About Corgis

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a very intelligent herding breed. As such, Pembrokes typically need a job to do to keep them busy and out of trouble, but are not on the go 24 hours a day like some other herding breeds. They are extremely quick to learn, but unlike some breeds like Golden Retrievers, aren’t necessarily willing to please for praise. Food and toy rewards are great motivators while negative reinforcement will cause a Pembroke to shut down. They excel in agility, flyball, and herding, but are not known for doing as well in the very formal competition obedience ring.

Pembrokes generally are a good family dog. They are an overall healthy breed, with hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy,  and eye conditions being the main health issues. Their short but thick double coat requires little care and sheds dirt quickly, but does shed profusely twice a year. Some corgis have a longer coat like a shelties and are called Fluffs, or Fluffies. This coat does require more grooming but is very pretty. To see some photos of and learn more about fluffies, click Here. Pembrokes come in 3 basic colors: Reds, Sables, and Tricolors, all of which typically have white markings on the nose, feet, and chest.

 

            Pembroke Origins:

Legend has it that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an enchanted dog, and this must be true! ‘Tis said he was used by the fairies and elves of Wales to pull fairy coaches, work fairy cattle, and serve as a steed for the fairy warriors. Even today those people with keen eyes and understanding hearts may see the marks of the fairy saddle in the coat over the shoulder.

Pembrokes have been used by the Welsh as herding dogs, family companions and guardians of the farm. They continue today to be workers and companions for their owners. It is believed that their ancestry dates back to at least the tenth century. It is unknown whether they are descended from the Vallhunds – Swedish cattle dogs brought to Pembrokeshire by the Vikings – or from the ancestors of the present-day Schipperkes and Pomeranians that were brought to Wales by Flemish weavers.

In the 1920’s Corgis were recognized as pure-bred dogs in the United Kingdom. In 1934 the Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis were recognized by the English Kennel Club as separate breeds. American Kennel Club recognition of the two distinct breeds also occurred in that same year.

Above excerpt from ‘An Introduction to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’

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