Helen Turner
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a dog with an extraordinary character that needs to be trained well. Active dog owners like to have fun when they can adapt to the dog’s need for activity. The breed portrait reveals what makes the dog so special and what beginners should be aware of.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi belongs to the FCI group 1 of herding and cattle dogs. He is assigned to section 1 with a standard no. 39.
Corgi Dog Breed
Size: 25-30cm
Weight: 12/10/2017 kg
FCI group: 1: herding dogs and cattle dogs
Section: 1: German Shepherds
Country of origin: Great Britain
Colors: fawn, red, blue, black and white, black and brown, sable, reddish-brown, and sable
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Suitable as: family and companion dog
Sports: agility, obedience, tracking
Personality: Playful, Outgoing, Friendly, Caring, Tough, Daring
Exercise requirements: rather high
Drooling potential: low
The thickness of hair: high
Maintenance effort: rather low
Coat structure: medium length, straight with a dense undercoat
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: medium
Origin and breed history
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an ancient breed of dog native to Wales. In Germany, the Corgi occurs very rarely. As the favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth II, the corgi is a cultural asset in his country. British and Welsh cattle dogs of this breed were also used as guard dogs. The word “corrigi” comes from an early 14th-century document. Historical researchers attribute the origin of the word “Corgi” to Celtic origin: “Gor” means dwarf and “Gi” means dog.
For the farmers of Wales, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was an indispensable farm animal. The tasks that the dog had to do were always varied. In addition to guarding the house and yard, they ensured order as driving and herding dogs in a herd of cattle. When changing location, no cattle fell behind. The dogs with the short dachshund legs proceeded quite resolutely by biting the shackles of slow cattle. The role of the heel biter was mainly given to the dog. The short-distance of the nimble four-legged friend and the practical physique were an advantage.
Equally advantageous were the nimble, short legs in the workshops and farmyards of the peasants. Fearless and extremely defensive, the animal took on rats, foxes, martens and strangers. In this way he protected the poultry and rabbit pens.
Today, the Corgi comes in two varieties: the Welsh Corgi Pembroke and the Welsh Corgi Cardigan. After official recognition by the British Kennel Club in 1928, the Pembroke and Cardigan were bred separately. Crossing the two variants has not been permitted since 1934. In 1963, the FCI officially recognized them as an independent dog breed. In the VDH, the Corgi is cared for by a British dog club.
Why do corgis have short legs?
The genetic evolution from wolf to dog features a genetic mutation that resulted in the short legs of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This genetic change is still being studied today.
Nature & temperament of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
The genes of a working dog are inherent in the Welsh Corgi Pembroke. The Pembroke’s innate intelligence made special training in driving and herding dogs almost superfluous. The clever way of thinking and the unerring instinct for the movements of a cow within a group made the dog a natural and all-around talent.
Today, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi acts primarily as a companion dog. In this role, the nature of the animal has settled well. Its active nature, which is always looking for gratification for its urge to move, poses physical challenges for future pet owners. The four-legged friend does not like to put up with a short walk. In addition, he is often superior and knows how to take advantage of educational negligence.
Although the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is predominantly a companion dog today, it never learned that role compared to other dog breeds. He’s not a very trusting creature. Also, people must first earn his loyalty by committing themselves to satisfy his need for action and work. He is human-oriented if he is allowed to develop his abilities in a manner appropriate to the species. But he’s not the classic cuddly type. If you want to get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you should be prepared for an exciting journey. The relationship with this dog can only be built with a lot of attention, affection, and joint activities.
The dog is peaceful when being walked and does not behave aggressively towards other dogs.
The appearance of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the smaller dog breeds and averages around 25-30 centimeters in height, with males usually being slightly larger than females. The weight is between nine and twelve kilos, depending on the size. Many coat colors are allowed – but the colors black, red/light brown, cream and fawn are the most common.
Welsh Corgi Pembrokes are characterized by a very friendly-looking face with ears that are always pricked, which means that the dog always appears alert.
Their long back and short legs are particularly characteristic. The tail is short.
Do corgis have a tail?
Corgis have a tail. The Pembroke is characterized by a short tail, the Cardigan by a long one.
Training and husbandry of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke – This is important to note
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not a city dog, nor is it an animal for small apartments or people who spend a lot of time on the couch. The country is his world in which he can let off steam. The animal is the trained driving and herding dog that needs a lot of exercises. Spacious places that allow the dog to move freely without a leash are best. If the Welsh Corgi Pembroke cannot live out his abilities and his athletic nature, he will not be happy in the long run.
Interested parties should also be prepared for a very self-confident nature. The dog wants to be challenged and represents a challenge in relation to mistress and master. A loving and resolute leadership at the same time is indispensable. Because the dog’s nature is to set order and correct wrongdoing, it will show a tendency to try to do the same with humans. Frightfulness is then not recommended as a reaction.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is clever and knows how to quickly exploit retreats or yields. For this reason, it is not for beginners who are intimidated by it. Because the animal likes to learn and always shows willingness to do so, it is nevertheless suitable for a beginner who has strong self-confidence and knows how to assert himself. Interested parties can look forward to the development of a close friendship in this regard.
If the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is well trained, the breed is a very sociable animal. It knows how to value its owner as an authority and a favorite person and obeys the house rules. The Corgi fan should teach the four-legged friend with the dachshund legs how to behave as a puppy. If this succeeds, the dog behaves in an exemplary manner in restaurants or other places that require discreet behavior.
