Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Description

An Owner's Cardigan Welsh Corgi Description
You may wonder how in the world could my dog, Stubby, be such a great cattle dog? By nature, Stubby is actually an excellent herder. Well, what do herding dogs do? They nip at the cattle's heels to get them to go in the direction that they want to herd them. And what do the cattle do? They kick at the dogs in reflex to the bothersome nips. Stubby is so short that their hoofs fly right over his head and unaffected he just keeps on herding and nipping. I know he annoys the heck out of the herd.

But my Stubby is more than a work dog. He's my buddy. We've been together for more than a year and I must admit that I've shared my bed, my drink and my food with Stubby more than once. He'd do the same for me, I'm sure, but I'm just not into the taste of dog food, at least not yet.

When I first got Stubby he had trouble jumping up into my pickup so I had to install some running boards. And if he gets a good running start he can just make it onto the seat. He has some trouble seeing over the dash, so he'll sit up on his tail and lean on me to get a clear view of the road. He's got a lot of character and his intelligence is reflected by his ingenuity.

Stubby takes his responsibilities serious and will only act clownish by accident and doesn't understand me laughing at him. He'd much rather impress me with a job well done. And every time I give him a task to do, he impresses me with how easy it was for him to learn it and do it well. He only asks for a little recognition and praise now and then, which I am more than happy to give.

 

 

Introduction

Ancestors of this small but hardy dog were found centuries ago in the remote, misty green hills of Cardiganshire in Wales. Over the decades since, these "yard-long" dogs have been highly valued by their families as an affectionate companion, guard, general farm worker and driver of cattle. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a long, low fox-like dog with large upright ears, a brushy tail, moderate bone and front legs that slightly bow around a deep chest. The average size is handy, approximately 12 inches at the shoulder with females ideally ranging from 25-34 lbs and males from 30-38 lbs. A big dog in a small package, this Corgi's temperament is based upon his original life as a companion and valuable farm helper and guardian, all of which make him an adaptable and outstanding house pet. Caring for their people (including children) comes naturally to this intelligent, alert and responsible dog.

Colors

Red, Brindle, Black/Tan, Black, Blue/Tan, Blue. All-white Corgis are not considered acceptable under AKC standards.

Living Area

Cardis will usually do well in an urban or suburban setting if given enough attention from their human masters. The breed is very versatile, having been used traditionally for both herding and companionship purposes, and will be happy in whatever setting you place him or her in. However, care should be taken when integrating your Cardi with other household animals in a smaller apartment or house--Cardis can become anti-social when exposed to animals that they haven't known from an early age, and it may take them time to get used to their new companions. Outdoor animals (for rural Cardi owners) will be less of a problem, as the Cardi's instincts generally tell it to ignore or peaceably manage such animals.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Pets4You offers listings of Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeders with puppies for sale.