Orlovia
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi from the county of Cardiganshire in Wales has a long history and was traded as valuable livestock as early as the 10th century. In this country, dogs are known everywhere and very popular, but reputable breeders can only be found occasionally. In our breed overview, you will find out what the differences are between Welsh Corgi Cardigan and Welsh Corgi Pembroke and where you can find puppies.
How Can You Recognize a Cardigan?
Corgis are common in the US and are growing in popularity in Europe thanks to social media. The little hounds have the face of European shepherds and the body of a dachshund. Despite their small size, they are very muscular and strong. According to the FCI breed standard, the ideal height at the withers is 30 cm for both sexes. According to the American Kennel Club, the ideal height at the withers is 25 to 33 cm. They weigh quite a bit for their height: Males weigh between 14 and 17 kilograms, and healthy bitches weigh between 11 and 15 kilograms.
What are the differences between Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis?
- Cardigans are slightly larger and more sturdily built than Pembrokes.
- They come in almost all colors, Pembrokes always have a light brown to the reddish base color and white markings, rarely a black saddle.
- The tail of the Cardigan is significantly longer than that of the Pembroke Corgi, which can also be born with a bobtail.
- The Pembroke’s face appears slightly narrower than the Cardigan’s.
- The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a slightly longer and softer coat than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The Cardigan Corgi in detail: Distinctive features of the mini German Shepherds
- The head resembles that of a fox. The skull is relatively round, the muzzle tapers slightly towards the tip. The moderately pronounced nasal stop and the shallow forehead furrow are typical of shepherd dogs from Europe.
- The stiff ears stand out obliquely from the skull and are strikingly large. They are rounded at the tips.
- The corners of the eyes are clearly visible on the outside of the rounded eyes.
- The body and neck are very strong and well-muscled. The back is long but does not sag at all.
- The Fore and hind legs are short, strong, and well angulated.
- The tail is well feathered and looks fox-like. It is not carried across the back.
Colors and Coat Varieties of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- In contrast to the Pembroke Corgi, the Cardigan Corgi is of all colors and is represented in the gene pool.
- Solid colored corgis are almost never found. A basic color with white markings or three-colored coat markings with red or light brown markings is common.
- Common basic colors are black, brown, brindle, red, blue merle, red merle, fawn, and fawn.
- Sable also occurs as a base color: this means that each hair is two-tone and turns black towards the tip.
- White markings are permitted on the muzzle, neck, chest, underbelly, inside of the legs, paws, and tip of the tail. The eyes are always darkly framed; Merle dogs have light blue eyes.
The History of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Highly Traded All-Rounder
Corgis have been common in Wales since the Middle Ages. In the countryside, they were used for a variety of purposes: they served as guards and farm dogs, and they also helped shepherds tend sheep flocks. They were also skilled at hunting. The term Corgi comes from Welsh and means something like a dwarf dog. Because of their high utility value, dogs were traded very expensively as early as the 10th century – the value of a healthy corgi corresponded to that of a bull. Welsh Corgis have been recognized by the British Kennel Club since 1925; In 1935 Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Pembroke Welsh Corgis were recognized as separate breeds.
How did corgis come about? Genetic origins of the breed
Corgis are closely related to Scottish-English border breeds of sheepdogs (collies). Their typical coat markings probably come from crossing Shetland Sheepdogs. In addition, they are said to be closely related to the German dachshund, although this thesis has not yet been clearly confirmed. In addition, European Spitz is suspected of belonging to the ancestors of the Corgis. It is clear that the Corgi in its current form was kept in Wales long before the introduction of European breed standards.
The modern evolution of the Corgi
- Many celebrities own and breed Corgis – the most famous breeder of the breed is Queen Elizabeth II.
- Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very rare in Europe. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are more commonly bred.
- In the USA, the breed is one of the most popular dog breeds.
Designer Dogs – A common trend in the US
Because of their cute appearance, Corgis are often used as hybrid breeds. Designer Dogs are dogs that result from mating two purebred dogs of different breeds. Two Designer Dogs of the same species can also be mated to each other. This creates unique litters that look and act more or less like Corgis depending on the mating. The breeding goal of Corgi designer dog breeds is often to create a family-friendly “miniature” of the larger dog breed involved.
Popular Corgi crossbreeds in Germany and the USA
- Labragi: Labrador mother
- Rottgi: Rottweiler mother
- Corgard: American Shepherd mother
- Husni: Husky mother
- Biagi: Beagle mother
- Shigi: Shiba Inu’s mother
- Chihuahua: Chihuahua father
- Caregiver: Golden Retriever mother