Corgi Colors: Rarest to Most Common

Corgis are adorable with their low-set bodies, short legs, and fluffy tails. While they might not look it, these dogs are athletic and have plenty of stamina. Additionally, they are one of the smartest breeds. In fact, corgis were originally used to help farmers herd livestock, specifically cattle. These dogs are vigilant, loyal, and easily trainable that love the company of children and the great outdoors. And while many think corgis only come in one color, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are various corgi colors, some rarer than others. Since there are two types of corgis, Cardigan and Pembroke, people are spoilt for choice when it comes to coat colors.

Corgi Colors from Rarest to Most Common

Each type of corgi has different coat colors, so let’s start with the Cardigan Welsh corgi.

Colors of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi

While Cardigan Welsh corgis come in solid colors, they often have mixed-colored coats. As a result, you get red and white, black and white, sable and white, merle and white, and brindle and white.

1. Blue Merle and White

The rarest color of Cardigan corgis is blue merle and white, which looks like a gray and black marble or gray with black patches. Due to their unique color, these corgis are highly sought after. Furthermore, blue merle corgis may have blue or light-colored eyes and pink patches on their noses, which do not appear in any other color of corgis.

2. Brindle and White

Another rare color for this breed is brindle and white. Therefore, these corgis are in high demand. The base color can be yellow, black, or red, and the overlay color is a striped brindle pattern or markings on the coat.

3. Sable and White

Cardigan corgis with a sable coat vary in color depending on their genetics. For example, they can be a mixture of brown, black, and red. Sable is the description of coats with a light undertone and dark tips. Therefore, if you part the fur, the color closer to the roots is usually white, tan, or light brown. Furthermore, they typically have darker tones on the back and shoulders.

4. Black and White

One of the more common Cardigan Welsh corgi colors is black and white, very similar to a border collie. However, a pure black and white coat is rare, as they usually have markings of other colors too.

5. Red and White

The most common Cardigan corgi color is red and white. These dogs have a red base color with white patches and white bellies. In addition, they have black noses, and some have black markings on their fur.

Other Colors of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi

While these are not standard colors for Cardigan Welsh Corgis, they do exist in the breed:

• Gray and white
• White merle
• Liver and white
• Brindle merle and white
• Sable merle and white
• Red merle and white

Different Colors of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh corgis come in four standard colors, red, black, tan, and sable. However, you also get red and black-headed tri-color coats with various markings.

1. Sable

The rarest Pembroke coat color is sable, which is a mix of black, red, and brown. Additionally, these corgis usually have black marks over their eyes and on their muzzles, and the patches on their coats or typically chestnut and brown in color.

2. Fawn

Pembroke Welsh corgis with a fawn coat don’t have any black markings on their coats. The only thing that is black on their bodies is their nose. These corgis are primarily beige, with lighter and darker areas and white paws and bellies.

3. Black and Tan

The black and tan Pembroke corgis look similar to raccoons as they have light coats with black markings on their heads, around their eyes, and across their ears.

4. Red

The red Pembroke Welsh corgi is the most common. They have red coats without black markings. In addition, they have white paws and bellies with black noses.

Do Coat Colors Affect Corgis Behavior?

While many people believe that the color of a dog’s coat affects their personality, this is very wrong. For example, some people are scared of black dogs because they think these dogs are aggressive or intimidating, but there is no research stating that a dog’s coloring impacts their behavior.

Do Coat Colors Affect Corgis Health?

There is a chance that corgis with a rare coat color can experience additional health issues. For example, Merle corgis usually have severe medical issues, like eye defects, deafness, or weak immune systems. Furthermore, they may also experience skin disorders due to the recessive gene.

Taking Care of Your Pup’s Coat

It’s essential that owners take great care of their corgis coats. Because these dogs have thick, double coats, they need a good brush at least three times a week to keep their fur healthy and matt-free. Additionally, corgis need a bath every six weeks and ensure to use dog shampoo. Furthermore, if you want a shiny and fluffy corgi, add some fish oil supplements to their food. But, if you suffer from allergies, this breed is not for you, as they are heavy shedders.

Are Corgis Good With Children?

Thanks to their loving and affectionate nature, corgis are the perfect breed for young children needing a companion. In fact, it is quite common for these dogs to develop strong bonds with children. Additionally, they are fiercely loyal and will protect their young masters from any potential threats.

Are Corgis Hard to Train?

It’s no secret that corgis are incredibly smart, and thanks to this trait, they are relatively easy to train as they can learn new commands quickly. However, they are also stubborn and like to think for themselves. Therefore, novice trainers might find it challenging to train these headstrong dogs.

Corgis are notorious for doing what they want and aren’t too eager to please their owners. Therefore if they don’t feel like sitting or healing, they won’t. This is a problem in all intelligent breeds; they like to make their own decisions. Luckily, corgis are food-driven, so treats work well as a reward and motivator. So, while they may not be eager to please their owners, they are willing to please for a good treat.

Famous Corgis

Corgis haven’t just stolen the hearts of average Joes’. There are many famous corgis owned by celebrities or featured on T.V., like:

Holly – Queen Elizabeth II

You must live under a rock if you don’t know about Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis. But her most famous corgi was Holly, who performed in a video that opened the 2012 London Olympics.

Rufus – Amazon

One of Amazon’s first engineers owned a corgi named Rufus, who was the most recognizable mascot for the major online retailer. He is the reason for the company’s dog-friendly policy. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2009, but his legacy lives on.

Ein – Cowboy Bebop

The Adult Swim TV program Cowboy Bebop features a corgi named Ein, who is a hyper-intelligent dog with enhanced cognitive abilities in the show.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/volofin