Cardigan Welsh Corgi

All you need to know about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is an easily recognizable, lovable dog with a long body and short legs. However, their body isn’t actually any longer than average. The short legs just make it seem that way.

These dogs love having fun, are incredibly easy-going, and have tons of energy. They are similar to Pembroke Welsh Corgis in many ways, but the Cardigans were developed first. Their original role was that of farm dogs and drovers, which is the reason for their small size.

Still, don’t let the size fool you! There is plenty of power hidden behind the miniature frame of these pups. If needed, they can exhibit incredible speed and endurance. Still, most of the time you can expect them to be relaxed and obedient. They make great pets!

Are you interested in getting one of these cute doggies as your pet? You should know many things about this breed, so read on to find out the most important facts.

Fast Facts

Group - Herding

Weight - 30-38 Pounds (male) 25-34 Pounds (female)

Height - 10,5-12,5 Inches (male) 10,5-12,5 Inches (female)

Hair Length - Medium

Shedding - Light

Lifespan - 12-14 Years

The Appearance of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Using words such as cute and adorable is everyone’s first instinct when talking about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. These puppies grow to be medium-sized adults that look absolutely handsome.

Of course, the first characteristic most will notice on the Corgi is its long body paired with those short, stubby, somewhat curved legs. It makes them look incredibly sweet, and it is hard to resist their charm based on this alone!

Their body type makes them a part of a group of canines that are known as chondrodysplastic breeds. These breeds have a specific evolutionary gene mutation. This mutation is responsible for a type of dwarfism that results in their short legs. This makes the Cardigan Welsh Corgi a cousin to Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and the Pekingnese.

The coat of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is medium-length with two layers. The top layer can come in different colors and is sleek, while the bottom layer is white and downy, and soft. Show dogs usually have their coat cut shorter in the front and left longer in the back. Family pets are left with their natural fluffy coat.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a broad head with angular ears that are quite expressive and wide. The head can be the same color as the topcoat or have a white patch going all throughout the muzzle. 

The tail is where you will be able to see the main difference between the Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The Cardigan has a poofy tail, similar to that of a fox. It is incredibly cute and will definitely draw the attention of anyone that sees it.

Pembrokes on the other hand have docked tails. They have similar body shapes and are hard to differentiate, but Cardigans are generally a bit larger. Another difference is the ears. Cardigan Corgis have more rounded ears, while Pembrokes have more pointy ears.

Now, you can easily differentiate between a Pembroke and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. You know all about these pups’ cute looks, but let’s not forget about the colors!

What colors does a Cardigan Welsh Corgi come in?

According to the breed standard, several colors of the outer coat are allowed. These include:

• Red
• Sable
• Brindle
• Black
• Blue

Generally, there is no color preference between these when it comes to competitions. These dogs usually have white markings on the neck, chest, legs, underparts, muzzle, and tip of the tail. It is preferred if the white doesn’t dominate on the head. It should also never go around the eyes.

There are of course other colors, such as the red merle. Although the standard does not accept these, if you don’t plan on competing with your dog, it shouldn’t matter to you.

All about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi personality

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are extremely intelligent, playful, obedient, and love to please their owners. Expect these pups to show their affection towards you constantly. However, they might not like being around strangers!

These dogs have loads of energy, and you should dedicate enough time to keeping your Corgi companion busy. They require more activity than their Pembroke cousins, so keep that in mind.

Cardigans are quite obedient, but you should make sure to train them gently from the moment they become your pet. 

Let’s not forget how athletic and fast these pups are. They can run really well and can be quite competitive in the show ring, especially in agility trials. Of course, this is just an added bonus to having one of these dogs as your pet, and should only be done if you wish.

These dogs love people, and constantly wish for someone to keep them company. Cardigans can become emotionally attached quite easily. They will love spending time with you and other members of your family, but this might not be what everyone wants. Be careful when picking a pet, and always know what to expect when it comes to its temperament.

The personality of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is highly adaptable, and they can be quite responsible. This is probably connected to their history as working dogs. They want to assist you in your chores, it is just in their nature!

Cardigans are also less sociable and more territorial than Pembrokes. They will love spending time with you and the family, but won’t be so sociable with people they are not familiar with. They can be reserved towards strangers!

They will protect their home and actually make for good watchdogs. All this could also be connected to their herding heritage. Expect your Cardigan pup to bark at the sight of strangers of anything it considers unusual.

These dogs will also love spending time with your children. Just make sure to get them used to your kids from an early age. Of course, you should teach your children how to handle dogs properly.

Is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi easy to train?

The most important part of developing your Cardigan Welsh Corgi well is early socialization. It is incredibly important, even more so than with most other dog breeds. If you expose your pup to a wide variety of people, animals, and experiences from an early age it will develop wonderfully.

