Canal Corgis - About The Breed

Pembroke Welsh Corgi a Big Dog in a Small Body

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is an active, intelligent, friendly dog that makes a fabulous companion—with good reason.

He is playful and bold and a good watchdog. He is happy in the city or suburbs or on a farm, which makes him a good fit for many different lifestyles.

His foxlike face, long body, and stubby legs give him an unusual—but fun—style.

And did you know Pembroke Welsh corgis have very short tails, and some lines are born without one? The breed is gaining in popularity, and last year was 22^nd in AKC registrations. History of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi the Pembroke Welsh corgi has been around for a long time—since A.D. 1107.

There are a couple of theories on how the breed came to be. One is it was the result of breeding the Cardigan corgi with a Vallhund.

Another theory has the dogs arriving in England with Flemish weavers, who Henry I forced to live in Wales. These Flemish were also farmers. They moved to the southwest corner of Wales with their dogs, and the breed developed there in Pembrokeshire.

The Pembroke Welsh corgis were used to drive cattle by barking and nipping at their heels—than rolling out of the way to avoid being kicked. Watch Pembroke Welsh corgis at play now and you will see the same rolling action. According to legend, Pembroke Welsh corgis also had another function. They often have markings over their shoulders created by fur growing in different directions. This is known as a “fairy saddle”: the Pembroke Welsh corgis were said to have pulled carriages and served as steeds for the wee folk. You will have to decide for yourself whether this breed is a magical dog! Pembroke Welsh corgis love to play and need some mental stimulation—a great game of fetch, regular walks, and even agility training—to keep them from getting bored and destructive. Size: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a shoulder height of 25-30 cm (10-12 in) and weighs up to 15 kg (30 lbs); it is almost twice as long as it is tall. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a flat skull and large, high-set, erect, rounded ears. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a docked or natural bobtail; the natural bobtail is coming more into fashion as some countries ban the practice of docking. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is distinguished from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi by its smaller size, absence of a long tail, and generally more foxlike appearance.
Coat: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a long, thick, water-resistant outer coat consisting of hard straight hairs and a short undercoat. It can be red, sable, fawn, or black and tan, all with possible white markings on the legs, chest, muzzle, or blaze (vertical line between the eyes). White should not exceed 30 percent of the coat. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi may also have a ‘fairy saddle’ of hair on the shoulders pointing in a different direction to the rest of the coat.

Character: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an energetic dog that bonds quickly with its family. It is brave, intelligent, alert, and self-confident. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is slightly less aggressive and less boisterous than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. It barks occasionally and makes a good watchdog.

Temperament: Pembroke Welsh Corgis are good with children as long as they are respected; some tend to nip at the heels. Pembrokes can get along well with cats and other pets if socialized when young, but may not be fond of other dogs. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is somewhat suspicious around strangers and must be trained not to growl. Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be domineering over one another.

Care: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi should be brushed occasionally to remove dead hairs, and bathed only when necessary. It has a life expectancy of 11-13 years. The Pembroke’s long body shape makes it susceptible to spinal problems and arthritis. Obesity in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can lead to serious health conditions, so proper nutrition and exercise are critical. Another potential health problem for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, which may be present if the dog stands with its feet abnormally close together. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can live outdoors but prefers to split its time between life indoors with the family and playtime in the yard.

Training: The intelligence of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi makes training fairly easy. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are eager learners and quickly understand what is expected of them. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi excels at dog sports such as sheepdog and agility trials. Its paws should be handled frequently when it is a puppy to help it overcome its natural resistance to paw grooming.

Is a Corgi the Right Pet for You?

The compact size of the Pembroke Welsh corgi means he doesn’t need a great deal of space or exercise to keep him fit and content. He should maintain muscle tone with a medium amount of exercise. His coat is thick and can be red, sable, tan, fawn, or black, with or without white markings. And yes, he sheds…a lot. Regular brushing will help. Pembroke Welsh corgis love to play and need some mental stimulation—a great game of fetch, regular walks, and even agility training—to keep them from getting bored and destructive. Train them or they’ll get bossy. They are herding dogs by nature and will nip at heels—especially those of children—if they’re not corrected. They are not necessarily recommended for families with small children for that reason, but if trained well, he will be a fiercely loyal and fun friend.

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