The Welsh Corgi Cardigan

Of the two types of Corgi, the Cardigan is thought to be the older. The word Corgi is thought to be rooted in the Celtic 'cor' meaning dwarf and 'gi' – dog. They are both short legged which equips them well for the job of driving livestock forward.

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The Cardigan has always been undocked, and was once known affectionately as the Yard Dog (Ci Llatharid), because the measurement from his nose to the end of his tail was a Welsh yard (102 cm/40 in). He is the longer bodied of the two breeds and his front legs are slightly bowed.

The two breeds have traditionally been used as heelers, driving cattle by day and guarding them at night. At one time the Cardigan and the Pembroke were allowed to interbreed freely but in 1934 The Kennel Club recognised them as two separate breeds.

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The Pastoral breed group

The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.

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General appearance

Sturdy, tough, mobile, capable of endurance. Long in proportion to height, terminating in fox-like brush, set in line with body.

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Characteristics

Alert, active and intelligent.

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Temperament

Alert, intelligent, steady, not shy or aggressive.

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Head and skull

Head foxy in shape and appearance, skull wide and flat between ears tapering towards eyes above which it is slightly domed. Moderate stop. Length of foreface in proportion to skull 3 to 5, muzzle tapering moderately towards nose which projects slightly and in no sense blunt. Underjaw clean cut. Strong but without prominence. Nose black.

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Eyes

Medium size, clear, giving kindly, alert but watchful expression. Rather widely set with corners clearly defined. Preferably dark, to blend with coat, eye rims must be black. One or both eyes pale blue, blue or blue flecked, permissible only in blue merles.

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Ears

Erect, proportionately rather large to size of dog. Tips slightly rounded, moderately wide at base and set about 9 cms (3½ ins) apart. Carried so that tips are slightly wide of straight line drawn from tip of nose through centre of eyes, and set well back so that they can be laid flat along neck.

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Mouth

Teeth strong, with scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

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Neck

Muscular, well developed, in proportion to dog’s build, fitting into well-sloping shoulders.

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Forequarters

Shoulders well laid, angulated at approximately 90 degrees to upper arm; muscular, elbows close to sides. Strong bone carried down to feet. Legs short but body well clear of the ground, forearms slightly bowed to mould round the chest. Feet turned slightly outwards.

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Body

Chest moderately broad with prominent breast bone. Body fairly long and strong, with deep brisket, well-sprung ribs. Clearly defined waist. Topline level.

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Hindquarters

Strong, well angulated and aligned with muscular thighs and second thighs, strong bone carried down to feet, legs short; when standing, hocks vertical, viewed from side and rear.

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Feet

Round, tight, rather large and well padded.

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Tail

Like a fox’s brush, set in line with the body and moderately long (to touch or nearly touch ground). Carried low when standing but may be lifted a little above body when moving, not curled over back.

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Gait/movement

Free and active, elbows fitting close to sides, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs reaching well forward without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.

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Coat

Short or medium of hard texture. Weather-proof, with good undercoat. Preferably straight.

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Colour

Acceptable colours are blue merle, brindle, red, sable, tricolour with brindle points and tricolour with red points.

All of the above with or without the typical white markings on head, neck, chest, underparts, legs and feet, white tail tip. White should not predominate on body or head where it should never surround the eyes. Nose and eye rims must be black. Liver and dilute colours highly undesirable.

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Size

Height: ideal 30 cms (12 ins) at shoulder. Weight in proportion to size with overall balance the prime consideration.

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Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

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*Note for prospective puppy buyers

Size – The Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed; the size as described does not imply that a dog will match the measurements given (height or weight). A dog might be larger or smaller than the size measurements stated in the breed standard.

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Breed standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

• Black Brindle & White

• Blue Merle

• Brindle

• Brindle & White

• Brindle Point Tricolour

• Red & White

• Red Brindle

• Red Brindle & White

• Red Point Tricolour

• Sable

• Sable & White

• Tricolour
   

Other colours

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

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Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

• DNA test - PRA(rcd3) - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs

• Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)