This long, low breed of dog,
the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is similar to the Cardigan
Welsh Corgi but is now recognized as a separate
breed. Some histories trace the Corgi to Swedish
dogs more than a thousand years ago. Others believe
the breed begins in Wales about 1200 B.C. In either
case, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was used as a cattle
dog in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The two breeds were
recognized as separate in England in the 1930s.
The Pembroke is a very intelligent dog, sensitive to
the needs of its master and responsive to gentle
handling and training. This breed can be a challenge
to train and the dog may try to “con” its master,
especially if given half a chance. However, with
proper breeding and socialization, the Pembroke
Welsh Corgi can be an excellent family pet.
Temperament
The Corgi has always been a
working dog, often used to nip at the heels of
cattle to drive them. The dog’s low profile allowed
them to avoid being kicked by the cattle. Pembroke
Welsh Corgis will bark quite a bit and can make
excellent watchdogs, in addition to being
comfortable with children that are not overly
aggressive. Corgis are generally good-natured and
devoted to family members.
Basic obedience training is probably a good idea for
a new Pembroke Welsh Corgi that will be brought into
the family. Most Corgis will be obedient with basic
training, but even so, the dog should not be allowed
to run free. It would probably be best to have a
fenced yard for the pet to run in. Taking your
Pembroke Welsh Corgi for several daily walks would
probably be best.
Size and Color
Pembroke Welsh Corgis stand about 10 inches to 12
inches tall and weigh from 24 to 28 pounds.
Experienced owners urge new owners to be careful
about overfeeding the Corgi, as it tends to gain
weight easily.
Corgis can have red, sable, fawn or black and tan
coats with white markings. Some say the legend of
the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of being used by
fairies for various purposes. This legend points to
the “fairy saddle” on the shoulders that is part of
the Corgi coat. The American Kennel Club considers a
predominantly white or bluish color to be
unacceptable for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
New owners of Pembroke Welsh Corgis should avoid
overfeeding their pet, as this breed tends to gain
weight easily. Feeding high-quality commercial food
should be fine in the proper amounts, but low-cost
food with excessive grain content (corn, wheat, soy)
should be avoided. Some dogs are allergic to these
grains and develop skin and breathing problems in
reaction to the large amounts of grain in cheaper
commercial foods. Remember, table scraps and treats
should be limited.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is generally easy to groom
because of its short, water-resistant coat. Some
regular combing and brushing will usually be
sufficient. The Corgi sheds twice a year. The dog
should be bathed only when absolutely, necessary.
Exercise Needs
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has always been a working
dog, helping farmers drive cattle and acting as a
guard dog for the farm. This breed is quite
energetic and will need a fenced yard to run in or
regular walks on a leash. The Corgi can tend to gain
extra weight if the diet and exercise are not in
correct amounts.
This breed should probably not be allowed to run
free, even though a well-trained Corgi will be
obedient. This is an intelligent and inquisitive
breed and the small size can make confrontations
with larger dogs a problem. Pembroke Welsh Corgis
have done quite well in some obedience and show
competitions.
