Cardigan Welsh Corgis are popular among dog lovers as pets. But they weren’t bred as pet dogs initially. Instead, they were excellent cattle herders. The short legs of corgis protected them from the dangerous kicks of cattle. These short legs helped them bend down and see the predator. Cardigan dogs alerted their owners of the predator and scared it away hence protecting the cattle herd. They still possess strong herding instincts. They were first brought by Celtic tribes who moved to Wales from Central Europe, thus giving them the name welsh corgis, and this breed resided there for 3000 years.
Well, now that we have talked about cardigan welsh corgi history, let’s talk about other things. And by other things, we mean everything you want to know. This article will discuss everything that you want to know about cardigan welsh corgis, just read on!
Care Of Cardigan Welsh Corgis
1)Exercise Requirements of the Corgi Breed
Dogs from Corgi breed require adequate physical activity and walk to stay in shape. They need little exercise to stay healthy, active, and sharp. You can take them for a short walk of 20-40 minutes per day in a park or roadside. The backyard of your house is also a good option. It is better to leash your corgi outside the house boundary because their herding trait can make them chase other animals around them.
Corgis are pretty playful and have friendly behavior. They love to play with their human friends. Exericing your dog not only helps you strengthen bond of your mutual love but also help your dog live a long life full of health and happiness.
2) Welsh Corgi Grooming
This breed has exceptional fur quality. Cardigan Welsh Corgi’s hair coat is dirt and water-repellent. This trait makes them clean and tidy for an extended period without needing any bath.
Though they do not need excessive bathing and grooming, you should brush their hair thoroughly at least once a week.
Their ears and eyes need to be appropriately cleaned once a week. Cut their nails timely when they have grown enough.
When you take your Cardigan for a walk, dirt and other things might get stuck between their paws and nails. So make sure that you remove the dirt from their paws.
3) Cardigan Welsh Corgi Training
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are easy to train. There are several methods to train the dog. Positive reinforcement can be very helpful in training your corgi. This involves rewarding the dog with treats whenever it follows the command or completes its task. The negative aspect of this method is that your dog can obey or disobey you.
Two things are essential in the training of the dog—the dog’s respect for you and its ability to understand the order. If your dog does not respect you, it might not obey you despite understanding the command. Train your dog to behave. Well-behaved dogs do not disobey. It is simple as that.
Welsh Corgis love to learn tricks and are easy to be stimulated mentally.
Behavior and Temperament of Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very well-behaved, trainable, and faithful companions. They can quickly adjust to family, children, and other animals. They are pretty adjustable. Socialized Corgis love to interact with people. They are gentle, outgoing, and playful.
Corgis are highly loyal to their owners and family. They have a loud bark that makes them perfect as a house guard.
This breed is very talkative and has a loud bark. Their herding and guarding nature make them bark loudly whenever they see a stranger outside the house. This trait might make them a little annoying and hard to handle. There are many ways to manage their barking.
This excessive barking and whining at night can be quite a problem for owners and neighbors. If your dog is creating such problems, you can read this article and manage this problem.
In addition, some of the Cardigans do not like to be left alone. If left alone for long periods frequently, they may develop separation anxiety.
The appearance of Cardigan Corgis
Cardigan dogs are undoubtedly gorgeous, attractive, and cute. They have long bodies with short legs with pointed ears. They possess long tails and long upright necks. They can quickly grasp the attention of people.
Cardigan Corgis coat colors
Cardigan Corgis come in a variety of colors:
- Red
- Stable/Brindle and white
- Black and white
- Blue merle and white
- Tan brindle points
- Merle
They have white patches on the neck, abdomen, tail end, legs, and muzzle.
Height of Welsh Corgis
Cardigan Welsh corgis are about 10-12 inches tall.
- Height of Male Corgis: 25–30 cm
- Size of Female Corgis: 25–30 cm
Weight of Welsh Corgis
The weight of Corgis varies from 25-38 lbs.
- Weight of female: 25-34 lbs.
- Weight of male: 30-38 lbs.
How Long do Welsh Corgis Live?
Corgis have an average life span of 12 years. Providing your dog with good housing, a balanced diet, and keeping it updated on vaccinations helps it live a happy and healthy life.
Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Breed
Cardigan Welsh Corgis grasped a significant amount of attention because they were the favorite breed of the British Queen Elizabeth. She had over 30 corgis in her palace. All of them are from the lineage of her old dog, Grace. She had Grace with her since her childhood.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, her pet corgis were adopted by members of the royal family and they are living in Royal lodge of the Winsdor Estate.
Common Health Problems in Cardigans Welsh Corgis
Because of their specific long body shape, short legs and short joints make them susceptible to the following conditions;
- Hip Dysplasia
- Inter Vertebral Disc Disease
Progressive Retinal trophy is also seen in this breed.
Difference Between Cardigan Corgis and Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Cardigan corgis are quite different from Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Cardigans are about 2000-3000 years older than Pembroke corgis. When Vikings came to wales, they had spitz-type dogs crossed with Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Pembroke Welsh corgis came into being from this stud.
Cardigan corgis are slightly heavier than Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Cardigans have more rounded ears than Pembroke. Cardigan Corgis have long tails, while Pembrokes usually do not have tails (docked tails). Cardigan Corgis weigh around 38 pounds on average while Pembrokes weigh up to 30 pounds on average.
Although there are some differences between these breeds, they both are loving, active, playful, and attractive.
5 Interesting Facts about Cardigan Welsh Corgis
- Cardigan corgis were queen Elizabeth’s favorite dog breed. The queen loved them and had more than 2 Corgis at the palace at the time of her death.
- They have been around for more than 3000 years now.
- They were actually trained to drive the cattle away from the royal land. In Wales, royal families owned almost all the land, and farmers were allowed to graze their cattle off the ground. Cardigan Welsh Corgis were exceptionally well trained to drive the cattle away from royal land if they were grazing on it. Later they were used as herding dogs.
- Back in Wales, it was a crime to steal or hurt the Cardigan Welsh Corgi as described by Ancient Wales Law because their talent gave an estimate of their family’s wealth status.
- They have an incredible hearing ability to detect a slight change in noises. This quality makes them a perfect watchdog.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
The main difference between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is their body shape. Cardigans have a longer body and tail, while Pembrokes have a more compact body and a naturally bobbed tail. They also have slightly different origins, with the Cardigan being the older of the two breeds.
Q: Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good with children?
Yes, Corgis are typically good with children, as long as they are socialized and trained properly. They are known for being affectionate and loyal, which makes them great family pets.
Q: Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed a lot?
Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs have a double coat, which means they do shed year-round. However, regular grooming can help control shedding and maintain their coat in good condition.
Q: Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good watchdogs?
Cardigan Corgis are not typically used as watchdogs, they are herding dog and they are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners.
Q: How much exercise do Cardigan Welsh Corgis need?
Welsh Corgis are a high-energy breed and require daily exercise, including a brisk walk or run, and playtime. They also enjoy activities such as agility training and herding trials.
Q: How long do Cardigan Welsh Corgis live?
Cardigan Corgis typically live between 12 and 15 years.
Summing up, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are playful, bright, and sharp dogs that are fantastic to keep as pets.
If you have brought home a cardigan corgi dog and you are looking for some cool dog names, we can help you with that. If you want to ask or share something, you can do so in the comments section.
Thank you for reading and we hope you now know everything you wanted to know about Cardigan Welsh Corgis.