Welsh Corgi Cardigan: breed description and content features

Welsh Corgi cardigan is a small dog, a wonderful shepherd and friend who has a good-natured character. In our country, she is bred as a pet. Due to its small growth, it can be kept in an apartment.

There are several hypotheses about how the breed of Welsh Corgi Cardigan dogs appeared, but there are no reliable facts to this day. Some believe that the ancestors of the animal should be sought in the British Isles, where they lived in the Bronze Age. Other scholars claim that the Celts were the first to breed.

Even after genetic analysis, the situation has not become clearer since the breed has roots and Icelandic dog breeds, and Swedish walhunds. There, from where the dog began to be brought, they believe that it was presented to the person by fairies - fabulous creatures. They used Welsh Corgi Cardigans as a means of transportation and to transport their belongings.

Modern dog breeders are closer to the version according to which the breed appeared thanks to enthusiasts from the county of Cardiganshire, which is located in Wales. After crossing the Welsh Corgi with texes, the external exterior of the resulting cross was distinguished by short paws and a long body shape.

In the 18th century, Welsh Corgi pembrokes became popular with dog breeders, which differed from cardigans in a more attractive appearance. Towards the end of the 19th century, it was possible to meet natives of Pembrokeshire at the exhibitions, hence the numerous conflicts between dog breeders of two similar breeds.Often during the performances there were fights, which were caused by prizes.

Considering present situation in 1934, the creators of the English Kennel Club came up with the idea to separate the two species and separate them into independent breeds. An additional distinguishing feature was tails docked from Pembrokes.

Even after this, the described breed for a long time remained unclaimed; it was rarely possible to meet its worthy representatives at exhibitions. Dogs hid in the shadow of their relative. They began to be brought to other countries after many decades, and in Russia they have gained popularity since 2000.

There is a standard according to which the breed is described. These small dogs have a long body and short wide legs. They are very mobile, love to frolic and play. Prefer to spend time on the street, so the apartment is often bored and depressed.

If we compare them with Pembrokes, then the body of cardigans is larger, the weight can reach 17 kilograms. Dogs have a lot in common with dachshunds: their legs are slightly curved, the chest is massive, and the silhouette line is smooth. These dogs are real hard workers, they do not like exhibitions, because they are not interested in them.

The head is proportional, the muzzle is moderately extended, the skull is wide, but tapers closer to the location of the eyes. The animal has a strong jaw. The bite is most often scissor-like, but it can also be horizontal.

The nose is medium in size, black, fleshy. The iris has a dark shade. The eyes are not round, set far away, the corners loom well. If an individual has a marbled shade of hair, then its eyes may be blue, which is acceptable by the standard.

The welsh corgi cardigan has erect ears, rather large, rounded at the tips. If the animal is alert, then they lean forward slightly, and when the dog is at rest, they diverge in different directions. Their neck is quite wide and long, muscular, smoothly passing into the shoulders.

In welsh corgi cardigans, the lumbar line is clearly visible, the body is long, there are no convex or sagging parts of the body. From the outside you might think that the dog’s paws are like toys, in fact they have enough power to make a push during a forced jump. The limbs are short, the pads are chubby.

The tail of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan should be low set and slightly down. If the animal is in a state of excitement, then it can be slightly raised, but not folded into a bagel.

These are short-haired dogs, to the best of their stiff hairs, which are tightly attached to the body, under them there is a dense undercoat. The coat is moderately smooth, should not be too soft or hard. If the cover is long and soft, then this is a defect.

There are fewer requirements for the color of the coat. By breed Welsh Corgi-cardigan can have any shade of wool. Most often you can find the following colors:

• ginger;
• the black;
• brindle;
• tricolor;
• blue merle;
• marble.

There is a list of defects that breeders try to exclude from the breed. Among them are not only hanging ears, but also the completely blue color of the eyes, the earlobe is not black.

If a person is in search of a good and obedient helper, then this is the breed that is worth paying attention to. Welsh Corgi cardigans show maximum calm and patience even when dealing with children.

One of the advantages of the representatives of the described breed is the ability to get along with other animals.Jealousy is an unfamiliar feeling for this dog.

But as for strangers, they will not trust them and will certainly bark. If the dog is properly raised, then it will not be rude and make noise in the house, and if this happens, there is always a reason.

