Cardigan Corswiss -- Welsh Corgi Cardigan X Great Swiss Mountain Dog

		Cardigan Corswiss
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain <> Switzerland -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Cardigan Corswiss

Descended from the pretty Welsh Corgi Cardigan and the robust Grand bouvier suisse, the Cardigan Corswiss is a modern-day fairy-tale hybrid dog renowned for its unwavering loyalty to owners. This charming Cardigan Corswiss excels at so many things, from weighting to hunting. As a companion dog, the Cardigan Corswiss loves to work for its owners and is happiest when taken outside for a walk.

History of the Cardigan Corswiss

The Cardigan Corswiss is a more recent hybrid and there isn't yet much information available on the hybrid itself. There is, however, a considerable amount of history available for the parent breeds. Both parent breeds boast a rich history of implacable loyalty to their owners, as well as a substantial history of vital utility in hunting, breeding, tracking and weight pulling. The Cardigan Corswiss hybrid itself does not appear to be recognized by any of the hybrid registries at present.

	A little of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan
	The Welsh Corgi Cardigan 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 around 1200 BC. Initially, the Cardigan was prized for its ability to flush out prey, but several hundred years later, other skills became even more valuable. The Cardigan became prized for its unique herding skills, which involved pinching the heels of cattle to move them in the right direction. The Cardigan's ground-level construction may seem to make this task virtually impossible but, in reality, this trait helped them avoid the inevitable kicks thrown at them by the animals that were the focus of their attention.

	Standard of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan
	A little of the Great Swiss Mountain Dog
	The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is thought to have been brought to remote and isolated areas of Switzerland by the Romans in centuries gone by. It is the oldest and largest of the four Sennenhund (Alpine Shepherd Dog) breeds that developed in Switzerland. The "Swissy" quickly became vital in the livestock and guarding sectors, thanks to its ability to pull carts loaded with milk, vegetables and other local produce to market, increasing their value to local farmers and breeders. Today, both parent breeds are known for their unwavering loyalty to their owners and their human families, and will be happiest when given the task of occupying them.

	Standard of the Great Swiss Mountain Dog

Appearance of the Cardigan Corswiss

Since the Cardigan Corswiss is a blend of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan and the Great Swiss Mountain Dog and is a new hybrid with very little information available on the hybrid itself, let's focus on the appearance attributes of the parent breeds to get an idea of what your hybrid pet might look like. First of all, given the difference in size and weight of the two parent breeds, you can accurately assume that your hybrid will probably not be a "lap dog", assuming the greater physical characteristics of the Grand bouvier suisse parent. He'll be strong and sturdy to be sure, and will probably have a long tail and double coat, making him more resistant to climatic changes. His ears may be soft and hang close to his head, or they may be large and carried upright. It could have the muzzle configuration of the Great Swiss Cattle Dog, giving it a greater propensity to drool with a scissor bite. His eyes could be round or almond-shaped and large but not prominent, brown or blue with the overall facial configuration probably giving a gentle but alert expression. His feet are likely to be round and large, with full pads and arched toes. His coat will probably be a double layer with a harder but not stiff outer layer and a dense undercoat. It can be virtually any color: red, black, blue, sable or brindle, and may have white or rust-colored markings.

Temperament of the Cardigan Corswiss

The Cardigan Corswiss is a hybrid for which little information is available. The parent breeds of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan and the Grand Bouvier Suisse both have much more published information. Despite the great difference in size and weight between the parent breeds, their temperaments are quite similar. Both breeds are alert, gentle, loyal, social, cheerful, loving, protective and intelligent, with the Cardigan parent bringing more affection to the gene pool. Both parent breeds have high levels of sensitivity, with a high level of barking on the Cardigan side of the equation, but moderated by the Great Swiss Mountain Dog's lower barking tendency. It's basically the difference between barking at everything that moves and barking only when there's a reason to do so. Both parent breeds are good with children and cats, although some supervision may be necessary when young children are about to prevent accidental injury due to exuberance. The Great Swiss Mountain Dog parent brings a high degree of independence and stubbornness into the mix, making training more difficult. This is particularly true for the new owner, as the chain of command needs to be firmly established as early as possible in the puppy's life, with firm but positive and encouraging reinforcement and discipline. Mistrust with strangers can be quite similar between parent breeds as well as the strong ability to bond with owners and family members, highlighting the guarding and protection developed for them. Because your Corswiss will bond so closely with you, it should be noted here that he probably won't do well if left alone for long periods, as his separation anxiety is a huge problem. Because both parent breeds are bred to work hard, your pet will love it when you give it a task. Some owners will literally put a backpack on their pet when walking, running or biking, or have them pull a sled through the winter snow to help their canine family member feel useful.

Needs and activities of the Cardigan Corswiss

Your hybrid Cardigan Corswiss can inherit energy levels from either of its parent breeds. The Welsh Corgi Cardigan is the most active of the parent breeds, but will do well with daily walks and exercise activities that involve retrieving, frisbee retrieving, agility and obedience practice. If the Grand Bouvier Suisse parent has the dominant influence on your pet's biological gene pool, then he may get a good portion of his exercise needs met by the normal, natural rhythm for which he is bred, day and night, as he travels his guard route around the house and yard. Apartment living may not be suitable for your Corswiss hybrid, depending on its size and weight. A family home with a securely fenced yard will suit him just fine, but a house without a yard will also work as long as you're prepared to provide him with sufficient exercise challenges, both mentally and physically. He'll need to be very close to his human family, and will need mental and physical challenges to avoid boredom. He can live in rural or urban environments and can tolerate most climates that are not extremely hot.

Maintenance of the Cardigan Corswiss

Your Cardigan Corswiss hybrid may take on the characteristics of one or both of its parent breeds. This means you'll probably have a dog that falls into a moderate category of shedding and grooming needs. It will probably need brushing at least once a week to remove loose hair and debris. This may need to be increased during periods of natural seasonal shedding. He will only need to be bathed when necessary, as frequent bathing will remove some of the oils from his coat that are designed to keep it weather-resistant. As with many canine and hybrid breeds, dental care is important. Having his teeth checked and cleaned regularly will help reduce the possibility of developing periodontal disease and reduce the resulting tooth loss. Eye examinations should be carried out regularly, as there are several eye problems known to afflict one or both of the parent breeds. Regular ear checks, either by you or your vet, should be carried out to avoid ear infections. This is particularly true if your hybrid has the ear set found in the parent Grand bouvier suisse.