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Featured Breed - Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi represents one of the AKC's oldest known herding breed-types. Descendants of the Mastiff group, these dogs are said to have originated more than 3,000 years ago, first appearing along with the Celts in the breed's namesake Cardingshire, Wales around 1200 B.C.

Welsh farmers have been credited for shaping the Cardigan's Tekdal ancestors into diligent and keen droving, herding, guarding, and companion dogs. Bred long and low to the ground, their body size and stature ideally suited these dogs for livestock droving and herding work; standing less of a risk of being kicked by members of the herd.

Although frequently confused with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, these two breeds actually share very little in common other than their Welsh heritage.

The most obvious of these dissimilarities is the presence of the Cardigan's tail, which, by standard, is not found on the Pembroke. Another apparent difference between the two breeds lies in their coat color and pattern diversity. Cardigans can be found in a much wider variety of coat hues and patterns, ranging from a blue merle, to red, sable, brindle, black, gray, and even marbled. The size in the ears of the Cardigan is noticeably larger, as well, with a wider base and tips that are slightly more rounded. Though the less common of the breed-types, Cardigans are also said to be the more hardy and long-living of the two.

While the first part of the Cardigan's name is certainly unique of the Pembroke's, their most evidently shared characteristic lies in the last two words found in both of their breed names- “Welsh Corgi.” Appropriately suited, this name can be translated to read, "Welsh dwarf dog."