Dogs of the Welsh Corgi-Cardigan breed are restrained, do not exhibit perseverance, have an easygoing character, but do not allow themselves to be offended. They like to spend time with the owner, but in his absence they will wait patiently. It is very convenient to keep the dog in a small area, as it does not make any extra noise.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by intelligence and quick wit, but their lack of independence is more associated with centuries-old living side by side with a person. But the Welsh Corgi cardigan does not seek to put themselves above the owner, because they are not familiar with such a feeling as ambitiousness. A man does not have to prove his strength in order to gain authority from a representative of the breed, it is enough to devote more time and give love to the animal.

If earlier the breed was used as a good shepherd and guard for sheep and cows, today it is a great guard, despite its modest size. Welsh Corgi cardigan will immediately defend the child if he feels the danger. Under danger, the dog can perceive even a small violation of invisible boundaries. In this case, he will begin to pull the child by the leg, returning him to a safe area.

This behavior should not be encouraged, since the next time the animal can bite a child’s leg. You should not scold the Welsh Corgi cardigan either, you just need to calmly free the baby and threaten the dog with a finger.

The described breed can be safely attributed to centenarians. In 2004, official statistics on the life expectancy of welsh corgi cardigans were collected. On average, these dogs delight owners with their good temper for 12 years.

Among the main reasons why the dog dies, one can note the natural old age and the formation of cancerous tumors. If a person provides the animal with proper care, it can live up to 15 years.

Good genetics in many ways affects the life expectancy and behavior of a dog.

At the time of purchase, it is important to pay attention to how the animal meets the standard of appearance. If there is no experience, then it is advisable to seek the support of a specialist. Dog handlers are advised to pay attention to the following points.

• The male, unlike the female, is more trusting, but he always clearly performs the task, learns teams faster. The girls of this breed have a flexible character and can always adapt to the mood of a person.
• A Welsh Corgi cardigan always inherits the physical characteristics of its parents, therefore, when searching for a real champion, you should require their diplomas when purchasing sports achievements.
• Before tying the male and female, the breeders conduct two tests for dysplasia. The results can be requested when buying a puppy, so a person can protect himself from acquiring a puppy with a bad heredity.
• It is worth buying a dog at the age of 8-12 weeks. You may encounter a situation when a puppy is put up for sale at 45 days old, but self-respecting and prestigious kennels do not do this because they keep the dog until it receives the necessary vaccination and gets stronger.
• If you choose between several nurseries, then preference should be given to where the animal is raised outside the city. There are no cramped cells, therefore their development takes place in a different way. Such puppies are healthy and strong.

The nursery, which cares about its reputation, always with great responsibility approaches the issue of selling welsh corgi cardigan.They do not reserve puppies and do not dump the cost on them. If the seller is ready to give in, you need to think about the reasons. As a rule, the price decreases when the animal has a number of serious defects. Only a specialist can make out them, if they do not concern the defects of physical development.

Although a Welsh Corgi cardigan is famous for its activity, it is not worth bringing a dog to exhaustion, training every day. It is enough to stroll with a dog in the morning and evening or engage in freestyle. Simple outdoor games are also suitable for maintaining health.

The presented breed has its own peculiarity - thick, albeit not long hair with dense undercoat. With the advent of summer, walks will need to be moved to the early morning or evening, you can choose a shady park, next to the water.

In spring and autumn, due to short paws, the dog’s stomach is covered with mud. Even after a short walk in the rain, you will need to wash the animal later. Some dog breeders found another way out of the situation - a raincoat sewn specifically for welsh corgi cardigans. You can find one without difficulty in a pet store.

When choosing a partner for a walk for a dog, it’s worth stopping at a medium-sized dog. The fact is that the cardigan is not afraid of the size of other animals and, in the event of a conflict, will demonstrate its courage. If a Caucasian shepherd or other large breed becomes a companion for a walk, then a Welsh Corgi cardigan can suffer.

The dog’s mouth requires special attention. Teeth - a weak spot of the breed, often have to deal with periodontal disease. Veterinarians recommend regular cleaning using special products that are sold at the pet store.

Another problem is obesity, which can be easily combated if you offer the dog proper nutrition. The rest of the welsh corgi cardigan has excellent health. The animal inherits genetic ailments from its parents, which is why it is so important to choose the right puppy, paying attention to the pedigree. Often the dogs of this breed suffer from:

• cataracts;
• keratitis;
• food allergies;
• eczema
• cancer
• joint dysplasia.

Nutrition plays an important role in the formation of healthy offspring. Welsh Corgi cardigan is not picky about food, hence the risk of obesity. When the owner does not want to engage in animals or does not have enough time for this, the entire diet can be reduced to the consumption of dry food.

