The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the most well-known dog breeds and has been around for over 3,000 years. They are closely related to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi but have been considered a separate breed since 1934. They can be distinguished from their Pembroke relative by their longer tail, larger size, longer body, and more rounded ears. That being said, the two dog breeds are similar and share many of the same character traits.
The Cardigan, or Cardi as they are nicknamed, were prized assets for farmers in their home country of Wales. These pups are herding dogs that are capable of all kinds of farm-related work. They were used to help farmers drive cattle to the market, herd cattle, protect the cattle from predators, and even exterminate vermin from the farm. The Cardi was so essential to the livelihood of farmers that there were serious penalties for people that would harm or steal them from their owners.
While these dogs are primarily companion dogs today, they still display many of their original characteristics. They still have a strong herding instinct and will sometimes nip at the heels of children to “herd them”. They also have a tendency to bark at anything and everything. Their tendency to bark probably didn’t bother people in the days when farmers lived miles away from each other but can be pretty unpleasant for neighbors of an apartment building. The Cardigan also has a dense double coat, and they shed heavily, so investing in a good vacuum is probably a good move.
These dogs weigh between 25-38 pounds and are packed with energy. They love to run and will need to exercise daily. The Cardi especially loves to run freely, so taking them to an enclosed off-leash area is a great way to let them empty the fuel tank. The Cardi is known to be slightly reserved around strangers but is incredibly affectionate with their family. They have a fun-loving personality that is a pleasure to be around. The Cardi is an excellent fit for a more active owner that will enjoy bringing their dog everywhere they go. No matter how active you are though, you can be sure that you will run out of energy long before your Cardi!
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