Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Dog History

The small, stocky Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with its large ears and sweet smile, may seem clumsy and sluggish, as if its only job is to lie on a pillow. However, this is misleading. We've prepared a detailed description of this wonderful breed with vibrant photographs of these charming dogs.

Welsh Corgis are a herding breed. The miniature shepherd's primary role is to keep an eye on the flock, keep them in line, and keep them on track. To achieve this, the dog must be agile, resilient, intelligent, and able to communicate well with its owner. Corgis possess all these qualities. They are, without exaggeration, ideal companions: loyal, good-natured, and with a striking appearance.

History of the breed's origin

Pembroke Welsh Corgis originated in the British Isles a long time ago and are considered one of the first herding breeds. Unsurprisingly, their origins are shrouded in many legends and theories.

According to one version, they were sled dogs for the elves, and as a token of gratitude, the little wizards gave a pair of puppies to a kind but poor farmer. Another, more realistic theory holds that the small, stocky dogs came to Foggy Albion with the warlike Celts.

Some cynologists believe the corgi originated during the reign of Henry I. In 1107, Flemish weavers arrived in England at the monarch's invitation, bringing with them Spitz-type dogs. Some of the workers settled in the south of Wales, in the Pembrokeshire region, where the breed developed.

It is known that they have been used as herding and cattle dogs in Wales since time immemorial, and are referred to in many early sources as "yard-long dogs" (0.9 m). The Corgi's ancestors are believed to be the Norwegian Lundehund, Keeshond, and Samoyed.

Only many centuries later was the breed officially recognized. It was registered with the UK Kennel Club in 1926, at which time the word "Welsh" was added to the generally accepted name. In 1934, all Welsh Corgis were divided into two independent breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. The latter gained widespread popularity, likely due to the British royal family. Elizabeth II received a Corgi puppy for her eighteenth birthday, and she has been inseparable from this breed ever since. The Queen is considered the foremost expert and admirer of Pembrokes. Today, a quartet of these charming dogs lives at the palace, often present at receptions and official meetings.

Training

Welsh Corgis are intelligent and highly trainable, quickly and easily learning commands. During training, owners should be firm in their demands, yet kind and fair to the dog.

With a corgi you can successfully train a miniature OKD, frisbee, agility, freestyle and shepherd serviceActive teamwork is sure to bring joy to both dog and owner. This breed can be stubborn and willful, but this can be avoided by teaching the puppy respect and obedience from an early age. Most reviews of Corgi training are positive.

Representatives of the breed understand commands very well and respond well to large groups of other dogs. Take a look at an example of the exam a Welsh Corgi takes: very smart Baby.

Excessive friendliness

Corgis are often overly friendly with strangers. For many owners, this is an unpleasant fact, and it's important to be prepared and proactive. Ideally, you should "contact" the dog as much as possible.

Reviews of the breed

Reviews of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed from owners are overwhelmingly positive. It's no wonder the breed has become so popular in Russia. Some of the most interesting aspects of the breed include:

Pembrokes love to chew on everything. Therefore, it's crucial to accustom them to toys and wean them off everything else from puppyhood.
There are frequent comments that Korzhik dogs can snap if their personal space is violated (if you climb into their bowl while they are eating, if you touch them while they are sleeping, etc.).
Also, some Welsh Corgi owners complain that their pets are very timid (they startle and get nervous from any random loud sounds or unexpected events).
Also, despite their modest size, corgis prove themselves to be excellent protectors and are ready to stand up for their owners when necessary, and sometimes even without it 😉

Overall, after reviewing numerous reviews from owners about Pembroke Welsh Corgis, I get the impression that they are very positive, unpredictable in a good way, and never boring. There are minimal comments about them being difficult or having any problems. And when such comments do appear, in most cases they come down to poor training.

Physical activity

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a strong and athletic breed that thrives on work like no other. They require daily physical and mental stimulation. The optimal regimen is two to three walks a day, each lasting about an hour, preferably with free range and playtime.

How to play?

