Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Breed Group: Herding Group
Size Group: Small Dog Breeds
Origin: Wales
Height: 10.5”-12.5”
Weight: 25-38 lbs
Color: lack & white, blue merle & white, brindle & white, sable & white, red & white, are the most commonly occurring. They may also have a variety of markings including, ticked, tan points and black masked.
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament: Friendly, alert, athletic, bouncy
Set Your Pup Up For Success
Overview
Cardigan Welsh Corgis were described once as “smashing little dogs”. We’re not sure if there could be a more perfect description! Cardigans or Cardis, as they are nicknamed, are perfect family dogs and can adapt to almost any living situation. They were originally bred for cattle herding and are still excellent work dogs.
They are low maintenance when it comes to exercise and grooming. As long as they are socialized early, they are great with other animals. They love to play and make wonderful cuddle partners. They also make wonderful guard dogs and will never allow a stranger to approach without announcing it.
Cardis’ one difficulty is their inclination to back injuries. Their long and low frames make jumping and running up and down stairs an issue. When carrying your pup, always pick them up with one hand under their chest behind the front legs and the other hand supporting the hindquarters.
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Celebrity Owners
N/A
Fun Facts
- Cardigan Welsh Corgis can run at around 23 mph
- Of the two breeds of Corgis (Pembroke and Cardigan), Cardigan are older.
Health
Cardis are typically very healthy dogs. The most important thing to be aware of is the predisposition towards back issues. As with all low-and-long dogs, jumping up and down can cause excessive stress on your pup’s spine. This is an issue that can require surgery and should be avoidable with supervision. Check out degenerative myelopathy in dogs for more information.
Consider supplying your pup with steps or ramps up to favorite relaxing spots. If your dog exhibits signs of discomfort, see your vet right away. Additionally, monitoring your pup’s weight is important as excessive weight can also create back issues.
While back issues are the most prevalent issue with this breed, some other minor concerns include:
- Hip dysplasia: This condition is when the socket joint in the hip isn’t large enough, or more often too shallow, for the femoral head.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: Atrophy is a wearing or wasting away of a body part. In this case, it is the retina in the eye, which eventually leads to blindness.
- Degenerative myelopathy: This disease effects the spinal cord. Over time, the hind limbs lose strength and feeling. This condition can eventually lead to paralysis.
With all purebred dogs, it is important to work with responsible breeders that screen both parents and pups for hereditary health conditions.
While you always hope your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.
Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.
Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.
Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:
- Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent an undesirable buildup of plaque
- Feed your dog a diet where the high quality dog food has dental benefits
- Regularly give your dog dental toys and treats
- Use mouthwash, to help where brushing misses
- At the sign of any abnormalities, consult a vet. You can even do it virtually, from the convenience of your home.
Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.
Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.
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- Vigilant and loyal, these dogs will protect their own
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Grooming
Cardis are low maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. They should be brushed once a week with a pin brush or comb to keep hair looking its best and free of matting. They will experience two shedding periods throughout the year where increased brushing is required. Frequent bathing is not recommended as it can interfere with the natural dirt and water repellent nature of their coats.
Their coats do not need to be trimmed and will naturally help your pup retain proper body temperature provided they are not exposed to extreme hot or cold for extended periods of time. You can however trim the hair around their feet to prevent them from bringing excess dirt into the house. As with all dogs, keep your pup’s nails trimmed and their ears clean and free of debris. Brush their teeth several times a week.
Cost
$800 – $1,750
Exercise
Cardis are athletic dogs. They require around 45 minutes of activity a day. Long walk, hikes, run and playing fetch. If you have a fenced in yard your pup will love to play ball or frisbee with you. They also thrive with another dog in the house, and this might also satisfy their need for activity. Cardis were bred as cattle herding dogs.
They will have instincts to chase other animals and thus require a lease whenever you are not in a secure area. This instinct can be managed by training your pup with return calls.
Nutrition
On average your pup with eat around 2 cups of food per day. The exact amount will vary based on your pups age and activity level. Cardigans are notorious for becoming overweight. This problem exacerbates the likelihood of back problems these pups are already prone to. A healthy dog food will set you on the right path.
Keep an eye on the scale and adjust your pup’s intake appropriately, always remembering that treat count as calories too!
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Training
As with all dogs, early socialization to humans and other dogs is essential for your pup to thrive. With Cardis this may be even more important as they can become territorial if they are not comfortable with other dogs and people in their space.
They were bred as herding dogs and can present a dominate nature that was needed to help them be successful with larger animals. Therefore, early training that includes lots of positive reinforcement will help your eager to please pup flourish.
Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pup’s life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!
Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.
Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.
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Supplements
A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.
Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.
Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.
Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.
Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.
As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.
Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.
Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.
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The Good
Good with kids
Low maintenance grooming
The "Ruff"
Can become dominant or territorial if not properly trained
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