Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed Facts and Information

The Cardigans thick and fluffy coat is synonymous with the breed. Boasting a waterproof double coat, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are hearty all weather dogs. With its coarse top coat and thick soft undercoat, Cardis are notorious shedders and require regular grooming. Twice a week brushings are recommended all year, with more during his annual winter shed and be sure to pay special attention to his neck and rear legs, where the hair is thicker. The Cardi breed comes in a lovely variety of colors and patterns, including sand, blue merle, red and brindle.

Coat length: Medium

Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Cardigan Welsh Corgis are definitely notorious for shedding, but owners are usually able to keep it in check with regular brushings.

Similarly to other herding dogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are incredibly trainable, whether you only want to teach them basic commands and a few party tricks or you’d rather your Cardi herd livestock and compete in agility competitions. Their ability to be trained is really only limited to the owner’s patience and ability.

Barking: One of the only complaints about Cardigans, and Corgis in general is that without enough stimulation they tend to be very vocal, and will do things like bark and chase joggers that pass your house or will yap to get your attention.

Temperament & Behavior: Cardigan Welsh Corgis are incredibly social and love to be around their humans. Often described as ‘The People’s Dog’, Cardis are full of character and love to be challenged and interacted with. They are very friendly and loyal and are very driven to make their owners happy.

Behavior with kids: Cardigans tend to thrive in homes with older children. They can usually live comfortably alongside younger, active children, but be warned that they might try and herd smaller children and toddlers. While that may be cute initially, it can eventually result in the dog becoming territorial and guarding the children, even from you.

Protection: While most Cardigans grow up to be friendly, accommodating dogs that thoroughly enjoy human interaction, there is a chance that with limited training you may end up with a dog that will nip at a stranger’s ankles or bark at new humans or animals.

Inherited health issues: Certain health conditions occur in Cardigans at an increased frequency in the breed, sometimes due to a genetic predisposition. Genetic testing is available for some health conditions, and is often performed by responsible breeders prior to breeding in an attempt to decrease the incidence of these conditions. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Progressive retinal atrophy, Cataracts, Distichiasis, Von Willebrand disease and Degenerative myelopathy.

Preventive care: Regular preventative care, including routine trips to the veterinarian, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, and intestinal deworming treatment are several of the ways that can keep your Cardigan Welsh Corgi healthy. Veterinarians have been extensively trained to pick up on subtle physical exam changes, which can help to identify minor problems before they become more significant. As a smaller dog, Cardigans can quickly become overweight if they are offered too many treats or table scraps. Obesity has been associated with increased risks of diabetes and heart disease, and may exacerbate any underlying joint issues. Maintaining a healthy body weight by feeding portion-controlled meals of a high quality diet is of the utmost importance.

With too little exercise and too much food, Cardigan Welsh Corgis can quickly become overweight. Avoid offering too many treats or table scraps to your Cardigan, since these can quickly pack on the pounds. Instead, feed your dog portion-controlled meals of a high quality balanced dog food.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Cardi is 1/2 to 1 cup.

Exercise: Bred to be very active outdoor working dogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis need frequent exercise and love to be challenged with exercise and activities. Two to three walks a day are what most experts suggest, but you can also break up the mundanity of your usual exercise regime with agility activities or lots of play around the house.

Climate: Hearty, well climatized and built for endurance, Cardigan Welsh Corgis really are the ideal dog for any climate or lifestyle.

Living space: Cardigans may be herding dogs, but their small stature and adaptable nature make them a decent house pet. Just make sure to keep them entertained or they can be mischievous and get into trouble.