Online Guide to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed

Common Misspellings: Pembroke Welch Corgi, Penbroke Welsh Corgie, Corgie, Welch Corgie

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was first developed in Pembrokeshire, Wales as an all purpose working and herding dog. It is thought that this breed is a descendent from Spitz-type ancestors and was brought to Wales by Flemmish weavers. Over the generations that followed, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi's appearance and size evolved somewhat but his herding instincts remain.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a handsome and friendly dog. He is solidly built and naturally tailless. The Pembroke's temperament has been described as a big dog in a small body; distinct of character and heaps of fun.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Size Variations: All generally small. Females typically smaller than males.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Colors: colors
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Exercise Needs: Demanding
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Grooming Needs: Moderate
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Life Expectancy (Lifespan) :11 - 13 years
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs Good With Children?: Yes, with supervision.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Training: Moderate

Pembroke Welsh Corgi History

Although the precise ancestry of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is unclear, historians believe this breed dates back to the eleventh century. Early on, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was bred for practical purposes, namely herding sheep and cattle and occasionally herding the Welsh Pony. The Corgi's diminutive size was a fundamental qualification for this job because the Pembroke Welsh Corgi herded by nipping at heels while nimbly avoiding kicks to the head.

There is little doubt that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi are related. In fact, until the early 20th century, both breeds were considered one diverse breed even though the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was developed separately in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The division resulted from early unsuccessful attempts at showing the Pembroke in the ring.

In 1926 a club was formed for the Pembroke and eager breeders swept the Pembroke Welsh Corgi from the farm to the ring. Not surprisingly, the judges were unimpressed and few people took notice of this dog. Undeterred, the breeders strove to capitalize on the Pembroke�s fetching, fox-like appearance. Their efforts resulted in the establishment of the modern day Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Perhaps the best known tidbit about the Pembroke is its connection to England's Royal Family. In 1933, King George VI purchased one for his daughter, Princess Elizabeth. Ever since, several Pembroke Welsh Corgis have been Her Majesty's beloved companion dogs.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Appearance

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is of short stature, smaller than his Cardigan Welsh Corgi sibling. This Corgi has sharp, fox-like expression and has no tail. The Pembroke is long and low with a thick neck and moderate bone density.
The most distinguishing feature of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are its stubby legs which are unpredictably powerful. Its coat is commonly red, sable or fawn, but black and tan are growing in popularity. White flashings are popular, but not essential.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Temperament & Personality

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is active and quick-witted. He will seek any opportunity to play and will often revert to herding type games. This can be problematic for children whose role in the game, unbeknownst to them, is that of a cow whose heels will be nipped without warning. Strangers (mailmen, joggers and the like) may be wary of the Pembroke's bark, which unless curbed in training, can sound most unwelcoming. This perception contradicts the true temperament of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. When properly socialized, the Pembroke likes other pets, most dogs and even felines. In short, he is loving, amiable and unwaveringly loyal.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Exercise Needs

If you happen to be at a professional crossroads and are considering sheep farming as a career, then the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the dog for you. Barring that, you will need to consider that the Pembroke�s compact legs need regular daily exercise with a distance in the region of 8 to 10 kilometers. More reasonably perhaps, try an off-leash dog park where your Pembroke can herd to his heart's content (however unsuccessfully).

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Grooming Requirements

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has simple grooming requirements. A daily brush and a occasional bath will do. The exception to this rule is as the seasons change and your Pembroke sheds his winter coat. Much more frequent brushing will be needed.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Training

Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners' primary training need is similar to that of other breeds. That is, training your Pembroke to evacuate outside. Crate training is typically effective here. The real challenge is curbing your Corgi's instinctual habit of heel nipping. This action is a throwback to his herding days and a means to move cattle over great distances. Your grandmother however, needs no such prodding but she will surely get it.

The jury is out about whether a water spay bottle is an effective tool for curbing this nipping behaviour. Some Corgis hate this technique and the nipping is then compounded with aggression.

Another technique is to roll the Pembroke onto his back as soon as he nips. This submissive position should be held until he is calm and understands the NO! command. With luck, your Corgi will obey, but don't dismay if he does not. There are many training centres that specialize in this behaviour so maybe professional trainers will find greater success.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Information

Health concerns for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi include; Intervertebral disc disease, arthritis, CHD, epilepsy, degenerative myelopathy, VWD, PRA, lens luxation, urinary stones.

Finding A Responsible Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breeder

Now that you have decided that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

Additional Pembroke Welsh Corgi Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed. We've compiled a list of Pembroke Welsh Corgi information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of an Pembroke Welsh Corgi information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.