Welsh Corgi - Pembroke Dog Breed

History

As the name suggests, Pembroke Welsh Corgis were originally bred and developed in the Pembrokeshire area of Wales to herd cattle from 1107 AD. They were also utilised to control pests on farms and as guard dogs to protect the family.

Cardigans are the older of the two corgi breeds It is thought to have descended from the German Teckel lineage. On the other hand, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are believed to be descended from Nordic Spitz breeds such as the Pomeranian, Finnish Spitz, and Norwegian Elk Hound. These dogs were brought to Wales as herding dogs by Flemish Weavers, where they became the foundation of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed we know and love today.

Both the Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis were classed as the same breed until 1934, so a lot of cross-breeding took place before then, which has given both breeds a very similar appearance. The meaning of the word ‘corgi’ is debated among experts. Some believe it is derived from the Welsh words ‘cor’ and ‘ci’ which translate to dwarf dog. Others claim the name is derived from another Welsh word, ‘curgi’, meaning ‘to watch over’.

Undoubtedly, Queen Elizabeth II helped to increase the popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. She was a big fan of these dogs ever since she was gifted her first puppy in 1933.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis first arrived in America in 1934 by Mrs Lewis Roesler. In fact, her two Corgis, Little Madam and Captain William Lewis, were the first Pembrokes to be registered with the American Kennel Club.

Today, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are beloved the world over for their tenacity, playfulness, and loyalty.

Appearance

Similar to their Cardigan cousins, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have strong bodies that are held low to the ground. Their fox-like heads are somewhat flat between the ears. Their round, medium-sized eyes are usually brown and portray an intelligent and eager look. These dogs have muzzles that taper down to their black noses.

Their medium-sized ears are somewhat rounded and held erect on the head. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have strong jaws with a perfect scissor bite. Their forearms frame around their chest, and their elbows sit closely to the dog’s sides. Their well-laid-back shoulders are well-angulated.

Their muscular hindquarters are strong and flexible at the same time. They have short back legs that show a good amount of boning down to their feet. Pembroke’s oval-shaped feet are well-arched, strong, and have tight toes, with the two middle ones a little longer compared to the outer toes. Their firm pads are strong and their nails are short. The tail is set in line with their topline and carried somewhat above it when they are alert or excited. The tail was previously customarily docked.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s double coat is straight and medium in length. These dogs have a denser undercoat that is a little harsh to the touch but is much softer than their top coat. The accepted coat colours are red, sable, fawn, and black & tan. All of these coat colours can have white markings on the legs, brisket, and neck.

Personality

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are recognised for their rapid, witty intelligence, and determination. These are energetic, animated dogs that never want to be left out of any activity.

As versatile farm dogs by origin, this dog breed requires exercise and training with a strong but gentle hand to make the most of their talents. Start training early to mould their boundless enthusiasm into something productive. Pembrokes make great canine companions for families and even for first-time dog owners, thanks to their high intelligence and eagerness to please.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known to be big barkers. They have a tendency to bark at anything and everything but this can be controlled somewhat with training. Furthermore, these dogs are highly social so they should never be left alone for long periods. This can lead to destructive behaviours such as excessive barking, chewing, or digging. These active, loveable, and often comical characters need regular mental and physical stimulation in the form of games, walks, interaction, and puzzle feeders. Even today, they are still one of the most popular herding breeds in the world.

Trainability

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a reputation for being willful and stubborn. However, if you start training early, these dogs will respond very well to positive reinforcement methods due to their high intelligence. Training sessions should be fun to keep these active dogs engaged. These dogs love to play so incorporate games into your training. For example, get them to wait for a toy or play simple chasing games.

It may also be a good idea to enroll your puppy in obedience classes while they are still young, to set up a good foundation. Consistency and patience are key to successfully training a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to ask for advice from a canine behaviourist if you are struggling with a particular behaviour.

Alongside basic training such as potty training or leash training, you will also want to get your Pembroke used to general care tasks such as nail trimming, grooming, and ear cleaning. This will make your job much easier in the long run!

Coat & Care

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a thick, weatherproof double coat. They have a soft, lighter undercoat covered by a rough outer coat. This dog shed a fair amount of hair which increases significantly during the late spring/early summer season. A daily once-over brushing with a comb and a slicker brush will remove a lot of the hair. However, brushing 2-3 times a week will be sufficient enough. During the shedding season, give your Pembroke Welsh Corgi regular baths to help loosen the dead hairs. Saying that, be careful not to bathe them too often as this can cause the skin to dry out. In addition, you must ensure you thoroughly dry your dog before brushing, to strip out the undercoat.

For their dental health, brush their teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to eliminate tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is best to avoid gum disease.

Trim their nails once or twice a month or as needed. It is best to ask a veterinarian or groomer for pointers if you are not experienced in trimming dog nails.

Their ears must be checked weekly. Signs of infection that may warrant a vet visit include redness, swelling, excess wax, and a foul odour. When you check their ears, wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a vet-approved, gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to help stop ear infections.

As you groom your Pembroke Welsh Corgi, check for rashes, sores, inflammation, redness, or tenderness on the skin that could indicate an infection or underlying health issue. Their eyes must be clear, with no discharge or redness.

Health

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are generally a very healthy dog breed as long as they are well cared for. However, there are certain health conditions that Pembroke Welsh Corgis might be prone to. When looking to purchase a new puppy, always make sure you contact licensed and reputable breeders. They will be able to perform DNA tests to ensure your dog does not have any underlying health conditions.

Some of the health issues that may affect Pembroke Welsh Corgis include:

Hip Dysplasia – This is an irregular formation of the hip socket that can lead to pain and lameness.
Cataracts – Characterised by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can advance over time. They may impair vision depending on the severity of the condition.
Cutaneous Asthenia – Also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis, or dominant collagen dysplasia. This is a health condition that causes defective connective tissue in the skin to become loose, fragile, and stretchy. Blood vessels can also be affected, leading to excessive bruising and blood blisters.
Cystinuria – A health condition where high levels of a protein, called cystine, are excreted in the urine, leading to stone formation. This is a common problem in male Pembrokes.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – Also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy. This is an incurable, progressive health condition of the canine spinal cord.
Epilepsy – A neurological health condition that is frequently, but not always, genetic. This health condition can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behaviours like running hysterically, staggering, withdrawal, stiff limbs, and a loss of consciousness.
Intervertebral Disk Disease– One of the most common conditions seen in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. They are especially susceptible to having back problems. This may be because of genetics, shifting the wrong way, or dropping or jumping on or off furniture.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with Pulmonary Hypertension – A congenital defect of the vascular system that permits unoxygenated blood to bypass the lungs. It is commonly detected in Pembroke puppies during vet examinations.
Retinal Dysplasia – A congenital developmental malformation of the retina that is present from birth. Veterinary ophthalmologists can do examinations on puppies from 7-12 weeks to identify if they have this condition. Retinal dysplasia should not affect a dog's ability to function as a canine companion.
Von Willebrand's Disease – A genetic blood disorder that restricts the blood's ability to clot. The main symptom is too much bleeding after surgery or an injury. Other symptoms may include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

Children & Other Pets

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have an incredible adoration for children. However, because of their herding instincts, they might nip at a child’s feet or ankles. They are keen learners but must be trained out of this behaviour from a young age. They are also naturally good with other pets in the household, as long as they have been socialised with them from puppyhood.

Remember to always teach kids how to approach and care for dogs. Always supervise any interactions between them to avoid any biting, ear, or tail pulling. Teach your children to never go near any dog while they are eating because some dogs can get easily startled.