Corgi Dog Wiki: History, Breeds, and Care

Corgis have a rich history dating back to the 10th century in Wales, where they were bred as herding dogs for the royal family.

Their original purpose was to herd cattle and horses, and they were highly valued for their intelligence, agility, and strength.

The name "corgi" is derived from the Welsh language, with "cor" meaning "dwarf" and "gi" meaning "dog".

Corgis were also known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners, making them popular companions.

Their short stature made them ideal for navigating tight spaces and herding livestock in the rugged Welsh countryside.

There are two main breeds of corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the more common of the two breeds and is known for its short tail and ears.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a longer tail and ears, and is generally considered to be more rare.

Corgis require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and obesity.

A daily walk and playtime are essential for keeping them happy and healthy.

Proper care and attention can help corgis live up to 12-14 years or more.

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The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a larger breed with a distinctive bone structure, featuring a more exaggerated bend in the front two legs that fits around the ribcage.

This breed stands between 10.5 and 12.5 inches tall at the withers and weighs between 30-38 pounds, making it a sturdy companion.

Cardigans have a double coat, with a dense, slightly harsh outer coat and a short, soft undercoat.

The Cardigan is a larger breed of Corgi, standing between 10.5 and 12.5 inches tall at the withers. They weigh between 30-38 pounds and have a sturdy build with denser bone mass.

Their coat is double-layered, with a dense outer coat and a short, soft undercoat. The outer coat is medium in length and slightly harsh in texture. Cardigans are allowed more colors than Pembroke Corgis, including shades of red, sable, and brindle.

White markings are expected on a Cardigan's coat, and those with a black coat can have tan or brindle points. Merle markings are also present in the breed, typically in blue merle.

Here's a breakdown of the expected colors and markings on a Cardigan's coat:

Their ears are large and rounded, and their tail is 12 inches long and fox-like.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a sturdy breed with a strong build, weighing no more than 30 pounds for males and 25 pounds for females.

They're low-set and intelligent, with a common height at the withers of 10-12 inches, making them a compact companion.

Their ears are pointed, and their tail is shorter than that of a Cardigan, although some breeders are now working to bring back the natural bobtail.

You can find them in a variety of colors, including red, sable, tan, fawn, and black, often with or without white markings.

Their coat is double-layered, with a shorter inner coat that's resistant to harsh weather and a rougher outer coat that's longer but still of medium length.

The length of their coat varies depending on the part of their body, with longer and thicker fur behind their legs and under their bodies.

They also have more voluminous fur on their chest, neck, and shoulders, and their coats are known to shed.

The Corgi breed has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, originating from the ancient Pembrokeshire region in Wales.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of a Corgi-like dog is in a 10th-century Welsh manuscript, which describes a small, agile dog used for herding cattle.

The Corgi's short stature was likely developed to allow them to move freely under the legs of horses and other livestock, making them an ideal breed for herding.

In the 10th century, Corgis were highly valued by the Welsh people for their intelligence, loyalty, and herding ability.

The first written records of the Corgi breed date back to the 12th century, when they were mentioned in a Welsh charter.

Corgis were initially bred to herd cattle, sheep, and horses, and their intelligence and athleticism made them well-suited for this task.

The Corgi's distinctive appearance, including their short stature and long body, was likely developed to help them navigate the dense underbrush of the Welsh countryside.

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Corgis were often kept as companions by Welsh nobility and were highly regarded for their intelligence and loyalty.

By the 15th century, the Corgi breed had become established in Wales, with the first breed standard being written in the 16th century.

The Corgi's popularity as a herding breed led to their widespread use in Wales, with many families keeping them as working dogs.

Today, Corgis are still highly valued for their intelligence, loyalty, and herding ability, making them a beloved breed around the world.

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Modern breeds of Welsh Corgis, such as the Cardigan and the Pembroke, are named for the counties in Wales where they originated.

The two breeds share several similar traits, including their water-resistant coats that shed on average twice a year.

Their bodies are relatively short, with the Cardigan being slightly longer than the Pembroke, and both breeds have short legs that place their bodies close to the ground.

Both breeds have a distinctive fox-like head shape, although the Cardigan's head is typically larger and has a larger nose.

It's worth noting that it can take a few days for a Corgi's true coat color to appear, especially in those with tricolor or black and tan markings.

