Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Description

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a very sturdy looking dog that has short but powerful legs. The long and low profile of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is unmistakable and is unique to the Corgi breeds. There is another breed of Corgi known as the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that is almost identical to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi but has a long tail, while the Pembroke variety has a very short stumpy tail.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not a small or light dog, rather they are very square in shape and very solid. The head is proudly carried high on the neck, and the ears are very broad at the base and carried alertly pricked at all times. Ears cannot fold over or droop. The ears of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are closer set on the head than those of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The eyes are dark and round, very bright and alert looking. Typically the rims of the eyes are black or very dark, as is the nose. The head is wedge shaped and the muzzle is tapered. The appearance of the face of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of intelligence, curiosity and good humor at all times. Many people feel that this breed closely resembles a fox in the shape of the face and head. When working they almost seem to be smiling.

The chest and shoulders of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are very strong and substantial looking, as is the long body. The ribs and chest are deep, allowing this dog to work livestock all day without needing to stop or to rest. Overall the breed is extremely athletic and the powerful back legs propel this dog quickly when running. These dogs are extremely agile and can quickly change directions or drop and roll to avoid the kicking heels and hooves of animals they are herding.

The coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very thick and water resistant with a coarse outer coat and a thick, soft inner coat. They can come in many different colors including fawn, tan, sable, black and red and often there are white markings on the face, chest and legs. The coat is medium length but is naturally very clean.

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Coat Description

The coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is thick, medium length and double. The outer coat is somewhat coarse and straight while the inner coat is finer and thicker. The breed has a natural water resistance that will keep the coat looking clean and free from dirt in most conditions. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very clean and will groom itself frequently.

History

Both of the corgi breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi originated from the Swedish Vallhunds brought to the areas around Wales in the 800s. From this known ancestors there are varying tales of how the breed actually developed. Many breeders and experts believe that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has definite spitz ancestors that likely were introduced to the line early on in the development of the breed. Sometime in the 1100's Flemish weavers came to the Pembrokeshire area of Wales and brought the original Pembroke Welsh Corgis to the area. Bred with the local Swedish Vallhund descendants the breed was more completely developed. It is often reported that the short legs and stature occurred from breeding with Pomeranians, and there is somewhat of a resemblance with both this breed and the Schipperkes which may also be in the lineage.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi were not recognized as separate breeds until about seventy years ago. Prior to that both breeds were developed for their herding and watch dog abilities. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi makes an ideal herding dog and will drop and roll to avoid being kicked. They are so low to the ground that this natural movement is very graceful and allows them to change directions and move very quickly rather than stopping or backing up as larger herding breeds will do.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi became a popular dog when Queen Elizabeth the Second started breeding and raising them herself. They have been used in many commercials and advertisements both in the United Kingdom and around the world, and the breed has become very popular since its first official showing in 1926. No longer used as much as a herding dog they are considered an ideal companion dog in almost any type of setting.

Temperament

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an overall happy, jolly and very loyal dog that is completely devoted to the family. They are great dogs with considerate children and love to run and romp with the family. Although they are small in height they are a big dog at heart and can handle a fair amount of rough and tumble play. They can be somewhat dominant at times but with proper training and socialization this should not be a problem with the breed.

As a breed that has been developed to herd livestock, they have a natural instinct to try to keep everything that moves in a group. As puppies they may be prone to nipping at people's heels to try to get them to move in the right direction. Training and firm and consistent obedience lessons will control this tendency. Overall the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an easy breed to train and will often learn new tricks and lessons very quickly. Since they are required to work independently they are good problem solvers but tend not to be as stubborn and independent as some of the other herding breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not do well with highly repetitive training and should be challenged with new routines and training concepts to avoid boredom.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will be an excellent companion dog with other pets and dogs provided they have early and constant socialization. They are natural watchdogs and will bark whenever strangers or strange dogs approach so they must be trained to stop barking on command. Occasionally males can be very dog-aggressive but neutering and socialization at early ages will usually help to minimize this behavior.

