THE CARDIGAN AS A COMPANION
By Malia Hatley Mother to CWCCA member & junior handler
W hen asked, “what makes a Cardigan a good compan- ion”, I could rattle o ff numerous stories of delightful and enter- taining things my Cardigans have done. Th is really comes down to just two char- acteristics that define a Cardigan: their distinct shape and size, and their unique temperament. Th e Cardigan is a big dog in a small package. Many people have smaller homes, so they are not interested in a large dog. At roughly 10 ½ to 12 ½ inches at the shoulder, the Cardigan does not take up too much space. With most Cardigans weighing in between 25-38 pounds, they are an easy dog to walk around the block. Th eir size is great for kids and toddlers as well. Th e Cardigan is not a fragile creature though. He is short and approachable, but built like a tank. He also has a big dog bark, making him a good guard dog. Most people are familiar with the distinct Corgi appearance, but perhaps the Cardigan’s best attribute is his dis- position. To start with, he is smart. One morning, I was ready to take the kids to school, and yelled, “Alright everybody, let’s go.” Th ere they were, kids and dogs all lined up at the door ready to go. Th ey (the dogs) learned that on their own. Th ey know how to put the windows in the car down; one will actually honk the horn. All you see is ears and a steering wheel! Also on the upside, they train and house- break easily and quickly. While the Cardigan has all the smarts of his fellow herding dogs, he is also blessed with an amazing capacity to just chill out. Our Cardigans love to sleep on the sofa with us while we read or watch TV. On a ‘Needy Scale’ of 1-10, with
Above: Going for a Walk. Below: In the Woods. Photo courtesy of Malia Hatley.
174 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2014
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