If you are looking for a smallish happy fun-loving dog breed, the Corgi may be the right one for you. The two types of Corgis include the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, both of which are similar in many ways. Here are just a few of the many important things to know about Corgis.
Physical Characteristics
The Corgi has a low-set, strong, sturdily built and active body, giving the impression of substance and stamina in a small space. They’re not so low and heavy-boned as to appear coarse or overdone, nor so light-boned as to appear racy, but they outlook bold but kindly. This intelligent and interested breed is never shy nor vicious.
The easiest way to tell the difference between each type of Corgi is by looking at the tails. Pembrokes’ are docked and Cardigans’ are long. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the smallest of the American Kennel Club’s Herding Group, and is also recognized by the United Kennel Club. It has a red coat, sable, fawn or tri-colored (red, black and tan), typically with white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle and belly. Pembrokes’ may also have a narrow blaze on their heads. Their heads are shaped much like the head of a fox. Their eyes are oval-shaped and dark, and their ears are erect.
Personality
While Corgis are still used as working dogs, they are most often seen as family pets these days. This breed is known for being happy, loving and intelligent, but with a stubborn or independent streak at times. Corgis are easy to train, but don’t expect your pup to be subservient. They like to think for themselves.
While Corgis want to please their owners, food is still a great motivator for them when training. However, it is important to proceed with caution as this breed loves to eat and can become obese if their food intake isn’t moderated.
Pembrokes also make excellent watchdogs. This breed can be suspicious of strangers, and will be quick to bark if they feel that something or someone is threatening their home and family. Like every dog, the Corgi needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sound and experiences — when they’re young. This helps to ensure that your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
Care
The Corgi is an athletic and surprisingly fast dog, and were bred to be herding dogs, so they require plenty of exercise each day. However, they make fine apartment dogs as long as they get the physical stimulation they need.
With their short legs and long backs Corgis should not be expected to hop up on (or down from) the couch or any other modest height — fractures are common.
Pembrokes’ can adapt quite easily to living in the country or city. Their coats are weather-resistant and they do well in most climates, but they are very people-oriented, and need to be a part of the family at all times — not left alone in the backyard.
Health
Corgis are generally healthy, but like all breeds, the are prone to certain health conditions. Not all Corgis will get any or all of these diseases, but it is crucial to be aware of them if you are considering this breed.
If you are buying a puppy, it is important to find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents. These prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Pembrokes, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and von Willebrand’s disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal. This health clearances can be confirmed by checking the OFA website.
History
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an enchanting dog whose background is steeped in folklore, as it originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. According to Welsh legend, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi sprang from the lairs of fairies and elves!
As the legend states, one day two children were out in the fields tending to their family’s cattle when they found a couple of puppies. They thought the puppies were foxes, but recognizing something different about them, they bundled them up and took them home. Immediately, their parents noticed that the pups were not foxes, but dogs, and told their children that the pups were a gift from the fairies that lived in the fields. The fairies used them to pull their carriages and sometimes ride into battle.
As proof that Pembrokes were indeed the mounts of fairies, the parents pointed the marks on their backs where the fairy saddle had been placed on their shoulders. The children were delighted and cherished their newly found puppies. As they grew, the dogs became treasured companions and learned to help the children take care of the family’s cattle.
This story may sound great, but for those who don’t believe in fairy tales, there is a different story from historians. They say that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is descended from Vallhunds, Swedish cattle dogs that were brought to Wales by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. Others believe they may have been descended from the dogs that were brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the 12th century. Either way, the Corgi has a rather misty historical pedigree. Farmers who kept working dogs in the past bred the best dogs for the jobs they wanted them to perform. They didn’t keep good records about the matings.
For more information the Corgi or other dog breeds, don’t hesitate to contact us here at All Pets Veterinary Medical Center with the link below!
