Welsh Corgi News: Characteristics and Grooming Tips

The Welsh Corgi is a beloved breed known for its intelligence and loyalty.

These dogs are highly trainable and thrive on mental stimulation.

Their short stature makes them a great fit for families with small children or for people who live in apartments.

The average lifespan of a Welsh Corgi is 12-14 years, making them a long-term companion.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a compact breed with a sturdy build, weighing no more than 30 pounds.

Their height ranges from 10 to 12 inches at the shoulders, with a preferred medium size dog weighing approximately 24 to 27 pounds.

The breed's head is foxy in shape and appearance, with erect ears that are firm, medium in size, and tapered slightly to a rounded point.

Their coat is medium length and straight, with a double coat that sheds heavily all year round, with peaks in the spring and autumn.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's tail is short, either a natural bob or docked, with a full-length natural tail set on line with the topline.

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Their eyes are medium size, oval in shape, and brown in color, blending with the color of the coat.

The breed's hindquarters are strong and flexible, with well-angulated stifles and parallel rear pasterns when viewed from behind.

Their body is medium length, not short coupled, with well-sprung ribs that taper slightly when viewed from above.

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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's body is a remarkable thing, with a medium length that's neither too short nor too long. This length allows for a well-sprung ribcage that tapers slightly when viewed from above.

The distance from the withers to the base of the tail is approximately 40% greater than the distance from the withers to the ground, giving the breed a sturdy and balanced appearance.

The chest is broad and deep, well let down between the forelegs, which provides ample room for the heart and lungs. This is essential for a working dog like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The topline is level and does not fall away at the croup, giving the breed a smooth and athletic appearance. This is a result of careful breeding and selection for the breed standard.

The hind legs of a well-bred animal are short and sturdy, with ample bone carried right down to the feet.

A key aspect of a good hind leg is its angulation, which should be well-balanced to ensure efficient movement. Exaggerated angulation can be a fault, as it can lead to instability.

Rear pasterns should be parallel when viewed from behind, indicating proper alignment and balance. This is crucial for a smooth and efficient gait.

Barrel hocks and cow hocks are undesirable features that can affect an animal's movement and overall health.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's tail is a distinctive feature, and it's worth noting that it's often short, either a natural bob or docked.

In the breed standard, a full-length natural tail is set on line with the topline and may be carried out behind the dog, straight up perpendicular to the back or curved over the back in a graceful sickle.

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A tail that is curled tightly and carried on the back is considered a fault, as is a straight tail that snaps flat against the back.

It's interesting to note that tail docking, the removal of the tail, was historically considered the breed standard for Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the US and Canada.

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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's coat comes in four different colors: fawn, sable, red, and black and tan - all with or without white markings.

Their double coat sheds heavily all year around, with peaks in the spring and autumn, so regular brushing is a must to keep their fur under control.

Pembrokes shed constantly, no matter the length of their coat, so be prepared for a lot of loose hair.

A slicker brush, pin comb, and undercoat rake are the best tools for the job, helping to distribute natural oils and prevent tangles.

Their coat can range from a smoother and close-to-the-body length to a "fluffy" length, but either way, it's best to let it grow naturally rather than clipping it, as this can cause uneven grow out and damage to the hair follicles.

Pembrokes are naturally water- and dirt repellent, except for the dreaded "fluffies" with their exaggerated feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and feet.

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The eyes of this breed are quite distinctive, with a medium size and oval shape.

Eye color is a beautiful brown, which blends perfectly with the color of the coat.

Oval-shaped eyes are a notable feature of this breed, adding to their unique charm.

It's worth noting that the eyes can be faulty if they're black-, yellow-, or bluish-colored.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a thick double coat that sheds constantly, so be prepared for a lot of loose hair at home. Regular brushing will help keep the shedding under control, especially during seasonal changes in the spring and fall.

The best way to brush your Pembroke is with a slicker brush, pin comb, or undercoat rake. These tools will help distribute natural oils, prevent tangles, and keep their skin and coat healthy.

