Welsh Corgi Cardigan
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The immediate forefathers of present-day Cardigan Welsh Corgi is thought to have been imported to Wales over than 3000 years by Celtic folk who moved to this region from central Europe. These dogs were scent hounds, presumably the Basset Hound or Dachshund, and their crossing with pre-exiting Welsh canine varieties led to appearance of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Actually the word «corgi» is translated from Celtic language as «dog». This early dog had characteristics of both the Dachshund and Spitz families.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi soon gained general acceptance as a hardy and efficient working dog. It was trusted with herding and guarding task and was especially proficient at driving the farmer’s cattle to the pastures and to the marketplace. Vermin extermination fell in the responsibility of this dog in the house. In fact it was so essential to the financial survival to local cattle-breeder that an old Welsh law charged with heavy fines any person who would injure or steal one of these dogs.
The breeders of first Cardigan Welsh Corgis stuck to very stringent breeding principles so their dogs stood out for exceptional robustness and pleasant temperament. As the crown lands were handed over to individual farmers and tall fences were built around private premises, the necessity for this breed as a cattle-drover greatly reduced. Although some of these dogs kept on playing the role of the property guardians and companions, the overall population of the Corgi shrank to dangerously low level. Moreover its outcrossing with brindle and red herding dogs became a common practice. The modern-day Cardigan Welsh Corgi appeared from this initial cross with a bit of infusion of the Collie’s blood.