Grooming
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are double-coated with a thick and fluffy undercoat and smooth yet coarse outer coat that is surprisingly easy to maintain with consistent brushing. Although they are shedders, a good, once-a-week brushing, ideally with a top-quality slicker brush, will keep them looking healthy and clean. And they will shed more heavily in the spring and fall when they blow their coat. (They shed their coat in chunks of fur instead of many individual hairs.)
Cardigan coats also help regulate their body temperature, so haircuts should be kept to a minimum—except around the back of their legs and feet, where dirt tends to collect. While Cardigan Welsh Corgi grooming needs are relatively the same year-round, black-colored Cardis may need trims more regularly than their lighter-toned counterparts to avoid overheating during the warm summer months.
Depending on how much time your Cardigan spends outdoors, their nails should be trimmed at least every couple of weeks. When you hear them clicking on hard surfaces, you’ll know it’s time for a trim. If you live near large, green spaces, you might need to bath them more often than that but don’t worry, little Cardis love to swim, indoors or out.
Small dogs like Cardigans are more likely to get a dental disease than big dogs, so dental hygiene is extra important. Get crafty with toothpaste flavors and teeth-cleaning treats, daily brushings and annual vet cleaning to keep your Cardigan looking and feeling their best.
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Training
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed is so intelligent and eager to please that training them is a walk in the park. But, great attitude aside, they need consistent incentives and exposure to many scenarios to remain well-behaved.
With the right motivation and positive reinforcement, training, preferably in fun games where the whole family participates, will teach your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy to sit, fetch and roll over—any trick you can think of short of making dinner.
Of course, success depends on your dog’s unique personality as some habits, such as excessive barking (a Cardigan specialty!), are hard to break even after months of trying. If all else fails, invest in a qualified trainer or behaviorist. Your Cardi, your ears and your neighbors will be glad you did.
Make sure your Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy is well-socialized, starting when they’re young to bring out their friendly nature. Take them on walks and let them meet and sniff new two- and four-legged friends. Enroll them in puppy school, where they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people.
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Diet
A healthy Cardigan Welsh Corgi diet consists of high-quality commercial dog food. Before buying, be sure to factor in your dog’s age, lifestyle and stage in life (puppy, adult or senior) to pick the best dog food for them.
Cardigans are pickier eaters than their cousins, the Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and may require higher percentages of protein, especially if not neutered or spayed. In addition, active dogs also need higher rates of fat in their dog food to avoid health issues in the future.
Keep treats to a minimum, as their weight seems to skyrocket just by smelling them. Since Cardis resemble a loaf of bread with legs, it may be hard to notice if they’ve put on weight. So the rule of thumb is: If you can’t feel their ribs or see a hint of waistline, it’s time to cut back on their food.
To keep your dog in top form, consult with your veterinarian on a diet specific to your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. After all, they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their needs.
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Exercise
Cardigans are highly adaptable to many lifestyles, but they need mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy and out of trouble. Plan on about 45 minutes of exercise throughout the day. This is great if you enjoy taking long hikes in the hills or strolls on the beach. Cardis also enjoy snuggling up with you whenever possible.
Cardis love to exercise outdoors and excel in dog sports, including herding, rally and tracking, but they love being with their family more, so if you’re not active, neither are they.
If time is limited, a great compromise is playing a rousing round of fetch in the yard or walking around town while running errands—new sights, smells and sounds add to their socialization training.
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Environment
Raising Cardigan Welsh Corgis with kids and cats is a great idea, provided your Cardigan is socialized and enjoys such company. They also get along with most dogs and happily share their home and toys with a canine playmate.
Additionally, their versatile nature allows them to live in both urban and country environments. However, if they could choose, they’d prefer to live out their days on the farm where you’ll likely find your Cardigan running and digging (arguably their favorite pastime) to their little heart’s content.
Cardigans can be great companions for just about anyone with proper training, although they are best suited for good-humored pet parents prepared to take on a Cardi’s quirks.
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