Breed Group: Herding
Height: 10.5 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 25 to 38 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14+ years
Affectionately called the “yard-long dog” in his native Wales, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is active and good-natured — and he loves to be busy. Cardigans make excellent watchdogs, but they can become nuisance barkers if they’re not properly trained.
Did You Know the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Was Bred to Herd Cattle?
You can tell a Cardigan apart from a Pembroke Corgi if you remember that the Cardi has a long tail, like the sleeves of a cardigan sweater, while the Pembroke has a “broke” tail.
The Cardigan is best described as a Corgi with a tail, but he stands out from his cousin, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, in other ways. The Cardigan has larger, more rounded ears and he comes in a variety of colors, including tricolor (black and white, with tan or brindle points), blue merle, brindle, sable, and red. Most Cardis also have white markings on the neck, chest, feet, and tail tip. They weigh between 25 and 38 pounds, making them a little larger than the Pembroke.
Although Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis were both developed in Wales, they have different ancestry: twin sons of different mothers, you might say. The Cardigan, nicknamed the yard-long dog in his home shire of Cardigan, shares ancestors with another long breed, the Dachshund. Unlike the Dachshund, the Cardi was used to drive cattle by nipping at their heels. Today, he’s more of a companion and a show dog, but he still has strong herding instincts.
This is a loving, good-natured, and active dog, so be prepared to keep your Cardigan engaged. Athletic and tireless, he excels in dog sports, especially agility, herding, flyball, obedience, rally, and tracking. He also enjoys going for long walks and hikes. Due to his herding background, he has a watchful nature and will bark to ward off critters or strangers who approach his domain. And while you may think of him as an outdoor dog, nothing could be farther from the truth — a Cardigan Welsh Corgi loves to play in the yard, but he’s happiest at home with his family.
Other Quick Facts About the Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Cardigans belong to the same family of dogs — the teckel group — as Dachshunds and Basset Hounds.
The word “Corgi” has several possible meanings: In ancient Welsh, it could translate as “dwarf dog,” or it may derive from the word “cur,” meaning to watch over — a common Corgi trait.