Welsh Corgis' favorite games are all ball games, and even large balls bring them immense joy. They're not exactly soccer players yet. Many owners also note their Corgi's passion for Frisbee.

Character and psychological portrait

Welsh Corgis are cheerful and friendly dogs with innate loyalty and intelligence. Intelligent and sensitive, they adapt easily to family life, but still require constant companionship and attention.

The ancestors of modern corgis easily managed herds of cattle, so it is safe to say that these seemingly cute and carefree creatures are fearless and independent.

It is no coincidence that Welsh dogs have been nicknamed 'sheepdogs in a small package'.

Welsh Corgis are an excellent choice for families with children. These dogs will never harm a small child, and they enjoy playing and spending time with older children. Corgis usually get along well with other pets. In rare cases, a dog may display aggression or seek dominance. To avoid this, it's important to prioritize socialization, introduce the puppy to the world around them, people, and animals, and respect their personal space, especially during mealtimes and sleep.

The Welsh Corgi's ability to be left alone is especially prized. The exception is if the dog doesn't receive enough attention and exercise—in its owner's absence, it may become mischievous. Corgis aren't overly talkative breeds: they will announce the arrival of a stranger or respond to the barking of a passing dog, but they won't bark without cause.

However, as well as Like some other breeds, Pembrokes have been known to exhibit behavioral anomalies.:

Outbursts of aggression;
Tendency to panic;
Other behavioral deviations.

Behavior with other dogs

Corgis are generally quite peaceful creatures, but when it comes to interactions with other dogs, our little ones can sometimes display aggression or outright aversion to their fellow dogs. This can manifest itself in direct conflict, but they can also occasionally engage in subtle mischief. Similar reviews from Welsh Pembroke Corgi owners are few and far between, but there are some:

Maintenance and care

Welsh Corgis have a thick undercoat and tolerate winter well, but can only theoretically live in kennels. These dogs should be kept indoors, surrounded by care and constant companionship. The breed is suitable for both large families and single people.

Grooming a miniature shepherd isn't difficult, but it does have a few peculiarities. The first thing to note is that corgis shed quite a lot, especially during the shedding season (we recommend using express shedding for dogs). The rest of the time, brushing them once or twice a week is sufficient. Use short-bristled brushes, steel combs with rounded teeth, and massage gloves.

Dogs are bathed as needed. The ears and tear ducts are checked periodically and cleaned of discharge using special lotions. The lack of need for nail trimming indicates that the dog is getting minimal exercise. Haircuts are not necessary; corgis are shown in their natural state at shows.

Health and life expectancy

Average life expectancy under good conditions is 13 years.

Overall, Corgis are a healthy, strong, and hardy breed, but some issues are notable. Among breed-specific health issues, experts note hip dysplasia (occurring in over 10%), as well as a genetic predisposition to eye diseases (cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia). Some dogs are genetically susceptible to von Willebrand disease (a blood clotting disorder), as well as a congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus. Dogs with a large amount of white on their heads are more likely to suffer from deafness, hypothyroidism, and cystinuria. However, most Corgi health issues are not genetic, but rather related to improper feeding and management.

A complete list of disease predispositions in Corgis:

Diet

It's up to the owner to decide whether to feed their dog prepared food or natural food. In any case, the diet should meet the animal's needs, based on its age and physiological condition. When it comes to prepared foods, it's best to choose super-premium or holistic products, choosing a diet for small breeds. Corgis should be fed strictly according to portions and a consistent schedule.

Pembrokes' diets require careful consideration. They are prone to overeating and obesity, and excess weight gain can negatively impact their health.

Otherwise, our babies' nutritional requirements are not much different from those of other breeds. Follow the basic feeding guidelines and standards, and your Pembroke will delight you with good health and a cheerful disposition!

Appearance and standards

Let's move on to a description of the Welsh Corgi breed standard and appearance. These are strong, stocky dogs with a compact build, yet energetic and agile. The measurement from withers to tail is approximately 40% longer than the measurement from withers to ground. The height at the withers is 25-30 cm. Weight is 11.5-13 kg. Males are slightly larger and stronger than females.

