GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
The Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) is a cattle herding dog. It is believed a warrior tribe of Celts brought them to Cardiganshire, Wales 3000 years ago. They were bred to drive cattle across the rugged hills in Wales. Cardigans were used as guarders and herders; they drove the cattle during the day and guarded against all sorts of intruders at night.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 12 to 15 years.

Temperament
The Cardigan is highly intelligent, determined, playful, adaptable and willing. They often will show reserve with strangers but should never be aggressive.

General Breed Description
The Cardigan is a sturdy, active breed, highly trainable and they learn quickly. They will adapt to almost any lifestyle but thrive being part of the family. They come in a variety of colours: brindle, tricolour, sable, red and merle, with or without white markings.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat is short to medium in length, with a dense undercoat. Occasional bathing and a regular brush will keep the Cardigan’s coat in good condition. They are a double coated breed, and will shed coat, usually twice a year. At these times more frequent bathing and grooming will remove dead coat and promote regrowth.

Size
Height: 30cms (12ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Cardigan is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM).

Suitability
Cardigans make an ideal pet for many people as they are highly adaptable and enjoy the company of the family. As with all dogs, young children and pets should always be supervised when together. A fully enclosed yard is a must, but this does not need to be huge if the dog receives regular exercise.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:

https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/breeds/breed-standards/Welsh-Corgi-(Cardigan)