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Are you looking for a loyal and affectionate dog to keep you company? Do you want an intelligent canine companion that is highly trainable and energetic?
Then, brace yourself for the loyal Cardigan Welsh Corgis known for their playful and loveable personalities.
This breed has adorable looks and a bubbly personality guaranteed to woo everyone with its charm.
They have a warm and tender side for their owners and a vigilant eye toward anyone regarded as a threat.
So, whether you’re a first-time owner hoping to adopt this devoted breed or a dog enthusiast hoping to learn more about them, welcome!
Here, we will discuss everything you need to know before getting one.
We’ll begin by understanding their physical structure and move towards other crucial aspects, such as trainability and potential challenges.
A firm knowledge of these features will assist you in making informed decisions. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dog Breed
Each breed has a distinct and unique physical structure that differentiates it from others. These marked changes assist in distinguishing it from other dogs.
Their characteristics may guide us in choosing the most compatible one that matches our lifestyles.
For example, a large-sized dog may not be the best choice for an individual with a small apartment.
A breed with considerable shedding may trigger various unpleasant reactions in people with allergies.
A high-energy pet may be a misfit with an owner who prefers staying and relaxing indoors.
That is why understanding the traits of a breed is crucial when figuring out overall compatibility and avoiding potential problems.
Here, we have listed the three main components of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi dog breed to give you a glimpse into their world and get to know them more:
Height and Weight
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a small to medium-sized dog breed with a sturdy and muscular build.
The average height of a male is 10.5 to 12.5 inches, whereas the female is slightly smaller at 10 to 12 inches.
The average male weighs around 30 to 38 pounds, whereas the average female weighs 25 to 34 pounds. It is important to note that these are general standards.
Your pet Cardigan Welsh Corgi may vary from these statistics based on their genetics and the nutrition provided.
Coat
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a double-layered and medium-sized coat with numerous colors.
These include black and white, blue Merle and white, gray and white, red and white, and many more.
Their coat is weather-resistant and designed to keep them warm and safe in cold temperatures.
The outer side is rough and wiry to protect them against potential predators, whereas the undercoat is soft and dense, which keeps them comfortable.
Brushing their coat once a week is sufficient to remove loose hair and keep the scalp stimulated.
But this frequency may require an increase during the shedding season in Spring and Fall.
We recommend bathing your pet once every few months to clean their fur and help them look and feel their best.
Note: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not hypoallergenic. So, we do not recommend them for people with allergies.
We suggest switching to mixed breeds that offer minimal shedding to avoid potential medical concerns.
Features
Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a powerful and athletic build that gives them a strong appeal. They have short legs and a foxlike head.
The eyes are round and expressive and possess a friendly glint that can melt anyone's heart.
These adorable dogs usually possess long and fluffy tails, although this may vary depending on their genetics.
Overall, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Breed has a sweet and loveable persona. They're incredibly affectionate with their family.
They're also easily manageable, making them a wise choice for first-time owners.
History of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dog
The Cardigan Welsh corgi is the older corgi breed, and it has been named after the medieval kingdom of Cardiganshire, Wales.
This corgi breed was originally from Central Europe but was brought to Wales by the Celts around 1200 BC. They were primarily bred as Welsh herding dogs.
Their low build allowed them to nip the heels of cattle and sheep without getting kicked. Their body structure also helped in hunting vermins.
Farmers best kept these Cardis as herders, companions, guardians, and pest predators.
In fact, they were so prized that a Welsh law subjected penalties to anyone who would steal a Cardi.
In 1919, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi was first seen in English dog shows. The English Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association was then founded in 1926.
However, the Cardigan and Pembroke were still considered as one breed at this time, and they were often interbred.
It was only in 1934 that the British Kennel Club declared that the Cardigan and Pembroke corgis were separate breeds.
In 1931, the first Cardigans arrived in the United States. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America was established in 1935.
Personality
Even though the Cardigan still has its herding instinct, it's less sociable and more laid back compared to its ancestors.
They are a great family companion and alert watchdogs. Expect them to bark at strangers or at any unusual sight, sound, or smell.
