'one-man dogs'.

• competitive in sheepdog trials dog agility, competitive obedience and rally obedience.

• Guard Dogs Cardigans are typically excellent watchdogs, as they are highly alert to the approach of strangers to their territory, and will be very vocal until they and/or their owner are assured that the stranger poses no threat. They tend to be wary of strangers and to reserve their affection for a select few with whom they are familiar.

Use as working dogs

Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Corgis exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.^[9]

Cardigan Welsh corgis can compete in dog sports also known as dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship,flyball, tracking, and herding events.

Health

UK Kennel Club survey puts the average life span of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi at 11.7 years. The most common cause of death for the breed was cancer (28.3%), old age (24.6%) and neurological disorders (15.2%).^[10]

Pictures

References

External links

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi at the Open Directory Project