Corgi Profile

Other Names: Pembroke or Cardigian

Country of Origin: Wales

Dog Group Kennel Club  Pastoral

General appearance:

The Corgi is a relatively short in stature yet long in body length and is well built.  Corgis are traditionally associated with the Queen. There are two variations in the breed called the Cardigan and the Pembroke. The Cardigan is larger with rounded ears whereas the Pembroke is small with pointed ears. The outer coat is long, coarse, straight, and longer and thicker around the neck, chest, and on the shoulders. The weather-resistant under coat is thick, short, and of medium length. The head should appear fox like, and be flat and wide between the ears. Their ears should be erect and slightly pointed at the tip. The neck should be fairly long. The chest should be deep and broad and the topline level.

Colours:

Corgis come in a variety of colours with or without white markings.

Size:

Bitch               25cm - 30cm 
 
Dog                  25cm - 30cm

Weight:

                                    Min                     Max
 
Bitch                 10kg (22lbs)       11kg (24lbs)

Dog                   10kg (22lbs)      12kg (26lbs)

Temperament:

Corgis were originally bred as working dogs so have a workmanlike approach to life.  They're outgoing and friendly, active and considered intelligent. They are fun-loving, love to be with their families, but can be stubborn. Pembrokes are devoted, loyal, willing to please and quirky. They do get on well with children as long as they are treated with respect. They are ideally suited to the active family. They should be socialised and training started at an early age.

Movement:

Free and active.

Care and training:

Regular brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended. Bathing should only be done when necessary. If they have been out in the mud then it is easy to remove the dirt once it has dried.
Shedding is bi-annually, and brushing should be done even more during this time to remove dead hairs.

Early socialization and obedience is recommended. Corgi's do not do well with repetitive training; sessions should be short and varied. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training should be done with firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency. The Pembroke is an intelligent dog that loves a challenge. They are not too difficult to train but they can be try to be dominant if given the chance.

Overall Exercise:40 - 60 minutes per day
This Corgi requires an adequate amount of exercise, even though they only have short legs, and likes to be kept active; however they are fairly adaptable exercise wise and will fit in with family life. This dog still has the herding instincts of its ancestors, and as such likes constant activity in its life.

Feeding requirements:

Feeding must be watched as they do have a tendency to become overweight.

 Exercise: Med 

Grooming: Low

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Medium

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitability For Children: High

Often docked? Yes

Average Litter Size: 5 - 8

Life Expectancy (yrs): 11 - 14

Health Issues: Unfortunately, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to slipped disks in the spine or intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, bladder stones, hereditary eye diseases such as PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and obesity. 

History: Accepted as being of Spitz origin, it is believed that the forefathers of the Pembroke were introduced by Flemish weavers to the Celts in the 1100s. And some believe the breed goes back as far as 950 A.D. It has been suggested that its origins consist of a combination of primitive
progenitors of the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Schipperkes and Swedish Vallhund. They were developed further in Pembrokeshire, Wales, hence the  name. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi came first, by which the Pembroke was later produced. The Pembroke only became popular after a dog show in which the judges thought the two variations were too dissimilar, and therefore separated them. Only until after they were separated did the Pembroke's popularity rise! The Pembroke is and was smaller than the Cardigan, not as long and with further spaced ears. They also retained different colorings and were mostly born tailless. A favorite of British royalty, they have been a working dog since the 11th century with their job of controlling the movement of cattle by nipping
their heels. This is what has contributed today to the breed nipping at the heels of their owners. They were used as an all-purpose farming dog that was both a cattle herder and drover of geese! They were once owned by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.