Cardigan corgis are also very intelligent. However, they are quite independent and stubborn, which makes training a challenge.
Fortunately, with proper socialization during the puppy stage, they will develop to be well-rounded dogs that will do well with children, dogs, and other pets.
Living with a Cardigan Corgi
The good thing about having a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is that they are highly adaptable.
You can see them happy in any environment—whether you have a small apartment or a large backyard.
Keep in mind that they can easily get overweight, so make sure to feed them with 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dog food while giving them daily exercise.
Cardis have a double coat where they have a short undercoat but a longer, thicker topcoat.
They are heavy shedders, so daily brushing and a warm bath can help keep the shedding under control.
Health
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are generally healthy dog breeds, but they can be prone to specific health conditions.
Here are a few health concerns that a Cardi may be subjected to and you should also look out for:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
It's a common eye disease in dogs due to a deteriorating retina. Dogs may be night-blind until they lose sight in severe cases.
Intervertebral Disk Disease
Cardigan corgis are known for their long backs. Because of this, they are more prone to spinal disc ruptures.
You can identify this disease with difficulty climbing on and off furniture, weakness, unsteadiness, and paralysis.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dog Breed Training
Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs are highly affectionate and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable.
They’re easy to manage and are great for first-time owners who don’t know the intricacies of dog training.
But like all breeds, they have unique temperaments and personalities that may create challenges.
This includes their stubbornness, and they may rebel to assert dominance if you try to train them through force or anger.
How To Train a Cardigan Welsh Corgi
1. Start early
Establishing healthy and positive habits in a puppy is more convenient than in a dog. This is because the younger an animal is, the more open they are to learn new things.
Their behavioral patterns need to be more clearly defined, and it is up to you to teach them how they ought to act.
“But when should I begin training?” you may be wondering. Well, the earlier, the better.
This means you can begin as soon as you bring a Cardigan Welsh Corgi to your home.
What they require for training may vary depending on their age. It may be potty training for a puppy, whereas it may be controlling barking for a dog.
It all depends on their unique needs and how you cater to them.
2. Define the task clearly
There are considerable differences between your understanding and comprehension levels and your pet.
This means that just because it’s making sense to you doesn’t mean that will be the case for your lovely Cardigan Welsh Corgi too.
This is why ensuring a relationship and environment that involves clarity and trust is essential.
Building such a dynamic may be tied to making the best of your individual needs and personality differences.
For example, some people may be more affectionate or strict than others. All you need to do is exert your traits in a way that cultivates healthy habits in your pet.
3. Do it in a distraction-free zone
Generally, dogs are easily excitable beings that get stimulated by even a random object.
So, for example, maybe you’re potty training your dog, but suddenly a butterfly flutters by.
Your dog will try to run after it to catch it. This may break the tempo and render your efforts futile.
This is why reducing potential distractions is a must. We recommend putting your phone on silent.
This will help reduce the likelihood of the sound of a random notification disrupting the session.
All it requires is a little thought and effort, and you’ll successfully cultivate habits that will last a lifetime.
4. Use positive reinforcement techniques
Positive reinforcement techniques play a crucial role in strengthening specific behaviors.
Think of it this way: a child goes to their parent, showing them the A grade they got on their test. The parent is proud of the child and gets them their favorite candy.
This builds an association between achievement and reward and increases the chances of effective performance in future tests.
All this happens on an unconscious level. The same applies to your pet baby. Rewarding them with something they enjoy, such as dog treats, will help reinforce that behavior and build a habit.
But make sure that you are not giving them too many treats. Cardigan Welsh Corgi is prone to weight gain.
We recommend sticking to low-calorie and natural healthy dog treats for optimum health.
5. Practice patience and consistency
Adopting a dog may be difficult as you both learn to settle into the new lifestyle.
This means a consistent chain of ups and down as you navigate the changes and differences.
Remember: Difficult days do not mean you’re a terrible pet parent. It just means you’re human.
This is why patience and consistency are crucial to living with a pet. They probably won’t understand you initially, and that may be a source of frustration.
