CONFORMATION JUDGING OF THE CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI
By Edweena “Teddy” McDowell Breeder-Judge & JEC for the CWCCA
J
udging the Cardigan Welsh Corgi makes some judges apprehensive. Often times I hear judges say, “ I just don’t get it.” I like to compare Corgis
“The ears are carried erect; LARGE EARS ARE A KEY POINT OF THE BREED.”
to human dwarfs. Th ey are both achon- droplastic. Th is simply means a normal size torso but no long bones (short arms and legs). Th e definition of achondropla- sia (taken from Webster’s Dictionary ) is: “a genetic disorder disturbing normal growth of cartilage, resulting in a form of dwarf- ism characterized by a usually normal torso and shortened limbs, and usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.” Assessment of the Cardigan Should Start with the Head Th e Cardigan head has a 3:5 ratio (muzzle to skull) with a moderately wide top skull and flat between the ear. Th e muzzle is rounded but not blunt with a well formed jaw. His eyes are widely set, medium to large with distinct cor- ners and dark rims. Th e Cardigan has large ears that are rounded at the top, wide at the base and with strong leather. Th e ears are carried erect; large ears are
a key point of the breed. Th e planes of the skull and muzzle are parallel, with a definite but moderate stop. A scissor bite is preferred. Th e Cardigan standard states ”low set with moderately heavy bone and deep chest.” Th e chest is “moderately broad with prominent breastbone and deep bris- ket.” Th e Cardigan front is the hallmark of the breed. Th e forearms HAVE to be curved to fit the spring of rib. “ Th e curve in the forearm makes the wrist somewhat closer than the elbows.” Th is is what we call the WRAP. Its makes a cup for the heavy brisket to rest in and forces the large rounded feet to slightly turn out from the center. Th e wrap is the major di ff erence between straight legged dogs and the Cardigan.
Remember the three L’s: LONG— LOW—LEVEL. Th e length is measured from the point of the breast to rear of the hip (1.8 : 1) . Th e top line is level; the dog is low to the ground. Th e Cardigan measures 10.5" to 12 ½ " at the shoulder. Th e Cardigan has many curves and no sharp angles. When viewed from the top you should see an hourglass; the hind- quarters appear slightly narrower than the shoulder. Th ere is a slight downward slope of the croup into a slightly lower tail set. Th e rear is then finished with short, let down hocks. Th is will allow the Cardigan free and e ff ortless movement. I think if Rubens had been into paint- ing curvy, voluptuous dogs, he would most definitely have chosen the Cardigan as his model.
“The Cardigan front is the hallmark of the breed. THE FOREARMS HAVE TO BE CURVED TO FIT THE SPRING OF RIB. ‘The curve in the forearm makes the wrist somewhat closer than the elbows.’ THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE WRAP.”
168 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2014
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