Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Of the two types of Welsh Corgis, the dog from Cardiganshire is said to be the oldest in point of pure breeding. Yet he has lagged behind his close relative from Pembrokeshire in both England and the United States.

According to Lloyd-Thomas, the dog belonged to the Central Europe Celts who invaded Wales around 1200 B.C. He was used as a cattle dog, biting at the heels of the cattle, and then dropping to the ground to avoid their kicks.

The original type of Corgi, found about Bronant in the heart of the Celtic Wales country, virtually disappeared after the division of the Crown Lands and the fencing of the ranges. To save the stock, crosses apparently were made with both the red and the brindle herding dogs. The former crosses were said not to be successful.

The dog was said originally to have been a member of the Dachshund family, whereas, Pembrokeshire fanciers claim the Wolf-spit family as the origin of their variety. However, some writers freely admit that crosses were made between the two varieties, and that these account for the similarity of the two. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a long tail, and he differs in color and texture of coat from the Pembroke. Collie crosses may account for this. The two varieties were introduced into the United States in approximately equal numbers. But the dog from Cardiganshire has failed to catch on, so that he is still relatively rare here.

In general appearance they seem to appear almost foxy, with a natural alertness. The height should be as close as possible to twelve inches at shoulder. The weight of the male should be between eighteen to twenty-five pounds, with the females weighing between fifteen to twenty-two pounds. The body usually measures from about 34 to 36 inches from the point of the nose to the tip of the tail.

Additional information on the Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be found at the website for the American Kennel Club.