About Pembroke Welsh Corgis

By waterwolf

Instructions

History

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The Pembroke corgi can be traced to 1107 A.D. The precise origin of the corgi is a topic of much discussion and debate. No one is certain where the name of the breed came from. Some say corgi derives from the Welsh word "cor," which means "to watch over or gather," and "gi," a form of the Welsh word for dog. Others say the word corgi comes from the Celtic word for dog. The ancestors of the Pembroke corgi are thought by some to have been brought across the English Channel by Flemish weavers who had been persuaded, perhaps forced, by England's Henry the 1st to relocate to Wales. The Flemish people were not only weavers, but they were also farmers, and the corgi, a natural herder, developed into an excellent, sturdy and tenacious cattle dog.
As you can see, there are several schools of thought when it comes to the true origins of the Welsh corgi. Both varieties may have originated from the Swedish Vallhund, a much older breed brought to Wales by Vikings centuries earlier, in the 800s. There may also be a connection with the Norwegian Lundehund. Two breeds carry the name corgi: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi. These two have been considered separate breeds for about 70 years. The Cardigan is the older variety and may have been brought to Wales by the Celtic people. Although no one knows for certain how the corgi breed got started, it is assumed that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed was developed in Pembrokeshire, Wales, many centuries ago.

Books and stories about corgis

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There are books about corgis for adults and children. "The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi," by Deborah S. Harper, is just what it claims to be: a detailed history of and guide to the breed. It has invaluable information about the dogs, show corgis, health, famous corgis, care and feeding. The book includes anecdotes about corgis, illustrations and photographs. This detailed reference book gets five-star ratings from corgi lovers.
A very special corgi book is "Everything Corgi: Wit and Wisdom for Lovers of Cardis and Pems," edited by Cindy Read. This book was compiled by authors who contributed their writing and illustrations to benefit CorgiAid, which rescues corgis, provides medical care and rehomes them, thereby giving them a second chance at a happy life.
Quite a few children's book authors feature corgis. The most famous of these are Tasha Tudor's Corgiville books: "Corgiville Fair," "The Great Corgiville Kidnapping" and "Corgiville Christmas." Tudor's corgis have been delighting readers for more than three decades.

Corgi care

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Corgis live 12 to 15 years. An adult Pembroke Welsh corgi should weigh between 20 and 28 pounds. Weight gain is an issue with corgis. A pet owner should not overfeed her corgi and should make sure the dog gets regular exercise. Corgis need at least one long walk a day, and they also enjoy playing with their people or other dogs in their home or in a yard. They can be excellent apartment dogs as long as they get regular exercise, but their barking has been known to irritate neighbors.
A corgi is not a high-maintenance dog. However, corgis do have a double coat and they do shed. The corgi doesn't require a lot of grooming other than an occasional bath and regular brushing, but twice a year they "blow" their undercoat, which creates a furry mess. They often shed a little bit of their outer coat year-round, but you can keep the shedding to a minimum by regular grooming with a brush or comb. Dental care is very important for all dogs, and there are products on the market for this, including flavored doggie toothpaste and small angled toothbrushes that will make it easier to keep your dog's teeth clean.
Pembroke corgis' coats have three basic colors: red, sable and tri-color. Long-haired corgis are called Fluffies, and while they are rejected as show dogs, they are adorable, loving pets.
Corgis are normally very healthy but may be prone to glaucoma or to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is a genetic, inherited disease of the retina. Back disorders are also a worry with corgis, especially for corgis who are overweight and lack proper exercise.

Positives and Negatives

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Pembroke Welsh corgis are intelligent, devoted, protective and obedient. They learn quickly and can be trained to be excellent show and obedience dogs. Corgis are extremely active and loyal; they tend to bark quite a bit, and they make good watch dogs. Corgis can be nervous around strangers and need to be properly socialized and trained while they are still young, to prevent them from becoming overprotective adult dogs. Corgi have been known to try to herd people by nipping at their heels, and they need to be trained not to do this, especially if they are going to be around small children.

Personality

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While the Pembroke corgi enjoys playing, it can also be a tireless worker. The corgi's job was and sometimes still is as a cattle driver. It drives the cattle by nipping at their heels and barking a lot and loudly. Being short and long helps the corgi because it is able to roll out of the way to avoid a cow's kick. Corgis use this method of nipping and rolling when they play with other dogs, especially other corgis.
The Pembroke is often described as a big dog in a small dog's body. Pembroke corgis are bold and determined, but that doesn't preclude the fact that they are also playful, affectionate and fun-loving. Pembroke corgis love attention, enjoy being the star of the show and will behave like clowns just to make you laugh. Corgis are also very vocal, and they exhibit a range of sounds and barks with which to entertain, protect, communicate and, occasionally, annoy.

Is a Corgi the Right Dog for You?

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The Pembroke corgi's roles and talents include being a herder and a watchdog. They can compete in agility competitions and obedience trials. Pembroke Welsh corgis are well-known because they are the breed of choice and adored pet of Queen Elizabeth II. Because of the queen, the Pembroke is more well-known than the Cardigan, and because it is said to have a somewhat gentler and sweeter personality, the Pembroke Welsh corgi has become quite popular, while the Cardigan, a more reserved breed, is a less common pet.
Even though Pembroke corgis are energetic and enjoy stimulation, such as new sights, sounds, smells and activities, they are also content to be at home, keeping their owners company. They are wonderful companions, are very people-oriented and are at their best when they are an integral part of day-to-day family life. They like to be as involved as possible with their humans and are very generous with their love, affection, loyalty, entertainment and lifelong devotion to the people who love them.

Resources

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