Diet of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a healthy and hardy animal that does not have high dietary requirements. Nevertheless, the pet owner should always choose high-quality dog food. It is important to keep the dog’s slimline. Because the animal has a high consumption, the Corgi should consume a high proportion of meat so that a long feeling of satiety sets in. Grain as a filler should be largely avoided.
It makes sense to always weigh the feed when the weight ratios change. If the Welsh Corgi Pembroke weighs a little more than normal, dry food croquettes are suitable for weight loss. This is a low-calorie alternative. The dog’s stomach has to do without treats. You would undermine the success of a diet. You should consistently avoid eating from the table, no matter how sweet the Pembroke’s eyes may look.
If the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s body gets adequate exercise and regular portioned food, the weight will remain constant. When it comes to nutrition, dog owners should always keep an eye on the nutritional factors of age, activity, weight, size and health.
Health – life expectancy & common diseases
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed can typically live up to 13 years of age. With species-appropriate husbandry, a healthy diet, and a life without diseases, the animal can even live 16 years. The breed is hardly affected by hereditary diseases. Nevertheless, in some lineages there are diseases that affect the femur of the animal. In what is known as hip dysplasia, this bone does not sit properly in the hip joint. The result: lameness. In principle, the animal should therefore always remain slim and get the amount of exercise it needs during the day.
The dog tends to become overweight if it is given too much food in relation to the activity. Feeding should always be in relation to the current movement status and body weight. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a thick and soft undercoat that keeps them warm on cold days. The animal is not sensitive to cold. The Corgi doesn’t mind heat either. The animal should be protected from excessive heat.
How Long Do Corgis Live?
On average, the Pembroke lives 13 years.
Grooming the Welsh Corgi Pembroke
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a short to medium coat and only needs a weekly brushing. It is still advisable to brush the animal more frequently. Compared to other dog breeds, it sheds quite a lot. Lint rollers in the house should not be missing.
After a trip in the woods, Corgi owners have to reckon with dirt in their fur. If the dirt is wet, it should dry first. Then the dog’s fur can be combed out better. The animal therefore does not need to see the bathtub. Like other dog breeds, it doesn’t need a bath or shower.
However, the focus of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi should not only be on the coat. The length of the claws must also be kept in mind. You can shorten them with claw scissors. Anyone who doesn’t dare to do this can have their vet show them how to do their dog’s pedicure. In order to prevent frequent claw trimming, the Pembroke should walk on as different surfaces as possible. The claws are then formed naturally.
For dental care, the dog owner should buy a toothbrush for dogs. In addition to special dog toothpaste, there are dental care snacks for dogs. The Corgi’s teeth also clean themselves naturally with dry chewing products. They should be used to a limited extent. If they are used daily for dental care, they affect the slim line of the dog’s body in the long run.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi – Activities and Training
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs a lot of exercise. Originally a working dog, herding and herding dog, he is genetically geared for extended activity. The dog feels most comfortable in nature, in the country or in spacious areas. Although he is primarily a companion dog today, he did not originally learn this trait. He is not an apartment dog that is only allowed to go for walks on a leash. If the interested party decides on this dog breed, he should offer the dog an environment with good exercise areas.
While the Pembroke is a very agile and agile dog, it is not suited to all dog sports. He may do well in the dog sport of agility. Due to the short legs, certain jumping obstacles are not feasible for the dog. Obedience training is also very suitable. This sport for dogs focuses on mental training and promoting social behavior with other dogs and people. The nose of the clever Pembroke is ideally suited for tracking work. The chosen dog sport should always be in line with the stature of the dog.
The basic requirement is a well-functioning relationship between human and dog. In fact, all dog sports require teamwork. In all exercises, the animal is in communication with its master. The future owner of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke can look forward to a friend with athletic stamina. But this bundle of energy doesn’t enjoy running next to a bike or next to a horse. The short legs are not made for that.
How much exercise does a Corgi need?
The Corgi needs a lot of exercises to satisfy its urge to move.
Good to know: Peculiarities of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite dog breed and is an integral part of cultural history in his home country.
Disadvantages of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
For active animal lovers, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an ideal friend. However, he is not suitable as a companion for every sport that the dog owner practices. If you are looking forward to long distances by bike, you will be disappointed. Even riders should not take the dog with them on long rides. The legs and anatomy of the dog breed are designed for the nature of a herding dog. Short, intense spurts, during which the animal can throw a hook or two, are the right movements for the dog with the unusual appearance.
Also, not every dog sport can be done with this dog breed. If the interested dog lover plans to take tests within the framework of certain disciplines in dog sports, he will not give the Pembroke Welsh Corgi any fun.
Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi right for me?
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not a lap dog, nor is it a trained companion dog, although today it is considered a companion dog. His innate herding and cattle dog nature will always be present. For this reason, the dog needs a lot of exercise in order to be able to live out its natural urge to exercise.
If you live in the country or close to nature, you can offer your dog what it needs. In the garden alone, however, the Pembroke quickly gets bored. This is then also announced with loud barking dogs. It is not a good idea to leave the dog to its own devices. The dog owner should bring enough time with him. Those interested in buying this breed of dog should think twice about it.
The dog is not really recommended for children because its nature also tends to overestimate itself. It’s easy for him to reprimand children, misinterpreting clumsy behavior as misconduct. His reaction might startle children.
How much does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi cost?
The buyer can expect up to $1500 and more.