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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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