 Barked: Fri May 11, '12 10:54am PST |
 | |  | | I have cardigans, and I participate in agility. Almost everyone who has the breed does something with them, whether it's agility, obedience, herding, etc.
Cardigans can be high drive dogs are alot of fun to run, IMHO. My dog is very fast and very accurate.
DM and IVDD aren't really all that common in Cardigans. Pembrokes have a much bigger problem with both then we do, because we don't have the back yard breeders that everyone else seems to have. I won't say that they don't exist, but they can be avoided if the breeders test.
With DM, there's an actual genetic test and with IVDD, you can get a spinal x ray and look for calcifications. You should also be concered with auto immune diseases, though, like mega-E, addison's, hemolytic anemia, and some thyroid issues. Not that these are common, but it's worth knowing about.
What I am concerned with mostly is temperament, and making sure that you actually WANT a cardigan and will be a good owner for one.
They are more independent then pembrokes and are not typically "cuddle bugs" or velcro dogs, but I hate needy dogs and prefer dogs that can just lay down in the same room with out needing to be up in your face or in your lap.
This is not to say they don't need love and affection, but the best way to bond with them is to do something with them.
Cardigans are aloof with strangers typically, not all of them are this way, but most are. Many are also reactive with strange animals, although fine with animals they are raised with. They can be good with cats if raised with them.
they can be very barky. They're not always great with kids, because they want to herd them everywhere. They shed like no body's business...especially the blue merles for some reason.
This breed needs extensive socialization when young.
And you do have to be very careful about picking them up as puppies, and some breeders won't let you have them on stairs until a certain age.
they *can* be adaptable, but they do need an outlet for their drive. They're definitely not a dog you can just throw in a crate except for days when you do agility and expect them to be good dogs.
Make sure you do alot of research on the breed. Make sure your breeder has an excellent reputation. Go visit them. Go visit the parents if you can.
Otherwise, I really love my dogs.Edited by author Fri May 11, '12 10:56am PST
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