The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a very old breed of herding dog. It's a Nordic breed with pointy ears, a sharp muzzle and a heavy coat. This breed is low-set, sturdy and active with loads of stamina. It has been used throughout time to herd livestock, as well as domestic fowl. This very intelligent breed of dog is often used in obedience, herding, agility and tracking competitions. With proper care and training, these dogs can live long lives as an integral part of your family.
Step 1
Research several breeders before purchasing a Pembroke Welsh corgi. Choose a dog from a breeder who maintains clean, healthy puppies and participates in dog-related activities according to your interests. Check to make sure the parents have been hip and eye certified for genetic diseases. Ask the breeder if there are any health concerns in your dog's bloodline.
Step 2
Take your new dog or puppy to visit a veterinarian within the first few days after acquiring him. Later, he should visit your veterinarian each year and when additional health questions arise. Vaccinations, de-worming and complete yearly exams will benefit the health of your Pembroke Welsh corgi.
Step 3
Exercise your corgi. These dogs need active stimulation and exercise each day. Several leash walks per day or one to two hours of backyard activity with toys will keep your corgi from creating destruction with unacceptable activities, such as digging, chewing and scratching. Also, off-leash play with other dogs, tug-of-war, swimming, playing fetch or chasing a giant boomer ball may appeal to this herding breed. Obedience training is strongly recommended for the Pembroke Welsh corgis. Obedience can be combined with search and rescue training, flyball games or agility training with these smart dogs.
Step 4
Feed your corgi a high-quality dog food to maintain proper body condition. This breed has a tendency to become overweight and should be fed carefully. According to Purina, your dog's ribs should be easy to feel with minimal fat covering. You should see an indentation just behind his ribs as you view his abdomen.
Step 5
Brush your dog every day. Since the Pembroke Welsh corgi has a thick undercoat and a fluffy topcoat, he will shed some of his coat daily. Use a comb to remove all hair knots and trapped bits of environmental materials. This also removes some of the dead hair. Check his ears and between his toes for any foreign materials. Brush his coat after combing out the knots. Brushing removes additional dead hair and spreads skin oils throughout your dog's coat for a healthy shine.
Step 6
Bathe your corgi about every three months, or when he has become dirty. Fill a tub with about four inches of warm water and place a non-slip rubber mat on the bottom. Use a hose or large cup to wet your dog and shampoo him vigorously with a mild dog shampoo. Dog conditioner applied after shampooing can help moisturize his skin and coat. Dry him with a towel. Swab any dirt from his ears with a cotton ball and trim his nails.
Warnings
This breed may not be suitable for young children. Natural herding tendencies towards young children may include nipping behavior.
Tips
Do not allow your Pembroke Welsh corgi to become overweight. Extra weight can instigate back problems in this long-bodied breed.
Remove hair knots before bathing. Wet hair will make the knots more difficult to remove.
Spay or neuter your dog. It does not affect the dog's personality or ability to compete in activities.
Items You Will Need
- High-quality dog food
- Grooming tools
- Toys
- Leash
- Dog shampoo
- Dog conditioner
- Towel
- Rubber bath mat
References
Photo Credits
- Dog_thinking image by spivak from Fotolia.com