Cardigan Corswiss

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Cardigan Corswiss

30-140 lbs

11-29"

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

The Cardigan Corswiss is a newer hybrid and there really isn’t much information available just yet on the hybrid itself. There is, however, a considerable amount of history available for the parent breeds. Both parent breeds boast of a rich history of relentless loyalty to their owners as well as substantial history of vitally needed usefulness in hunting, herding, tracking and weight pulling. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two Corgi breeds, believed to have been brought to the Welsh high country now known as Cardiganshire by Celtic warriors in about 1200 B.C. Initially, the Cardigan was prized for its ability to flush out game but, several hundred years later, other skills became even more valuable. The Cardigan became prized for their unique herding skills which involved nipping at the heels of livestock to move them in the proper direction. The low-to-ground build of the Cardigan may appear to make this task virtually impossible but, in actuality, this trait helped them avoid the inevitable kicks flung at them from the animals who were the focus of their attention. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is believed to have been brought to remote and isolated areas of Switzerland by the Romans centuries past. It is the oldest and largest of the four Sennenhund ( “dog of the Alpine herdsmen”) breeds which were developed in Switzerland. The “Swissy” soon became vital in the area of herding and guarding with their ability to pull carts laden with milk, vegetables and other local produce to markets increasing their value to the local farmers and herders. Today, both parent breeds are known for their undying loyalty to their owners and human families and will be their happiest when given a task to keep them busy. The Cardigan Corswiss hybrid itself does not appear to be recognized by any of the hybrid registries at this time.

Purpose
Companion, Herding, Guarding


Date of Origin
Unknown


Ancestry
Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Cardigan Corswiss Health

Average Size

Height: 11-29 inches Weight: 30-140 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

Intervertebral Disc Disease
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Retinal Dysplasia

Occasional Tests

Hip
Knee
Spine
X-Rays
Eye Examination

Cardigan Corswiss Breed History

Cardigan Corswiss Breed Appearance

Since the Cardigan Corswiss is a mix of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and is such a new hybrid with very little information is available on the hybrid itself, let’s focus on the appearance attributes of the parent breeds to get an idea what your hybrid pet could look like. First of all, given the difference in height and weight of the two parent breeds, you can accurately assume that your hybrid will not likely be a “lap” dog, assuming the larger physical characteristics of the Greater Swiss parent. He will be strong and sturdy to be sure and will likely have a long tail and a double coat, making him more resistant to weather changes. His ears could be floppy and hang close to his head or they could be large and carried erect. He could have the muzzle and snout configuration of the Greater Swiss, giving him a greater propensity for drooling with a scissor bite. His eyes could be round or almond shaped and large but not protruding, brown or blue with the overall facial configuration likely giving a gentle but alert expression. His feet will likely be round and large with well filled pads and arched toes. His coat will likely be a double coat with a harsher but not wiry outer coat and dense undercoat. He can be virtually any color: red, black, blue, sable or brindle and can have white or rust colored markings.

Cardigan Corswiss Breed Maintenance

Your Cardigan Corswiss hybrid can take on the characteristics of either or both of the parent breeds. This means that you’ll likely have a canine who is in a moderate category of shedding and grooming needs. He will likely need to be brushed at least once weekly to remove loose hair and debris. This may need to be increased during the natural seasonal shedding periods. He will need to bathed and shampooed only when necessary as frequent bathing will remove some of the oils in his coat that are intended to keep it weather resistant. As with many canine breeds and hybrids, dental care is important. Getting his teeth checked and cleaned regularly will help to reduce the opportunity for periodontal disease to develop and will reduce the resulting tooth loss. Eye examinations should be done regularly as there are several eye problems which are known to afflict either or both of the parent breeds. Regular ear checks, either by you or your vet, should be done to prevent ear infections from occurring. This is especially true if your hybrid pet has the ear set found in the Greater Swiss parent.

Cardigan Corswiss Temperament

The Cardigan Corswiss is a hybrid for which little information is available. The parent breeds of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog both have decidedly more published information available. Despite the great difference in the height and weight of the of the parent breeds, their temperaments are quite similar. Both breeds are alert, gentle, loyal, social, cheerful, loving, protective and intelligent with the Cardigan parent contributing more affection to the gene pool. Both parent breeds have high levels of sensitivity with a barking level which is high on the Cardigan side of the equation but is moderated by the lower barking tendency of the Greater Swiss. It’s basically the difference between barking at everything that moves versus barking only when there is a reason to do so. Both parent breeds are good with kids and cats, though some supervision may be required when small children are about to prevent accidental injuries from exuberance. The Greater Swiss parent brings a strong degree of independence and stubbornness into the mix, thus making training more challenging. This is especially so for the new owner as the chain of command needs to be firmly established as early in the pup’s life as possible with firm but positive and encouraging reinforcement and disciplinary measures. The wariness with strangers may be fairly similar between the parent breeds as well as the strong ability to bond with owners and family members, highlighting the guarding and protectiveness which has been bred into them. Because your Corswiss will bond so closely with you, it must be noted here that they will likely not do well when left alone for long periods of time as their separation anxiety is an enormous problem. Because both parent breeds are bred to work hard, your pet will absolutely love it when you give them a task to do. Some owners will literally put a backpack on their pet when walking, running or bicycling or will set him up to pull a sled through the winter snow to help their canine family member feel useful.

Cardigan Corswiss Activity Requirements

Your Cardigan Corswiss hybrid can inherit the energy levels of either parent breed. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the more active of the parent breeds but will do fine with daily walks and exercise opportunities that involve fetching, frisbee retrieving, agility and obedience practice. If the Greater Swiss breed parent has the dominant influence in the bio gene pool of your pet, then he may get a fair amount of his exercise needs met by the normal and natural pacing that he is bred to do, both day and night, as he walks his guard route throughout the house and yard. Apartment or condo living may not be appropriate for your Corswiss hybrid, depending on his size and weight. A family home with a securely fenced yard will suit him perfectly but a home without a yard will also work as long as you are willing to provide him with enough exercise challenges, both mentally and physically. He will need to be near his human family quite a lot and will require mental challenge as well as physical ones to avoid boredom. He can live in rural or urban environments and can tolerate most climates which are not extremely hot.

Written by Darlene Stott

Published: 10/07/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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