corgi question
- Thread starter bjolly
- Start date
They are both cattle drivers, so they do have similarities that are common across all herding breeds. No one is completely sure the ancestry of either breed, but it's a fairly safe assumption that the pembroke has spitz ancestry and the cardigan has tekkel ancestry, so their differences probably are along the lines of differences between spitz and tekkel types. 
The biggest difference is probably that the pemmie is generally quite outgoing with stranger where the cardigan is aloof. Pemmies are usually more athletic, just because of body structure - cardigans are longer and lower.
I don't have much experience with cardigans, but my understanding is that they do have a similar idea of creative training and sense of humor to the pemmies.
The biggest difference is probably that the pemmie is generally quite outgoing with stranger where the cardigan is aloof. Pemmies are usually more athletic, just because of body structure - cardigans are longer and lower.
I don't have much experience with cardigans, but my understanding is that they do have a similar idea of creative training and sense of humor to the pemmies.
In my experience, the herding instinct and the sass that a Corgi NEEDS to have to work cattle while being 12" tall has been maintained in the Cardigan. Pembrokes have suffered from being way more popular... all of the show and pet and puppymill breeding has resulted in a lot of super soft, skittish, low-key Pemmies with no herding drive. I've noticed that Cardigans aren't as barky as Pembrokes. They also tend to be more laid back, in general.
However, I have never met an aggressive or annoying or slow Corgi, Pembroke or Cardigan, ever. And I've met hundreds in my work. They're all amazing and make me smile!
However, I have never met an aggressive or annoying or slow Corgi, Pembroke or Cardigan, ever. And I've met hundreds in my work.
They're all amazing and make me smile!I've had the opposite experience. EVERY SINGLE corgi I've met has been nasty. Even the one I had in a clicker class for 6 weeks, I met her again a little over a year later and she was snippy, too. I really wish I could meet a nice corgi, because other than the bad experiences I've had, they seem like really cool little dogs that I may consider having some day.
Looks-wise, I prefer the cardigans.
Looks-wise, I prefer the cardigans.
Really? See, that could be because I work with Corgis who are boarding, away from their owners. I notice that they act up a lot more with their owners. And I'm sure, being a trainer, a lot of your clients are the ones at their wit's end with their dogs. It could also be because I have a way with Corgs. People at my work say I have a Corgi aura. I walk into a playroom and alllll of the Corgs race over and jump on me and chase me around. That might be because I give them free ice creams all the time.
Corgis can be little jerks, I understand that. But part of what I love about them is their sassiness and their fearlessness. I am much more disturbed to see a fearful, cowering Corgi than I am a barking, lunging Corgi. I would even go so far as to say that the majority of Corgis are reactive... at least leash reactive. But I've never had a fight or an issue involving a Corgi, out of the 50+ I've had in play groups. They are all talk. Yappy dogs are annoying, but I LOVE vocal dogs. They give warnings, they communicate, they express their feelings, they give you time to notice when they are getting upset. I can't stand silent dogs.
Corgis can be little jerks, I understand that. But part of what I love about them is their sassiness and their fearlessness. I am much more disturbed to see a fearful, cowering Corgi than I am a barking, lunging Corgi. I would even go so far as to say that the majority of Corgis are reactive... at least leash reactive. But I've never had a fight or an issue involving a Corgi, out of the 50+ I've had in play groups. They are all talk. Yappy dogs are annoying, but I LOVE vocal dogs. They give warnings, they communicate, they express their feelings, they give you time to notice when they are getting upset. I can't stand silent dogs.
The best description I've ever heard said that at a party the Pemmies are the people that are loud, obnoxious, and dancing on the bar where as the Cardis are hanging back, being polite, and making small talk. Not sure just how true it is, but it made me laugh
where as the Cardis are hanging back, being polite, and making small talk. Not sure just how true it is, but it made me laugh
That said, that's my observation from breed club meeting. That whole laid-black, polite, thoughtful, clowny Cardi thing? With Docket, not so much.
Corgis do tend to be defensive, guardy, snarky, sassy little brats.
They are incredibly intelligent and figure out quickly what they can get away with and how. Snippy often works well for that, so they continue. The first time Morgan snipped at me, I laughed at her. I had an attitude of "yeah, right...that's just not gonna work out for you" and she never tried it again. Now her selective hearing, OTOH...
They are a breed though that demands to be respected. If they feel violated - as is often the case with vet exams and grooming, they will make it quite clear that they're displeased. Ares has been known to give head turns to my vet when he's being poked and prodded, and has a couple times almost bitten. But all it takes is for the vet to back off a moment, regroup and reassure him that there's no harm intended. And usually a treat or two to smooth things over.
And gonz, good to know that info on the cardis! Thanks.
They are incredibly intelligent and figure out quickly what they can get away with and how. Snippy often works well for that, so they continue. The first time Morgan snipped at me, I laughed at her. I had an attitude of "yeah, right...that's just not gonna work out for you" and she never tried it again. Now her selective hearing, OTOH...
