Official Stan dard for th e CA RDIGA N WELSH CORGI con tin ued COURTESY THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
Color: All shades of red, sable and brindle. Black with or without tan or brindle points. Blue merle (black and gray; marbled) with or without tan or brindle points. There is no color preference. White flashings are usual on the neck (either in part or as a col- lar), chest, legs, muzzle, underparts, tip of tail and as a blaze on head. White on the head should not predominate and should never surround the eyes. Any color other than specified and/or body color predominantly white are disqualifications. Gait: Free and smooth. Effortless. Viewed from the side, forelegs should reach well forward when moving at a trot, without much lift, in unison with driving action of hind legs. The correct shoul- der assembly and well fitted elbows allow for a long free stride in front. Viewed from the front, legs do not move in exact parallel planes, but incline slightly inward to compensate for shortness of leg and width of chest. Hind legs, when trotting, should reach well under body, move on a line with the forelegs, with the hocks
turning neither in nor out, and in one continuous motion drive powerfully behind, well beyond the set of the tail. Feet must trav- el parallel to the line of motion with no tendency to swing out, cross over, or interfere with each other. Short choppy movement, rolling or high-stepping gait, close or overly wide coming or going, are incorrect. This is a herding dog which must have the agility, freedom of movement, and endurance to do the work for which he was developed. Temperament: Even-tempered, loyal, affectionate, and adapt- able. Never shy nor vicious. Disqualifications: Blue eyes, or partially blue eyes, in any coat color other than blue merle. Drop ears. Nose other than solid black except in blue merles. Any color other than specified. Body color predominantly white. Approved December 13, 1994
“PLEASE LET THE EXHIBITOR SHOW THE DOG AT A PROPER SPEED TO DISPLAY THESE ENDEARING QUALITIES.”
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whatever you need to do to engrain that in your mind as you judge the Cardigan. Please let the exhibitor show the dog at a proper speed to display these endear- ing qualities. Watching a Cardigan with reach and drive is a pure pleasure to revel in, not doing so sends a very clear message that you as the judge do not think they have that ability and there- fore do not care to see if they do.
A final last bug-a-boo that needs to be addressed. Once you have examined the dog on the table, do not reach down on an exhibit on the ground at any time. This is getting more and more common to see and is not in good practice with judging. These dogs are low and hav- ing someone reaching down, particu- larly from behind, can be very unnerv- ing to them. Exhibitors encourage and respectfully request that you merely ask them to put the dog back on the table. It is greatly appreciated. This practice is requested in a number of other breeds and Cardigans deserve the same respect and process as those breeds do. Now, this lesson could continue on in more detail but if you want to do the breed justice, consider a refresh- er course by attending the National Specialty Judges Education Program.
However, refraining from what is called poor Cardigan judging procedures and changing a few of your “all arounder” habits, you will be better respected and performing your duties to the best of your ability. A final word, please refer to the approved Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America standard for clarification of any point of the breed and if that still leaves you confused, then reach out to the Judging Education Commitee mem- bers and allow them to assist in your concerns. No question is silly and if they can help even one judge to better understand this wonderful breed, then they have done their job as well. We want and deserve fair and consistent judging by anyone who steps into the middle of that ring and says, “Take them around please.”
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