Get to know
Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Written by author of 34 dog books.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
Written by author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of those underrated breeds that should be at the top of just about anyone’s list of dogs.
They’re great pets, being both fun and lovable. They are often overlooked in favor of the flashier Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but the Cardigan has a lot going for it.
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At a glance
Moderate Energy
Energy level
3/5
Very Low Maintenance
Grooming
2/5
Medium
Size
Trainable, devoted, spirited
Temperament
12-15 years
Lifespan
Quick to Learn
Training
4/5
Vocal
Barking
4/5
At a glance
Energy level
Moderate Energy
Grooming
Very Low Maintenance
Size
Medium
Temperament
Trainable, devoted, spirited
Lifespan
12-15 years
Training
Quick to Learn
Barking
Vocal
Why people love the breed
Cardigans are the “calmer Corgi,” less inclined to bark or run amuck than their close relative, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They also appeal to somebody wanting something a little different and off beat.
Cardigans are big dogs with short legs. They’re not so big that they take up a lot of room, but they are plenty sturdy.
Their herding heritage means they are attentive and biddable and smart, with enough independence to think for themselves at times.
They make amazing companions for adults, children and elderly alike. They are fun and even comical, always showing off their long tail by wagging it.
They are excellent cattle drovers and handy to have around the farm.
Plus they come in lots of neat colors.
Appearance
Many call them “the Corgi with the tail,” but they are much more than that.
Cardigans differ from Pembroke Welsh Corgis in several ways. The most obvious is that they always have a long tail. They are larger overall. They also come in some colors and patterns that Pembrokes don't come in, most notably brindle and merle. They are heavier boned, with a larger head and much larger, more rounded ears than a Pembroke. Their front feet, which are also larger, point not straight ahead, but angled to the side, to go with their wrap-around-front.
The Cardigan is long and low, a dwarf breed that has a normal size large body on shortened legs. They are about 1.8 times longer than tall. This enabled them to duck and let the cattle’s kicking hooves miss them as they drove cattle.
They have a level topline. The tail is carried low, not over the back. The eyes are medium to large. The double coat consists of a soft thick undercoat and slightly hard outer coat, both of which lie flat.
Grooming
Grooming is straightforward, but they can shed a lot periodically.
For most of the year, you need to brush the coat to pull out dead hairs every week or so. But twice yearly, when they shed, you need to do this every day. Washing in warm water can help loosen dead hair. Otherwise, just bathe as needed.
Keep the nails trimmed short.
Examine the ears for debris weekly, and don’t clean them unnecessarily.
Brush the teeth daily.
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Grandiose Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Breed temperament and characteristics
The Cardigan is a happy dog that loves challenges and adventures as well as down-time.
This is a breed that always seems to be having fun, with a perpetual smile and wagging tail. They are eager to please, and look to their person for direction, but are not shy about making their own decisions as well.
Cardigans can make great hiking and playtime companions. They make rollicking playmates for children and tender companions for the elderly. They were developed to spend the day in the field, driving cattle and avoiding their kicks, so they are an energetic breed. But they also enjoy relaxing and unlike many herding breeds have a definite “off” button.
They are fairly outgoing toward strangers (though tend to be more suspicious than Pembrokes), get along with other pets, and may or may not get along with strange dogs.
They are eager to please and highly intelligent, making them quite easy to train.
Exercise
The Cardigan was bred to run all day, nipping at and dodging the heels of unruly cattle. They couldn’t afford to get tired. That energy level persists in today’s Cardis.
Chances are you can’t get a herd of cattle to exercise your Cardigan. Or even a flock of sheep. But you can go jogging, hiking, or just on long walks. You can play a vigorous game of fetch and chase in the yard. You can train on a home agility course. You can even take herding lessons if they’re offered in your area.
Fortunately it does take a lot of energy for those short legs to cover a lot of ground so they will likely not be winning any marathons. As long as you make an effort and stay outside mixing it up for an hour or so, you're good.
Besides herding, some Cardigans enjoy lure coursing sports.
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Glacier Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Training
Cardigans are extremely intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train and live with.
Herding dogs must have a combination of biddability balanced with the ability to think for themselves in order to do their jobs. Cardigans are no exception, and they are generally eager to please and quick to learn. Positive techniques using rewards like food or games work best.
Cardigans have competed successfully at the highest levels of obedience. They also enjoy trick training, barn hunt, tracking, and agility.
