QUESTIONS MOST COMMONLY ASKED ABOUT CARDIGANS 

WHAT IS A CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI?

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the 17 breeds included in the AKC Herding Group. As the name implies, these dogs have a heritage as companions and protectors in driving cows and sheep on farms in Great Britain. A good working Corgi was such a valuable asset to the farmer. After tending the herd during the day, the farmer brought his Corgi into the home at night where he became friend, protector and companion to the family and children.

WHY SUCH A LONG NAME FOR A SMALL DOG?

The name is easy to remember once you know its origin. They were raised in the Welsh county of Cardiganshire. The name "Corgi" comes from two words in Welsh; "Cor" meaning "dog" and "gi" (pronounced with a hard G sound) for "small" or "dwarf". The Cardigan Welsh Corgi may be a "little dog" but certainly has a big heart.

DOES THE CARDI GET ALONG WITH OTHER BREEDS?

YES! Most ARAGORN pups either go to homes already with another dog, or several dogs. They mix well with larger dogs or small dogs. We have pups living with Golden Retrievers, Collies, Dobes, etc. They love the companionship of another dog or even a cat. Many of our puppy buyers come back later on for a companion for the original Cardi! I must warn you, Cardigans are contagious!!!

DOES THE BREED REQUIRE A LOT OF EXERCISE?

Not really. They get enough exercise running about in your yard, or long walks. They also get a lot of exercise playing about the house, especially, if they have another dog or cat for a companion.

DOES THE CARDI PREFER LIVING INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?

We will not sell one of our pups if it is going to be kept outside. Primarily, Cardis are house pets and companion dogs, which means they are meant to be with you. This does not mean that you can't leave the dog outside in your fenced yard to play during the course of the day. You certainly can, provided that you have supplied water and shelter. Our dogs are outside to exercise but brought in several times during the day. Remember to take special care with hot summer or cold winter weather. They love to romp in the snow (they're so comical hopping out of the snowdrifts!) but I let them in sooner since it is so cold. As companion dogs, they love best being with you, especially if they can con you into sharing your lap! We have Cardigans living in the country with lots of acreage for supervised play (beware of those dog nappers), & we also have Cardis living in city apartments, as well as one pup living as a resident in a Nursing Home. They are adaptable to YOUR lifestyle.

WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND IN CARDIS?

Our line displays no hereditary defects such as disk problems, cornea cysts, and V.W.D. Aragorn dogs have been certified clear for 7 generations against PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) - we have never produced one. Skin problems are not a breed problem, as it is in many sporting breeds, etc. Occasionally, a dog will get a "hot spot" or flea allergy which can be treated. This is more on an individual basis, rather than breed oriented.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF THE CARDIGAN?

It is not uncommon for Cardigans to live as long as 15 or more. Average lifespan is about 12-15 years.

IS THERE MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES?

NO! As pets, both sexes are loyal, devoted, dedicated, and loving. Since we require our pets to be neutered, males do not end up marking their territory, outside or inside, and females won't give you the unnecessary hassels of attracting other males when they are in heat. Unspayed females will shed twice a year just prior to coming into heat, spayed females and males shed only once.

WHAT IS THE SIZE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES?

Average shoulder height on a male is 12 inches at the shoulders, weight being around 30-38 pounds. Females are a bit smaller and weigh around 25-34 pounds. Their length is a Welsh yard, between 36 - 43 inches from the tip of nose to tip of tail.

HOW DO YOU PICK UP A CARDIGAN SINCE THEY ARE BUILT SO DIFFERENT?

Their center of balance is just under the chest. Put one hand under the chest behind the front legs, with the other hand supporting the hindquarters. Never let young puppies jump off furniture or go down large flights of stairs. Teach the pup to go up and down a short flight of stairs in the beginning. Remember going downstairs is harder for this long-bodied long-bodied short-legged dog.

DESCRIBE THE PERSONALITY OF THE CARDIGAN AS OPPOSED TO A PEM.

Welshman Lloyd Thomas describes the early beginnings of the Cardigan in such an enjoyable, colorful manner. Cardigans and Pembrokes come from different origins way back in the beginnings of time. Pems come from the same lines as Terriers, Spitz and Schipperkes. They tend to be more high strung and yippey. Many Pembroke breeders will not recommend their pups for homes with young children. The Pem's popularity surged due to the Queen's influence.

Cardigans are an older, rarer breed, coming from the same heritage as the Tekdal dogs, such as the Dachshund. Since they didn't achieve the same popularity as the Pem, they remained in the hands of the old farmers and breeders, who continued to breed them selectively for the purpose of herding and family companions. The Cardigan temperament is more like a Collie or a well-bred German Shepherd Dog. Temperament and trainability are of the utmost importance.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CARDI & PEM?

First of all, there's the obvious tail on the Cardi, while the Pem is docked. Cardigan ears are bigger and more rounded, Pem's ears are small and more triangular. Cardigans are bigger, and much longer. They are taller at the shoulders. The front on the Cardigan is a bit peculiar, since they are built very similar to the Dachshund or Basset Hound, with a bowed front and toes pointing outward. The Pem has a straighter front. This is due to the fact that the Cardigan has a deeper chest to enable a large heart/lung cavity, needed in order to perform his work up and down the hills of Cardiganshire, Wales. The forelegs bow out a bit to surround the chest cavity, and his feet are in a line not directly under the shoulders, rather a bit under the chest, giving him a look not usual to the eye.

WHY DO THEY HAVE SUCH BIG EARS?

Cardigans have large and prominent ears in proportion to the size of the dog. Their hearing is extremely acute, and they can distinguish between familiar sounds and strange noises as an excellent watch dog. They used their acute hearing to hear the approaching kick from a cow; and then they would roll out the way with the use of their long bodies and short legs. When they are young puppies, their ears are dropped, but after about 8 weeks on, the ears start to come up. When the puppies teethe, the ears may droop, but this is normal.

WHAT COAT COLORS ARE AVAILABLE?

Cardigans come in a wide range of colors, as opposed to the Pembroke. The recognized colors accepted in the current Standard are: tri-color (black, white and tan or brindle points), blue merles (mottled grey & black, with brindle or tan points), brindles (of various shades,i.e., black brindle, brown brindle, red brindle), sable, and red. The Cardigan normally has white flashings on the neck, chest, feet and tip of tail. There are other colors natually occuring in the Cardigan but these are not eligible for conformation exhibition. No matter what color, the Cardigan will delight you!

DO THEY REQUIRE MUCH GROOMING?

The Cardigan only requires minimal grooming. The correct double coat repels dirt through routine brushing with a shedding blade, slicker brush or with a fine pin brush. Check the ears to keep them clean also, and trim the nails. Show dogs can have their feet trimmed to tidy the feet. That's all!

HOW RARE IS THE BREED?

The Cardigan ranks about 90th among the 135 registered AKC breeds, based on the number newly registered each year in the US.

WHAT ABOUT TRAINING?

We strongly recommend crate training to house-train a puppy. Other basic obedience training can start as soon as the pup settles in to the new home. You should enroll your Cardigan in some obedience classes in your area. This will develop a deeper relationship between you and your companion. Not only that, it's fun both for you and your Cardigan.

IS THERE A NATIONAL CLUB FOR CARDIGANS?

YES. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, Inc. is the AKC Parent club for the breed. Members receive a club Newsletter and the CWCCA Bulletin, a small booklet, to keep you abreast with the news of the Cardigan. There are also some area Cardigan clubs.

For more information, please contact us. We always welcome scheduled visitors to meet our dogs. We are located in Northeast Pennsylvania in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, 90 miles due west of New York City.