Two Breeds of Welsh Corgis!
A corgi by any other name is still just as short!
Many people think of "corgi" as a breed of dog. However, it is actually just a type of dog, similar to a terrier, a retriever, or a sheepdog. Corgi meant "short dog" or "dwarf dog", though it has now come to mean more specifically a dwarf dog specialized in herding cattle. Welsh corgis, specifically, come in two breeds: the much more popular and well-known Pembroke Welsh corgis and the older, less well-known Cardigan Welsh corgis.
So what? Why can't they be crossed?
While Cardigan Welsh corgis and Pembroke Welsh corgis are related, crossing them can result in several problems. Though both breeds are short due to the same genetics, different genes are at work to make them short and simultaneously structurally stable. For example, Cardigans are allowed to have front feet that turn out instead of being straight. Pembrokes are not. This is because they have different body structures, and the turned out feet work well with a Cardigan structure but not with a Pembroke structure. Crossing the two breeds often results in structural disasters. Think of well-bred corgis as two different types of finely-constructed bridges. If one piece of the bridge is designed poorly, the entire bridge is at risk of collapsing. You can't just swap part of the design of one bridge to put it on the other, just as you can't just swap part of the structure of one corgi breed to put it on the other without risking problems!
What about 'American corgis'?
So-called "American corgis" are a cross between Pembroke Welsh corgis and another breed (usually Cardigan Welsh corgis) to bring merle or brindle color into a Pembroke-structured dog. This cross is done exclusively for money and can be dangerous to proper structure (see above) as well as being risky in terms of more direct health consequences [LINK]. Crossing the two breeds does nothing to make a better pet, a better sports dog, a better anything other than a better product to sell. It is not a real breed. Unscrupulous breeders may "register" their crossbred dogs in fake or low-standard registries [LINK] in an attempt to look legitimate.
Many people think of "corgi" as a breed of dog. However, it is actually just a type of dog, similar to a terrier, a retriever, or a sheepdog. Corgi meant "short dog" or "dwarf dog", though it has now come to mean more specifically a dwarf dog specialized in herding cattle. Welsh corgis, specifically, come in two breeds: the much more popular and well-known Pembroke Welsh corgis and the older, less well-known Cardigan Welsh corgis.
So what? Why can't they be crossed?
While Cardigan Welsh corgis and Pembroke Welsh corgis are related, crossing them can result in several problems. Though both breeds are short due to the same genetics, different genes are at work to make them short and simultaneously structurally stable. For example, Cardigans are allowed to have front feet that turn out instead of being straight. Pembrokes are not. This is because they have different body structures, and the turned out feet work well with a Cardigan structure but not with a Pembroke structure. Crossing the two breeds often results in structural disasters. Think of well-bred corgis as two different types of finely-constructed bridges. If one piece of the bridge is designed poorly, the entire bridge is at risk of collapsing. You can't just swap part of the design of one bridge to put it on the other, just as you can't just swap part of the structure of one corgi breed to put it on the other without risking problems!
What about 'American corgis'?
So-called "American corgis" are a cross between Pembroke Welsh corgis and another breed (usually Cardigan Welsh corgis) to bring merle or brindle color into a Pembroke-structured dog. This cross is done exclusively for money and can be dangerous to proper structure (see above) as well as being risky in terms of more direct health consequences [LINK]. Crossing the two breeds does nothing to make a better pet, a better sports dog, a better anything other than a better product to sell. It is not a real breed. Unscrupulous breeders may "register" their crossbred dogs in fake or low-standard registries [LINK] in an attempt to look legitimate.
Cardigan vs Pembroke; which is better?
That depends entirely on you! What do you want in a dog? If you want smaller size, a Pembroke may be better. If you want a dog that is very outgoing with strangers, a Pembroke may be better (though you can find outgoing Cardigans if you got to an ethical breeder who matches pups carefully to their buyers!). If you want a dog that is likely to be more focused on you and your family, a Cardigan Welsh corgi may be better. If you want a bit of a bigger dog, a Cardigan may be better. [CLICK HERE] for more information on the difference between the two breeds and which might be a better fit for you!
What if I want a certain color or look? Don't choose a dog based entirely on looks! It is fine to make a list of breeds you like the looks of then narrow that list down based on what breed(s) best fit your lifestyle, but dog breeds should never be chosen based entirely on looks! Genetics really do matter! [MORE INFORMATION] |
Are Corgis Functional?
Many people mistakenly believe that dwarf breeds like corgi breeds can't function as normal dogs. This is entirely untrue! Dwarf dogs, including both breeds of Welsh corgi, are active, healthy, dogs which can do anything any other dogs can! Prembrokes are almost famous for their lightning-fast agility times, but Cardigan Welsh corgis have done well in the agility scene, as well, with one placing third in one of the top agility competitions in the world. They are also active in high levels of obedience, rally, nosework sports, and of course herding!
Then why do I hear so much about all the health problems with corgis? The problem lies primarily with bad breeders (though as dogs are living animals, even the best of breedings can sometimes result in pups with problems). When Pembroke Welsh corgis became internet famous because of their charming smiles and cute, fluffy behinds, many unscrupulous breeders jumped in to capitalize on their sensation. When a breeder doesn't do full health testing, doesn't carefully check pedigrees for any problems in the line, and doesn't get unbiased outside expert opinions on their breeding stock (such as via conformation shows), problems are bound to pop up. Since it takes a great deal of money, time, and effort to do all of the above, many breeders skip those very crucial steps in order to make a profit. Rarely does an ethical breeder make money breeding dogs. Most of us spend far more than we make back on pup sales. For a breakdown of the average costs to ethically breed dogs, click [THIS LINK]. This is why the average cost of a well-bred dog is $2000-$3000, depending on the area, breed, and breeder. Unfortunately, unethical breeders see this sale price and nothing else. When unethical breeder skip the costly-yet-important steps, they can make a pretty good profit selling puppies. Many times they even sell puppies for more than an ethical breeder does! I have seen unethical breeders selling dogs for as high as $5000 in breeds that usually average $2000 from ethical breeders. For more information on what makes an ethical versus an unethical breeder, click [THIS LINK]. |
Pictured is a collage of Tristan, who belongs to my good friend, Gina Lorenzi. Tristan proves that dwarf dogs can do everything. Conformation shows, herding, rally, FastCAT, agility, swimming, scentwork, frisbee, and more!
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