Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is better known as Welsh Corgi a dog breed that originated in Wales.
There are two types of Cardies: the other, maybe even more popular Corgi is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
How to separate them?
The quickest way is to look at the tail: Cardigans have tails, Pembrokes don’t. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the oldest known breeds.
Dog experts claim that this breed has a long line of at least 3,000 years. They have a very noticeable appearance of short height, sturdy bone, short legs, and a deep chest.
They are famous for having red to the popular blue-merle pattern. They may be cute, but they are super-hard workers of great speed and grace.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi usually weights up to 34 pounds and should be on a strict diet, since they are foodies and as such prone to obesity.
Cardies are highly trainable and faithful dogs with a ‘big dog’ bark and attitude.
When socialized the right way and trained properly, they are great with children and other pets. These small dogs are passionate outdoor lovers and will love nothing more but following you outside.
They are extremely fond of children, although children should be educated on how to behave around them, and not to treat them as toys.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi will also do fine with other pets.
Quick Facts
Real name: Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Other names: Cardigan, CWC, Cardi
Origin: Wales
Breed type: Herding Dogs
Weight: 25 to 38 pounds
Height: 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Litter Size: 4 – 6 puppies
Color: Many colors, including red, sable, brindle, and black. They are often blue merle, or without lan
Coat: Short doubel-coat with a thick undercoat
Cardigan Welsh Corgi History
Not that long ago, both Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke were listed as one breed.
That’s at least how these dogs were seen by The Kennel Club in Britain in 1925. It took a full decade for dog experts to finally separate these two breeds.
As of 1935, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi got the status of the separate breed, and breeders started showing them separately.
Not much is known about this breed’s history, but it’s known that the word ‘corgi’ means the ‘dwarf dog.’
Today’s name is closely related to their area of origin – Cardigan (Welsh ‘Ceredigion’).
All in all, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi comes from Wales, and dog historians claim that this dog is about two thousand years older than the Pembroke.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Physical Appearance
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the easiest breeds to recognize.
They are always low set with a deep chest. They are longer than taller, and the first impression is that this is a powerful and small dog of noticeable speed and endurance.
When compared with Pembroke, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is bigger in size and usually up to eight pounds heavier.
Eight pounds is a significant amount when we are talking about the breed that is set low to the ground. These dogs are short-legged with fox-like heads and soft expressions.
Their ears are always erect and rounded at the top. Their tail is longer, which separates them from their cousin Pembroke, who has a short tail and more pointed ears.
As expected, females are slightly smaller than males. Representatives of this breed are usually 10 inches to 1 foot tall at the shoulder and weigh between 25 to 38 pounds.
If you manage to provide proper care, the right nutrition, and exercise level, you can expect your Cardigan Welsh Corgi to live up to 15 years.
In most cases, they live around 12 years.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Personality
If there is an adventure, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi will be there.
These are active dogs and don’t let their size fool you. This small size breed may have short legs but they will outrun you, and they will enjoy every second of it.
They are loyal and loving dogs who thrive in family surroundings. If you want a family dog, this breed should be on top of your list.
These lively dogs are fast to adapt to both city and rural life. They are compact in size and moving around or walking them on busy city streets is easy. They are great with children, especially smaller children who know how to behave around dogs.
Make sure that your children know how to interact with dogs safely, and never to disturb them while they are eating, sleeping, playing with their toys, or simply resting.
Do you have another dog? Fear not, because this sparky Corgi will love having a company around.
Just make sure that you present them to each other in a safe and calm environment.
As an athletic breed, this small Corgi will thrive playing games such as fetch, or even some of the dog sports, such as agility or obedience.
If your Corgi turns out to be a great swimmer and an ultimate dog lover, you can always include him in water-related activities.
No matter what you choose, make sure that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is next to you, equally participating.
In other words, your Cardigan Welsh Corgi will enjoy any activity that makes you happy.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Training
If you are truly serious about getting a dog, then you should know that without training you will have a bored and unhappy pooch.
No matter how challenging training your Corgi might be, you will have to do your best to help him become a good canine citizen.
