Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dog Breed
Aliases: Cardigan, Cardi
Description
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small herding dog with a straight, weather-proof coat accented by a heavy ruff around the neck and a pair of jodphur-like tufts of fur near the hind legs. Its bone structure and general proportions are reminiscent of a Dachshund, and some breeders speculate that the Cardi has some Dachsund heritage from its largely mysterious origins (before its arrival in Wales.)
The Cardi is often confused with its closest relative, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Although significant genetic differences exist between the two (breeders now believe that the Pembroke Corgi was crossed with Norwegian breeds during Viking invasions of England and Wales), the most visible difference is in the tail: Pembroke Welsh Corgis have very short of nonexistet tails, while the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a long and ample one.
Coat Description
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a double coat. The outer coat is straight, of medium length, and weatherproof, while the inner coat is softer and meant to insulate the Cardi from extremes of temperature during the winter. The coat is slightly thicker around the neck and rear legs, giving the Cardi its distinctive appearance.
History
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are one of the oldest breeds in the United Kingdom, with early examples of the breed reported in Wales some three thousand years ago. The Cardi was originally used simply to protect herds of cattle en route from Wales to English markets, but in time the early Welsh drovers realized the utility of the Cardi as a herder and began using the breed in this capacity. A later cross with traditional Welsh sheepdogs increased the Cardi\'s herding capabilities still further, resulting in the Cardigan Welsh Cardi as we know it today.
The original Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed was split during Viking invasions near the end of the first millennium AD, when members of the Spitz breed (which accompanied the Vikings) cross-bred with original Welsh Corgis, resulting in two different strains: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the closely-related Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Although some cross-breeding between these two distinct varieties of Corgi occurred--encouraged by the refusal of English kennel clubs at the start of the twentieth century to consider the Pembroke and the Cardi as two distinct breeds--the breeds were finally separated in 1934, and the breed lines have remained reasonably pure ever since.
Temperament
Cardis are above all active. They have a naturally high energy level (a side effect of their long history as herding dogs), and they\'re willing to use this energy as often as possible. Thankfully, they aren\'t nervous as a rule--a problem with many equally-energetic terrier breeds--and will only bark at strangers and others that they perceive as immediate threats. Their destructive behavior when they feel themselves abandoned by their humans is also minimal, although sometimes surprisingly effective (given the Cardi\'s inherent intelligence.)
Cardis love problem-solving and other intellectual challenges, and are natural candidates for heavy obedience training and trick-performing. This intelligence isn\'t coupled with much native skittishness or aggressiveness, however (with one exception, as we\'ll see), which makes the dogs fairly stable, ideal household pets. Their intelligence needs to be constantly exercised, however, or Cardis will start becoming restless and will start turning their intelligence toward what one might call "bad ends" (stealing food, finding their way out of closed apartments or yards, and other unwanted behavior.)
One serious problem with the breed\'s temperament is, to paraphrase Sartre, the problem of Other Dogs--the Cardi\'s wariness and aggressiveness when faced with other dogs. This is a natural side effect of the dog\'s history--herding dogs were frequently responsible for driving off any predatory dogs and wolves who threatened the flock--but that doesn\'t make it any less irritating or dangerous for you as a Cardi owner. You\'ll want to carefully supervise your dog in order to prevent any fights with other dogs which could result in injury either to the other dog or to your own. Other animals and children are less of a problem--the Cardi tends to perceive them as members of the flock, rather than as predators--and Cardis will generally protect and socialize well with them.
Thyroid Disease - Low Risk
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi ranks #95 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. This is considered a low risk breed so your chances of obtaining a dog with the disease is small. It is still suggested that dogs meant for breeding still be tested to help bring the incidence of disease even lower (or even eliminate it).
| Rank Among Breeds |
Number of Dogs Tested |
Percent of Dogs With Disease |
| #95 |
1,350 |
3.7% |
You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here
Other Health Problems
Cardis are an extremely healthy breed compared to other dogs of comparable size and grouping. Hip dysplasia is potential problem, as are mild eye problems ( glaucoma and Progressive Retinal Atrophy in particular) in later years. The most dangerous ailment a Cardi faces, however, is degenerative myelopathy (DM), a spinal complaint most commonly found in German Shepherds. Although DM is a moderately rare condition, it's still a good idea to start having your Cardi checked by a vet starting at around five years of age.
