Welsh
Corgi
History
Though
not as popular, the Cardigan Welsh corgi is considered
the older of the two breeds and one of the first breeds
in the British Isles. In 1200 B.C. the Celts of central
Europe traveled to south Wales, bringing their dogs.
Many settled in an area eventually called Cardiganshire,
from where the Cardigan received his name. The Cardigan
Welsh corgi is thought to be descended from the same
ancestor as the dachshund.
The
derivation of the name Corgi is attributed to the Celtic
word for dog (corgi). Other tales passed on through generations
say that the little dogs were named for cor, dwarf, and
gi, dog, or for cwr, watch over.
The
crofters of Wales had no land of then-own to graze their
cattle, as they were allowed to fence only small areas
around their dwelling. These poor farmers were granted,
however, the liberty of driving their cattle to pasture
on the Crown's open range. An intelligent, hard-working
droving dog was an asset. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi met
those requirements and gave an added benefit: they were
short-legged, cattle-heeling dogs, developed to run under
the legs, avoiding dangerous kicks.
In
contrast, the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a popular housedog.
It is thought that Flemish weavers brought this Welsh
corgi to Wales across the Channel in 1107. Many settled
in an area called Pembrokeshire, from where the dog received
his name. There is no link to the dachshund in the Pembroke.
More likely, Keeshond, Pomeranian, spitz and schipperke
were used in the development of the breed.
The
two breeds, Cardigan and Pembroke, are very similar to
each other with a few minor differences. In fact, until
the 1930s, Pembrokes and Cardigans were interbred. Since
that time, each breed's fanciers have emphasized the
individualities. The Cardigan is a bit larger, heavier
boned and longer bodied, and displays a long, low tail.
The Cardi has been called the "yard-long" dog,
being the same length from the tip of its nose to the
end of its outstretched tail as a Welsh yard. His ears
are larger and set wider than the Pembroke's. Color and
coats also differ. Legend says that the blue-merle color
of the Cardi was brought by fairies one dark night.
The
dog from Pembrokeshire has straighter legs and is known
for its foxier look, due to its more wedge-shaped head
and smaller, higher earset. Occasionally, their pups
are born tailless. Those that aren't are docked flush
with the body, leaving not even a stump to wag. To remember
which is which, word association can help: the Cardigan
has a long tail, like the long sleeves in a cardigan
sweater, and the Pembroke has a "broke" tail.
Both
corgis are devoted and protective, especially around
children. The Cardigan is more likely to show herding
instincts around children than the Pembroke. The corgi
will guard and protect children from anything the dog
perceives as a threat.
The
corgi needs little training to herd and work with livestock,
especially the Cardigan. Both corgis are intelligent
and excel at obedience training. As a working dog, they
love having a job to do. |
|
