The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a beloved breed, but understanding its mass is crucial for owners and potential owners alike. They typically weigh between 25-38 pounds.
Their short stature, which is a result of selective breeding, can sometimes lead to health issues. However, responsible breeding practices have helped minimize these problems.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a medium-sized breed, with males standing about 10.5-12 inches tall at the shoulder.
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Origin and History
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an ancient heritage, dating back over 1,000 years BCE when the Celts migrated to Wales and brought a dog resembling the Cardigan Welsh Corgi with them.
Their name "Corgi" may come from the Celtic word for "dog" or from the words "cor" meaning "dwarf" and "gi" meaning "dog."
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was named after the area of Pembrokeshire, where it came to live around the 10th century.
Origin
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's origin is a fascinating story that spans over 1,000 years. The breed's heritage is deeply rooted in ancient Wales, where a dog resembling the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is believed to have arrived when the Celts migrated there more than 1,000 years BCE.
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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's name is derived from the area of Pembrokeshire, where it came to live around the 10th century. The name "Corgi" itself may come from the Celtic word for "dog" or from other tales that attribute it to "cor" (dwarf) and "gi" (dog).
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's size made it an ideal working dog for Welsh crofters, who needed a dog that could nip at cattle's heels without getting kicked. This trait became particularly valuable to working Welsh farmers when the British Crown created a rule that decreased the size of their land.
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Changes Over Time
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed has undergone significant changes over time. Initially, it included both the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, but they were recognized as separate breeds in 1934.
Queen Elizabeth II played a crucial role in popularizing the breed, receiving her first Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Dookie, as a gift from her father in 1933.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's popularity surged after Queen Elizabeth II became a significant influencer for the breed throughout the 20th century. She had over 30 Pembroke Corgis throughout her lifetime.
The breed's popularity declined in the UK over the last decade, with only 274 Pembroke puppies registered with the Kennel Club in 2014.
How to Care
Brushing your Pembroke Welsh Corgi weekly with a rubber curry brush is essential to remove dead hair from its fur.
Regular brushing sessions should ideally last around 10 minutes to fully remove loose hair. This will help keep your home clean and your dog comfortable.
The frequency of bathing will vary depending on your dog's activities, but a bath is recommended every 6 to 8 weeks. This will help keep their coat clean and healthy.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are not hypoallergenic and are average shedders, so regular brushing is crucial to keep shedding at a minimum. This will also help prevent hair from getting all over your home.
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Nails should be trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent tears and overgrowth. This is an easy and important part of caring for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Weekly brushing of the teeth is also required to maintain oral health. This will help prevent bad breath and other dental problems.
Daily exercise is crucial for this active breed, as it needs to run around to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk and plenty of running area will keep your Pembroke Welsh Corgi content and prevent obesity.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are relatively low-maintenance dogs, but regular brushing and combing of their plush double coat are still necessary.
Training and Behavior
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are easy and fun to train, learning quickly and retaining their lessons with enthusiasm. They thrive on positive, reward-based training that brings out the best in them.
They are intelligent and love to solve problems, making them wonderful at picking up dog training. Their love of food means that positive reinforcement training is a breeze.
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Pembroke Welsh Corgis can get overexcited, nipping, chasing, and barking, but this can be addressed as puppies with proper training and boundaries. They are initially wary of strangers and can be territorial, but socialization from puppyhood helps them gain confidence.
With proper socialization, training, and management, Pembroke Welsh Corgis can do well with other animal companions and children in the home. They love to run around and play, but young children and dogs should always be supervised.
A unique perspective: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Training
Exercise and Enrichment
Pembroke Welsh Corgis need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy, even with their short legs. They were bred to run and herd all day.
To keep them entertained, provide mental enrichment activities that challenge their problem-solving skills. These herders were born to solve problems and work independently.
Daily walks and games of fetch in the yard are a good start, but many Corgis enjoy hiking and swimming beyond that. Exercise will help prevent unwanted puppy behaviors.
Teach new tricks and attend obedience classes to keep their minds engaged. This will also provide valuable rewards for your Corgi.
Join a dog sport or provide dog puzzles and interactive toys to keep your Corgi's brain active.
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Behavior and Training
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are easy and fun to train, responding quickly to positive, reward-based training.
