Did you know that the Welsh Corgi Pembroke is the favorite breed of the English Queen? They have a gentle, playful, and affectionate nature.
About the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
The Welsh Corgi Pembroke is a dog breed that belongs to the “Herding & Drover” family. The breed has been known since the 12th century and originated in Wales.
Due to their build, speed and intelligence, corgis were excellent herding dogs. The dog had to nip at the legs to keep the livestock moving. There is also a Welsh Corgi Cardigan. Both breeds are different but share the same ancestors.
Corgis are very cheerful dogs with a good sense of humor. They are affectionate, social, and always want to be close to their family. Interaction with children and other pets usually goes very smoothly.
Welsh Corgi Pembroke is a unique breed that is a bit harder to find. But once you bring such a dog into your home, you will certainly not regret it.
Coat and Care
The coat of a Corgi is very well-suited for cold weather. This was very important for herding livestock in cold and damp areas.
The most common colors are Tricolor and Bicolor.
Coat care is very simple because brushing the coat occasionally is sufficient.
A well-cared-for Corgi lives on average 12 to 14 years.
Training and Exercise
The corgi is an excellent dog in every way. Due to its intelligence and willingness to work, it is quick and easy to train. It also learns commands easily.
The Pembroke is therefore easy to train and can participate in various dog sports, such as flyball and agility. Welsh Corgi puppies should be handled gently during their first months of life.
Too much exercise is not good for their development. Stairs should also be avoided because they have a long body with short legs. But once adult, you can of course go on long walks, which they really enjoy.
Size
The shoulder height of a corgi is approximately 30 cm. Weight is usually between 15 and 18 kg. Females tend to be smaller than males.
This breed tends to gain weight quickly. So try to ensure your Corgi gets enough exercise and does not overeat.
Welsh Corgi Pembroke puppies
The Welsh Corgi Pembroke is low-set and solidly built, giving the impression of compact strength and endurance. It is alert, active, and bold, showing an intelligent expression and working drive.
The movement should be free and lively. The elbows should fit closely, not loose but not stiff either. The forelegs must be taken well forward and not lifted too high, all in harmony with the thrusting movement of the hind legs.
With a height of 25 to 35 centimeters at the shoulder and weighing 15 to 30 kilograms, a well-built male Pembroke presents as a big dog in a small package.
Short but powerful legs, muscular thighs, and a deep chest make him suited for a day of hard work. Long and low-built, Pembrokes are surprisingly fast and agile. They can be red, sable, fawn, and black and tan, with or without white markings.
The Pembroke is a smart, sensitive dog who loves to play with his human family and responds well to training. Bred as herders to move livestock, they are fearless and independent. They are watchful guard dogs, with sharp senses and a ‘big dog bark.’ Families who can meet the bold yet friendly Pembroke’s need for activity and companionship will never have a more loyal, loving pet.
Character of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
The cheerful, energetic Pembroke Welsh Corgi always has a smile on his face. The Pembroke always wants to be involved in everything his family does, and especially wants to take the lead.
This is a dog with a strong work ethic. He needs a job to keep his very intelligent mind busy and out of trouble, as well as to burn off his abundant energy. He loves very long walks and is an enthusiastic competitor in dog sports such as agility, rally, tracking, flyball, and, of course, herding. Teach him tricks, take him for walks, get him qualified as a therapy dog – he can do it all. It’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before starting a training program with your dog.
Sometimes the Welsh Corgi Pembroke seems a bit too lively. He gets bored doing the same old thing over and over and is known for putting a creative twist on obedience exercises and other activities.
Don’t get the idea that the Welsh Corgi Pembroke is perfect. Completely funny maybe, but that’s all. He loves having his own way and can be pushy when he wants something. Set firm rules and stick to them, or you’ll soon find your Pembroke running your life. Once you’ve let him get away with something, it’s very hard to convince him not to do it again.
The Pembroke is smart, but he needs training and consistency to become the dog of your dreams. Any dog, no matter how cute, can develop annoying levels of barking, digging, and other unwanted behaviors if bored, untrained, or unsupervised. And any dog can be a challenge to live with during adolescence. In the case of the Pembroke, the “teenage years” can start at six months and continue until the dog is about two years old.
The Corgi is fast and smart, lively, intelligent, and obedient.
This genuine herding dog has always maintained its working demeanor: its character, less harsh than before, is social and friendly. Today, it is an excellent companion dog, neither aggressive nor biting: easy-going in everyday life and confident by nature, the Corgi enjoys playing with children. Obedient and calm at home. This dog loves nice walks and prefers living in the countryside.
Care for the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
Its coat offers good resistance to harsh weather: brushing is not difficult. Sturdy and healthy. One must watch out for its greediness: with its quite domestic lifestyle, it can quickly become overweight and fat. You can also read our article about corgi care.
Nutrition
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi should do well on high-quality dog food, commercial or home-prepared under the supervision and approval of your veterinarian. Every diet must be appropriate for the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to overweight, so pay attention to calorie intake and your dog’s weight.
Treats can be a useful tool in training, but giving too many can cause overweight. Discover which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog’s weight or diet. Fresh, clean water should always be available.
Coat Care
The Pembroke has a thick, weather-resistant double coat – a soft, light undercoat covered by a coarse outer coat. The breed sheds a considerable amount daily, and even more in late spring / early summer. A daily once-over with a comb and a slicker brush will remove much of the loose hair before it gets everywhere in the house.
During shedding season, baths help loosen dead hair – the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins – and a rake helps remove the undercoat. As with all breeds, the Corgi’s nails should be trimmed regularly and the ears checked to ensure they are clean and healthy.
