A small but
hardy dog was found centuries ago in the remote, misty green hills of
Cardiganshire in Wales. He was the
“Corgi”. This “ci-llathed”,
or yard-long dog, was highly valued by his family as an affectionate companion,
guard, general farm worker, and driver of cattle.
In fact, ancient Welsh law provided for severe penalties to those that
harmed or stole one of the little “corgwn”, because the Corgi’s talents
could help determine his family’s economic status.
Never
numerous and sometimes confused with the more common tailless Pembroke Welsh
Corgi, the Cardigan (affectionately known as the Cardi) were heavy, golden or
blue merle with perhaps drop ears. Careful
crosses were made with working qualities in mind, probably with brindle and red
herders; the result today is a more refined, dignified and foxy-looking Cardigan
still with the same historical instincts.
Although the
Cardigan Welsh Corgi was first shown in England in 1919 and the English Cardigan
Welsh Corgi Association was founded in 1926, the Cardigans and Pembrokes were
not finally declared to be separate breeds by the English Kennel Club until
1934.
