The Board and Breeding Committee of the Finnish Welsh Corgi Club have established a planning team to initiate the planning of a cross breeding project. This bulletin provides a detailed background, the factors leading to the project’s planning, and the implementation of breed crossbreeding projects.
Background
The new Finnish Animal Welfare Act addresses animal breeding (§ 25). According to the law, an animal may not be used for breeding if the combination is likely to cause the offspring diseases or other characteristics that significantly harm their welfare. The specific regulation guiding breeding in more detail is still being prepared.
The Finnish Kennel Club has published a summary of the effects of the Animal Welfare Act on dog activities in Finland: https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/dog-ownership/animal-welfare-act-protects-health-and-well-being-dogs
From the perspective of this law and its upcoming regulation, there is a risk that short-legged breeds with significant prevalence of the FGF4-retrogene (CDDY gene, which predisposes to intervertebral disc disease) may face serious challenges. The worst-case scenario is that two dogs homozygous for the CDDY gene can no longer be bred together in Finland. Most Welsh Corgis are homozygous for this gene, so Corgi breeding in Finland faces major changes if the regulation takes a strict stance.
The Animal Welfare Act and its upcoming regulation will also address various diseases in dogs that can be verified through screening tests. It is highly likely that certain screening results will exclude a dog from breeding, not only from the perspective of breed clubs or the Kennel Club, but purely by law.
Corgi Health Examinations in Finland
All Corgis used for breeding in Finland must have a valid official eye examination (ECVO) and official statements regarding hips, elbow incongruence, and the entire spine. These images are evaluated centrally by the Finnish Kennel Club, and results are published in the Kennel Club’s public database. These health checks are already routine in Finland, regardless of whether the dog is intended for breeding.
More information:
Statistically, both Welsh Corgi breeds have room for improvement in skeletal health based on all the above screening tests. Official spinal statements have only been mandatory for breeding dogs since the beginning of 2025 (voluntary since 2013), so the impact of this change on future generations is still unknown.
Due to the CDDY gene, which predisposes corgis to premature calcification of intervertebral discs, spinal statements focus especially on so-called IDD statements (Intervertebral Disc Disease), which indicate how many calcified or partially calcified discs are found at the time of imaging. The recommendation is to take spinal X-rays of the dog at 24–48 months of age. Welsh Corgis, especially Cardigans, often have calcified discs. Only 13% of Cardigans evaluated between 2018–2025 received an IDD0 statement (no calcification at the time of imaging). Just under 25% of Cardigans received an IDD3 statement, meaning five or more calcified or partially calcified discs. The situation for Pembrokes is better: about 65% of Pembrokes evaluated between 2018–2025 received an IDD0 statement.
The view is that by reducing CDDY gene homozygosity, premature spinal calcification and the risk of intervertebral disc herniation can be reduced.
More information:
Cross breeding Projects in Finland
Crossbreeding is a tool in dog breeding. It is used, for example, to save breeds threatened with extinction or those with significant diseases or low genetic diversity.
Finland stands out as a leader in the field of systematic breed crossbreeding, with all projects meticulously planned and overseen by the Finnish Kennel Club. Since 1997, cross breeding initiatives approved by the Kennel Club have been carried out, each requiring extensive effort, thorough preparation, and ongoing monitoring. Such projects are only launched when there is a genuine and well-founded need. To date, Finland has initiated or is currently running a total of ten official cross breeding projects.
Cross breeding projects are always conducted in a systematic and closely supervised manner. The process begins by identifying another breed that possesses the desired health attributes or other beneficial traits needed to improve the target breed. A key motivation for cross breeding is to address welfare issues caused by extreme physical features and to correct harmful genetic mutations that have become fixed within certain breeds. Achieving these goals is not possible without expanding the genetic base — something that only crossbreeding can provide.
Ultimately, the primary aim of crossbreeding is to enhance the health and vitality of the breed by diversifying or broadening its gene pool, ensuring the breed remains robust and sustainable for the future.
In some countries, certain breeds have been banned for health reasons. In Finland, every effort is made to avoid breed bans from the perspective of the Animal Welfare Act and breeding regulation. Crossbreeding is one tool in this matter.
More information:
The project requires long-term commitment from both breeders participating in the cross breeding and buyers of cross bred puppies, as the health and temperament of cross bred offspring are monitored throughout their lives. Monitoring is carried out by the Finnish Kennel Club and the breed club in close co-operation according to the project plan.
