Fluffy Cardigan Corgi: A Complete Guide to Ownership

If you're considering bringing a Fluffy Cardigan Corgi into your family, it's essential to understand their unique needs and characteristics. This breed is known for its gentle and affectionate nature.

The Fluffy Cardigan Corgi is a relatively small breed, weighing between 25-38 pounds and standing between 10-12 inches tall. They require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy.

They have a short, easy-to-maintain coat that sheds minimally, making them a great choice for those with allergies or a preference for low-maintenance grooming. Regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are still necessary to keep them looking and feeling their best.

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The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a rich history that dates back over 3,000 years to when Celtic tribes migrated to Wales from central Europe.

Its ancestors were brought to Wales by these tribes and later crossed with Spitz-type dogs brought by the Vikings, producing the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Cardigans were originally working dogs, helping farmers herd cattle and protect them from predators. They were treasured as cattle dogs, guardian dogs, family pets, and vermin exterminators.

An ancient Welsh law protected the dogs, placing severe penalties on anyone who harmed or stole one.

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Both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis have been around since around 1200 BC, originating in Wales.

They were originally used by farmers to herd sheep and cattle, and most of them have short coats.

The long-haired Corgi is the result of a genetic mutation, known as the "fluff gene" which gives these Corgis their long hair.

This mutation is still fairly rare, and you may have to seek out specific breeders that breed for the long-haired gene.

The "fluff" gene occurs in both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis, making it difficult to determine exactly when the first Long-haired Corgi appeared.

Both types of Corgis, including the long-haired variety, have been valuable as cattle herding dogs for centuries.

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The Spitz group of breeds has a fascinating history, and it's interesting to note that Corgis aren't actually part of this group.

A few breeds that do belong to the Spitz group are the Chow Chow, Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound, Samoyed, and the Swedish Vallhund.

These breeds share some common traits, such as pointed ears and long double coats, but Corgis don't quite fit the bill due to altered genes over time.

Corgis have the same eyes as these breeds, but their unique characteristics don't quite align with the Spitz classification.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a beloved breed, and it's easy to see why - their adorable fluffy coats and compact size make them a joy to be around. Cardigans are 10.5 to 12.5 inches tall.

Their small stature is one of the breed's most distinctive features, but it's worth noting that they pack a lot of energy into their small bodies. Males weigh 30 to 38 pounds, while females weigh 25 to 34 pounds.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a sturdy breed, and its size is one of its most distinctive features. Cardigans are 10.5 to 12.5 inches tall.

Males of the breed typically weigh between 30 to 38 pounds, while females usually weigh between 25 to 34 pounds.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis come in a wide range of colors, including all shades of red, sable, and brindle; black, with or without tan or brindle points; or blue merle, with or without tan or brindle points.

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Their coats can also have white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle, belly, and tail tip, and may even have a blaze on the head.

Fluffy coats can occur in various colors, such as red, black-and-tan, sable, black-and-white, brindle, and blue merle, especially in the Cardigan breed.

Both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis can inherit a fluffy coat due to a recessive gene, known as the FGF5 "fluff" gene, which is a genetic mutation.

Cardigans with fluffy coats may appear in any litter of either breed, but it happens more often in Pembroke Corgis.

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The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a family companion with an adaptable personality and responsible nature.

He's a sturdy friend for children and his intelligence makes him highly trainable, but he's also an independent thinker and will often do things his own way.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis can be less sociable and more territorial than other breeds, which means they may be reserved toward strangers.

They're alert watchdogs and will bark a warning at the sight, scent or sound of anything unusual, so be prepared for some noise.

Early socialization is key to ensuring your Cardigan Welsh Corgi grows up to be a well-rounded dog, ideally before four months of age.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a low-slung and fast breed that needs daily exercise in the form of a walk or training for a dog sport such as agility.

They can be prone to back injuries due to their short legs and long back, so it's essential to avoid letting them jump on and off furniture, and to support both their front legs and rear end when picking them up.

To keep your Cardi in good shape, measure their food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time, as they like to eat and will over-indulge if given the chance.

Corgis are known to be excessive shedders due to their double coat.

You'll need to invest in good grooming tools or regular professional grooming sessions to keep their shedding under control.

Both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis shed excessively, regardless of whether they're fluffy or not.

A Fluffy Corgi may shed more or less, but they're more likely to get mats and hold dirt and moisture.

You should expect to bathe your Fluffy Corgi every month or two, and brush them every day to prevent matting and tangling.

Their shedding can be a challenge, especially during the summer months when they need to lose their dense hair.

Because Fluffies don't shed as much as regular Corgis, you'll need to be vigilant about their grooming to prevent skin problems and other issues.

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Cardigans love children, but their herding instincts can motivate them to nip at a youngster’s feet or ankles. However, they can learn quickly that this behavior is not permitted.

Supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. This is especially important when introducing a dog to a child.

Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away.

Cardigans are usually friendly toward other pets in the household, so long as they have been socialized with them. They enjoy having a second or third dog in the family to play with, especially another Corgi.

With proper socialization, Corgis can coexist with other dogs, cats, and children with little issue.

When considering bringing a Cardigan Welsh Corgi into your family, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can arise. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain conditions.

Their long backs make them prone to ruptures in a spinal disc, which can cause unsteadiness, difficulty going up or down stairs, knuckling over of limbs, weakness, and paralysis. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help prevent this.

You should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia, with a score of fair or better. This is crucial for ensuring your Cardigan Welsh Corgi's joints are healthy.

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A certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) that eyes are normal is also essential. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org) and the CERF web site (vmdb.org/cerf.html).

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind, and they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses.

Here are some common health issues to watch out for in Cardigan Welsh Corgis:

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a low-slung and fast breed that needs daily exercise in the form of a walk or training for a dog sport such as agility.

To avoid back injuries, it's essential to avoid letting puppies jump on and off furniture, and to pick them up without supporting both the front legs and the rear end.

Cardigans have a weather-resistant coat designed to withstand harsh weather, but they're highly people-oriented and should not be left alone for extended periods.

A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog, and it's crucial to measure your Cardi's food and feed him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.

Cardigans like to eat, so they'll over-indulge if given the chance, and you should give them the eye test and the hands-on test to ensure they're not overweight.

They shed excessively due to their double coat, so be prepared to invest in good grooming tools or regular professional grooming sessions.

Cardigans thrive on companionship, so it's essential to find a home that is willing to provide them with the attention and care that they need.

Regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial for Cardigans, and they're highly intelligent, so they require a lot of physical and mental activity to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

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You're wondering if your corgi is a fluffy one? It can be tough to tell at first, but notable coat differences usually appear 2-3 weeks after they're born.

Some breeders can spot the difference right away, but others might need to wait a bit longer. By 8 weeks old, it's usually pretty clear whether a puppy is fluffy or not, especially when they're standing next to their standard coated littermates.

The degree of fluffiness can vary from one corgi to another, and some might appear more or less fluffy than others.