Other than that, these dogs are highly trainable, and you should not have any big issues with them. They are intelligent, so you can expect them to learn quickly and be excellent training partners. You should always be ready to think up new ways to engage your Corgi, to keep it physically and mentally active.

They can be independent thinkers, though, which might not sit well with everyone. These dogs will always follow your orders, but you can expect them to add their own special twist to everything they do. It is just their way of showing independence.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis won’t constantly go out of their way to please their owners. They are obedient, but not in that sense. Their independence is important, and they will always be affectionate, but in their own way.

How much Grooming does a Cardigan Welsh Corgi need?

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are double-coated dogs, so they shed quite intensely during the Spring and Fall seasons. This is when their undercoat goes through an intense process called “blowing coat”. You can expect the fur to be everywhere during those periods. Since the shedding can get quite intense, these dogs are not hypoallergenic.

You should strive to keep the shedding during regular seasons to a minimum by brushing your pet Corgi often. Do so at least twice a week for the best results. These dogs are quite clean, so you won’t need to bathe your Cardigan often.

Still, you should wash Corgi’s teeth with doggy toothpaste a few times weekly. If you keep your dog’s teeth healthy, you will make your life much easier in general since it will help you avoid some health issues.

Also, make sure you trim your Corgi’s nails at least once per month. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, that is usually a good sign that you should trim them. If you aren’t skilled at this, ask your veterinarian for advice.

The Living Environment of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgis do well in any environment, be it a small apartment or a large farm. 

When getting a Corgi as your pet, you should keep in mind that they can be yappy. These dogs love barking, and while they do know how to keep quiet, if they have something to say, they will let you know.

Cardigan Corgis will love having a fenced backyard to play in. if you don’t have one, make sure to go on walks in the park often. Always give them something to do. As we already mentioned, Corgis don’t like being alone, so make sure someone is always there to keep an eye out on your pup.

The Health and Nutrition of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

In general, Cardigan Corgis are quite healthy, but there are some issues that are known to occur more often.

These include hip dysplasia, which can be quite common in most breeds. Still, since this breed is chondrodysplastic, it can be more prone to growth abnormalities. One such condition is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). This disease can manifest as paralysis, loss of limb function, or the loss of feeling in the hind limbs. Surgery may be needed.

While your Corgi is still young, it is important to avoid high-impact activities. This will drastically reduce the chance of back injury. Don’t allow your Corgi to jump from high surfaces. Installing ramps on some parts of your house might be a good idea to help your Corgi move around.

Another thing Corgis are known for is their love for treats. These dogs can easily become overweight. This is why you should watch their diet and stay active at all times.

Your veterinarian will help you pick the absolute best dog food for your Corgi, and always consult with them on the correct amount of food you should feed your pet. It will depend on the age, size, and activity level. Dividing the food into two meals daily is highly important though!

Where does the Cardigan Welsh Corgi come from?

This breed is actually quite ancient and dates all the way back to the age of Celtic migrations that occurred around 1200 BC. The name Corgi can be translated from Welsh. “Cor” means “dwarf” and “gi” means “dog” in that language.

Still, others believe that the name originates from the Celtic word “kergie”, which simply translates to “dog”. Whatever the case may be, this breed has been around for a while. The Cardigans are actually the older breed than the Pembroke Corgis.

However, the AKC recognized Pembrokes first in 1934, and the Cardigans were recognized a year later. Welsh farmers originally used these dogs because of their herding skills. They were also excellent guard dogs and were considered essential for guarding pastures and relocating other animals. These skills still show in their behavior today!

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Mixes you would like to know about*

Dog crossbreeds or mixes are sometimes called designer dogs. The name fits since you are “designing” a new dog by mating two purebred dogs. It has become popular in recent times, and more and more breeds have several noteworthy crosses we could write about.

The thing with mixed puppies is that it is hard to know which characteristics they will inherit from their parents. You should research as much info as possible on the parent breeds to understand what you can expect. This way, you will find a mix that has all of the characteristics you want and love.

Read on to see the most popular Cardigan Welsh Corgi mixes:

• Borgi - Corgi & Border Collie mix
• Golden Corgi - Corgi & Golden Retriever mix
• Corgi Pom - Corgi & Pomeranian mix
• Corgipoo - Corgi & Miniature Poodle mix
• Porgi - Corgi & Pug mix
• Corkie - Corgi & Yorkshire Terrier mix
• Cojack - Corgi & Jack Russell mix

*Not all breed mixes are equal in quality! Pets4you.com neither condones nor endorses any example of unethical and unhealthy crossbreeding. We encourage everyone to research in detail before they choose to get a crossbreed.