They are a breed though that demands to be respected. If they feel violated - as is often the case with vet exams and grooming, they will make it quite clear that they're displeased. Ares has been known to give head turns to my vet when he's being poked and prodded, and has a couple times almost bitten. But all it takes is for the vet to back off a moment, regroup and reassure him that there's no harm intended. And usually a treat or two to smooth things over.
And gonz, good to know that info on the cardis! Thanks.
I haven't really met many really nasty Corgis of either type, although I have known some who were reactive on lead to other dogs. Many won't tolerate being handled roughly either. Sort of typical herding dog stuff. I'm not sure it's fair to judge a breed based on how untrained pet ones behave in stressful settings.
Ziggy, our rescue Cardigan is crazy. Super high drive and intense. But pretty calm around the house. I sort of wish he was typical of Cardigans. Most I have been around seem to be pretty low drive and many show breeders have been selecting for exaggerated characteristics, which IMO makes them less athletic.
You can see Ziggy in my flyball class videos: YouTube - Flyball Beginer Class YABTC
Ziggy, our rescue Cardigan is crazy. Super high drive and intense. But pretty calm around the house. I sort of wish he was typical of Cardigans. Most I have been around seem to be pretty low drive and many show breeders have been selecting for exaggerated characteristics, which IMO makes them less athletic.
You can see Ziggy in my flyball class videos: YouTube - Flyball Beginer Class YABTC
I've only met one Corgi and it was a Cardi. I was so excited when I saw her because I really really loved the sound of Cardi's and wanted to meet one.
She was soooo nervy, just sat there with her ears back, didn't want to be touched or looked at and just kinda hid by her owner. Very disappointed, especially because she was from a breeder
Hope I get to meet another one that acts like everyone says they should act
She was soooo nervy, just sat there with her ears back, didn't want to be touched or looked at and just kinda hid by her owner. Very disappointed, especially because she was from a breeder
Hope I get to meet another one that acts like everyone says they should act
This is why I will never get a dog from someone if I haven't met the parents, or someone I trust hasn't met the parents.
I have had a couple breeders who I was talking to, only to find out their dogs had issues that I wasn't comfortable getting a pup out of, usually they weren't the ones to tell me. Not sure if it is people being kennel blind or just not thinking it is a big deal or what...
I have had a couple breeders who I was talking to, only to find out their dogs had issues that I wasn't comfortable getting a pup out of, usually they weren't the ones to tell me. Not sure if it is people being kennel blind or just not thinking it is a big deal or what...
I'd love to see Dockett!
No he's not bad on leash. Sometimes when he is real keyed up (like at flyball LOL) he can act a bit snarky if another dog gets real invasive. Otherwise he isn't bad. He does whine and bark a lot while waiting his turn though. He has a pretty good temperament overall. He is rather noise sensitive and can be soft when not in drive but he is super trainable and loves to do stuff. He is very aloof with most strangers, tolerates petting but is disinterested in interaction.
No he's not bad on leash. Sometimes when he is real keyed up (like at flyball LOL) he can act a bit snarky if another dog gets real invasive. Otherwise he isn't bad. He does whine and bark a lot while waiting his turn though. He has a pretty good temperament overall. He is rather noise sensitive and can be soft when not in drive but he is super trainable and loves to do stuff. He is very aloof with most strangers, tolerates petting but is disinterested in interaction.
These pictures are little old, but here's Docket:
Docket is probably the world's smallest adult male Cardigan at 25 lbs. He's also a rescue. He developed severe leash reactivity (to other dogs, not people) at about 18 months. However, he's very, very bright and very willing . . . like Ziggy, he loves to do stuff . .its just a battle between his reaction to other dogs and his desire to participate.
He's also pretty soft, and he's afraid of loud noises . . . when we aren't doing things he's usually happy just to lie as close to me as possible (on me is ideal)
He used to ignore strangers, but he's warmed up to them now, at least if they talk to him in a squeaky voice.
The last picture is the most recent . . . the other dog is his big sister, Sarama.
Docket is probably the world's smallest adult male Cardigan at 25 lbs. He's also a rescue. He developed severe leash reactivity (to other dogs, not people) at about 18 months. However, he's very, very bright and very willing . . . like Ziggy, he loves to do stuff . .its just a battle between his reaction to other dogs and his desire to participate.
He's also pretty soft, and he's afraid of loud noises . . . when we aren't doing things he's usually happy just to lie as close to me as possible (on me is ideal)
He used to ignore strangers, but he's warmed up to them now, at least if they talk to him in a squeaky voice.
The last picture is the most recent . . . the other dog is his big sister, Sarama.
Ziggy is really cute and feisty...I would love one like that
Corgis are on my "want" list.....so when I went to Westminster this year I really studied all the Pemmies and Cardis I could
My only conclusion- based on what I saw that day was that Pemmies are the "happy" Corgis, and Cardis were the "sad" Corgis
Corgis are on my "want" list.....so when I went to Westminster this year I really studied all the Pemmies and Cardis I could
My only conclusion- based on what I saw that day was that Pemmies are the "happy" Corgis, and Cardis were the "sad" Corgis