First-generation puppies from cross bred litters are registered in the FCI’s external crossbreeding register. F2–F4 generation dogs can be registered in a special register by decision of the Finnish Kennel Club's Scientific Committee upon separate application. From the F5 generation onwards, crossbred offspring can be registered directly in the Finnish Kennel Club’s FI register, i.e., the pedigree register for purebred dogs and are thereafter comparable to other purebred dogs.
More information:
Welsh Corgis and the Crossbreeding Project
Based on the above, the Finnish Welsh Corgi Club has established a planning team to initiate the planning of a crossbreeding project. The committee acts as a guiding core group, not as the concrete implementer, and its composition can be expanded as planning progresses.
Before any litter is born according to the project plan, much paperwork remains. The crossbreeding project first needs approval from the Finnish Welsh Corgi Club’s general meeting (March 2026), and then from the Finnish Kennel Club’s scientific committee. Once the Kennel Club has approved the crossbreeding program application, the corgi club must present a detailed project plan, which must also be approved by the breed club’s general meeting. The earliest this can happen is spring 2027. Only after this can a breeder apply to the Kennel Club for permission to implement each litter according to the project plan.
Breeds cannot be crossbred arbitrarily. Only a few, carefully screened individuals are crossed with healthy and temperamentally suitable individuals from another breed. At the same time, most Welsh Corgi Cardigan and Welsh Corgi Pembroke breeding in Finland will continue as usual. Participation in crossbreeding is entirely voluntary for breeders.
Since this subject can evoke strong emotions and is often misunderstood outside of Finland, effective communication will be just as crucial as the technical planning itself. Without repeatedly clarifying the broader context — particularly the legal requirements and animal welfare considerations — even a thoroughly planned project risks being misinterpreted.
If successful, the results of the project—those F5 generation individuals registered in the normal pedigree register with new desired traits in their genetic makeup—can be utilized in further breeding only after several years.
All questions by email to hallitus@corgiseura.net
Background
The new Finnish Animal Welfare Act addresses animal breeding (§ 25). According to the law, an animal may not be used for breeding if the combination is likely to cause the offspring diseases or other characteristics that significantly harm their welfare. The specific regulation guiding breeding in more detail is still being prepared.
The Finnish Kennel Club has published a summary of the effects of the Animal Welfare Act on dog activities in Finland: https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/dog-ownership/animal-welfare-act-protects-health-and-well-being-dogs
From the perspective of this law and its upcoming regulation, there is a risk that short-legged breeds with significant prevalence of the FGF4-retrogene (CDDY gene, which predisposes to intervertebral disc disease) may face serious challenges. The worst-case scenario is that two dogs homozygous for the CDDY gene can no longer be bred together in Finland. Most Welsh Corgis are homozygous for this gene, so Corgi breeding in Finland faces major changes if the regulation takes a strict stance.
The Animal Welfare Act and its upcoming regulation will also address various diseases in dogs that can be verified through screening tests. It is highly likely that certain screening results will exclude a dog from breeding, not only from the perspective of breed clubs or the Kennel Club, but purely by law.
Corgi Health Examinations in Finland
All Corgis used for breeding in Finland must have a valid official eye examination (ECVO) and official statements regarding hips, elbow incongruence, and the entire spine. These images are evaluated centrally by the Finnish Kennel Club, and results are published in the Kennel Club’s public database. These health checks are already routine in Finland, regardless of whether the dog is intended for breeding.
More information:
- https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/kasvatus-ja-terveys/koiran-terveys/koiran-terveystutkimukset
- https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=38&Lang=en (Cardigan statistics)
- https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=39&Lang=en (Pembroke statistics)
Statistically, both Welsh Corgi breeds have room for improvement in skeletal health based on all the above screening tests. Official spinal statements have only been mandatory for breeding dogs since the beginning of 2025 (voluntary since 2013), so the impact of this change on future generations is still unknown.
