One of the two Welsh Corgi dogs, the other being the Pembroke Welsh, this one appears to be one of the ancient breeds originating in the British Isles. Its longish, lowly set built earns it the name “Alsatian with short legs.” Its other distinctive features include a moderately large head, widely set eyes, large erect ears, rounded to the tip and a low set, bushy tail. Originating as a livestock guardian dog, they have turned into perfect house companions at present.
Other names | Cardigan, CWC, Cardi, Wales |
Coat | Medium length, dense double coat: Outer coat: Slightly harsh; Inner coat: short, smooth, soft, thick and water-resistant |
Color and markings | Black and white; red and white; sable and white; blue merle and white; brindle and white; brindle merle and white; grey and white; liver and white; sable merle and white; white merle |
Breed type | Purebred |
Group | Working dogs; Herding dogs |
Average lifespan/ life expectancy | 12 to 15 years |
Size (How big do they get) | Small |
Height | 10 to 13 inches |
Weight | Male: 25 to 35 pounds; Female: 30 to 40 pounds |
Litter size | 4 to 6 puppies |
Behavioral Characteristics | Intelligent, athletic, active, affectionate, smart, loyal |
Good with children | Yes (Preferably with older kids) |
Do they bark | Yes, at anything and everything |
Shedding (Does it shed) | Heavy |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Competitive Registration Qualification/Information | FCI, AKC, ANKC, NZKC, CKC, UKC, KC (UK) |
Named after the Cardiganshire kingdom of Wales, it is one of the oldest herding breeds, existing since 1200 B.C. These dogs have been built in such a way so that they may conveniently be able to nip the cattle at its heels, also escaping their kicks, which would fly over their head and not touch the body. Besides being a farm dog, they were even used for hunting as well as protecting their family. The Pembroke and Cardigans went through interbreeding and was regarded as a single breed in the U.K. until 1934 when they were separated and attained individual recognition. They were imported to the United States in 1931, gaining AKC’s recognition in 1935.
Keeping in mind the kind of work they were developed for, these are agile, intelligent, active and athletic dogs, also excelling as loyal, devoted and affectionate companions.
They are alert guardians, keeping a close vigil on their household and intimating the owner with a bark the moment they spot any stranger or even sense or hear anything unusual. This trait also raises the CWC to the stature of an effective watchdog.
They bark excessively, yelling at anything and everything, a habit that needs to be trained upon, lest they could pose a nuisance to neighbors.
Though they love kids, their herding habit may cause them to nip the little ones at their heels, thus requiring parental supervision, especially when small kids are interacting with these dogs.
They could be a little aggressive with any unknown dogs but share a comfortable rapport with canines they are brought up with. Owing to their herding instinct, smaller animals should be kept at a distance from them.
These herding dogs have an independent streak of mind and can at times do things at its will, making training a little challenging. A firm, tactful handler is therefore needed who could channelize their intelligence in a positive way through reinforcements.
A good quality dry dog food is needed to keep it healthy. You can add spoonfuls of homemade food to it after consulting the vet, though make sure you do not overfeed your Cardigan. While giving treats choose for healthy options and keep a check on the amount.
Sign up now and stay updated for all the latest news