Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Quick Take

• Welsh folklore gave this breed a mythical origin story, and the physical evidence of that story is still visible on every Corgi alive today.
• A Corgi's small size is deceiving, and its daily exercise demands will likely surprise even experienced dog owners. See the daily exercise needs →
• The same instinct that made Corgis legendary herders is the one trait most owners struggle to manage indoors. See the nipping drawback →
• One of the world's most famous Corgi owners gave their dog a name that sounds more like a villain than a beloved pet. Meet the famous Corgis →

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a iconic purebred herding dog that originated from Pembrokeshire, Wales, perhaps dating as far back as 1000 AD. It descended from a northern type of dog known as the spitz, which has long, thick fur, pointed ears and muzzle, and a curled tail. At some point in the distant past, people began to select these dogs for the dwarf trait and bred them, giving them their small size.

The name Corgi comes from the combination of two Welsh words: cor, meaning dwarf, and gi, meaning dog. According to Welsh lore, these dogs were thought to be originally owned by fairies and elves. Being comparatively large, the Corgis helped pull the tiny carts and carriages of these magical creatures. The patch of darker fur on the back is still sometimes called a fairy’s saddle.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is characterized by a long body, short legs, a docked or bobbed tail, a triangle-shaped head, and big ears, rounded at the tips. This is complemented by a thick double coat of fur; fawn, red, sable, and black and tan are all accepted colors. But don’t let its small size fool you. This dog was originally bred to herd livestock out in the field. The small size enables it to nip at the animal’s heels to drive it around.

In the home, it’s a loving and friendly companion.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Size and Weight

The purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small dog. It sits low to the ground on account of its short legs.

Common Health Issues

Before deciding to bring home a new dog, it is important to be aware that the breed is at risk of developing several conditions, some of which are the result of its dwarfism trait. Hip dysplasia, caused by a loosening of the hip joint, is particularly common in this breed; beginning as early as four months old, this condition can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. Corgis can also suffer from a nerve issue called degenerative myelopathy, which results in muscle atrophy, decreased muscle mass, and partial or full paralysis.

Other common health problems include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, cancer, epilepsy, disc problems, and a bleeding/clotting disorder called von Willebrand’s disease. After birth, responsible breeders will routinely check the puppy for common health issues. You should ask the breeder to provide proof of a thorough medical evaluation, particularly for hip and eye problems.

This breed has a natural lifespan of around 12 to 13 years, though many dogs live even longer than this.

Temperament

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an interesting study in contradictions. It is simultaneously fun-loving yet hard-working, sensitive yet strong, affectionate, and people-oriented. It is also fearless and independent. It has a bit of a “big dog” personality, which makes it well-suited for herding and watchdog duty.

If you’re just looking for a simple companion, then the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a great choice. They are charming, playful, and love to race around the home, getting involved in their owner’s activities. However, be aware that this breed will exhibit signs of separation anxiety if left alone for too long. This will lead to destructive behavior and excessive barking.

How to Take Care of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a good choice for owners with almost any kind of experience level. While they do require quite a bit of time and patience to care for, their high intelligence and affectionate temperament make them a real joy to interact with and train. If you have any other questions or concerns about this breed’s care, then you should talk with your vet or other dog experts.

The Best Dog Food

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will probably need around 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality, high-protein dog food per day. The exact amount will depend on the age, size, and activity level of your dog. Obesity problems can sometimes plague this breed, so you should keep a close watch on the amount of dog food and treats it consumes throughout the day.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a rather thick double coat of fur — consisting of a coarse outer coat and a softer undercoat — that sheds quite often, especially during the spring and summer months. It will need daily grooming sessions with a simple slicker brush, sometimes complemented with a rake for the undercoat. When the shedding season approaches, frequent baths should be given to loosen the hair, but brushing should only occur when the dog is dry; blow drying can help the coat dry faster.

Other important aspects of its maintenance include frequent nail trims (to prevent them from clicking on the floor), ear cleaning with a cotton swab, and tooth brushing with a vet-approved paste.

Training

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a smart, capable dog, quick to learn human commands and eager to please its owner. However, don’t expect this breed to follow your every whim. Because of its independent and active mind, the Corgi needs some room to think and act on its own. Positive reinforcement methods and treats should work well with this breed.

Exercise

Despite its diminutive size, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a strong and athletic dog with excellent stamina; after all, it was originally bred to herd livestock. It will probably need more than an hour of exercise per day. Walks or jogs, fetching, and general playtime all work well to satisfy its exercise requirements, but if you go too fast, it may struggle to keep up due to its short legs. This breed also excels at all kinds of herding and agility challenges.

Puppies

Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies will need a lot of early training and care to become well-adjusted adults. Puppies should ideally begin socialization between eight and 16 weeks of age. You should introduce them to plenty of other people, dogs, and unique situations.

If you plan on blow-drying the dog’s fur, then it will need to become accustomed to the sound of the dryer at an early age. Otherwise, it might be frightened of the loud noise.

By the six-month mark, the dog will need to learn basic commands and begin housetraining. Crate training can help prevent accidents since dogs do not like to soil their sleeping quarters. If you plan to spay or neuter your dog (which has enormous health and behavioral benefits), then you should ideally schedule it before the dog’s first birthday.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Children

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an excellent companion and friend for children of almost all ages. The only caveats are that its barking might disturb younger children and that it tends to nip at heels.

Dogs Similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

If you are a fan of the purebred Pembroke, then you might want to check out these similar breeds:

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Both of the Corgis are very similar in appearance and behavior, but the Cardigan actually predates the Pembroke by some 2,000 years. The main difference is the Cardigan’s longer tail and darker coat color.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not exactly a herding dog, but it does combine the affectionate nature of a toy breed with the athleticism of a working dog. This is a charming, graceful breed with long ears, a short snout, and a rich, silky coat.
• Australian Cattle Dog: While its legs aren’t quite as short as the Corgi, the Australian Cattle Dog has a compact, muscular body with a blue and red speckled or mottled appearance. It is exceptionally alert, curious, and fun to be around.

Famous Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs

Despite its humble origins, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has become one of the most popular dogs around the world, thanks in part to its small size, quirky personality, and loving nature.

Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 Welsh Corgis over her lifetime. Dookie, given to her by her father, was her first Corgi, seemingly instilling a lifelong love of the breed in her. Popular horror author Stephen King also owned a Corgi called Molly, which he jokingly calls “The Thing of Evil.” Another Corgi named Rufus was the original mascot of Amazon.com until he died in 2009. Finally, a fictitious Corgi called Ein was a main character in the Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop.