What genetic condition, known as dwarfism, is responsible for the short legs of both Corgi breeds?
Answer
Achondroplasia
The defining physical feature shared by both the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis—their notably short legs—is the direct result of a genetic trait known as achondroplasia. Achondroplasia is a specific form of dwarfism. This genetic characteristic was actively selected and preserved by early Welsh farmers because it conferred a significant advantage in their herding duties. Being low to the ground was not merely an aesthetic choice but a functional adaptation that enabled the dogs to effectively nip at the hocks of cattle without being vulnerable to defensive kicks, cementing this specific look long before aesthetic concerns became primary in breeding.
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Related Questions
In Wales, what does the term "Corgi" literally signify regarding the dog's stature?What specific herding technique required Corgis to keep low to the ground when driving cattle?What genetic condition, known as dwarfism, is responsible for the short legs of both Corgi breeds?When did The Kennel Club in England officially recognize the Pembroke and Cardigan varieties as two separate breeds?What distinct physical feature differentiates the Cardigan Welsh Corgi from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi regarding their tails?Which member of the British Royal Family acquired the Pembroke puppy named Dookie in 1933?What evidence suggests the Cardigan Welsh Corgi might be the older of the two distinct Corgi strains originating in Wales?Besides their tail structure, what is a physical conformation difference between the Cardigan and Pembroke Corgi ears/structure?What was the status of the American Kennel Club (AKC) registration for both Corgi types before 1934?What contemporary behavior in modern Corgis echoes their thousand-year-old vocation of driving livestock?Which theory suggests that the Pembroke Corgi ancestry might include dogs brought over by Flemish weavers in the 10th century?What critical need for early Welsh farmers cemented the Corgi's short stature as a functional adaptation?