Protective and sturdy, they make fine guards, and excellent show and obedience dogs. Good family dog. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be barky.
Pembrokeshire, Wales. Bred out of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke’s ancestors were introduced by Flemish weavers to the Celts in the 1100s. The Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgis were interbred and considered the same breed up until 1934, when a show judge decided they were too different and divided them into two different breeds. After they were divided the Pembroke gained in popularity and is to this day more popular than the Cardigan.
Cattle herder; cattle drover, vermin hunters and farm guards. They drove cattle by barking and nipping at the cattle’s heels. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s low physique helped him roll out of the way of kicking cows.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are alert, lively, devoted, bold, workmanlike, and intuitive.
25.5 to 30.5 cm; 7.5 to 13.5 kg. Colour is usually red but can also be fawn, sable, black-and-tan, sometimes with white markings. The most observable difference between the Pembroke and the Cardigan is that the Pembroke lacks a tail while the Cardigan has a long tail. The Pembroke generally has straighter legs, as it is not as long-bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke’s head is usually more wedge-shaped; the ears are tinier and closer together than the Cardigans; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.
Outer coat is short to medium, rough and water-resistant; undercoat is thick and dense. Low to moderate maintenance, comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, bathe only when necessary. Professional grooming is optional. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds moderately twice a year.
Degenerative myelopathy, hot spots, eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, PRA), PDA, epilepsy, intervertebral disk disease. Do not overfeed to prevent obesity, which can cause back problems.
Moderate to high; needs daily vigorous exercise; many will self-exercise, but must be encouraged to do so.
Corgis do fine in apartment life provided they are sufficiently exercised. They can get restless indoors when lacking the required workout. An averaged sized yard is desired, although daily long walks can be the workaround.
Bonds to whole family. Very playful with older children, has fewer tendencies to “nip” than the Cardigan, who has retained more of his cattle-herding inclinations. Usually wary of strangers. Generally okay with other non-canine pets, although some may fight with same-sex dogs. Pembroke Welsh Corgis should be socialised when young.
High; early socialisation needed.
Obedience, agility, herding.
