Description and History
– Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle herding dog breed.
– Originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
– Belongs to the Spitz family of dogs.
– Lineage traced back to AD 1107.
– Flemish weavers brought the dogs to Wales.
– Popular stories connect Corgis to fairies.
– Corgis played the role of war horses for fairies.
– Pembroke and Cardigan breeds were recognized separately in 1934.
Appearance
– Ears are erect and medium-sized.
– Head is fox-like in shape.
– Smaller ears compared to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
– Double-coated with heavy shedding.
– Some breed faults include long and thin coat, and diluted color.
Temperament
– Eager to please and trainable.
– Alertness and tendency to bark make them good watchdogs.
– Socialization is important to avoid aggression.
– Love to chase moving objects.
– Some may nip at ankles due to herding instinct.
Health
– Average life expectancy of 12-15 years.
– Prone to certain health conditions like monorchidism and hip dysplasia.
– Genetic testing available to avoid inherited issues.
– Can be prone to obesity.
– Robust appetite characteristic of herding group breeds.
Activities and Royal Corgis
– Pembroke Welsh Corgis can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.
– Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests.
– Corgis can reach up to 25 mph if they are healthy and fit.
– Corgis tend to use more upper body strength to run than most dogs.
– The Queen’s passion for this breed started when her father, King George VI, brought home their first royal corgi named Dookie.
– The Queen ceased breeding corgis around 2012 to not leave any behind after she died.
– Her last corgi, Willow, died in April 2018.
– The Queen was gifted two new corgi pups by her family in 2021.
– The film ‘The Queen’s Corgi’ was released on April 3, 2019.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pembroke_Welsh_Corgi