Corgis are highly versatile and often compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.

With their strong herding instincts and trainability, Corgis can even be trained to compete in herding trials, known colloquially as a "mad run".

Pembrokes and Cardigans have similar average lifespans, with a median age at death of 12 years 3 months and 12 years 2 months respectively.

The main causes of death in both breeds are canine cancer and old age, but Pembrokes show a higher proportion of deaths attributed to kidney failure or urethral obstruction.

Canine cancer is a significant health concern for both breeds, with no notable difference in rates between Pembrokes and Cardigans.

Eye conditions are more common in Pembrokes, with over a quarter of the breed surveyed suffering from some type of eye issue, compared to 6.1% of Cardigans.

Progressive retinal atrophy and canine glaucoma are eye conditions that can affect Corgis, particularly those over six years of age.

Cataracts in Corgis are treatable with cataract extraction, providing a positive outcome for affected dogs.

Musculoskeletal issues, including arthritis, are common in both breeds, but hip dysplasia is rare in Corgis.

Corgis have made a significant impact on popular culture, appearing in various forms of media such as films, stage productions, and novels. They have been featured in the Walt Disney film Little Dog Lost in 1963, which led to an increase in popularity for the breed within the United States.

In the 1961 Elvis film Blue Hawaii, a local Corgi appeared in a scene to help fetch a towel, showcasing their friendly and loyal nature. The Queen's Corgi is a Belgian animated film depicting the Queen's Corgis.

The royal Corgis have also made appearances in high-profile events, such as the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, where Queen Elizabeth II was escorted by James Bond from Buckingham Palace to the stadium. This exposure has further increased their popularity and cultural significance.

Corgis have been featured in various forms of media, including the anime Cowboy Bebop, where the crew has a super-intelligent Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Ein, on their ship. The Top Shelf graphic novel Korgi plays on the folklore tradition of the Corgi as a faerie draft animal.

Here are some notable examples of Corgis in popular culture:

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are proportional to larger breeds but have shorter legs, giving them a sturdy appearance and athletic body.

Their bodies are long, with a naturally long, bobbed, or artificially docked tail and erect, big ears. The corgi's head should be foxy in shape and appearance.

The average height of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall from their feet to the top of their shoulders.

Their length from the shoulders to the set on of the tail is 40 percent longer than their height.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically weigh between 23 to 30 pounds (10 to 14 kg), with males weighing up to 38 pounds (17 kg) if allowed to overeat.

They reach their full height by 9 months old, but their bodies continue to fill out until they reach full maturity at two years.

Pembrokes have a big appetite, so they can benefit from portion control and regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

Here are the five "allowed" colors for Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a triple coat with medium length hair and are fairly heavy shedders. They blow their coat twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Their coat should be medium length with a little extra on the chest plate, and they have an undercoat of fine soft fur and an overcoat of coarse hair, making their coat water resistant.

Some Pembroke Welsh Corgis are born with a natural bobtail, while others may have their tails docked between 2–5 days old due to tradition or to conform to the breed standard.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very affectionate dogs that thrive on being part of the family.

They love to be involved in family activities and will often follow their owners wherever they go. They're eager to please and have a strong desire to learn and train, which makes them relatively easy to train.

Their intelligence is ranked as the eleventh smartest dog breed in Stanley Coren's book, The Intelligence of Dogs.

As natural herders, they have a strong instinct to chase anything that moves, so it's essential to keep them in fenced areas to prevent them from running off.

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They also make great watchdogs due to their alertness and tendency to bark only as needed.

Socialization is key for this breed, especially when they're young, to avoid any anti-social behavior or aggression later in life.

Most Pembrokes will seek attention from everyone they meet and behave well around children and other pets.

However, their herding instinct can sometimes get the better of them, causing them to nip at their owner's ankles.

If you're looking to engage your Pembroke Welsh Corgi in some fun activities, you've come to the right place! They can compete in dog agility trials.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are naturally talented in herding events, and their trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. This is a great way to channel their instincts and keep them active.

Dog agility trials are a great way to challenge your Corgi physically and mentally. They can also participate in obedience, showmanship, flyball, and tracking events.

If you're new to dog sports, it's worth checking out the Intro to Dog Sports section for some helpful guidance.