Frequency of coat care
Hair loss
We have a comprehensive article about coat care for dogs. It covers everything you need to know about it.
Energy
A strong, athletic small dog, developed to herd cattle and other livestock, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi loves physical activity and is happiest when it has a job to do. Corgis benefit from moderate daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Pembrokes can do well on long walks or slow jogs, but due to their short legs, they cannot keep up with a cyclist.
Avoid extreme heat or cold and always provide plenty of cool, fresh water after exercise. Many Pembrokes enjoy and excel in dog activities such as agility, herding, obedience, and tracking events.
Energy Level
Training
As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes are highly recommended. By carefully exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between 7 weeks and 4 months of age, it can develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult.
Pembrokes often have a strong opinion, but they are energetic, willing, and highly intelligent partners who respond well to training. Positive, reward-based training works best with this sensitive breed.
Trainability
Temperament
Health
As with all breeds, the ears of a Pembroke should be checked weekly for signs of infection and the teeth should be brushed regularly.
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health issues, just as all people have the potential to inherit certain diseases. Avoid breeders who do not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tell you the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known issues, or who claim their puppies are isolated from most of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems within the breed and the frequency with which they occur in their lines.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have several health concerns that can be worrisome, especially if you are not careful about where you buy. These include hip dysplasia, eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), retinal dysplasia, persistent pupil membranes, and hypothyroidism. Pembrokes can also be prone to cryptorchidism (where a testicle remains undescended in the body), epilepsy, and reproductive issues. The presence of a long coat (Pembrokes with this coat type are called “fluffies”) or improper coloring (known as mismarks) are also genetic abnormalities.
The above health information may be a bit alarming, but thankfully we can tell you that the chances of your dog having these diseases are very low. Maybe 1/100. Of course, I understand it is never pleasant if you happen to be that one person. That’s why you should buy from a recognized breeder you can trust, such as Woefkesranch.
Origin of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
British herding dog, whose name comes from the Welsh “cur-gi“, meaning “dog of small stature“. There are two varieties of the Corgi: the Cardigan and the Pembroke (two counties in Wales).
It is a favorite of the Queen of England: its history dates back to the 10th century. Originally, the Corgi was a true herder of cattle herds: it bit the cows at the hocks when they lagged behind, and with its small stature, it was not afraid of being kicked.
In the Middle Ages, the kings of Europe announced their majesty to their subjects and visiting envoys through the wealth of their possessions. Carpets, textiles, and tapestries were important factors in these displays of conspicuous consumption.
The best weavers of the era were centered in Flanders, now Northern Belgium. It was common for rulers to organize talent calls to encourage Flemish weavers to move to their kingdoms. For example, Henry I of Great Britain invited a community of these masters in 1107 to live and work in southwest Wales.
The weavers accepted Henry’s invitation and brought everything they needed to recreate their agrarian lifestyle in their new homeland. This included the dogs they bred to herd cattle and sheep. These sturdy herders with short legs were the foundation for the breed we now know as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The Pembroke has been a clearly distinct breed from its cousin the Cardigan Welsh Corgi since the late 19th century, although the two breeds often mixed in the old Welsh breeding centers of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire. Today, the most noticeable differences between the breeds are the ears (Pembrokes are pointed and upright, Cardi’s are rounded) and the tail (Cardigans typically have a much longer tail than Pembrokes).
The most famous Pembroke fan in the world is Elizabeth II. The queen received her first Pembroke, Dookie, in 1933 and has never been without one since.
History of the Corgi
Unlike some dog breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has no traceable breed history. Its origin is clouded by stories and folklore, even including connections to the little people of the British Isles.
According to legend, two children who were herding their family’s cattle on royal land found a litter of puppies they thought were foxes. When they brought the puppies home, they were told the dogs were a gift from the fairies. Welsh legends tell us that the fairies used the small dogs to pull their carriages or as mounts to charge into battle.
If you look closely, you can still see the marks of the fairy saddle on their shoulders (most pronounced in the sable color). As the small puppies the children brought home grew up, they learned to help their humans guard their cattle—a responsibility that became a legacy for their descendants for centuries to come.
The more widely accepted theory traces back to Scandinavian raiders who brought their dogs to the British Isles, possibly as early as the 9th or 10th century. The Swedish Vallhund bears many similarities to the modern Pembroke Welsh Corgi and is believed to have been bred with native Welsh dogs.
Each of the descendants displaying herding or riding traits was undoubtedly selectively bred to enhance that ability. It is also believed that the dogs brought by Flemish weavers, who settled in Pembrokeshire, South Wales in the 12th century, were bred with the local herding dogs, adding the Spitz characteristics that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi expresses today.
The breed’s name is just as difficult to determine as its origin. One school combines the Welsh word “cor,” meaning “to watch or gather,” with “gi,” a form of the Welsh word for dog. This was certainly a responsibility of these small herders and house guardians. Another attributes the word corgi as the Celtic word for dog and that the Norman invaders thereafter referred to every local dog as a “cur” or mongrel.
Finally, the legend resurfaces with the interpretation that the word “cor” means “dwarf.” Combine that with the Welsh form for dog ‘gi’ and you get ‘dog of the dwarfs’ or ‘dwarf dog.’ For years, Corgis (both breeds) were referred to as ‘Ci-lathed,’ meaning ‘yard-long dog’ (we’re talking here about a Welsh yard) or as “Ci Sawdlo” due to their nature of nipping at the heels of livestock.