HerdingWales

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Corgi with the tail.

Weight: 25–38 lbs
Height: 10–12 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a herding breed from Cardiganshire, Wales, bred to drive cattle and guard the farm, weighing 25–38 lbs and living 12–15 years. Owners should know it is a sturdy, long-backed working dog in a short package, so it needs real exercise and protection from back strain and weight gain.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a sturdy, clever dog in a small size
enjoy daily walks and dog sports
want an alert watchdog that's not huge

Think twice if you…

have a no-barking building or neighbors
don't want dog hair on everything
can't keep a food-loving dog lean

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 70–95 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10

EnergyActive7.0/10

Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10

SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Long fox tail
Unlike the Pembroke, the Cardigan keeps a full, brushy tail, which is the easiest way to tell the two breeds apart.
02
Long back, short legs
The low, long frame is built for nipping cattle and ducking kicks, but it makes jumping off furniture and extra weight a risk to the spine.
03
Big, upright ears
Large, rounded ears give Cardigans sharp hearing, so they notice and bark at sounds early.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	30–38 lbs	25–34 lbs
Height	10.5–12.5 in	10.5–12.5 in
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Medium-length, weather-resistant double coat

Side profile 10–12 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Cardigans are steady, clever and a bit more reserved than Pembrokes, with a deep loyalty to their family. They are alert watchdogs and like to supervise the household. Expect a dog that thinks for itself and has opinions.

With kids

Good with respectful kids, though some try to herd running children with nips.

With other pets

Usually fine with pets they grew up with; some are bossy with unfamiliar dogs.

With strangers

Reserved and watchful at first, warming up once they have checked a person out.

Alone time

Copes with moderate alone time once exercised, but can bark when bored.

Training

Cardigans are bright and quick to learn, but they were bred to make their own decisions in the field. Training that feels like a game, with clear rewards, keeps them cooperating.

How often

Two or three short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to strangers and children, and redirect nipping at feet and ankles toward toys.
Self-control

Teach a 'quiet' cue early, because they bark at everything new, and a calm 'wait' at doors. Use ramps or steps instead of letting them jump off furniture.
What it works for

Most are very food-motivated, which helps training but also leads to weight gain. Use small, high-value pieces counted within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

Cardigans need steady, moderate work: walks, hikes and herding-style games. They are surprisingly fast and have real stamina.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Long walks and moderate hikes
Herding lessons
Rally or nosework trials

Brain work

Puzzle feeders
Scent work
Learning names of toys

Best home

Can adapt to apartments with daily exercise; a house with a fenced yard is easier.

Watch for Protect the long back: no repeated jumping on and off furniture or high-impact jumping, and keep the dog lean.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Cardigan Welsh Corgi (25–38 lbs) lands around 700–950 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 875–1,175 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 90–120 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–6 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 700–950 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 70–95 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–5 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 950–1,300 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 95–130 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–7 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 600–825 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 60–85 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–4 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	875–1,175 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	90–120 kcal	4–6 pieces
Adult Maintenance	700–950 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	70–95 kcal	4–5 pieces
Active / Working	950–1,300 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	95–130 kcal	5–7 pieces
Senior	600–825 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	60–85 kcal	3–4 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Cardigans can inherit degenerative myelopathy, progressive retinal atrophy and hip dysplasia, and their long backs put them at risk of disc disease. Keeping them lean is the single biggest help.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Degenerative myelopathy	DM DNA test	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd3)	PRA rcd3 DNA test	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
PRA (rcd3) DNA test

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, heavy during seasonal blowouts

Brush 1–2 times a week, daily during blowouts, using an undercoat rake. Bathe as needed, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Centuries ago

Farm drover

Cardigans worked the hill farms of Cardiganshire, Wales, driving cattle to market and guarding the homestead.
1934

Split from the Pembroke

The Kennel Club in Britain recognized Cardigans and Pembrokes as separate breeds in 1934.
1935

Recognition in America

The AKC recognized the Cardigan in 1935; it remains far less common than the Pembroke.

Questions owners ask

Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis easy to train?

Yes, mostly. Cardigans are smart and food-motivated, but they think for themselves. Keep sessions fun and reward-based.

Are Cardigan Welsh Corgis good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They are good with respectful kids and pets they grew up with, though some try to herd children by nipping.

How much exercise does a Cardigan Welsh Corgi need?

About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and mental work. Avoid repetitive jumping because of their long backs.

Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed?

Yes. They shed moderately year-round and heavily during seasonal blowouts. Brush once or twice a week, daily during a blowout.

What health problems do Cardigan Welsh Corgis have, and how long do they live?

Degenerative myelopathy, PRA, hip dysplasia and back disc problems are the main concerns. They typically live 12–15 years.

Is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi good for apartments or first-time owners?

Often yes. Cardigans adapt to apartments with daily exercise and can suit committed first-time owners who manage barking and weight.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi needs only 4–5 pieces a day, well inside the 70–95 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Cardigan Welsh Corgi ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.