Welsh Corgi
Today’s breed of the week, the Welsh Corgi, is a sweet deal. I’ll be covering both the Pembroke and the Cardigan variations. Mostly because I had no idea what the differences were in the two types of Corgis and have always felt like a fool trying to identify them.
You too? Phew!
Say hi to Dewi, of The Chronicles of Cardigan. Love those ears!
I’m sure that Taryn, over at Two Cardis, has no trouble with this, since her Jimmy and Wilson are Corgis, and it says in the blog name that they’re Cardigans. Her babies are BEAUTIFUL. Go look.
Pembrokes vs Cardigans
Because I love you all (I’ll forget the differences after one sleep, but I know y’all won’t), I looked up a little guide on how to tell which cute, fluffy, low-slung dog you’re saying hello to at the dog park:
Pembrokes are the ones with the stubby tails that simply wiggle with excitement, while Cardis have full tails that wag. The stubby tails of most Pembrokes are not docked; the dogs are born that way. The two breeds also show a difference in those large ears; the Cardi has the larger set of ears, and they’re a bit more rounded at the tips. Also in terms of physical differences, the Cardigan is larger and somewhat heavier than the Pembroke. The Cardigan’s feet are also rounder.
I have a friend in Pennsylvania who used to breed Corgis. Hers were adorable. I’ve oohed and aahed over the puppy photos for years. She has four great kids and the puppies all get plenty of family time. I still don’t know what they are, though, Pembroke or Cardigan.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Let’s get down to exactly what a Welsh Corgi is and whether or not it’s the dog for you. Here’s what the AKC Breed page has to say about the Cardigan:
Known as the Corgi with the tail, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two Corgi breeds. Like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan is low set with moderately heavy bone and a deep chest. Originally used as a drover and farm dog, the breed is small and powerful, capable of great speed and endurance. Coat colors include red, sable, brindle, black and blue merle. White markings are common.
Besides being one of the cutest dogs on the planet, the Welsh Corgi is also useful as a working dog (I might need to get some cattle while I’m out today), and an agility dog. There were a large number of Welsh Corgis at the agility trials last month. What does the AKC Breed page have to say about its close cousin, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
Low-set, strong and sturdily built, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi gives an impression of substance in a small space. He is one of the most agreeable small house dogs, as well as an avid competitor in many dog sports, including conformation, herding and obedience. The Pembroke Corgi is a separate breed from the Cardigan Corgi, possessing a shorter body and straighter, lighter boned legs. His ears are pointed at the tip and stand erect, and he has a short tail. The coat can be red, sable, fawn, black and tan with or without white markings.
Okay, seriously. Click here for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Now click here for the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Make sure to scroll down and stare at their photos. If you can’t see the dog’s butt to know if it has a tail, can you tell the difference by looking at its ears?
I CAN’T.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Welsh Corgi.
Pros:
- Brilliant – a big brain in a dog can be good or bad, but in this instance we’ll go with good, since it makes for a lively, good obedience dog
- Great with kids – but remember that you, the adult, set the pace for the household and are the leader of the pack, teaching your children that they are also big brother and big sister to the dog
- Sturdy and protective – the Welsh Corgi is solid and a great watch dog
- Decent life span – about 12 to 15 years
- Low to moderate health issues – PRA, glaucoma and back issues (the Corgi is a long dog), and prone to weight gain, so watch what you feed the pup!
- Suited to farm, house or apartment – on the small side, the dog can live in small places, but will need daily exercise, yet is also a herding dog, so great on a farm
Cons:
- Brilliant – You knew I’d go here – the intelligent dog needs an intelligent owner who will train the heck out of it, keeping the dog’s brain engaged, or the intelligent dog becomes nervous and destructive – and SOCIALIZE
- Shedding – yes, another herding breed with a double coat who needs regular brushing and will blow that double coat all over your house in the spring and fall
- Barking – like I said, the Welsh Corgi is an amazing watchdog, which means it’s a barker, but some of that may be worked with in training (using Jones Chews, naturally)
If you prefer a fluffy, cute dog on the smaller size, this may very well be the dog for you. I’ve considered them. Still considering. And if you like my Breed of the Week feature, by all means, subscribe to the blog!
Giveaway
Jones Natural Chews is giving away a new treat, the Bully N Beef. It’s a two ingredient beef treat bound to make dogs crazy with love. Click this sentence to get to the post for the giveaway, scroll down to the Rafflecopter and click it for instructions. Tweeting the giveaway daily earns extra points and increases your chances of winning!
Oh, as for my chemo which started yesterday, it went well. Pretty uneventful. Cold sensitivity is a real thing and pretty darn weird. I’ll fill y’all in more later in the week.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
P.S. Today’s post is gently used.
