The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis are small herding dogs from Wales. There are two different breeds of Corgi – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi- both named after their town of origin [Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire].

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known for their strong affiliation with Queen Elizabeth II, as well as with other British royalties. History reveals that no less than The Queen herself, has owned more than 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgis during her reign.

Physical Characteristics of a Pembroke Corgi

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Pembroke Welsh Corgis can grow from 10 to 12 inches in height – from feet to shoulder. They have a sturdy built and adults can weigh anywhere from 25 to 28 pounds. They have a slightly elongated yet athletic body but with short legs. Pembroke Corgis are shorter than their cousins the – the Cardigan Corgis.

Pembroke Corgis have a triple coat – a fine undercoat and a coarse, water resistant overcoat. The overcoat can grow up to a medium length, and more on the chest. They can shed quite a lot, and they blow their coat twice a year.  The recognized coat coloring for Pembroke Welsh Corgis are red, sable, fawn – either solid or with white markings; or a red-headed or black-headed tricolor.

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One of the Pembroke Corgi’s most prominent feature is the white, saddle-like marking or blaze on their shoulders. It is believed that fairies once used Pembroke Corgis as steeds and the breed has never lost its “fairy saddle” markings.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) requires the tails to be docked so many Pembroke Corgis in the US and Canada have docked tails, while others are naturally born with a bobtail.

Pembroke Corgi Temperament

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As most dog breeds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are intelligent, alert, sociable, highly-trainable and they love to please their people. In Stanley Coren’s book The Intelligence of Dogs, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is ranked 11th. They are not heavy barkers and will only bark if needed. Pembroke Corgis easily get along well with children and other animals.

Since the Pembroke Welsh Corgi had been originally bred for herding, they have a tendency to follow their instinct – to nip at people’s or an animal’s ankles – which is how they herd cattle. They also love chasing moving objects – a behavior common to herding dogs.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi

 Cardigan Welsh Corgis were originally bred as farm guardians but they were eventually used in herding. They are not quite as popular as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed and this probably has to do with the fact that the latter breed is so close to the Queen of England. However, the Cardigan Welsh is the older Corgi breed.

Physical Characteristics of a Cardigan Corgi

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The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is somewhat larger than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They can grow from 10.5 to 13 inches in height. They also have a heavy, muscular built and short legs. Adult Cardigan Corgis can weigh from 30 to 38 pounds.

 They have bushy, long tails which are neither docked or naturally bobbed. The recognized coat coloring for Cardigan Corgis are red, sable, brindle, black, or blue merle with white markings on the neck, muzzle, chest, legs, tip of the tail, and on the head. The white marking is also called the “blaze”.

Cardigan Corgi Temperament

Cardigan Corgis are intelligent, athletic, affectionate, charismatic dogs which make them great as pets. They are also alert and make really good watch dogs.

Corgis – Pembrokes and Cardigans

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Pembrokes and Cardigans are related to the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz breeds. Both the Pembroke and the Cardigan Corgi need training from an early age – in order to avoid behavioral problems such as constant “nipping” at one’s heels.

How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing and Destroying Your Things

One of the most common complaints from dog owners is that their dog chews on things that it’s not supposed to such as their favorite sneakers, socks, throw pillows, carpet, books, and furniture. Obviously, such behavior isn’t good and should not be tolerated. Not only is it an annoying habit, but it can also put your pet’s safety at risk. A dog with a habit of chewing on anything it sees might accidentally swallow or deliberately eat sharp objects which can damage its internal organs, or in some cases, might even cause death. What can you do to correct the problem?

First, it’s important to know that chewing is a normal behavior during the puppy stage. The reason why puppies chew is because they’re going through the teething process. During this time their gums would feel painful, itchy, and uncomfortable. Puppies have a tendency to chew on any object they see because they want to be relieved of their discomfort.  Needless to say, chewing should be controlled and eliminated by the time their teeth have fully developed. Adult dogs should have completely overcome this habit.

Find out the root of the problem. There are many possible causes why some dogs develop inappropriate chewing habit.  If your dog is past the puppy stage and hasn’t yet overcome the habit of chewing, the problem could be medical. In some cases, a gastrointestinal problem could trigger excessive chewing and the only way to know for sure is to undergo lab tests and seek a professional diagnosis. Visit your vet in order to rule out medical issues.

Walk your dog. Is your dog getting the exercise it needs? Remember, a tired dog is a good dog. Walk your dog outdoors or run with your dog every morning or afternoon. By helping your dog expend its energy on a healthy, productive activity, you are also preventing behavioral problems like inappropriate dog chewing.

Provide chewable toys for your dogs. Chewable dog toys and treats are wonderful especially for teething puppies. If you see your pup or dog chewing on something it shouldn’t, call its attention and give it a chewable toy or a chewable treat to chew on. Boredom may also lead to excessive chewing so make sure that dog toys are readily available to them at all times, and don’t forget to spend some play-time with your pet.

Put up your belongings. One way to prevent your dog from chewing things it’s not supposed to is to keep them away from your dog’s reach. Place your shoes on a high shelf and make sure that none of your things are left on the floor or placed on furniture that’s too low. You’ll have to do this until your dog loses its bad habit.

Use a spray deterrent. Another way to discourage inappropriate chewing is to use a special dog spray deterrent. These products smell and taste awful to dogs but are safe and non-toxic. You can spray it on objects that your dog likes to chew on, or when you catch your dog in the act of chewing, use the spray to shoo it away.

Don’t be harsh. It can take a while for your dog to completely overcome its bad chewing habit so you will need to be very patient. Being punitive or cruel to a pet will not bring out any good result. A clear and firm “No!” if you catch your dog in the act of chewing is enough. There’s really no need to shout.

The best thing to do if you see your dog chewing is to immediately try to deviate its attention into something else by handing it a chewable toy or spraying it with a deterrent. If it takes on the chewable toy or if it moves away, praise your dog for following your cue. Always complement your dog if it’s doing something good and reward good behavior with treats or praises.