Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The corgi with a tail, and the older of the two by a long way. It drove cattle by nipping heels, and the low body kept it under the kick.
Photo by Shames Privacy, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Cardigan is the older of the two corgi breeds and the one with a tail. It comes from Cardiganshire in Wales, where it drove cattle by nipping at their heels and ducking the kick, and the low body is the whole point: a dog below kicking height.
The short legs come from chondrodystrophy, a form of dwarfism, and that has consequences for the back that owners need to plan around.
Temperament
Steady, clever and more reserved than the Pembroke. Cardigans are affectionate with their families and cautious with strangers, and they are natural watchdogs.
They are herding dogs, so they nip at moving heels, which includes children and cyclists. They are also vocal. They are highly trainable and they enjoy having a job, and they are more even tempered than most herding breeds.
Care and grooming
A medium double coat that needs weekly brushing and daily attention during the two heavy moults. They shed a great deal for their size.
Intervertebral disc disease is the main concern, and it follows directly from a long back on short legs. Weight control and discouraging jumping on and off furniture matter more than anything else. Progressive retinal atrophy and degenerative myelopathy both occur and both have DNA tests.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus mental work. They are more athletic than they look and they enjoy herding and agility.
Ramps for the sofa and the car are a sensible purchase rather than an indulgence, and keeping them lean is the single most effective thing an owner can do for the breed. Twelve to fifteen years is normal.
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