Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

10-16 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

very low

Trainability:

high

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

medium

Area of Origin:

Wales

Date of Origin:

ancient times

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

cattle driving

History

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is distantly related to the Pembroke Welsh corgi, probably sharing a common ancestor, the Swedish Vallhund. Despite this however, the Cardigan is regarded as being of Teckel (dwarf dogs such as Basset, Dachshund, etc) descent whereas the Pembroke is regarded as being of Spitz descent. The Welsh farmers of Cardiganshire developed and kept the breed as a valuable working companion. Their small stature made them ideal to live with in the small cottages, and when herding and protecting flocks & herds they could go in under the stock to bite the heels, never getting injured, as the heels would fly well above their heads. The name “Corgi” as applied to the Cardigan means “cur dog”. Not derogatory, but“Cur” being simply a working dog – or “dwarf dog”. It has been suggested that all small working dogs in Wales were once referred to as “Corgi”. Logically this suggestion has some merit and can be confirmed by the situation of the Cardigan and Pembroke – both small Welsh dogs, originally of no relation, but still both Corgis.

Temperament

The breed is intelligent, good natured, hard working and very anxious to please & work with people. They are good with children and the breed is well known for it’s sense of humour – they will often do attention drawing antics and be delighted when they create laughter.

Upkeep

The Cardigan is easy to feed, not being known as fussy dogs, but it is extremely important that they are not allowed to become overweight as this puts a strain on their long backs and short legs. To keep in neat condition, an occasional bath is advised and a weekly brush or comb to remove shedding coat. Like all working breeds, they do need good exercise but can be kept on quite a small section if given regular exercise. Their working instinct is still very obvious and they are very capable farm helpers.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
Alert, active and intelligent, with steady temperament.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Sturdy, mobile and capable of endurance. Overall silhouette long in proportion to height, terminating in a fox like brush, set in line with the body. Alert expression.

Head and Skull:
Head foxy in shape and appearance, skull wide and flat between the ears tapering towards the eyes above which it should be slightly domed. Moderate amount of stop. Length of foreface in proportion to skull as 3:5, tapering moderately towards the nose, which should be black, slightly projecting and in no sense blunt. Underjaw clean cut, strong but without prominence.

Eyes:
Medium size, clear, giving a kindly, alert but watchful expression. Rather widely set with corners clearly defined. Eyes preferably dark, or to blend with the coat, rims dark. One or both eyes pale blue, blue or blue flecked, permissible only in blue merles.

Ears:
Erect, proportionately rather large to the size of the dog. Tips slightly rounded, moderately wide at the base and set about 9 cm (3.5 in) apart. Carried so that the tips are slightly wide of a straight line drawn from the tip of the nose through the centre of the eyes, and set well back so that they can be laid flat along the neck.

Mouth:
Teeth strong, with a perfect regular and complete scissor bite, i.e., the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Pincer bite permissible. The teeth should be evenly arranged and not crowded in relation to one another.

Neck:
Muscular, well developed and in proportion to the dog's build, fitting into well sloped shoulders.

Forequarters:
Shoulders well laid and angulated at approximately 90 degrees to the 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 only slightly outwards.

Body:
Chest moderately broad with prominent breast bone. Body fairly long and strong with deep brisket, well sprung ribs and 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 should be vertical viewed from the side and rear.

Feet:
Round, tight, rather large and well padded. All dewclaws should be removed.

Gait:
Free and active, elbows fitting closely to sides, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs should reach well forward without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.

Tail:
Like a fox's brush set in line with the body and moderately long (to touch or nearly touch the ground). Carried low when standing but may be lifted a little above the body when moving, but not curled over the back.

Coat:
Short or medium of hard texture. Weatherproof with good undercoat. Preferably straight.

Colour:
Any colour, with or without white markings, but white should not predominate.

Weight and Size:
Height as near as possible to30 cm (12 in) at the shoulder. Weight in proportion to size, with overall balance as prime consideration.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault is regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.