Welsh Corgi Dog Breed Info – All about Pembroke and Cardigan

Fluffy!! Entertaining! Affectionate! Agreeable! Yes, we are talking about this dwarf breed that has a very big personality; Welsh Corgi. Originated in Wales, United Kingdom, Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog breed with a lifespan of around 12 years.

Interestingly, Corgis have 2 different sub-breeds; Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, off which, Pembroke is the most popular. A reason behind Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s popularity is their association with Queen Elizabeth II who had around 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Dorgis (Corgi / Dachshund mix).

Got a Corgi puppy? Check Best Corgi Names

If you are planning to get a Corgi from a breeder or have plans to adopt one from a shelter, it is recommended to learn about this breed first. Vets suggest that, before you get a specific breed,  you must have information about the breed’s health issues, pros and cons, maintenance, grooming, and diet, etc. So, today we are going to cover everything about Corgis for you in this post.

Let’s first read a quick difference between both breeds.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi

So, it was a quick comparison between both types of Corgis. Let’s explore the Corgis’ history.

History of Corgi:

Even though Pembroke is more popular than Cardigan, the Cardigan is the older breed than Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Anyways, since their existence, the Corgis have been used for herding cattle. Their method of herding cattle is very interesting as they nip at the heels of the animals to keep them moving, that is why they are also known as heelers.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi belong to the historic counties of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire respectively that are famous as the agricultural areas in Wales.

According to the popular theory, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was imported by the Flemish weavers around in 1100 AD and is related to Dachshund While the Cardigans originated from Scandinavia and were brought by the Nordic settlers in the area and it belongs to Pomeranian, Samoyed, and Keeshond. Also, many researchers believe that both breeds share an ancestor. According to another popular theory, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi traced back to around 1200 BC when their ancestors were brought by Celts to Wales.

Corgis weren’t much popular until they got an association with the Royal family of Britain as Queen Elizabeth II got some Corgis in her childhood and they got fame.

Corgis Specialties and Body Features:

Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small-sized, but strong and athletic breed that is said to be one of the most popular herding breeds around the globe. Due to its personality, it is often cited as a big dog with a small body. It has short legs that are no less powerful than any other breed while its muscular thighs and deep chest makes it a hard-working dog. Other than herding, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an ideal family dog, as well as, a guard dog that is fearless and alert. As per AKC, it is the 13th most popular dog breed in the US.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi:

This lovely dog is said to be an ideal herder that keep the cattle moving in the best manner. Just like a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigans also have short but energetic legs along with a deep chest and sturdy bone. They are easy-to-train and are the ideal guardians. Along with herding the cattle, they are suitable as a family dog, as well as, an exercise partner. They love being social and they really love kids. As per AKC, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the 68th most popular dog breed in the US out of 193 breeds.

Corgis Colors:

Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes in fewer colors including plain fawn, black & tan, sable, black, black & white, red, blue, grey, and tan. Also, they may have white markings on them or a plain white Pembroke may also be witnessed. They also come in a tri-colored coat.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi:

The Cardis have a bit different colors than Pembroke such as red & white, sable & white, brindle & white, black & white, blue merle & white, plain merle, and almost all the shades of sable, brindle, and red.

Corgi Behavior and Temperament:

When it comes to behavior and temperament, both, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi have an exceptional temperament. By nature, they are highly-attentive, alert, and recognizes minor changes in the environment straight away. Actually, they are among the most barking breeds, and the main reason behind their excessive barking is their ability to sense the changes. To keep them from excessive barking, they must be trained at an early age.

Also, they are possessive, bossy, and have an attitude larger than their body. They are highly adaptable, cheerful, and goofy sometimes because they will go beyond limits to entertain their humans. When it comes to living, they can adapt to all types of homes including small apartments or a ranch.

If you are planning to get a Corgi, keep it in mind that physical exercise and mental stimulation is necessary for both breeds of Corgi or they may develop several conditions including excessive barking, excessive shedding, destructive chewing, and others.

Corgi Exercise:

As Corgis are all about running, herding, and chasing by nature, they need more exercise as compared to other breeds. The adult Corgis are like a little powerhouse and they need more exercise to burn their energy as compared to the old ones. So, instead of giving them some regular walks in the backyard or the neighborhood, try different techniques. Some of the most effective exercises and activities for Corgis are:

• Race walking
• Frisbee or ball fetch games
• On-leash jogging
• Running alongside bicycle
• Treadmill running
• Swimming (Very effective)
• Playing with other dogs

Remember, at least 2 outings a day are necessary for Corgis that should last in no less than 45 minutes.

For their mental stimulation, try food dispensing toys that can be found in pet stores or you may make many at home. The dogs love searching for their food because it involves sniffing too, so the best practice is to do some enrichment activities too. You can also do a mixup here, spread the kibbles around in your backyard, and let your Corgi sniff and find its meal. Believe us, you won’t regret it.

Corgi Training:

To train either breed of Corgi, you need lots of patience because they don’t like harsh behavior. They are mentally very strong and they are capable of doing things on their own. Try to conduct rewarding training sessions and reward them every time they obey your orders. The best thing about Corgis is that they can be trained at any age, unlike other breeds that cannot be trained once they cross their adulthood.

Corgi Pros and Cons:

It is necessary to know the pros and cons of the breed which you are getting for the first time. It helps you to take good care of your dog. So, let us explore the Corgis’ pros first.

Pros:

• Highly Sociable with other Dogs
• Smart and Intelligent
• Ideal Companion
• Excellent Guardian
• Cuddly
• Best Exercise Partner

So, these were some of the pros of Corgis. Now, let’s move to their cons.

Cons:

• High-shedding Coat
• The Barking Machine
• Needs lots of Exercises
• Not Suitable for the Home that has Small Pets
• Can Gain Weight very Easily

Corgi Health Related Issues

The purpose of listing all the Corgi health-related issues is just to let you know that they are prone to these diseases. It doesn’t mean that they must get all or any one of these diseases. If you get a puppy from a reputable Corgi breeder and take good care of your doggy, he is less likely to get these diseases. Regular vet visits are highly recommended to avoid any health-related issues. Now, let’s find the most common disease which a Pembroke or a Cardigan can get.

• Hip Dysplasia
• Eye Cataract
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Retinal Dysplasia
• von Willebrand Disease
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Obesity
• Epilepsy
• Cutaneous Asthenia
• Cystinuria
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Final Words:

So, it was everything you need to know about both the breeds of Corgis; Pembroke Welsh Corgi & Cardigan Welsh Corgi. We’ll keep updating this quick guide about Corgis with the most recent news and updates.

Sources:

AKC

Wikipedia

Image credit:

ccho, luckyno3,