Corgi have a long history as cattle-herders and guard dogs in Wales. The more widely known of the two breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is distinguishable from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi by its slightly smaller ears and shorter tail. This alert and energetic little dog makes an excellent watchdog and enjoys family life. Their tendency to occasionally revert to their herding instincts and nip ankles can be minimized by early training. Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend to put on weight easily, so need a well-regulated regime of diet and exercise.

The Breed History

Though often considered an offshoot of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi family, the Pembroke Corgis may trace further back, to about the year 1107. Various breeds are thought to have contributed to the corgi type including Shipperke, Finnish Spitz, Keeshond, Swedish Vallhunds, and Samoyed. Cross breeding with Cardigans occurred, and only in the last 75 years have the registries bred separately. The Pembroke lines matured in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Corgi is thought to mean dog in Celtic, or in Welsh, dwarf dog. This breed
was brought to the public’s attention as the chosen pets of Queen Elizabeth. AKC first recognized Pembrokes in 1934.

Physical Characteristics

Height at Withers: female 10-12” (25.4-30.5 cm), male 10-12”
(25.4-30.5 cm)

Weight: females under 28 lb (12.5 kg), males under 30 lb (13.5 kg).

Coat: A short to medium length, it is composed of an undercoat and coarser outer coat. The dog is shown basically untrimmed. White is acceptable in markings of chest, leg, neck and small amounts only on face. Body colors are black and tan, red, fawn, and
sable. Predominantly white coats, or coats with a bluish/smoky cast are serious faults. Some dogs are tri-colored.

Longevity: 12-15 years

Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits

This is considered an ideal small housedog because of their friendly intelligence. They are also reported to be loud vigilant alarm barkers. Breed standards are firm that the dog should not be shy or vicious. They may try to herd their humans by nipping at heels, but can be trained away from this behavior. They are devoted, and are a bit more active on average than the Cardigan Corgis, though perhaps gentler on average. The coat just needs routine grooming and they are considered moderate shedders. At the very least, a few brisk walks daily are needed, and they should only be turned out into fenced enclosures. Obedience training is strongly recommended, along with early training and socialization. They need close human contact, and if left alone for long periods, they may chew or bark.