Socialization is important so your Cardigan can be more comfortable around unfamiliar dogs, places, and people.
Diet and nutrition
Most Cardigans are good eaters and do well on a variety of commercial diets. Few have health problems requiring special food.
Feed a Cardigan puppy as you would any puppy. Offer them three meals a day until they are about 4 months old, then twice daily. Adult diets can be offered starting at around nine months of age.
Young Cardigans may be so active it can be hard keeping weight on them. But with age, and especially if your dog is neutered or spayed, they can gain too much weight. A Cardigan should be trim and muscular, with an indication from the side and top of a smaller waist. Ask your veterinarian's opinion if you worry your dog may be over-- or underweight. Because of their propensity to injure their backs, keeping your Cardigan trim is especially important.
Discuss any special diet concerns with your veterinarian. Your dog’s optimal diet may change with age. Some health problems require special diets that may only be available through prescription.
Img:
Star N Cardigan Corgis
Health issues
The Cardigan is robust and healthy, but has predispositions to a couple of potentially serious conditions.
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years.
Hip dysplasia
In which the head of the femur is not seated properly in the hip socket, causing lameness and arthritis.
Progressive retinal atrophy
This is a group of degenerative diseases in which the cells in the retina deteriorate over time, eventually leading to blindness.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
This is a degenerative disease that can affect a dog's spinal cord and cause a range of painful mobility issues. It can also be described as a ruptured, slipped, bulging or herniated disk. IVDD most frequently affects chondrodystrophic dogs—those characterized by having short legs and long backs.
Degenerative myelopathy
A disease affecting the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis. A DNA test is available that indicates if dogs are at greater risk.
History
This all-purpose farm dog has served many roles. Its best may be as a companion.
Their early ancestors may have included short-legged turnspit dogs, which turned meat over a spit. But they were also used for guarding the farm. Their great talent was as cattle drovers. They were especially adept at getting behind the herd and scattering them across a field. In this way they took up more land, which was good for tenant farmers claiming to need as much as possible.
“Corgi” means “dwarf dog “ in Welsh.
The original Cardigans were from Cardiganshire, South Wales.
In some parts it was called the “yard-long dog” or Ci-llathed.”
Only later were they crossed with spitz-like dogs to create the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Until 1934, the Cardigan and Pembroke were considered one breed in Europe.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Cardigan in 1935 as a member of the Working group. They became part of the Herding group when it later split from the Working group.
About the author
Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.
Breed Scorecard
Characteristics and temperament
Affectionate with family
3
Watchdog level
5
Playfulness
3
Adaptability
3
Social needs
4
Temperament
Trainable, devoted, spirited
Intelligence
4
Good with other dogs
3
Good with cats or other pets
4
Friendly with strangers
3
Good as a service dog
3
Good for apartments
3
Barking level
4
Appearance
Height
10-12"
Size
Medium
Colors
White merle (non-standard), Liver and white (non-standard), Sable merle and white (non-standard), Black and white, Blue merle and white, Brindle and white, Brindle merle and white (non-standard), Red merle and white (non-standard), Red and white, Gray and white (non-standard), Sable and white
Coat texture
Somewhat hard
Coat length
Medium, close fitting, unfurnished
Training
Trainability
4
Exercise
Exercise needs
3
Exercise time
About an hour a day
Mental exercise needs
4
Favorite activities
Herding, Barn Hunt
Grooming
Grooming needs
2
Brushing frequency
Weekly
Needs professional grooming?
No
Drooling level
1
Health issues
Hip dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Degenerative myelopathy
Other
Bred for
Herding cattle
Country of origin
Wales
Popularity level
3
FAQs
On Good Dog, you can search for Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting a Cardigan Welsh Corgi from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport a Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.
Prices for Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies for sale vary by breeder and individual puppy. On Good Dog today, Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies are typically around $2,630. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range.
Two of their main concerns include hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease.
They make excellent pets as they are biddable, friendly, and good with everyone. But you do have to be sure to exercise them in mind and body.
In appearance, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is smaller, has a “foxier face,” smaller bone, smaller pointier ears, no tail (either docked or naturally bobbed), comes in fewer colors, and its front feet (which are smaller) face to the front, versus angled to the side. In temperament the Pembroke may be a little more excitable and barky, but also more outgoing.