They are intelligent and love to solve problems, making them pick up dog training with ease. Their love of food means that positive reinforcement training is a breeze.
To prevent unwanted behaviors, it's essential to keep their minds engaged and provide enough exercise. This will help prevent them from transferring their herding instincts to people or other animals in the home.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend to nip, chase, and bark when they get overexcited, but this can be addressed as puppies by teaching them boundaries and how to calm down.
Positive reinforcement training will help you and your Corgi build a strong bond and teach them what to do instead of barking or nipping.
Keeping their brains engaged through mental enrichment is crucial, as these herders were born to solve problems and work independently.
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Return
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are intelligent and devoted dogs, making them responsive to training. They thrive on interaction and attention, so be prepared to spend quality time with your corgi.
Socialization from puppyhood is crucial for corgis to gain confidence in different situations. This means exposing them to various environments, people, and other animals to help them become well-adjusted adults.
They are initially wary of strangers and can be territorial, so it's essential to introduce them to new people and places gradually. This will help them feel more secure and reduce the likelihood of defensive behavior.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are excellent watchdogs, taking caring for their family seriously. They'll alert you to potential threats and keep a watchful eye on their loved ones.
Here are some key characteristics to keep in mind when training your Pembroke Welsh Corgi:
Breed Characteristics
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are small dogs with big personalities. They typically weigh between 20 and 30 pounds and stand between 10 and 15 inches tall.
Their unique appearance is characterized by a fox-like face, large ears, and a long, sturdy body. They often have a bobbed tail, although docking is becoming less common for this breed.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a highly intelligent breed that is easy to train, but can be stubborn at times. They are athletic herding dogs that love to work and play.
Here are some key breed characteristics:
Their expressive faces and quirky personalities make them excellent companions that will endlessly entertain.
Breed Description
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a breed that's hard to ignore, with its unique appearance and charming personality. They have a fox-like face and large ears, which give them a distinctive look.
Their stature is also quite notable, with short legs and a long, sturdy body weighing between 20 and 30 pounds and standing between 10 and 15 inches tall. This compact size makes them a delight to have around, especially in smaller living spaces.
One of the most recognizable features of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is their bobbed tail, although docking is becoming less common for this breed. More and more Pembrokes are sporting a longer tail, which adds to their charm.
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Pembroke Welsh Corgis are also full of personality and up for anything, making them excellent companions. They're intelligent, athletic, and love to work and play, which means they need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
In terms of grooming, Pembrokes have a dense, double coat that sheds moderately, and they require regular brushing to prevent matting. They're also prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and eye problems, so regular veterinary check-ups are essential.
Here are some key facts about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed:
Overall, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a wonderful breed that makes a great companion for active families or individuals. With their intelligence, athleticism, and charming personality, it's no wonder they've become a popular choice for many dog owners.
North America
In North America, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi gained popularity after being recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934. The first registered Corgi, "Little Madam", arrived in the U.S. from London in 1933.
The breed's excellent personalities, adaptability, and size contributed to their rapid rise in popularity. They also benefited from media coverage of the Queen's corgis in England.
By 1998, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi had become the 37th most popular dog breed in the United States.
Similar Breeds and Maintenance
If you're considering bringing a Pembroke Welsh Corgi into your family, you might be wondering if they're a low-maintenance breed.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are actually quite similar to the Rustralian Terrier, sharing 100% similarity in maintenance needs.
While they do require regular exercise, they're not high-energy dogs and can thrive in smaller living spaces.
The Rustralian Terrier, for example, is another breed that requires minimal grooming and exercise.
If you're looking for a breed that's similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in terms of maintenance, the Chinook is another option to consider.
The Chinook requires regular exercise, but they're also relatively low-maintenance when it comes to grooming.
If you're willing to provide regular exercise and mental stimulation, the Chinook can make a great companion.
Here are some breeds that are similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in terms of maintenance:
- Rustralian Terrier (100% Similar)
- Chinook (100% Similar)
- Norwegian Elkhound (100% Similar)
- Welsh Terrier (100% Similar)
- Podenco Canario (100% Similar)
Keep in mind that every dog is an individual, and while these breeds may share similar maintenance needs, it's always a good idea to research and understand the specific needs of a breed before bringing one home.
Health and Well-being
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are generally a healthy breed, with an average lifespan of 12 years 3 months, similar to their Cardigan cousins.