In some dogs, an allergy occurs in response, in rare cases, the color of the coat changes, especially for individuals with a white coat. With the constant use of low quality dry feed, the breeder has to deal with problems with the intestines in the pet.

Everything is much simpler if you feed your welsh corgi cardigan with healthy, natural foods. The dog is well suited for lean, well-frozen meat. A serving should consist of 20 grams per kilogram of dog.

The list of healthy foods for dogs includes liquid cereals, which are cooked on meat broth, sometimes in milk. The portion will need to be calculated correctly. A Welsh Corgi cardigan may require an additive, but it is not needed, just this breed likes to overeat. Be sure to include apples, dairy products, zucchini and carrots in the diet of the animal.

A couple of times a week is allowed to feed the animal by-products. The diet may also include:

• boiled chicken;
• low-fat marine red fish;
• eggs
• bread crumbs.

Excessive consumption of pastries, sausages, sweets and pasta leads to obesity.The dog breeder should try to exclude all this from the diet of the animal. Welsh Corgi Cardigan Chocolate is extremely harmful.

A dog of any breed would prefer to live not in an apartment, but in a private house, where you can regularly walk in your own yard. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, but even the breed described is loyal to a small space. The dog will not be offended if you leave him alone for the whole day, but he needs evening or morning walks to maintain his health.

As soon as the opportunity arises to leave the city or go to the park, you should definitely take your pet with you.

Equipping a separate place for the animal in the apartment, you need to take into account the features of its body. If it is a bed mattress, it is better if it will be orthopedic. When choosing a bowl for water or food, you must give preference to the product that has an adjustable stand. The dog should not lean too much.

Caring for a Welsh Corgi cardigan is simple, as its wool has unique water and dirt repellent properties. Experienced breeders are not advised to abuse the bathing pet. For 3 months, only one bathing day should be planned, it is enough to keep the animal's coat clean. Shampoo is bought at a specialty store, and only for hard coat.

Welsh Corgi Cardigans shedding occurs twice a year. There is a lot of wool left from them, it is literally everywhere in the house. Inexperienced dog breeders are unhappy with this, but this only happens for the first time, with age, the amount of animal hair in the house becomes less.

A small arsenal of combs such as a massage brush or rake in the form of a rake is suitable for caring for a dog. At the time of molting, the hair is combed out several times a day, paying special attention to the undercoat.

Care and care require ears. To remove simple dirt, it is enough to have at hand a specialized veterinary lotion and cotton swabs. If signs of infection appear, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Be sure to cut the claws of the dog twice a month, otherwise they will flake and cause discomfort to the animal. A specialized tool is available at the pet store. A dog has been taught this procedure since childhood.

A Welsh Corgi cardigan demonstrates intelligence and quick wit during training. Even novice dog breeders do not have problems establishing contact. The most important thing is not to overdo it with monotony, but you should not shout at an animal. The dog understands everything the first time, he will not prove his dominant position.

The breed has a playful temperament, so it’s better to master everything in the game. The lesson should be easy, easy. If you demand too much from the dog, in a rude manner, then he will soon lose interest and cease to perceive the commands. In the process of training, one cannot ignore the fact that the welsh corgi cardigan is a shepherd dog, which cannot be a guard or service dog.

The puppy has been socialized since childhood, as soon as he appeared in the house. No need to wait 6 months for this, then it will be more difficult to accustom the animal to the normal perception of other people and animals. The learning process should be built in the following order:

• training in the first skills of proper going to the toilet;
• training for a collar and leash;
• setting the scope of what is permitted;
• learning teams.

You can teach a Welsh Corgi cardigan to go to the toilet on a tray or diaper, but it is better if the dog learns to endure and wait until he is taken out for a walk.

From 3 months, the puppy can begin to get acquainted with the surrounding space. To do this, they try to bring him more often to the street in the park, the courtyard, where there are other animals. Already at 5 months the dog is able to learn the simplest commands.From this period, you need to explain to her that barking without a reason is bad, even if another dog ran nearby.

You can teach a dog even acrobatic circus numbers, but you need to remember that jumping is categorically contraindicated. Short paws will not be able to protect the dog from hitting the ground if he jumps from a high height, as a result, the internal organs of the animal may suffer.

As with raising a child, at a certain period in the dog comes a transitional age. At six months old, he may suddenly stop listening to commands, become eccentric, restless. Sometimes shoes suffer from such behavior. The owner will need to show patience - this will pass when the dog grows up. Screaming, let alone beating her, is not worth it.

All about the Welsh Corgi Cardigan breed of dog, see the next video.