Tail docking of Pems

[Michael Romanos]

Here's one from leftfield. Would you rather rename the Corgi breeds so that one is just known as a Pembroke and the other a Cardigan? Would that serve to help popularise the Cardigan which would then be able to be promoted as a breed in their own right and not tagged in any way as a poor cousin to the Pem?

[Cardiguy]

In the AKC magazine, The Gazette, several months ago in the breed columns there was mention made that the AKC was making a slight modification to the Cardi and Pem names to help differentiate them. Something along the lines of Cardigan Welsh Corgi rather than Welsh Corgi-Cardigan. I need to dig up the article to see if I am right regarding what the name change actually was.

Personally I would not like to see them as 2 separate breeds because they are much more similar than they are different. Just as cream rises to the top, just give it another 50 or 100 yrs and the Cardigan will eventually get its just due (lol).

[glencorgi]

Cardiguy, you are right about the name "changes" and really the only time anyone will notice the change is when they are looking up the breeds in "official" AKC type alphabetical listings. Instead of looking under the "W's" now for Welsh Corgi, Cardigan or Welsh Corgi, Pembroke in the catalog or judging program; now one looks under "C" for Cardigan Welsh Corgi or "P" for Pembroke Welsh Corgi. <IMHO> it was much ado about nothing.

Except for a short time during the 1920's they have always been considered separate breeds and never really varieties of one breed. Breeds with varieties would be like the Collies with the rough and smooth coats; identical in every way except for coat length; which is NOT the case with corgis. Bone shape, ear shape, temperament, size, front assembly structure .... the list of differences is rather extensive. Nor are they really interchangeable necessarily as far as the types of homes suitable for them. For some reason true CWC people just do not do well with PWC's; there is just something that doesn't quite click for them. PWC people seem to have an easier time adding CWC's.

Cardiguy says:
"Just as cream rises to the top, just give it another 50 or 100 yrs and the Cardigan will eventually get its just due (lol)."

I'm not sure what you mean by "just due." Just this past weekend two Cardigans were awarded Best In Show with a couple of others being awarded group one's. But if you mean being able to walk into any Petland in the US and finding a Cardgian puppy for sale because their popularity has sailed to those heights, I'll have to pass.

Debbie

[Cardiguy]

Glencorgi, in jusing the term "just due" I meant an increase in popularity to approach that of the Pembroke. I also put LOL after the statement to show it was meant in a light hearted fashion.

Actually the Cardigan breed column in the Gazette this month had an interesting column about the pros and cons of the Cardigan gaining popularity of which sale in a pet store is one of cons along with additional health issues.

[glencorgi]

Cardiguy wrote:
"Glencorgi, in jusing the term "just due" I meant an increase in popularity to approach that of the Pembroke. I also put LOL after the statement to show it was meant in a light hearted fashion."

Well my preference (probably much to Michael's chagrin) would be to see the Pembroke begin to go the way of the Cardigan's popularity. And truly, Cardigans are getting more well known and receiving much more attention from the public as far as interest. So they are getting "discovered." <G>

[Kysthadiah]

I've seen Pems with tails - no thing. They wouldn't "show" but if they're just a family memeber who cares.

Personally, I love the tailessness. I was going to get a Cardi and when I spoke to the breeder he said he'd have it done for me if I really wanted. My choice is not only asthetic, little ones like to pull tails and can not be supervised at all times. It's hard enough to make sure they don't try to "ride" them.

But have you considered rescue?

[Michael Romanos]

Gee, Glen - I'm sure glad you're not Publicity Officer for any Corgi club in Australia and New Zealand.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Gee, Glen - I'm sure glad you're not Publicity Officer for any Corgi club in Australia and New Zealand.

Knew it would get that kind of reaction. In the states we don't do publicity, we do public education.

Let me see if I can give an illustration of why I don't prescribe to Michael's a corgi in every yard philosophy. Last summer in Ohio rescues there saw 40 Pembrokes come through in ONE month. Some were cast off breeding stock and surplus from volume breeders, some were from shelters/animal control/pounds either picked up as strays or left there by their owners. Others were direct to the rescues owner turn-ins, which means the owners for whatever reason no longer wanted them or could keep them. That's a lot of "discarded" Pembrokes and that is just one state and just one month. January and February this year one of the rescues in Ohio has already taken in 15 Pembrokes from a volume breeder. Our rescue program has eight in it now being evaluated, being neutered, on weight management and 2 awaiting heartworm treatment. They range in age from 18 months to 10 years of age. We've been contacted about at least 3 more owners are wanting to relinquish to us or re-home.

The popularity of Pembrokes here directly correlates to the number of discarded corgis we see. Our numbers of disposable dogs pale though compared to the ones they see in the top 10 breeds. So maybe that will help you understand why I have no real desire to see Pembrokes make it into the top 10 in popularity.

Debbie

[Jane Austen]

For a long time I did not want to get into the pros and cons of Corgi popularity but I think I have to disagree with my friend Michael. Many people will look at a corgi and say aren't they cute and not realize that they are not the easy pet they expected. Restated they are not the dog for everyone. And that leads to unwanted animals. Most of us on this website are here because we care and will make the effort to raise our dogs properly.
The discussions on this website has lead me to rethink promoting the breed to just anyone I meet.

[glencorgi]

Jane says:
"The discussions on this website has lead me to rethink promoting the breed to just anyone I meet."

Jane, as time goes on I think you'll get the feel as to which individuals will be ones to encourage about the breed and others to whom the need to downplay it will be the best course of action. My all time favorite description of corgis is "stubby little tyrants." <VBG> A gentleman had called a breeder and in telling him about the breed traits and characteristics, the man concluded he didn't believe he could live with one of those "stubby little tyrants." He meant nothing flattering by it, to me it has become a favorite term of endearment. Many of the characteristics which amuse, enchant and delight us (often the same traits that keep us on our toes ) are things another individual couldn't tolerate or live with. Corgis aren't little dogs in the sense of toy breeds; they're just short. They are also working breeds, so for someone looking for a cuddle lap dog - this is not going to be a good match. (Yes, I know and have some that are cuddlers and love laps.) A situation which has recently come up is an individual with no dog experience at all. She tells she has never cared for dogs, has always been a cat person. Other animals in the household over her lifetime have been rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs - those sort of critters. The husband is tired of the house smelling like cats; so it seems time to get a dog. She wants one that is lazy, doesn't shed and doesn't bark. She brought home a 10 week old Pembroke puppy. <sigh>

Just kind of approach how to promote the breed with the idea of would I want my corgi living in this home?

Debbie

[Cardiguy]

Hmmm kind of a 2 edged sword. On one hand I want the Cardigan to be appreciated on par with the Pembroke but the negatives that go along with the resulting increase in popularity cause me to rethink my position. So my stance from now on is they are just "stubby little tyrants" (people I know will continue to get the real story). LOL