BREED HIGHLIGHT: THE CORGI

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle herding dog breed that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis descended from the Spitz family of dogs. The other is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, which descend from the Teckel family of dogs, which comes from the same family as the Dachshund.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have been favored by British royalty for more than seventy years. They’re famous as the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who has owned more than 30 Royal corgis during her reign.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has been ranked 11th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, which states that the breed is considered an excellent working dog. And, according to the American Kennel Club, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are one of the world’s most popular herding breeds, and in 2020 they were also ranked 11th most popular dog breed.

Among the most agreeable of all small house dogs, Corgis are strong, athletic, and lively. They’re bright, and sensitive dogs who enjoy play time with their humans, and respond well to training.

As herders, bred to move cattle, they are fearless and independent. Corgis also make great watchdogs, because of their acute senses and their “big dog” bark. Families who can meet their need for activity and togetherness, will never find a more loyal, and loving pet.

BREED OVERVIEW

HEIGHT: 10. 12 inches WEIGHT: Up to 30 lbs COAT: Short, double coat. COLOR: Fawn, Black, White, Tan, Sable, Red. LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 13 years

According to the AKC, Corgis were brought to Wales from Northern Belgium in 1107 when Britain invited a community of master craftsmen from Belgium, to live and work in southwestern Wales. These people brought all they needed to re-create their agrarian way of life, which included the dogs that they bred to herd cattle and sheep. These sturdy, shortlegged herders were the foundation for the breed we now know as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The Pembroke has been a distinctly separate breed from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi since the late 1800s, but the two breeds are often intermingled. The Corgi Club was founded in December 1925 in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire.

Pembrokes and Cardigans were officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1928, and in 1934, the two breeds were recognized as separate and distinct.

The world’s most famous Pembroke fan is Elizabeth II. The queen got her first Pembroke, Dookie, in 1933 and has not been without one, or more, ever since.

Corgi in Welsh stands for “dwarf dog”. It is therefore not surprising that there's a lot of folklore surrounding the breed. According to the Welsh legend, the fairies and elves of Wales used Corgis to pull fairy coaches, work fairy cattle, and serve as the steed for fairy warriors. Corgis still have the marks of the “fairy saddle” over the shoulders in the Pembroke's coat.