Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is highly intelligent, obedient, protective, loyal and affectionate. They are loving and willing to please. Cardigans are less sociable and more territorial than Pembroke’s. They make fine watchdogs and are very wary of strangers. They will make every attempt to guard your home from intruders, though there small size may leave them incapable of doing so. Several Corgis have lost their lives while defending their homes.
The Cardigan tends to be a bit heavier than the Pembroke. The Cardigan's erect ears are larger than the Pembroke's and the feet are more round.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be an extremely active and devoted little dog, and they are usually good with children that are good with them. They are known to adapt their playing to fit the habits of a child, senior citizen, and/or the handicapped.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a wiry, medium-length water-resistant coat that is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. The coat is shed two times per year, so if you have an aversion to hair you may want to consider another breed.
The typical Cardigan Welsh Corgi will grow to approximately 25-30 pounds. They can live comfortably in an apartment, but require regular exercise. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They are capable of adapting to any temperature, from extremely cold to very hot. They are good with other non-canine animals, and with other Corgis, but can be combative with other dogs.
Today, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is primarily a companion dog. But they used to be an excellent cattle driver, vermin hunter and farm guard. The Corgi drove cattle by barking and nipping at the cattle's heals. His low stature helped him role out of the way when kicked by cattle, a habit still maintained when chasing other corgis. They sometimes like to “herd” people by nipping at their heels. Obedience training can correct this habit.
The Cardigan and Pembroke varieties were freely interbred until the 1930's, after which time breeders tried to accentuate their differences.
The name "Corgi" comes from the Welsh word for dwarf dog. The breed was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) and developed in Cardiganshire Wales.
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Posted by Michael Worth at 01:46 PM on May 27, 2004 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
