FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
left: Figure 4. Pembroke Welsh Corgi; right: Figure 5. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
measured from the point of the forechest to the rear of the rump. A long body should be heavily penalized. Substance – Not too light in bone, yet never heavy-boned and cumbersome.” This describes a square dog of medium size, which is so impor- tant a breed characteristic that a dog outside of the correct param- eters in height is to be disqualified. He has no tail, or it is docked short (up to 4”). The term “leggy” implies that a short-legged dog is anathema in the breed, hence another valued breed character- istic. The use of the word “never” in the last sentence also speaks to a breed characteristic in an animal of moderate bone; rather be light than heavy. This breed must be quick and agile and cover a great amount of ground with each step, therefore well-angled at both ends. Anyone who has ever seen a Brittany hunt would know all of this to be true! Here is one more breed description: “General Appearance: A medium size ___________ giving the appearance of elegance and fitness, denoting great speed, power and balance without coarseness. A true sporting __________ that covers a maximum of distance with a minimum of lost motion. Should convey an impression of beautifully balanced muscular power and strength, combined with great elegance and grace of outline. Symme- try of outline, muscular development and powerful gait are the main considerations; the dog being built for speed and work, all forms of exaggeration should be avoided. Size, Proportion, Substance: Ideal height for dogs, 19 to 22 inches; for bitches, 18 to 21 inches, measured at the highest point of the withers. More than one-half inch above or below the stated limits will disqualify. Length from forechest to buttocks equal to or slightly greater than height at the withers. Moderate bone throughout.” There are many hints as to the identity of this breed. A dog of moderate height, this breed also has a disqualification for height outside of the stated limits. Moderate bone and a dog bred for speed and work, this description also uses “muscular power and
strength” as well as “great elegance and grace of outline. Symmetry of outline, muscular development and powerful gait are the main consid- erations.” This should definitely lead you to Whippet. I often offer on social media to answer any questions a person new to my breed may have. Someone sent me a personal message asking why the shape of the foot mattered in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. My first thought was, “What a silly question.” I quickly realized that it was not only not silly, it was quite a good question. This was my answer: “The shape of a dog’s foot depends on the work the dog was bred to do and the terrain over which the dog had to work. There are three basic types of foot—cat, hare, and oval (there are other foot shapes, usually for a specific purpose; like the large, flat “snowshoe” foot of the Tibetan Terrier). The cat foot is round and compact with well arched, closely-held toes, with the two center toes being only slightly longer than those on the outside. It is similar to the paw of a cat. (Examples of a cat foot: Doberman Pinscher, Australian Cattle Dog.) It is for dogs that need the endurance to work long hours and distances over hard or varied surfaces. It leaves a round paw print on the ground. A hare foot is one in which the two center toes are longer than the two outer toes, with less arching than you would see on a cat foot, making it look longer overall. It resembles the foot of a hare (rabbit paws) and is mostly seen on dogs that need speed and agility. The oval foot falls between the hare and cat foot for a dog that needs bursts of speed and agility for quick changes in direction, and [one that] works long hours as well as traversing over all sorts of terrain for long distances—which is why a Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an oval foot, an essential breed characteristic. (By comparison, a Car- digan has a larger, rounded foot.)” If you have someone asking you a question and are unsure of the answer, please don’t hesitate to tell them you aren’t certain, but you will try to find the answer or tell them where you think they may find it. Don’t just blow them off, as I almost did. Remember when you started in the wonderful world of showing and breeding dogs and how hard it was to find the answers to your questions? For me, it was nearly impossible, as there was no Internet on which to ask a question and there were very few books available on the sub- ject either. Had I not found wonderful mentors in Pat Parsons and Scootie Sherlock (Caralon) and Dr. Chuck Kruger (Schaferhaus), it would have been challenging for me to continue blindly along the way, and I may well have given up so many years ago. Be willing to pass on what you have learned to others. It is all about the preserva- tion of the breed or breeds you love! If anyone has a question or comments, or to inquire about a seminar, contact me at jimanie@welshcorgi.com Remember, there are no dumb questions!
left: Figure 6. Brittany; right: Figure 7. Whippet
64 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2021
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