Welcome to the Corgi Corner! We started a new series that is posted on the first Saturday of every month! These posts will help spread education and awareness on topics like general dog care, corgi specific things, medical care, health facts, etc. This month’s Corgi Corner post will be all about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi! There is a great misconception that all corgis are the same, but Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are actually two completely different and separate breeds. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are named after the medieval kingdom of Cardiganshire, Wales. They are the older of the two corgi breeds and they are among the oldest of all British breeds. Historians surmise that ancient corgis were brought from Central Europe to Wales by the Celts during their mass migrations to Britain some 3,000 years ago. Cardigans are built low to the ground to be able to nip at the heels of cattle and avoid getting kicked. They often did double duty on long cattle drives, moving a herd by day and serving as a flock guardian by night. They have at various times worked as an all-around farm dog, hunting partner, family protector, and athlete. Cardigans were long associated with Britain’s crofters (tenant farmers) who depended on their dogs to help scratch a meager living out of the pasture land permitted them by the crown. In the late 1800s the beginnings of what we know today as dog shows began to take shape. During this time, many breeds’ usefulness in their historical roles began to dissipate with the introduction of machines. If it were not for dog shows, many of these breeds would have died out. Near the turn of the century, classes were held at some livestock shows for “healers” or “curs”, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that the term “corgi” was used regularly and any appreciable breed history can be documented. In 1934, Cardigans were officially recognized as a breed in England. A red and white dog named Bob Llwyd was the most influential stud dog in the mid to late 1920s and the first breed standard is said to have been based on him. It was shortly after this time that the Pembroke was selected by the British Royal Family as their pet which brought great fame to that breed. The Cardigan remained in the shadows and only recently has their popularity begun to rise. The first pair of breeding Cardigans arrived in the US in 1931 and they were officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1935. Like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are true dwarves. They come in red, sable, black, brindle, and blue merle, all with white markings and with different colored points. Unlike the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan does naturally carry the merle and brindle genes. When breeding, breeders have to be very careful with the merle genes to prevent the creation of double merle gene puppies in their litters. Cardigans have some other physical differences compared to Pembrokes. The breed standard for Cardigans includes them keeping their tails. They are also physically larger than Pembrokes and they have larger, more rounded ears. Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a medium coat and they’re a double coated breed. This means they shed a lot. They can also come with a longer coat, called fluffy or fluffies. Fluffies are against breed standard. It’s a specific gene and it’s the result of a recessive genetic coat mutation. A fluffy coat appears when both parents carry one copy of the recessive gene and pass it on. But, it can be difficult to know whether or not a dog carries one copy of the fluffy gene. So while a fluffy puppy may accidentally appear within a litter, responsible breeders do not intentionally breed for the fluffy coat. Cardigan Welsh Corgis have 2 major genetic diseases that can be completely avoided with genetic testing and responsible breeding practices: degenerative myelopathy (DM) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)(more in-depth information on these in the future). They are also prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).  Overall, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are a highly intelligent, athletic, energetic breed. This means they need to remain physically and mentally active, they require training, and they need their owners to be their leaders. They are not couch potato dogs, and they’re probably much smarter than you are. Their double coat means they shed a lot, especially during seasonal changes, so they require regular brushing. They are very food driven and they’re eager to please, making them trainable. But they’re also prone to weight gain and being overweight, which is the worst thing for their body structure. Due to their short legs and very long backs, it’s imperative they maintain a healthy weight so extra stress is not put on their backs and joints.