Breed Spotlight: Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Coat Type and Colors

Cardigan Welsh corgis have a double coat that comes in a few colors. Like the corgi breed itself, all of these colors look rather posh.³

• Black and white
  
• Black merle and white
  
• Black merle and white
  
• Red and white
  
• Sable and white
• Blue merle

Ears

Cardigan Welsh corgi puppy ears are funny because they’re born with floppy ears but they stand upright after 2 – 6 months. This is because it takes a few months for the cartilage in their ears to fully develop. Some breeders temporarily tape or glue them upright to help the cartilage to form much more quickly, but some pups might keep one or both ears floppy regardless of outside assistance. Cartilage formation takes time, so patience is needed.⁴

Shedding and Grooming

Cardigan Welsh corgis have a medium-length coat. They shed rather heavily, especially during the spring and fall seasons. In general, you should be grooming your corgi every 4 – 8 weeks to keep their coat presentable and healthy.

Drooling Level

Cardigan Welsh corgis are unlikely to have any drooling problems. If you notice your Cardigan Welsh corgi is excessively drooling, contact your veterinarian.

Behavior

The Cardigan Welsh corgi temperament is highly intelligent but stubborn. They’re loyal and loving, but only once they know and trust you. Unlike their more social cousins, the Pembroke Welsh corgi, Cardigans are rather reserved, but once they’ve chosen you as their person, you’re beloved.

Exercise Needs

Because corgis were raised to herd cattle, they’re used to regular exercise. They’re prone to chasing and often get “the zoomies,” where they fly through the house. This is their way of telling you they have energy to burn off or want to play. They love to play fetch, but you should also give them treat-based toys and puzzles to stimulate their minds, too.

Are Cardigan Welsh Corgi Good with Other Pets?

Similar to how they act with families, corgis are great with other pets. They’re friendly and kind, but may also end up bossing them around them in some situations.

Trainability

Corgis are highly intelligent. They’re responsive to training, especially with some love. They pick up voice commands and routines quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement.

Are Cardigan Welsh Corgi Good with Kids?

The herding nature of corgis make them excellent family dogs. They’re so devoted and loyal to their family that they may try to shepherd and corral small children. This habit may be hard to break due to their ingrained stubbornness, so it might take extra effort to train them out of it.

Barking Level

Corgis are a particularly vocal type of dog. They bark to show excitement, boredom, or to alert you. However, if you start training them while they’re young, you can teach them when it’s appropriate to bark. But remember that they’re herding dogs — they were bred to work and bark to keep cattle in line, so don’t expect them to keep quiet all the time.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi: A History

Celtic tribes brought Cardigan Welsh corgis to Wales in the 1200s as cattle drovers. They quickly became popular and were used as herders all over Britain. Their low stature let them nip cattle and then dart away without getting kicked. The American Kennel Club (AKC) formally recognized them as a breed in 1935.³

Cardigan Welsh corgis are an older breed than the Pembroke Welsh corgi. The corgi types are often confused, but are two distinct breeds.