Hi! I lurk on the board researching poultry, but this is one I know a lot about
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I breed and show Cardigans. In my experience (which is pretty extensive) Pems have more of a small-dog temperament; they tend to be more "sharp" and when they go bad it's toward the aggressive/nippy end of things. They have extreme - EXTREME - issues with obesity and other health problems as a result of that.
Cardigans are a big dog on no legs. They're much more easygoing, they have an off switch (unlike most Pems) and when they go bad it's toward the shy/spooky end of things. Cardigans are closer to their origins; most of them still retain very good herding instinct and ability and they'll do their best to help you around the place. Cardis are hard to kill, honestly; the average lifespan is 14-15 as long as they don't end up with back problems - which is an issue with any short-legged dog. I don't know who linked immunodeficiency to Cardigans, but it's not true. The only health issue the average owner is ever going to encounter is a back injury (which affects perhaps 5% of the breed). They're not as "cute" as Pems but I think they're better suited to most families.
The other nice thing about Cardigans is that they haven't become popular, so most of the breeders are still good. The vast majority of Pem breeders are crummy; you have to search pretty hard to find a good one and you should expect to pay a lot. Cardis haven't hit the pet market in the same way, so the ones breeding them are doing it because they are committed to the dogs and the standard. They're by no means cheap - if I see a puppy for sale for much under $800-ish in this breed I get *really* nervous - but the fact that $1000 is a normal pet price puts them at about half what most well-bred dogs are.
We love our Cardigans and think they're pretty close to an ideal family-farm dog; as with any breed they're not for everyone (they bark and they shed - those are their main sins), but they were actually developed FOR small farms and to work in small areas and they tend to thrive in that environment. Make no mistake, though; they are real herding dogs. If you don't like a dog with drive they're a bad choice.
Joanna Kimball
blacksheepcardigans.com
rufflyspeaking.net
