PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI PUPPIES
People-oriented. Protective.
Also known as Pembroke, Pem, and Corgi, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a short but sturdy herding dog. The word “corgi” means dwarf dog, and that’s an apt description of this small breed with a big personality. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very intelligent, loyal, and willful. They are alert, animated, and active, and they want to be in the middle of the action at all times. While these dogs were originally bred as working dogs herding sheep and driving cattle, these days they are mostly companion dogs. They love to be around people, and they can make great family or apartment dogs.
Temperament
They will take on a protective role, alerting you to the presence of strangers and even defending you in the face of danger. (They can be prone to unnecessary alarm barking, but early training can help.)
Corgis typically enjoy training and are quick learners. They have a strong work ethic and like to stay busy — a holdover from their history of herding livestock. Another remnant of their past is their tendency to chase and nip at the heels of running children, but early training can help you curb this instinctive behavior.
While this breed typically gets along well with other dogs and pets, they may only take to children they’ve been raised with.
Don’t leave your Corgi alone too long, as they are prone to barking, digging and chewing.
Appearance
This breed’s body is low-set, sturdily-built, and longer than it is tall. It famously has a nub for a tail, either from docking or natural bob.
This breed has a water-resistant, dense undercoat of medium length and a coarse, straight, and long outer coat. (Fluffy Corgis are born occasionally with fluffier, longer, and softer coats than the norm. These pups make great pets but are undesirable for showing.) Coat colors include:
- Black (usually tri-colored with white and tan markings)
- Tan
- Fawn
- Red
- Sable with white markings
They are typically 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 23 and 28 pounds.
Exercise
Despite all that, these are hardy, athletic little dogs. They are happiest with daily walks and fare best when they have access to a protected area where they can run. They are gifted herders and are often talented in agility, rally, and tracking as well.
We recommend 45 minutes of activity a day and about 5 miles of walking a week.
Originating in the Pembrokeshire area of Wales as early as the 1100s, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are the younger of the two corgi breeds (the other being the Cardigan Welsh Corgi). They were undoubtedly bred from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and they are thought to have been bred from many other breeds as well, including Chow-Chow, Finnish Spitz, Keeshond, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian, Samoyed, and Schipperke. It is speculated that Finnish weavers introduced Pembroke Welsh Corgis to Wales in the 1100s. There is also speculation that the breed descended from Swedish Valhunds that Vikings brought to Wales.
Corgis were originally developed for the purpose of serving as all-around farm dogs with a particular talent for herding cattle. Their short stature allowed them to nip the heels of the cattle while avoiding their kicks. Being small made them less expensive to maintain, and because they were working dogs, they were exempt from taxes. While they are mostly just loving companions today, they are still used as watch dogs, guard dogs, and herders.
Today’s Pembroke Welsh Corgi diverged from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi in the early 1930s. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934.
The Queen of England has kept Corgis for many years, and her love of the breed boosted its popularity as a family pet across the globe. Due to the paintings and books by Tasha Tudor, even those who don’t love dogs have fallen for Corgis. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi appears in an anime called Cowboy Bebop. The character’s name is Ein, and his intelligence was enhanced by humans.
Major health concerns to be aware of:
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Degenerative Myelopathy
Minor health concerns to be aware of:
- Epilepsy
Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs to be brushed weekly with a rubber curry brush to remove dead hair. They may need some extra attention when they are shedding. Bathe them every 6 to 8 weeks unless they get into something messy or smelly. Trim nails every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent overgrowth and painful tears. At minimum, teeth should be brushed weekly.
