Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are double-coated with a thick and fluffy undercoat and smooth yet coarse outercoat that are surprisingly easy to maintain with consistent brushing. Although they are shedders, a good, once a week brushing, ideally with a top-quality slicker brush, will keep them looking healthy and clean. And they will shed more heavily in the spring and fall when they blow their coat. (They shed their coat in chunks of fur instead of a lot of individual hairs.)

Cardigan coats also help regulate their body temperature, so haircuts should be kept to a minimum—except around the back of their legs and feet, where dirt tends to collect. While Cardigan Welsh Corgi grooming needs are relatively the same year-round, black-colored Cardis may need trims more regularly than their lighter-toned counterparts to avoid overheating during the warm summer months.

Depending on how much time your Cardigan spends outdoors, nails should be trimmed whenever they get too long—at least every couple of weeks. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear them clicking on hard surfaces. If you live near large, green spaces, baths may be needed more often than that, but not to worry, little Cardis love to swim, indoors or out.

As small dogs, Cardigans are more likely to get a dental disease, and if left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications. So get crafty with toothpaste flavors and teeth-cleaning treats, daily brushings and annual vet cleaning to keep your Cardigan looking and feeling their best.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed is so smart and eager to please that training them is quite literally a walk in the park. But, great attitude aside, they need consistent incentive and exposure to all walks of life to remain well-behaved in any situation.

With the right motivation and positive reinforcement, training, preferably in the form of fun games where the whole family participates, will teach your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy to sit, fetch and roll over—basically any trick you can think of short of making you dinner.

Of course, success depends on your dog’s unique personality as some habits, such as excessive barking (a Cardigan specialty!), are hard to break even after months of trying. If all else fails, invest in a qualified trainer or behaviorist. Your Cardi, your ears and quite possibly your neighbors will be glad you did.

Make sure your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy is well-socialized, starting when they’re young to bring out their friendly nature. Take them on walks and let them meet and sniff new friends, both two- and four-legged. Enroll them in puppy preschool, where they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people all under one roof.

A healthy Cardigan Welsh Corgi diet consists of high-quality commercial dog food, and thankfully, there are plenty of great options on the market. Before buying, be sure to factor in your dog’s age, lifestyle and stage in life (puppy, adult or senior) to pick the dog food that works best for them.

Cardigans are pickier eaters than their cousins, the Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and may require higher percentages of protein, especially if not neutered or spayed. In addition, active dogs also need higher rates of fat in their dog food to avoid health issues in the future.

These dogs must maintain their ideal weight regardless of activity levels. Treats should be kept to a minimum as their weight seems to skyrocket just by smelling them. And, since Cardis resemble a loaf of bread with legs, it may be hard to notice if they’ve put on weight. So the rule of thumb is, if you can’t feel their ribs or see a hint of waistline, it’s time to cut back on their food.

Overall, to keep your dog in top form, be sure to consult with your veterinarian on specific Cardigan Welsh Corgi information. After all, they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their needs.

Cardigans are highly adaptable dogs who need mental and physical stimulation to keep them busy, out of trouble and everything in working order. So, plan on about 45 minutes of exercise throughout the day. This is great if you enjoy taking long hikes in the hills or strolls on the beach. Not so much if your idea of exercise involves channel surfing with a remote. Though truth be told, your Cardi also enjoys snuggling up with you whenever possible.

Cardis love to be outdoors exercising and excel in dog sports, including herding, rally and tracking, but they love being with their family more, so if you’re not active, neither are they.

If time is limited, a great compromise is playing a rousing round of fetch in the yard or a brisk walk around town while running errands—bonus points given to the new sights, smells and sounds to add to their socialization training.

Raising Cardigan Welsh Corgis with kids and cats is a great idea, provided your Cardigan is socialized to enjoy such company. On the other hand, they tend to get along well with most dogs and happily share their home and toys with a canine playmate.

Cardigans are suspicious of unfamiliar people, so if you’re thinking of throwing a party for your former college buddies, prepare to be serenaded by the nonstop bark of your beloved pet. On the plus side, their versatile nature allows them to live in both urban and country environments. However, if they could choose, they’d prefer to live out their days on the farm where you’ll likely find your Cardigan running, swimming and digging (arguably their favorite pastime) to their little heart’s content.

Cardigans can be great companions for just about anyone with proper training, although they are best suited for good-humored pet parents prepared to keep Cardis on their toes.