WITH DAVID & DEBBIE ANTHONY, LEAH JAMES, JON KIMES, TEDDY MCDOWELL, VIVIAN MORAN, CINDY SAVIOLI & DR. JEFFREY WELCH
and could raise their puppies in the wild. Unlike their counterparts, who would have an ad in the paper looking for a nanny. JW: The Cardigan was originally bred to serve as an all-pur- pose farm dog capable of performing just about any task that was required of them. In this regard they served as drovers, watch dogs, vermin killers and night time hearth dogs. These attributes, coupled with their intelligence, make the Cardigan an excellent companion in modern times enriching the lives of those around them. 8. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? D&DA: My very first show as an exhibitor in 1982, the dog was placed on the table backwards. The judge was kind, did the examination and handed me a ribbon. We were hooked from there on. JL: The last Cardigan Special that I handled was truly a character. I was blessed with a great dog who knew his owner (handler) was handicapped. On three occa- sions he managed to slip his lead out of my hand. On all three occasions he continued the pattern exactly the way it was supposed to be done. He would then stop at the end of the line, turn and look at me as if to say, ‘Okay, hurry up and get over here.’ On one of these occasions we were on the Florida January Circuit under a judge that I knew had already decided who was Breed. Addy man- aged to get away from me and continued on the pattern with gorgeous side gait. All I could do was yell out, “If you want to see side gait—there it is!” Needless to say, I lost anyway! VM: The first dog show I went to was in the winter in Milwaukee. When I walked in I saw a Standard Poodle on a table being groomed. Its owner was standing next to it, looking a lot like that poodle, with a round furry hat, fur collar and muff to warm her hands. It reminded me of the old dog food commercial about people looking like their dog. CS: I was showing a friends blue merle Cardigan. Her call name was Diddy. It should have been my first clue. We got half way around the ring the first time and she threw herself on her back and would not move. The more the crowd laughed, the more stubborn she became about not getting up. Even if I pulled her a long, she stayed on her back. I finally had to pick her up and carry her back to the judge. At this point, he had tears streaming down his face from laughter. I was so embarrassed. After several more antics like this, she was retired to a pet home and never finished. JW: I once watched a very serious Junior handler in the breed ring whose dog decided to have a poop mid-round. The Junior stood there very stoically and the Judge com- mented to the crowd, “That is some of the best move- ment I have seen all day!”
“A CARDIGAN IS NOT A PEMBROKE THAT COMES IN MORE COLORS.”
VM: A Cardigan is not a Pembroke that comes in more col- ors. We have soft curves and a very unique front. CS: This is a herding dog that needs to have coordinated and easy movement. You should be able to picture a dog that can work out in the field all day. They should not struggle to get around the ring. JW: Some judges focus too much on one attribute of the breed to the exclusion of the entire dog. The Cardigan is a sum of its parts and so the most attractive dog in a stack may not be the most correct. I also think that Judges need to clearly understand that a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not a Pembroke with a tail. 7. Anything else you’d like to share about the breed? JK: I would say the Cardigan is as much a specialist type of breed as any there is. Every detail is specific and you will find variation from ideal in every detail. Envision the ide- al and then select those animals that, in your estimation, could be used to manifest that ideal. That’s really what judging should be about; your opinion on which animals should be utilized to produce the ideal Cardigan. I think if that can be done, everything else will sort itself out. LJ: This breed is not the All American show dog. Expect- ing them to look fabulous on the table is a dream. The old adage of examine on the table and buy on the floor really does apply here. This is a Herding Breed and they are loyal to their owners (handlers) and strangers are just that! Strange and allowed to touch only because they are taught to accept strangers. Almost every Herding Breed standard says “Aloof but approachable” in one way or another. Judges need to respect them for that. TM: I grew up with horses, Great Danes, Labradors and owned two Old English Sheepdogs while living in Chicago. Of all the temperaments, the Cardigan is the one I prefer; Loyal, loving, smart, whimsical and devoted companion. VM: A Cardigan does not think it is a small dog. He has a big attitude and expects to be taken seriously. He tolerates the table but will show you his real personality when on the ground if you give him the chance. CS: We are often asked to compare the difference in tem- peraments between the two Corgis. I say Pembrokes do it and then think about it. Cardigans are the other way around. They think about it and then may or may not do it. You can just watch them think about what is present- ed to them. They are definitely a more primitive breed
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