Although Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very loyal and loving to their families they are somewhat aloof with strangers and will have a natural distrust of people they don't know. These dogs will protect the family home even against larger dogs and may need to be fenced for their own safety and protection.

Health Problems

As with all long bodied breeds Pembroke Welsh Corgis may have Health issues with their backs in the form of intervertebral disc disease. Canine hip dysplasia is also somewhat problematic and any signs of back or leg problems should immediately be checked by a vet to prevent the situation from becoming worse. Eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Glaucoma can occasional be seen in this breed. von Willebrands Disease and Epilepsy are not commonly seen but may occasionally be found in some bloodlines. Always check the history of both the parents to check for any hereditary health concerns in the line.

Grooming

The medium to short coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very easy to maintain and only sheds heavily during the spring and summer sheds. For the rest of the year twice a week brushing with a wire brush or pin brush is all that is needed. It is always important to groom the dog with the direction of hair growth to remove all tangles, debris or knots. After the coat as been detangled, it is then possible to use one hand to push the coat against the direction of growth, then using the brush to get the undercoat completely free of knots. Finish with grooming with a slicker brush or pin brush for a sleek appearance.

The ears of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi should be checked for any debris or wax build up. The breed typically has few problems with ears or ear infections, but occasionally debris in the ears can lead to infections. The teeth can be cleaned during the grooming routine using a finger sleeve or dog toothbrush, this will help in preventing tartar build up or possible problems with the teeth as the dog matures.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a naturally water resistant coat and so bathing is only recommended when absolutely necessary. If you do need to bathe the Pembroke Welsh Corgi be sure to use a good quality dog shampoo that has the proper pH for a dog's hair and skin. Always ensure that all shampoo and conditioner is completely and thoroughly rinsed from both the inner and outer coats and no residue is left.

Exercise

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a very active dog that loves to go on long walks and romps. They do best with long and frequent exercise and need a space to be free to run and play. They can live in an apartment but ideally need a medium to large sized yard unless they can have regular scheduled exercise.

Like many of the longer frame breeds it is very important that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi stay within acceptable weight ranges. Heavier dogs are more likely to have back injuries and spinal problems and are also more likely to not want to stay active. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi should never be encouraged to jump up or down in exercise or even onto furniture as it can potentially cause injury to the back or legs.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi loves to be with people and is an ideal dog for children to play with. They are not delicate or easily frightened, and games of tug of war, hide and seek and even chase are some of their favorites. They will also do very well on a hike, regular walk or even a jog provided they are in shape and ready for strenuous exercise. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi generally loves to ride in the car and, when properly socialized, are an easy dog to walk even in the presences of other dogs making them ideal for a trip to the park.

If you have more than one dog the Pembroke Welsh Corgi will run and play with the companion dog, often self-exercising. They will also do well with cats and other pets if raised together from a young age.

Training

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a highly intelligent dog that is very quick to learn what the owner is expecting. They do require firm and consistent training but rarely need to be corrected as they will respond immediately to the tone of voice or withdrawal of attention if they have done something wrong. The breed does not like repetitive training exercises and will quickly become disinterested in repeating the same command over and over. Change training routines frequently to prevent this from becoming a problem.

A natural watchdog they will need to be taught not to bark or this can become a problem. Usually a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that is socialized, trained, exercised and loved will not develop barking issues, but those that are left alone, isolated or bored will use barking as a way to stay entertained.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will bond very strongly to the owner and family and will usually respond well to commands from the family members, although they will usually not respond at all to strangers. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs socialization at an early age to overcome any natural dominance or aggression issues and this is particularly important for males of the breed. Occasionally a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be somewhat dominant and controlling and may require obedience training to deal with this problem. Once trained they are ideal obedience and show dogs. They are also used in herding competitions and will often need very little formal training on herding skills.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be taught to respond to both whistles and hand commands. To train with hand signals or whistles be consistent and clear in your expectations, pairing verbal command with the hand signal or whistle then gradually replacing the verbal with the signal command. Lots of praise and attention will really help this breed learn quickly.