Welsh Corgi, Cardigan
COUNTRY: Great Britain
WEIGHT: 28-30 pounds maximum
HEIGHT: 12 inches
COAT: Medium-short, harsh and dense
COLOR: Red, sable, brindles
GROUP: Herding
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Corgi Wales Pembroke) is a native small dog of Great Britain. One has evolved during centuries like shepherd, being considered one of the oldest dogs of Great Britain. Another Welsh race exists, the Welsh Corgi Cardigan of very similar, although larger characteristics and of long tail.
There are different theories on the origins from the Welsh Corgi. One thinks that the two Corgi varieties descend from the Dog of the visigodos that introduced the vikingos in Wales towards century IX. Or it can be that the Cardigan is the oldest variety, than introduced celtas in Wales around the year 1200 a. C. (the Corgi name comes from the word celta “corgi” that means “dog”).
According to other sources, the Pembroke variety was brought to Wales by the flamenco weavers in century XII. Independent of the which outside origin of the race, the Welsh Corgi Pembroke was developed in Pembrokeshire (Wales) and was used it to guide the cattle mordisqueando his garrones and barking. The varieties Pembroke and Cardigan were crossed to each other freely until the decade of the 30. From then, the criadores tried to accentuate their differences.