Welsh Corgi vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi were once considered to be two types of the same breed. Today they are recognized as very different breeds, but cousins of sorts.. They are alike in many ways and very different in others. The general information in terms of height and weight above applies to the more popular and better known Pembroke Welsh Corgi, developed as a herding dog from the spitz line in Pembroke shire, Wales. The Pembroke is famous for being the breed favored since childhood by Queen Elizabeth, the current queen of England. It’s believed that the Pembroke came to the country around the 10th century with Flemish weavers. The Cardigan is thought to have come with the Norse people and be a relative of the Sedish Vallhund.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, also a herding dog has their ancestry in ancient Celtic dogs. They are older than the Pembroke and hail from Cardiganshire, Wales.

Both breeds are friendly, smart and independent. Both dogs herd cattle and sheep. About the end of the 19th century, farmers in Cardiganshire began to raising sheep rather than cattle. The corgis were herding dogs for cattle. “Heelers” who avoid the cattle kicking them by nipping at the cattle’s heel. Pembrokeshore and Cardiganshire are counties in South West Wales that adjoin each other.

Then the move was made from cattle to sheep in Cardiganshire they bred their corgis with the Welsh Sheepdog where the merle color is said to come from, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This caused the similarities between the two dwarf breeds. At the same time the distance grew between the two breeds and they grew into very distinct and different looking dogs. There are also some differences in their personalities.

The first corgi to appear at Crufts came in 1927 and in 1928 a Pembroke won a championship at Cardiff for the first ever corgi win. It was not until 1934 that the kennel club recognized them as separate breeds rather than a Pembroke shire type and a Cardiganshire type. From this point on the two are separate breeds with tremendous similarities. A Pem won the Reserve Best in Show at Crufts in 1955.

The first corgi came to the United States in 1933 by a breeder of Old English Sheepdogs. In 1934 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized Corgis as one breed with 2 types. The Pembroke has always been the more popular of the two.

Cão de Castro Laboreiro originates from Portugal. Also known as the Portuguese Cattle Dog he was used long ago to guard livestock. Today, the modern Cao de Castro Laboreiro is descended from the molosser type dog.

There are hints to the dog's origins from the 19th century, but changes in agricultural methods meant a disappearance of the dog as a livestock protector. Today the dog is mostly kept as a pet and was first seen at a dog show in 1914.

The Cão de Castro Laboreiro is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale as well as being recognized by the United Kennel Club in the United States.It is a rare dog and not many exist today but in Portugal, the USA and United Kingdom you will find a few breeders.

They used to differentiate between the Cardigan and the Pembroke by saying the Cardigan was the one with the bigger ears and the Pembroke had no tail. In many parts of the world where tail docking has been banned, most Pembrokes now have tails. Only those born without don’t have them. Both dogs are long and low to the ground with big chests and short legs. This is because they are dwarfs. They are not little dogs.

Cardigan

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is heavier boned than the Pembroke, has large rounded ears and a flowing, fox like tail. The Cardigan comes in a variety of colors but never predominately white. He is double coated with a dense, harsh outer and a soft, short and thick undercoat.

Pembroke

Pembroke is smaller and longer than the Cardigan with pointed ears. They are intelligent, sturdy and strong with tremendous stamina. The tail is docked in the United States or the pups are bred not to have a tail. This was originally so that the cattle could not step on their tails and injure the dogs. The double coat on the Pembroke is short and weather resistant inner coat with a longer and rougher outercoat. He has the same deep dropped chest as the Cardigan. Both corgis shed voraciously.

The Cão de Castro Laboreiro is a large dog, with height being in the region of 55 to 60cm and weight being in the region of 45 - 70kg. People describe the dog as wolf-like with a coat that is fairly short, thick and course. The coat is brindle with a base color of shades of grey, chestnut and black.

This large mastiff-type dog always has a black nose, his tail is long and carried high, but never curling over the back. He has a broad head and is much like the Labrador in looks, being free of wrinkles on the face.The ears of the Cao de Castro Laboreiro are medium-in-size and floppy while the eyes are dark brown.

Temperament:

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro makes an excellent pet as he forms strong bonds with his human family. He is territorial and makes an exceptional guard dog. He doesn’t particularly like strangers and is aloof around them.

This is an intelligent dog breed, he is strong-willed and stubborn, but when he is around the children in the family he is gentle and loving. When he has been trained and socialized, which is always highly recommended with every dog, he gets along with other pets in the home too.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness For the most part they are good but can be grumpy and bossy. They are bossy personalities

2.Special talents – heelers, will herd anything, he needs a job

3.Adaptability – Very. Can live anywhere but they do need to run and they bark a lot.

4.Learning ability – incredibly smart but stubborn. Respond well to training that is reward based.

Environment and upbringing have plenty to do with how a dog turns out. People who just buy a dog for guardian purposes and nothing else can’t expect companionship in return.

The Cão de Castro Laboreiro has always been a fearless guardian of livestock with his strong protective characteristics. He is intelligent and recognizes that a child in the family needs his protection.

This is a large dog who is strong, brave and intelligent but with his human family he is gentle, loving and loyal. Nonetheless he still requires a firm owner, and if you’re fair and firm with him you get the best with him. With this dog you can form a close friendship and bond.

Health Problems

The two breeds have many of the same health issues with the primary issue being

• Degenerative Myelopathy – a muscular neurological disease very similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS. It is always fatal.

• Cancer is prevalent in both breeds.
• Most corgis die of old age.
• Kidney Failure
• More Pems have eye issues than the Cardis do.

• Some have cardiac issues while others may have hip dysplasia or Von Willebrand’s disease.

The Cão de Castro Laboreiro is generally a healthy breed, but even so, it is good to be aware of typical canine diseases that your pet may develop.

Eye Problems:

There are many eye problems that dogs have to contend with and if you see any kind of ulceration in your dogs eye, get veterinary advice.

Heat- Stroke:

A dog should always have access to a shady spot. Never ever leave your dog in a hot car. Heat builds up quickly and death can result soon as the body temperature rises.

Parasites:

Roundworm and tapeworm can infest dogs and you’ll need to speak to your vet about a worming program. Lice, mites and ticks are all parasites which attach themselves to the skin.

1Feeding the puppy prone to overweight, the pem needs ½ to 1 cup of small breed high quality food in 3-4 meals per day. The Cardigan needs ¾ to 1 ¼ cups of high quality small breed food in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed them. The Pem need 1 cup per day of high quality small breed food in 2 meals per day. The Cardigan needs 1-1 ½ cups per day in one to two meals.

3.Points for Good Health stamina, longevity

4. Games and Exercises

They are fast, athletic dogs. Agility, CAT, Barnhunt. Herding trials, flyball and they just love backyard ball fetching. Confirmation and obedience, along with rally.

Grooming:

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro has a short coat which requires minimal grooming. Brushing him twice a week to rid him of loose hairs will suffice.

Nail clipping as well as ear- and teeth cleaning are other routine maintenance procedures for your pet.

Diet:

The food you give your pet must be well-balanced and have protein and carbohydrates. If you want his skin and hair to remain healthy, vitamins, fatty acids and minerals will also be needed.

Boneless chicken and fish, brown rice and vegetables can be a good choice as well as some of the top quality commercially manufactured foods. An active dog will always need a higher protein content and therefore including raw meat into the diet is imperative – not every day as it can be very expensive, but every other day.

Remember that bones can be dangerous as they can splinter and cause your pet internal damage. Fresh, cool water must be available at all times.