Due to the CDDY gene, which predisposes corgis to premature calcification of intervertebral discs, spinal statements focus especially on so-called IDD statements (Intervertebral Disc Disease), which indicate how many calcified or partially calcified discs are found at the time of imaging. The recommendation is to take spinal X-rays of the dog at 24–48 months of age. Welsh Corgis, especially Cardigans, often have calcified discs. Only 13% of Cardigans evaluated between 2018–2025 received an IDD0 statement (no calcification at the time of imaging). Just under 25% of Cardigans received an IDD3 statement, meaning five or more calcified or partially calcified discs. The situation for Pembrokes is better: about 65% of Pembrokes evaluated between 2018–2025 received an IDD0 statement.
The view is that by reducing CDDY gene homozygosity, premature spinal calcification and the risk of intervertebral disc herniation can be reduced.
More information:
- https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/forms/spinal-radiography-and-grading-spinal-changes
- https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/forms/instructions-spinal-radiography
Cross breeding Projects in Finland
Crossbreeding is a tool in dog breeding. It is used, for example, to save breeds threatened with extinction or those with significant diseases or low genetic diversity.
Finland stands out as a leader in the field of systematic breed crossbreeding, with all projects meticulously planned and overseen by the Finnish Kennel Club. Since 1997, cross breeding initiatives approved by the Kennel Club have been carried out, each requiring extensive effort, thorough preparation, and ongoing monitoring. Such projects are only launched when there is a genuine and well-founded need. To date, Finland has initiated or is currently running a total of ten official cross breeding projects.
Cross breeding projects are always conducted in a systematic and closely supervised manner. The process begins by identifying another breed that possesses the desired health attributes or other beneficial traits needed to improve the target breed. A key motivation for cross breeding is to address welfare issues caused by extreme physical features and to correct harmful genetic mutations that have become fixed within certain breeds. Achieving these goals is not possible without expanding the genetic base — something that only crossbreeding can provide.
Ultimately, the primary aim of crossbreeding is to enhance the health and vitality of the breed by diversifying or broadening its gene pool, ensuring the breed remains robust and sustainable for the future.
In some countries, certain breeds have been banned for health reasons. In Finland, every effort is made to avoid breed bans from the perspective of the Animal Welfare Act and breeding regulation. Crossbreeding is one tool in this matter.
More information:
The project requires long-term commitment from both breeders participating in the cross breeding and buyers of cross bred puppies, as the health and temperament of cross bred offspring are monitored throughout their lives. Monitoring is carried out by the Finnish Kennel Club and the breed club in close co-operation according to the project plan.
First-generation puppies from cross bred litters are registered in the FCI’s external crossbreeding register. F2–F4 generation dogs can be registered in a special register by decision of the Finnish Kennel Club's Scientific Committee upon separate application. From the F5 generation onwards, crossbred offspring can be registered directly in the Finnish Kennel Club’s FI register, i.e., the pedigree register for purebred dogs and are thereafter comparable to other purebred dogs.
More information:
- https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/breeding-and-health/cross-breeding
- https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/breeding-and-health/cross-breeding/frequently-asked-questions
Welsh Corgis and the Crossbreeding Project
Based on the above, the Finnish Welsh Corgi Club has established a planning team to initiate the planning of a crossbreeding project. The committee acts as a guiding core group, not as the concrete implementer, and its composition can be expanded as planning progresses.
Before any litter is born according to the project plan, much paperwork remains. The crossbreeding project first needs approval from the Finnish Welsh Corgi Club’s general meeting (March 2026), and then from the Finnish Kennel Club’s scientific committee. Once the Kennel Club has approved the crossbreeding program application, the corgi club must present a detailed project plan, which must also be approved by the breed club’s general meeting. The earliest this can happen is spring 2027. Only after this can a breeder apply to the Kennel Club for permission to implement each litter according to the project plan.
Breeds cannot be crossbred arbitrarily. Only a few, carefully screened individuals are crossed with healthy and temperamentally suitable individuals from another breed. At the same time, most Welsh Corgi Cardigan and Welsh Corgi Pembroke breeding in Finland will continue as usual. Participation in crossbreeding is entirely voluntary for breeders.
Since this subject can evoke strong emotions and is often misunderstood outside of Finland, effective communication will be just as crucial as the technical planning itself. Without repeatedly clarifying the broader context — particularly the legal requirements and animal welfare considerations — even a thoroughly planned project risks being misinterpreted.
If successful, the results of the project—those F5 generation individuals registered in the normal pedigree register with new desired traits in their genetic makeup—can be utilized in further breeding only after several years.
All questions by email to hallitus@corgiseura.net