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Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older and larger of the two Welsh corgi breeds, distinguished from the Pembroke by a full tail and heavier bone.

Calculate Cardigan Welsh Corgi age
Lifespan13.1 yrrange 12–15
SizeMediumHerding Group
Weight25–38 lb11.3–17.2 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older and larger of the two Welsh corgi breeds, distinguished from the Pembroke by a full tail and heavier bone. Separated formally from the Pembroke in 1934 after centuries of regional crossbreeding.

Aging

How Cardigan Welsh Corgis age

RVC VetCompass gives a median lifespan of 13.1 years (n=272). DM risk tracks at 15.7% on OFA screens — high but well below the Pembroke's 53.8% — and intervertebral disc disease is a routine late-life concern given the long-back body plan.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.1 yr · range 12–15Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues6 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
25–38 lb(11.3–17.2 kg)
Height
10.5–12.5 in(26.7–31.8 cm)
Coat type
Medium
Colors
Black & WhiteBlue Merle & WhiteBrindle & WhiteRed & WhiteSable & WhiteBrindle Merle & WhiteGray & WhiteLiver & WhiteRed Merle & WhiteSable Merle & WhiteWhite Merle
Temperament

Temperament

How Cardigan Welsh Corgis tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

affectionateloyalsmartadaptable
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~8 yr

    Degenerative Myelopathy

    Description and veterinary guidance for Degenerative Myelopathy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Cardigan Welsh Corgi physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.