Training should start as soon as you bring your Cardigan Welsh Corgi home.
Have enough toys on hand, prepare treats that you will use during the training process, and do your research on positive training methods.
No dog should ever experience any harsh training methods, and your Cardigan Welsh Corgi shouldn’t be the first.
Are you are a first time dog owner? If so, and you find training your dog overwhelming, think about puppy classes.
In fact, any consultation time with a professional dog trainer, or even with a friend who is a years-long dog owner, can benefit you tremendously.
Have house dog rules that your dog and your visitors will follow. A little effort and consistency, followed by some basic rules can take training a long way.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Exercise
Don’t let anyone tell you that smaller size dogs don’t need regular or intense exercise.
Yes, some breeds are of more low-energy such as Pomeranian, while other small dogs, such as Cardigan Welsh Corgi will more active and in need of a more intense workout.
All in all, if you are not an of regular exercise, then this breed may not be your best choice.
Putting your Corgi into really intense workout minutes can make more harm than good if you don’t know what you are doing.
Corgis have unusual body shapes, and they are prone to back problems.
If they are obese or have some extra weight, it can make their movement just worse. That being said, you should know that they can’t run very fast, but they can go for slow jogging.
Also, they can walk a lot longer than other short-legged dogs can.
All in all, to keep your Cardigan Welsh Corgi fit and stimulate both mentally and physically, provide an hour of walking daily.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Grooming
When it comes to grooming the very first step is to have the best possible grooming tools on hand. That being said, provide the following:
- Pin brush
- Comb
- Nail clipper or grinder
They do shed, and keeping that coat in order will demand weekly brushing sessions of a minimum of 15 minutes.
You can expect more intense shedding during the shedding session. Luckily, shedding season happens only twice a year, in spring and autumn.
The rest is basic care:
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Bathe only when needed. When doing so, make sure that you are using only shampoo specially designed for dogs
- Check ears, eyes, and gums weekly
- Check skin during the brushing sessions for any sign of fleas or infection
Learn how to clean a dog’s ears and when you should do it.
Grooming is an important step in overall dog health and shouldn’t be ignored.
If grooming is too much work for you, think about a professional groomer. This will cost you more, but it will save you time and energy.
However, don’t overdo it, because grooming (especially brushing) is a great way to connect with your dog, and make your bond stronger.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health
The only way to be 100% sure that you are getting a healthy dog, is to deal with responsible breeders only.
Responsible breeders will always screen puppies for the most common health issues in the breed, and present you medical documentation on the puppy’s health.
On top of that responsible breeders will also:
- Show you the facilities
- Let you meet the bitch
- Ask you a lot of questions to be 100% sure that you are a good match for their puppy
All in all, the Cardigan is a healthy breed. If you provide enough care, proper nutrition, and the right surrounding, you can expect your Cardigan to live long.
Still, no matter how great care you provide, you can still expect to see some health issues along the way.
This doesn’t mean that your Cardigan will get any of these issues, but only that you should be well-aware of them and their effects.
Here are some of the most common health issues that you can expect to see in this breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
So far, it is known that the most common reason for death in this breed is cancer. This is followed by old age and neurological disorders.
To keep your Cardigan healthy and happy you should focus on prevention and regular veterinarian check-ups. This is the best way to keep your dog’s health in balance and order.
Is Cardigan Welsh Corgi For You?
If you are sure that getting a dog is something that you really want, something that you can afford, and something that you can dedicate your time and energy to, then this athletic breed should be on your list.
Getting a dog is always a serious decision, and choosing the best breed for your lifestyle should be imperative.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi isn’t for you if know for sure that you cannot provide enough mental stimulation and have a hard time dealing with shedding.
However, this breed is for you if you want an athletic and spirited dog who is polite and friendly. Moreover, this breed is for you if don’t mind providing regular brushing time and proper care.
Popular Cardigan Welsh Corgi Comparisons
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs French Bulldog
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Bulldog
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Poodle
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Beagle
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Dachshund
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Yorkshire Terrier
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Miniature Schnauzer
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Shih Tzu
