The Welsh Corgi is a collective name for two different breeds. The Welsh Corgi Pembroke and the Welsh Corgi Cardigan. The Welsh Corgi belongs to the group of sheepdogs. Corgi means loosely translated dwarf dog and these dogs are a lot smaller than their famous cousin the German shepherd. These funny little dogs are not equally known to everyone. Therefore, here follows a description of these two special breeds.
Welsh Corgi Pembroke
This breed originated in Pembrokeshire in Wales, England. He is believed to be descended from the Vallhund, a small Swedish sheepdog. Pembrokes have a height of 25 to 30 cm and weigh only 10 kilos. They come in all kinds of colors, but the red and white combination is the most popular. Originally these dogs were bred with a small tail. However, as docking became more common, the focus shifted from breeders to other characteristics. Now that docking is prohibited in several countries, short-tailed breeding is again being done. While you won’t directly associate a Pembroke with a large sheepdog, this breed does have parallels with its larger cousins. They are active, intelligent and athletic and are very similar to the larger shepherd breeds. They have also inherited the stamina of the larger breeds and can run and jump well. Their short legs hardly seem to be a disadvantage.
Use
Originally, Pembrokes were used as herdsmen of sheep, horses and cows. Like most sheepdogs did this by nipping at the animals’ heels. As an advantage, however, they had their small size here, they could easily roll away from the kicking hind legs. Today this dog breed is mainly kept as a companion dog. They are funny and sweet, but they tend to command their environment. They bond very strongly to their families and act protective when necessary. Despite their somewhat dominant character, they are obedient dogs that learn quickly. The dominance can also be largely trained, especially when it is started at a very young age.
Grooming
Pembrokes need a lot of exercise, an hour a day is really the minimum. This breed of dog is very sensitive to training with treats and other treats, but due to their predisposition to obesity, they must be handled with care. Because of their long spines, these dogs are more prone to arthritis and obesity worsens and accelerates. Blindness also occurs earlier in this breed than in other breeds. Pembrokes can live up to 12 to 14 years old.
Welsh Corgi Cardigan
Just like the Pembroke, the Cardigan comes from Wales. Although the dog has been known since the 10th century, it was not shown for the first time at an exhibition until 1892. The Cardigan is slightly larger than the Pembroke. The breed has a height of 30 cm at the withers and weighs 12 to 16 kilos. Unlike the Pembroke, the Cardigan has a medium length tail that reaches almost to the ground. This variety also comes in many colors.
Use
The Cardigan, like the Pembroke, was used for herding cattle. He did this in the same way and also benefited from its small size. This breed is now mainly kept as a companion dog. He is very close to his family and is very kind to children. For the rest, it can be compared well with the Pembroke. Because the Cardigan was bred for livestock and cooperation with the owner, it is a very suitable dog to participate in flyball or agility.
Grooming
Cardigans also need a lot of exercise and must be able to be busy for at least an hour a day. They are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is also an occasional disease in Welsh Corgis. This disease causes blindness in the dog for the first year of life. Breeders affiliated with the Welsh Cardigan Club Netherlands (WCCN) are obliged to test their animals for this disease. As a result, PRA no longer occurs in dogs from these breeders.
