Dog Breed of the Month: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis are a very old breed. There is history of them recorded all the way back to the 11th century. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a descendant of the elder version of the breed, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The two breeds are very alike in looks.  The obvious difference is their tail – Cardigans have a long tail and Pembroke Corgis have no tail or have a stub. These dogs emanated from Wales, bred for herding as well as for hunting and guarding children. The two breeds once collectively were called Welsh Corgis despite their divergent appearances but in 1934 the Kennel Club separated them.

The Corgi is known for its short, squat legs. It has the body of a much larger dog but is usually only 10-12 inches tall from feet to shoulders and weighs around 30 lbs. There are 5 colors acknowledged by the AKC for Corgis: Red, with or without white markings, sable/white, fawn/white, red-headed tricolor (black dog with a red head and white markings), black-headed tricolor (black and red with red and white markings). Red is the most prevalent color. Corgis have a double coat and are heavy shedders. They do not need much grooming but de-shedding is a must as they shed all year round.

Corgis are one the healthiest dog breeds, as well as the longest living. The typically live 12-15 years. Diseases they are predisposed to are hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy, and epilepsy. Corgis have a fond love of food and if  they are fed too much, they can become very overweight.

Corgis are very friendly, bright dogs. Their natural herding instincts make them skilled at dog agility, obedience, fly ball, and tracking. They are very devoted and love to be involved with their family. They have a great desire to please, making them easy to train. Their alertness and intelligence make them great watch dogs. It is important to socialize these dogs at a young age with other dogs and people or anti-social behavior could develop. Their herding instinct can cause them to nip at ankles. They can be trained out of this behavior but are better suited for families with older children.

Fun Facts:

1. Welsh folklore states that the corgi is the preferred mount of fairy warriors. There is also a folk legend that says corgis were a gift to us  from the woodland fairies, and that the breed's markings were left on its coat by fairy harnesses and saddles.

2. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are famed for being the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who has owned more than 30 during her reign. These dogs have been favored by British royalty for more than seventy years. 

3. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the shortest breed in the AKC herding group.

4. Corgis are prone to random bursts of energy. They will run and play for hours and are good at entertaining themselves.

5. Corgis lay with their legs sprawled behind them, in a ‘flying frog’ position.