Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are an intelligent and devoted breed. They are excellent watchdogs, and take caring for their family seriously. This playful and lovable breed wants nothing more than to accompany his family wherever it goes and be included in the action. Corgis are good with children, especially if raised with and socialised with them. Pembrokes like to bark and can be a bit more excitable than their Cardigan cousins.
General Information
Country of Origin: Wales
Height: 10–12 inches
Weight: Males 10kg-16kg pounds, females 10kg-14kg
Coat: Double coat with short, thick, weather-resistant undercoat and longer, coarser outercoat
Colors: Red, sable, fawn, black and tan; may have white markings
Lifespan: 10-13 years
Registries: DogsNZ Working
Grooming
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are relatively low-maintenance dogs. Regular brushing and combing of their double coat are all Pembroke Welsh Corgis need to stay looking their best. It’s not advised to clip a double-coat, as it can result in uneven grow out, damage to the hair follicles, and an increase in the chance of sunburn and overheating. A double coat, when well-maintained, actually helps keep a dog cool, facilitating airflow across the skin. If you decide to have a double-coated breed like the Pembroke clipped, whether per your vets advice in dealing with skin issues or personal preference, it’s important to choose a groomer that knows how to avoid damaging the undercoat. Keep in mind that trimming will not reduce shedding. A Corgi will simply shed shorter (and often more prickly) fur.
Mental stimulation
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are able bodied and athletic. They enjoy spending time outdoors and are often found competing in the dog sports of agility, obedience, and herding. Pembrokes are happiest with a purpose, and this kind of exercise and mental stimulation keeps them truly satisfied. It’s essential to keep a Pembroke’s brain engaged with mental enrichment. These herders were born to solve problems and work independently. Mental enrichment will help keep them entertained and prevent unwanted puppy behaviours. Teach new tricks, attend obedience classes, join a dog sport, and provide dog puzzles and interactive toys for your Corgi to live its best life.
Training
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are easy and fun to train. They are responsive and intelligent, learning quickly, retaining their lessons, and working with enthusiasm. They should be trained with positive, reward-based training will bring out the best in them. It’s essential to keep a Pembroke’s brain engaged with mental enrichment. They were born to solve problems and work independently. Mental enrichment will help keep them entertained and prevent unwanted behaviours. Teach new tricks, attend obedience classes, join a dog sport, and provide interactive toys for your Corgi to live its best life.
Exercise
They require moderate exercise. Corgis need daily walks, playtime, and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Long walks are good, but avoid strenuous activities in extreme temperatures. Their short legs can make it challenging for them to keep up with strenuous exercise, especially in hot or cold conditions.
Behaviour
As a herding dog, Pembrokes tend to nip, chase, and bark when they get overexcited. This can be addressed as puppies, helping them learn boundaries and how to calm down when asked.
Because Pembroke Welsh Corgis are such an intelligent breed, training is imperative to prevent unwanted behaviours that will crop up if they get bored. Positive reinforcement training will help you and your Corgi build a strong bond and teach them what to do instead of barking or nipping.
Origin & history
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (tail-less) shares the same heritage as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (long-tailed)—in fact, they were considered the same breed until 1934. Their heritage is a particularly ancient one, as it is believed that a dog resembling the Cardigan came to the part of Wales now known as Cardiganshire when the Celts migrated there more than 1,000 years BCE. The Pembroke came to Wales a little later, around the 10th century and was named after the area of Pembrokeshire. The derivation of the name "Corgi" may be attributed to the Celtic word for "dog" (corgi). Other tales passed on through generations say that the little dogs were named for cor ("dwarf") and gi ("dog") or for cwr, which in Welsh means "to watch over."
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The Corgi's size made him ideal for working with cattle because they could nip at the livestock's heels while avoiding being kicked. This trait became particularly valuable to working Welsh crofters (farmers) when the British Crown created a rule that decreased the size of their land to a few fenced-in acres, and declared all other land common land, where cattle could be grazed. The Corgi's style of working actually drove the cattle farther afield rather than keeping them herded together, which allowed for a larger grazing area.
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Competition among crofters for grazing land became fierce, and the Corgis helped define areas. Eventually, the Crown abolished this practice, and the crofters were able to own and farm their own land. This led them to use more traditional herding dogs, and the Corgi found himself more frequently by the hearth than in the fields.
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Since the 1930s, fanciers have emphasised each breed's individualities—the Pembroke has a foxier look and straighter legs, as well as a lack of a tail. The Pembroke is the favored dog of Queen Elizabeth II.