NAME: Cardigan Welsh Corgi
OTHER NAMES: Cardigan, CWC, Cardi
ORIGIN: Wales
SIZE TYPE: Small dog breeds
BREED GROUP: Herding dog breeds (AKC)
LIFE SPAN: 12 - 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Active, Affectionate, Intelligent, Alert, Devoted, Companionable
HEIGHT FEMALE: 10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
MALE: 10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
WEIGHT FEMALE: 11.3–15.4 kg
MALE: 13.6–17.2 kg
COLORS: Black & White, Red & White, Brindle & White, Sable & White, Blue Merle & White, Merle
OVERVIEW
The Cardigan is one of two Welsh Corgi breeds, the other being the Pembroke. Several theories exist regarding the origin of these very old breeds, one being that they were brought to Wales by the Celts. Another theory is that they are descended from the Swedish Vallhunds, which were crossed with the local Welsh herding dogs. The Cardigan is a herding dog, originally used to drive cattle to pasture.
BODY TYPE
The moderately broad chest has a prominent breastbone and a deep brisket that is well let down between the forelegs. The well-sprung ribs extend well back. The topline is level. The loin is strong and short. The croup is slightly sloped downward to where it meets the base of the tail. There is a moderate tuck-up, with a well-defined waist.
COAT
Medium length but dense as it is double. Outer hairs slightly harsh in texture; never wiry, curly or silky. Lies relatively smooth and is weather resistant. The insulating undercoat is short, soft and thick. A correct coat has short hair on ears, head, the legs; medium hair on body; and slightly longer, thicker hair in ruff, on the backs of the thighs to form "pants," and on the underside of the tail. The coat should not be so exaggerated as to appear fluffy. This breed has a shedding coat, and seasonal lack of undercoat should not be too severely penalized, providing the hair is healthy. Trimming is not allowed except to tidy feet and, if desired, remove whiskers. Soft guard hairs, uniform length, wiry, curly, silky, overly short and/or flat coats are not desired. A distinctly long or fluffy coat is an extremely serious fault.
COLOR
Acceptable coat colors include: all shades of red, sable and brindle; black, with or without tan or brindle points; and blue merle (black and gray marbled), with or without tan or brindle points. No one color is preferred over any of the others. White markings may found on the legs, chest, neck (either in or as part of a collar), muzzle, underparts, as a blaze on the face, and on the tip of the tail, but white should not predominate.
TEMPERAMENT
Cardigans are even tempered, loyal, affectionate and adaptable. They are alert and watchful, yet friendly.
GAIT
Free, smooth, effortless movement is of utmost importance. When viewed from the side, at a trot, the forelegs reach well forward without too much lift. The hind legs reach well under the body, moving in line with the forelegs, in one continuous motion. They drive powerfully behind, well beyond the set of the tail. The hocks turn neither in nor out.
OTHER NAMES: Cardigan, CWC, Cardi
ORIGIN: Wales
SIZE TYPE: Small dog breeds
BREED GROUP: Herding dog breeds (AKC)
LIFE SPAN: 12 - 15 years
TEMPERAMENT: Active, Affectionate, Intelligent, Alert, Devoted, Companionable
HEIGHT FEMALE: 10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
MALE: 10–13 inches (25–33 cm)
WEIGHT FEMALE: 11.3–15.4 kg
MALE: 13.6–17.2 kg
COLORS: Black & White, Red & White, Brindle & White, Sable & White, Blue Merle & White, Merle
OVERVIEW
The Cardigan is one of two Welsh Corgi breeds, the other being the Pembroke. Several theories exist regarding the origin of these very old breeds, one being that they were brought to Wales by the Celts. Another theory is that they are descended from the Swedish Vallhunds, which were crossed with the local Welsh herding dogs. The Cardigan is a herding dog, originally used to drive cattle to pasture.
BODY TYPE
The moderately broad chest has a prominent breastbone and a deep brisket that is well let down between the forelegs. The well-sprung ribs extend well back. The topline is level. The loin is strong and short. The croup is slightly sloped downward to where it meets the base of the tail. There is a moderate tuck-up, with a well-defined waist.
COAT
Medium length but dense as it is double. Outer hairs slightly harsh in texture; never wiry, curly or silky. Lies relatively smooth and is weather resistant. The insulating undercoat is short, soft and thick. A correct coat has short hair on ears, head, the legs; medium hair on body; and slightly longer, thicker hair in ruff, on the backs of the thighs to form "pants," and on the underside of the tail. The coat should not be so exaggerated as to appear fluffy. This breed has a shedding coat, and seasonal lack of undercoat should not be too severely penalized, providing the hair is healthy. Trimming is not allowed except to tidy feet and, if desired, remove whiskers. Soft guard hairs, uniform length, wiry, curly, silky, overly short and/or flat coats are not desired. A distinctly long or fluffy coat is an extremely serious fault.
COLOR
Acceptable coat colors include: all shades of red, sable and brindle; black, with or without tan or brindle points; and blue merle (black and gray marbled), with or without tan or brindle points. No one color is preferred over any of the others. White markings may found on the legs, chest, neck (either in or as part of a collar), muzzle, underparts, as a blaze on the face, and on the tip of the tail, but white should not predominate.
TEMPERAMENT
Cardigans are even tempered, loyal, affectionate and adaptable. They are alert and watchful, yet friendly.
GAIT
Free, smooth, effortless movement is of utmost importance. When viewed from the side, at a trot, the forelegs reach well forward without too much lift. The hind legs reach well under the body, moving in line with the forelegs, in one continuous motion. They drive powerfully behind, well beyond the set of the tail. The hocks turn neither in nor out.