unique2

with a strong, but not coarse head topped by large ears that are carried so that the tips are slightly wide of straight line drawn from tip of nose through centre of eyes

& set so that they can be laid back along the neck (when he or she is in full flight or wants something)

The Cardi has a round, deep, chest with a prominent prosternum around which his front legs curve with the result that the feet turn out slightly; rather like a Dachshund or Basset Hound.

White markings on the legs, collar and stifle can deceive the eye into seeing

- a turn that is not there
- a correct stifle that appears too straight
- a beautiful lay of shoulder that appears too steep

or, sometimes, not seeing a fault.

The hind end is strong and muscular, with gently sloping croup, a neatly curved, but not exaggerated stifle and straight, rather short hocks.

The coat is short to medium length (with quite a variation in the interpretation of medium) and easy care.

I find the boys usually have a heavier ruff than the girls.

When in full coat, all have lovely pants (after all we don�t want to be vulgar!)

The way the coat sits can disguise a good or a bad topline or croup.
As Marieann Gladstone says �the Cardigans display long, soft flowing curves that make up its unique outline�.

The whole picture is finished with a lovely tail, rather like a fox�s brush.

The upper arm is only slightly shorter than the shoulder blade; they join at roughly a right angle, when the dog is standing in his show pose, with his head up.
- dogs that are too short in upper arm have the balance of the front end shifted; they may
     be able to move fast but not effortlessly
- assuming the angle stays a right angle a short upper arm will put the dog too close to the
     ground and shift his legs forward hiding his keel
- I don�t think I have seen too long an upper arm
- be careful of those deceiving markings, coat and the way the dog stands;   I have
     marked this dog�s (pic right) angles correctly (have just been to look). He is standing with
     his head down and forward a little, which closes the angle slightly.

From the front
- the fore arm will curve slightly round the chest
- the feet will be slightly closer than the shoulders
- the shoulders will be tight against the body
- the feet will turn slightly out for balance (babies will have less
      curve and turn
     and appear slightly wide and maybe loose in shoulder, until the
     chest drops and the shoulder muscles tighten.

just be sure that the legs do not look like they have been stuck onto the outside of the body and that they are not �terrier straight� or turning badly.

His Body - long in proportion to height

The length of the Cardigan comes from his

the loin is comparatively short not long and weak

This gives an overall proportion of height at the withers to length of about 1 to 2; a nicely balanced, long in proportion to height dog.

His rear end
is strong, with a nicely turned stifle, comparatively short straight hocks, a slightly sloping croup and flowing tail set in line with this slope of croup.
The stifle does not have the exaggeration of many Dachshunds, but is not straight as in breeds like the Chow Chow.

His movement
Many Cardigans can be taught a fast and flashy movement around the ring, that deceives people into thinking he moves well.
A correctly proportioned and angulated dog is beautiful to watch. His movement may not be as fast as some but it will appear effortless.

The hocks are straight from both the back and side views.
Cow hocks and sickle hocks both indicate weakness that impedes his ability to move effortlessly over smooth or rough terrain and to jump over obstacles.

At a trot he reaches well forward on the front & extends well back behind.

At a walk the hind legs do not extend as far. Too fast and he will appear to be labouring.

A puppy will not be able to reach as well as an adult; but he does not have short proppy movement even at this young age

Don�t expect him to have this sort of extension - his legs should be too short for his length of body to be able to do so.

Despite appearances, this little bitch has a correctly low set tail, which she loves to show off. It is a little long so curls on the end even when carried sedately low.

This tail carriage is quite acceptable, especially when the Cardi is interested or excited. She is tracking some interesting scent.

At the gallop the front feet also come together, but land in their standing position under the shoulders.

From the front

His legs swing slightly inward as though he is going to single track, but the foot actually lands in its standing position, just inside the line of the shoulder.

That long flexible body looks wonderful when he travels at full speed.

or as he pivots on that �crooked� front.

thrusts off his strong hind quarters

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is long bodied,

Remember

The Cardi is of the Teckel group of dogs, like Basset Hounds and Dachshunds, not Spitz.
He is long for his height, but still looks balanced.
It is this overall outline of the ideal that I look for first.
Some lines, in their teenage years, especially males, can look too long; if he is well boned and well fleshed, not skinny, be patient, when he matures he will be OK.

His chest is deep, with a prominent prosternum (keel).
Babies and teenagers will lack some depth (the keel is present), but if the suggestion of depth is present it will come with maturity.

His front legs curve round this chest, with the feet turning out slightly.
These front legs are directly under the chest, so that from the side view they are vertical.

Loin