The Welsh Corgi is one of the oldest herding dogs, specifically divided into two types: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. In terms of body size, the Pembroke Corgi is slightly shorter but has straighter and lighter legs. In terms of coat, the Welsh Corgi has softer fur. In terms of temperament, the Pembroke Corgi is not as gentle as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and is easier to train.
From King Richard I in the 12th century to Queen Elizabeth II today, the Corgi has always been a beloved pet of the British royal family.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is lively yet calm, loyal and loving, highly obedient, and adaptable to different environments and climates. They have intelligent and curious expressions and will never appear shy or aggressive.
It originated in Wales, England in 1200. By 1850, it was the only surviving and passed down breed in the known Welsh family. In Wales, this dog was mainly used to drive herds of cattle. It relied on its small size to freely enter the cattle herd and control the behavior of the cattle by biting their lower limbs. Later, most of the land that originally belonged to the king and could not be grazed gradually became occupied by shepherds. They had enough pasture and started to use sheepdogs more suitable for grazing nearby. Only a few people kept the Corgi to guard their homes. As a result, the Corgi's bloodline mixed with other sheepdogs, becoming the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi we have today.
This dog has a lively personality, loves exercise, and must have enough exercise every day. After its energy is exhausted, it becomes well-behaved and quiet, making it suitable for young people in urban families who are not too busy to take care of it.
Pododermatitis
Symptoms: The dog licks its toes frequently, and the toe area becomes red and wet. In severe cases, limping may occur.
Preparation: iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Instructions: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the feet, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine, and after the inflamed area is dry, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes once a day, repeat for a week.
Ear mite
Symptoms: The dog scratches and shakes its ears, and the ears have a strong sour smell, accompanied by increased tears, hair loss in the ear area, dark brown secretions, and earwax.
Preparation: ear flush, ear cleaning solution
Instructions: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, flush the ear canal with ear cleaning solution or Vet's Best Ear Relief, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, when the dog shakes out the ear cleaning solution, use a cotton ball to wipe off the secretions and gently clean the earlobe and ear canal.
Skin disease
Symptoms: The dog feels itchy, the skin becomes red and itchy, the dog scratches randomly, the fur becomes dull and rough, there are more dandruffs, and even patches of hair loss.
Preparation: saline water, topical ointment or spray, vitamin B
Instructions: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking. Trim the problem skin and surrounding hair of the dog, then rinse it with saline water for sterilization, and then apply ointment or use spray, along with antibiotics and vitamin B supplement.
The feeding of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi should pay attention to controlling the amount of food, as its body is small and more prone to obesity, which can cause a series of diseases and seriously threaten its health.
Although the coat of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is slightly coarse and not very long, it should also be regularly combed and cleaned to maintain cleanliness and beauty. It should also be bathed regularly, clean the ears and teeth, wash the eyes with warm water (boiled), trim the nails, etc. Eye diseases are more common in Cardigan Welsh Corgis, so it is recommended to use a 2% concentration of boric acid water to clean their eyes every three to five days to prevent the occurrence of eye diseases.
For the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, it is best to choose a shelter that is windproof, clean, and dry. It should be cleaned and maintained regularly, and thoroughly disinfected every half month to one month.
Because the Cardigan Welsh Corgi used to be raised as a herding dog, it has a relatively large amount of exercise and is more active. Therefore, do not always keep it indoors. Take it out for activities every day to consume its abundant energy. In this way, it will not be bored, and its mental state will be good, keeping it healthy and active.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is prone to fight with other dogs of the same kind, so it should be trained from an early age. Even if it cannot be completely changed, it should be restrained as much as possible, at least stopping when hearing the owner's restraint. At the same time, train the Cardigan Welsh Corgi not to use its teeth and claws to tear and bite household items such as clothes, curtains, sofas, bed sheets, and blankets. Train it to be clean and not always dirty, especially not to roll around in muddy places. Of course, the most important thing is to train it to urinate and defecate in a designated place.
1. Bathing too frequently is not allowed
When bathing a dog, it is important to consider the dog's hygiene condition. During hot weather in summer, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced one or two times, but in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regular grooming is required
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when they shed more. To maintain good hair growth, regular grooming is an important step. Pet owners can use a pet-specific comb to help the dog clean the naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Grooming once in the morning and evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of the dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness and promote blood circulation, helping to grow healthier hair.
4. Parasite prevention
Poor hair quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving the dog of nutrition. Therefore, parasite prevention is essential. It is recommended to perform internal and external parasite prevention together. Moreover, deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's digestive system, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have a shiny coat, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, select a suitable and nutrient-rich dog food that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, feed the dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.