Muzzle and body

The corgi's muzzle resembles a fox's, but lacks a cunning expression. The rounded forehead flows smoothly into a narrow, long nose. The medium-sized oval eyes are set slightly obliquely. The irises are brown to match the coat, and the eyelid rims are black or dark brown. The ears are erect, wide at the base, and taper to rounded tips. The bite is scissor-like. The ribcage is rounded. The loin is short. The topline is strong and straight. The limbs are short and sturdy.

Wool

The coat is wild-type. The dense, medium-length undercoat is thick and waterproof, while the topcoat is of uneven length across the body. There is a ruff around the neck, and longer hair on the chest, back of the legs, and underparts.

Color

There are not many acceptable colors: red, fawn and sable with white markings on the neck, chest, paws and muzzle, as well as black with red markings and tricolor.

The breed carries a recessive bobtail gene. Pembrokes born with short tails are called natural bobtails. Other puppies have their tails docked or left natural, depending on the breeder's discretion.

Corgis with a Flaw, or Who Are Fluffy?

The wild type of coat is ideal for shepherds: it dries quickly, is easy to clean, is moisture-resistant, provides warmth in winter, and prevents overheating in summer. However, another type of coat, called fluffy, is also found in the breed, which is associated with the carriage of a recessive gene.

Fluffy dogs have a very fine and soft coat, virtually devoid of guard hairs. The only advantage of this coat is that it's beautiful and soft to the touch; everything else is a disadvantage. The coat gets wet quickly even in light rain and takes a long time to dry, increasing the risk of hypothermia. In hot weather, the thick undercoat creates a greenhouse effect, so Fluffy dogs are often clipped in the summer. In winter, snow collects in the soft coat, which must be soaked with warm water each time, and then the dog is dried thoroughly. In the fall, the Fluffy dog will collect all the dry leaves.

Fluffy Welsh Corgis are very difficult to keep and are considered a breeding waste all over the world.

Choosing a puppy and price

Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies are quite expensive, so you should accept this and avoid being swayed by ads like: "Elite puppies from top-quality breeders for next to nothing." The only truth in this offer is the price.

Prices for puppies

A good puppy can only be purchased from a breeder; the average price is $1,000-$2,000. Puppies should be healthy, not shy, active, and have a good appetite. Careful consideration should be given to the breeder's living conditions and the parents' pedigree.

Many people may be outraged: why pay so much money? Why is it so expensive? In fact, it's not just the breeders' "greed"—there are quite objective reasons:

You want a purebred Pembroke, right? And preferably one with a pedigree—breeding with such "guys" costs money. Sometimes breeders even have to travel abroad to find the right specimen.
Recently, artificial insemination of female corgis in clinics has become widespread (many breeders also use this service, which is also a paid service).
Some breeders share the following statistics: More than 70% of all Pembroke births are by cesarean section.Draw your own conclusions.
If the mating is done on-site, then additional costs are also included for the pet hotel.
In the end, mating may not be successful, and the dog may simply not get pregnant on the first try.
And we mustn't forget that demand for puppies determines their price—the more popular the breed, the more people want a puppy, and the higher the price. It's the laws of the market—what can you do?

Selecting puppies

Many people are wondering how much Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies cost. At the time of writing, prices ranged from 25,000 rubles to 90,000 rubles.

Here's the most expensive boy on Avito:

A charming male Welsh Corgi Pembroke, with a docked tail, fully vaccinated, veterinary passport, RKF pedigree, and a sales contract.

The cheapest option with a live photo costs 30,000 rubles. The seller's listing is rather sparse in describing its advantages (or, more accurately, doesn't describe them at all).

Not for show or breeding. Documents and vaccinations available.

We won't advise where or how to choose a puppy... As with any purchase, if you're buying something cheaper, keep your eyes peeled and be as careful as possible, but the rule "cheap and cheap" still applies. While a Pembroke puppy is still a baby, it'll be nearly impossible for an inexperienced eye to distinguish between a mixed-breed, for example.