At a glance the quick version
Converted from 30-38 lb (males) and 25-34 lb (females). The FCI standard sets no weight, only that it should match size.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short to medium weatherproof double coat
A long, low, sturdy herder with big upright ears, a fox-like head and a full, bushy tail that has always been left natural. The coat is hard-textured and weather-resistant over a good undercoat. The FCI gives an ideal height of about 30 cm.231
Personality what they are like
Alert, lively and bright, yet steady and neither timid nor quarrelsome. Cardis are loving and devoted with their family and a little more laid-back and reserved with strangers than their Pembroke cousins.214
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate: up to about an hour of exercise a day. It enjoys herding, agility and other dog sports.31
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush more than once a week to keep the double coat tidy.3
Home where they are happiest
Adapts well to family life in a house or flat as long as it gets daily walks and mental work.34
Company who they like around
Bonds closely with its family and likes to be part of daily life.14
The story where it all began
Welsh farmers used this corgi to drive cattle by nipping at their heels, and it also kept watch around the farm. It is thought to be the older of the two corgi breeds. The Cardigan and Pembroke were shown as one breed until The Kennel Club separated them in 1934.31
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Group 1, Section 2 Cattledogs (without working trial), standard No. 38 as 'Welsh Corgi (Cardigan)'; current standard dated 16.06.2022.2
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group; listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed. Recognised as separate from the Pembroke in 1934.3
- American Kennel Club
- Recognised; the AKC describes it as a breed developed for moving cattle.4
- AKC popularity
- Ranked 65th in 2025.5
Popularity Ranked 65th of AKC-registered breeds in 20255
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Cardigan Welsh Corgi en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, lifespan study, history dates, colours
- FCI Standard N° 38 Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colour, temperament
- The Royal Kennel Club: Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, history, vulnerable breed status
- AKC: Cardigan Welsh Corgi akc.orgused for temperament, purpose
- AKC Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.