But it is up to you to fight through the confusion.
If you’re having trouble training your pet, you can always take them to a professional pet trainer for assistance.
It’ll make the task simpler. Your pet will love you for making it easier for both of you.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Challenge: Excessive Barking
Did you know that Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs were herding dogs in the past?
They were responsible for keeping the cattle or sheep in line. This means they had to use their vocal cords and bark excessively and loudly to ensure everything stayed intact.
Many years have passed since then, and they are wanted for their company now. But the habit remains.
In other words, they bark a lot and may require training to be relatively quiet.
Why Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis Bark excessively?
Barking is a dog’s natural mode of expression. But some breeds may be excessively vocal, posing a problem for those around them.
Understanding their unique temperament and personalities may give you a glimpse into their psyche and cultivate appropriate behavior as required.
Here, we have compiled a list of reasons why your Cardigan Welsh Corgi may bark excessively:
- Their history as a primarily herding dog predisposes them to it. Barking may be a learned skill passed down through decades to ensure survival.
- They are alert and protective by nature. This means they may bark to caution against danger when they feel threatened.
- They may also bark to express excitement. This means they may be incredibly vocal during playtime or when you return from work.
- Releasing pent-up physical and mental energy is crucial for anyone’s well-being. Your pet may resort to barking to channel out its stimulated state.
Can You Train a Cardigan Welsh Corgi to Bark Less?
Training a Cardigan Welsh Corgi to bark less can be challenging but not impossible. All it requires is a little consistency and patience.
Here, we have compiled a list of tips to help you do so:
1. Identify the triggers
Observe the instances when your Cardigan Welsh Corgi resorts to barking.
Maybe it’s just a way of cautioning against danger when a stranger approaches your home. Perhaps they feel threatened by another individual or dog and feel territorial.
Understanding the underlying cause of the behavior may allow you to resolve or eliminate the issue as needed.
2. Train the ‘quiet’ command
Training ensures habit-building and goes a long way. Here we’ll discipline the dog to bark less using positive reinforcement.
You’ll be required to assert ‘quiet’ every time your dog starts barking and reward them with a treat when they are silent.
You’ll prolong the gap between the command and reward to ensure a consistent habit.
3. Ignore the barking
Sometimes your dog may be barking for attention or treats. It is best to ignore them in a situation like this.
Showering them with affection or rewards when they become excessively vocal may strengthen that behavior.
It may be a problem when one day you’re too tired or busy to give them what they need.
Balance is crucial for your pet’s well-being. Give them the love they require and teach them to channel their love.
Territoriality is innate in most dogs. This means rebellion in the form of excessive barking when they feel threatened.
An isolated dog with inadequate socialization may feel unsafe in new environments or around unfamiliar people or animals.
We recommend introducing your Cardigan Welsh Corgi to all sorts of surroundings and places. This will prevent excessive barking from developing at all.
5. Give them the physical and mental stimulation they need
Energetic dogs such as Cardigan Welsh Corgi need plenty of exercise to channel their pent-up enthusiasm.
This is why taking them out on their daily walks or indulging in play sessions is essential for their well-being.
A happy pet is likely to bark less than an unsatisfied one. So a 1-hour physical and mental stimulation session will ensure optimum health and minimize barking.
Remember, training your Cardigan Welsh Corgi may require time and effort. It demands consistency and patience to instill a life-long habit.
But with time, your furry buddy will learn to become a well-behaved and happy companion. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Dog Breed: Conclusion
Life with a Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be a rewarding experience.
They’re highly affectionate, trainable, and will keep an alert and vigilant eye towards potential intruders.
This makes them ideal for first-time owners who generally need an easily manageable dog that doesn’t cause much trouble.
But at the same time, understanding the needs of this devoted yet stubborn breed is a must.
These dogs respond great to positive reinforcement but may act rebellious if you discipline them through force or anger.
We recommend being gentle and rewarding appropriate behavior with love and treats.
This will help create a long-lasting bond between you and your furry buddy. Plus, you’ll enjoy every bit of it!