Pembrokes are double-coated, meaning they have a thick undercoat and a topcoat. This double coat helps keep them cool by facilitating airflow across their skin. It's not recommended to clip a double-coat, as it can cause uneven growth, damage to hair follicles, and increase the risk of sunburn and overheating.

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To keep your Pembroke's shedding in check, regular brushing is essential. Trimming or clipping their coat won't reduce shedding, but it will make their fur shorter and potentially more prickly.

Pembrokes need plenty of exercise every day, so be prepared to get moving with your furry friend. They're surprisingly fast and agile, despite their short legs and long backs.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are smart and love to solve problems, making them wonderful at picking up dog training.

Positive reinforcement training is a breeze for Corgis, thanks to their love of food and play. This means you can use treats and praise to encourage good behavior.

Their intelligence also means they can get bored if their minds aren't engaged, so providing them with enough exercise and mental stimulation is essential.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend to nip, chase, and bark when they get overexcited, but this can be addressed with training as puppies.

Training is imperative to prevent unwanted behaviors in Corgis, especially if they get bored. Positive reinforcement training will help you build a strong bond with your Corgi.

Pembrokes have a remarkable affinity for children, but they can nip at their feet or ankles due to their herding instincts. This behavior can be trained out of them at a young age.

No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child, even if they're friendly. Supervising interactions between dogs and young children is crucial to prevent biting or ear or tail pulling.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a relatively long-lived breed, with a life expectancy of 13.2 years, according to a 2024 UK study.

Their unique stature as a "true dwarf" breed can lead to certain non-inherited health conditions, such as fractures due to their short legs and long backs.

Pembrokes are also prone to obesity due to their robust appetite, characteristic of herding group breeds.

Genetic testing is available to help avoid inherited health issues like monorchidism, Von Willebrand's disease, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and inherited eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy.

Regular exercise is crucial to maintain their physical health, but they should avoid jumping on or off high surfaces to prevent fractures.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a relatively long-lived breed, with a life expectancy of 13.2 years according to a 2024 UK study.

Their unique stature and build can lead to certain non-inherited health conditions.

A robust appetite, characteristic of herding group breeds, can make Pembrokes prone to obesity.

Common health issues in Pembrokes include monorchidism, Von Willebrand's disease, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy (DM).

Genetic testing is available to help avoid these issues and enhance the genetic health pool.

Inherited eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy are also a concern for Pembrokes.

Pembrokes need regular brushing to keep their thick double coat under control, especially during seasonal shedding in the spring and fall.

They shed a lot, so be prepared to deal with floating fur at home. Regular brushing will also help keep their skin and coat healthy by distributing natural oils and preventing tangles.

Introduce your Pembroke to positive brushing experiences as a puppy to set them up for success.

Pembrokes require plenty of exercise each day, but they can adapt to living in apartments as long as they get the physical stimulation they need.

They shouldn't be expected to jump up or down from furniture due to their short legs and long backs, which can lead to fractures.

Pembrokes are very people-oriented and need to be part of the family at all times, not left alone in the backyard.

To keep your Pembroke in good shape, feed them twice a day instead of leaving food out all the time.

Measure their food and keep an eye out for signs of overeating, such as a lack of a visible waist or easily felt ribs.

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Tail docking, a practice that's been done for centuries, is a way to remove a puppy's tail while it's still very young. This is often done when the puppy is between two and five days old.

Historically, tail docking was believed to make corgis less likely to get caught or trampled by cattle they were herding. In the US and Canada, it's still a common practice, but it's not done for Cardigan Corgis.

The breed standard for Pembroke Welsh Corgis includes a docked tail, which is why many breeders still do it. However, this practice is gradually becoming less prevalent in North America.

In several countries, including the UK, tail docking has been made illegal in the interest of animal welfare and anti-cruelty efforts. This is a positive step towards reducing animal suffering.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known for being happy, loving, and intelligent, but with a stubborn or independent streak at times.