Their main causes of death are canine cancer and old age, with a higher proportion of deaths attributed to kidney failure or urethral obstruction in Pembrokes.
Eye conditions are a common issue in Corgis, with over a quarter of Pembrokes suffering from some type of eye condition, compared to just 6.1% of Cardigans.
These eye conditions can be serious, especially progressive retinal atrophy, which occurs more often in dogs over six years old.
To keep your Pem in top shape, make sure to feed them high-quality food in measured amounts, aiming for 3/4 to 1.5 cups per day, divided into two meals.
Regular check-ups and monitoring their weight can help prevent health issues, such as kidney failure or urethral obstruction.
Health
Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis have similar average lifespans, with a median age at death of 12 years 3 months for Pembrokes and 12 years 2 months for Cardigans.
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The main causes of death in both breeds are canine cancer and old age, but Pembrokes are more likely to die from kidney failure or urethral obstruction.
Both breeds suffer from similar rates of ongoing health conditions, except for eye problems: over a quarter of Pembrokes have some type of eye condition, while only 6.1% of Cardigans do.
Eye conditions in Corgis can include progressive retinal atrophy, which is more common in dogs over six years old, and canine glaucoma, which is more common in older dogs.
Cataracts in Corgis are treatable with cataract extraction, making early detection and treatment crucial.
Similar percentages of both breeds experience musculoskeletal issues, including arthritis, but hip dysplasia is rare in Corgis.
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Tail Docking
Tail docking, a practice that's been done for centuries, involves removing a puppy's tail while it's still very young, typically between two and five days old. This is a common practice in the US and Canada for Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
The breed standard for Pembroke Welsh Corgis, as defined by the AKC and CKC, historically included tail docking. However, it's not a common practice for Cardigan Corgis.
It's believed that tail docking was done to prevent Corgis from getting caught or trampled by cattle while herding.
The
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a social breed that thrives on interaction with people and other animals. They love to be around their family and are known to form strong bonds with them.
Their intelligence makes them relatively easy to train, but they can be stubborn at times. With patience and positive reinforcement, they can learn a variety of commands.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to overeating, so it's essential to monitor their food intake and ensure they get regular exercise. A daily walk and playtime will help keep them in shape.
Their short legs may make them look cute, but they're still capable of herding people and other animals. This trait can be a fun and entertaining aspect of their personality.
With proper socialization from an early age, Pembroke Welsh Corgis can become well-rounded dogs that get along with other pets and people. They're naturally suspicious of strangers, so early exposure is key.
A balanced diet and regular exercise will help maintain their physical health, and their short stature means they're not too demanding in terms of space.
Other Pets
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are generally good with other pets in the household, so long as they have been socialized with them. This means that with proper introduction and training, Pems can live harmoniously with other pets.
However, it's essential to remember that Pembrokes have a strong herding instinct, which might lead them to nip at other pets' feet or ankles if they're not properly trained. This is especially true if they're not socialized with other pets from an early age.
With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can teach your Pembroke Welsh Corgi to coexist peacefully with other pets.
Consider reading: Is a Corgi a Good Family Dog
Sources
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed | Origin, History ... (nylabone.com)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Dog Breed Facts and Information (wagwalking.com)
- preferred dog breed of Queen Elizabeth II (npr.org)
- thick double coat (corgicare.com)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) (ofa.org)
- Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue (lakeshorecorgirescue.org)
- "'Ah, the Queen's dog!' How the royal connection brought the corgi back into fashion" (theguardian.com)
- "End of an Era: Queen Elizabeth's Last Corgi Has Passed Away" (lifewithdogs.tv)
- "Her devoted canine companions – cocker spaniels, labradors and, of course, corgis" (telegraph.co.uk)
- "Official Standard of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi" (akc.org)
- "Corgi popularity on the rise thanks to social media" (express.co.uk)
- "Everybody Panic: Corgis Are On Their Way to Becoming Endangered" (time.com)
- "Welsh Corgis: Small Dogs With Big Dog Hearts" (canismajor.com)
- "The Queen's Corgis designated a 'vulnerable' breed" (telegraph.co.uk)
- "Dog Breeds Journal" (dogbreedsjournal.com)
- Welsh Corgi (wikimedia.org)
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