Their independent nature means they like to think for themselves and can be challenging to train due to their working background and intelligence. They were ranked as the eleventh most intelligent dog in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis love to be involved in the family and tend to follow wherever their owners go. They have a great desire to please their owners, making them eager to learn and train.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known for being happy, loving, and intelligent dogs.

They're easy to train, but don't expect them to be subservient - they like to think for themselves. Food is a great motivator for them when training.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis can become obese if their food intake isn't moderated, so proceed with caution.

They make good watchdogs, being suspicious of strangers and quick to bark if they feel threatened.

Early socialization is crucial for Pembrokes, helping them grow up to be well-rounded dogs.

They have a great desire to please their owners, making them eager to learn and train.

Their working background, stubbornness, and intelligence can make training challenging at times.

Pembrokes love to be involved in the family and tend to follow their owners wherever they go.

They were ranked as the eleventh most intelligent dog in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs.

Their herding instinct will cause them to nip at their owners' ankles, especially younger Pembrokes.

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Cardigans are known for their wider variety of colors, so if you see a Corgi with a unique coat pattern, it's likely a Cardigan.

Their ears are also a bit floppier compared to Pembrokes, which can be a distinguishing feature.

Cardigans are generally larger than Pembrokes, so a bigger size can also indicate a Cardigan.

Their tails are often longer than Pembrokes, which can be a dead giveaway.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgis have made a significant impact on popular culture. They've become a beloved breed around the world.

Rufus, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, was the unofficial mascot for Amazon during their early days. This little pup helped create the foundation for their dog-friendly workplace policies.

Queen Elizabeth II was instrumental in popularizing this breed, owning many Pembrokes throughout her life. Her first Pembroke, "Dookie", was a gift from her father, King George VI, in 1933.

Pembrokes have even made appearances in high-profile events, such as the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, where they appeared alongside the Queen and actor Daniel Craig.

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Welsh Corgis are built for action, and they need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They were bred to run and herd all day, even with their short legs.

To keep your Pembroke Welsh Corgi entertained and prevent unwanted behaviors, mental enrichment is essential. These herders were born to solve problems and work independently, so provide dog puzzles and interactive toys.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis can reach speeds of up to 25 mph if they're healthy and fit. They use more upper body strength to run than most dogs, which makes them well-suited for activities like agility and herding.

You can keep your Corgi's brain engaged with activities like obedience classes, teaching new tricks, and joining a dog sport. They'll love the mental stimulation and physical exercise.

Here are some activities that are great for Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

In addition to these activities, you can also try dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.

If you're considering bringing a Pembroke Welsh Corgi into your life, it's essential to explore adoption options before searching for a breeder.

Many people purchase Pembrokes without understanding the responsibilities involved in owning one. This can lead to a sad reality for these lovable dogs.

If your first instinct is to Google "Corgi Puppies for sale near me", you might want to start with "Corgi rescues near me" instead. There are many Pembrokes in need of adoption and/or fostering.

If you don't see a rescue listed for your area, contact the national breed club or a local breed club, and they can direct you to a Pembroke rescue.

For example, Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue is one organization that helps find forever homes for these wonderful dogs.

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In North America, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has become a beloved breed, recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934.

Their popularity can be attributed to their excellent personalities, adaptability, and size, which made them a great fit for many families.

By 1998, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi had already risen to the 37th most popular dog breed in the United States.

Their popularity continued to soar, reaching the 13th most popular spot in 2018.

Corgis have also taken over social media, with many puppies having their own accounts and huge followings on Instagram.

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If you're considering bringing a Pembroke Welsh Corgi into your life, think twice before searching for "Corgi Puppies for sale near me." There are many Pembrokes in need of adoption and/or fostering, and starting your search with "Corgi rescues near me" can be a more rewarding and life-changing experience.

One of the most important things to do is find a reputable rescue group. Lakeshore Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue is just one example of a dedicated organization working to help Pembrokes in need.

If you don't see a rescue listed for your area, don't worry. You can contact the national breed club or a local breed club and they can point you toward a Pembroke rescue.

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