The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Information and Pictures

Front side view - A happy-looking, tan with black and white Pembroke Corgi dog is sitting on dirt and wood chips looking up and towards the camera. Its mouth is open and tongue is out.

Baozi the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at 5 years old—"Baozi is a very lovely, obedient, high energy dog that gets along with children."

Other Names
  • Welsh Corgi
  • Corgi
Pronunciation

PEM-bruuk-welsh-KOR-geespeaker

Description

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a long (by its body compared to the legs), low to the ground dog. Its back is actually not longer than those of most dogs’; their legs are just very short in comparison. The skull is wide and flat between the ears. The stop is moderate. The topline is level. The nose is black and the jaw meets in a scissors bite. The oval eyes are shades of brown depending on the dog’s coat color. The eye rims are black. The erect ears are medium in size, tapering slightly to a rounded point. The legs are very short. The feet are oval in shape. Dewclaws are usually removed. The dog is sometimes born with no tail, and is docked as short as possible when it does have a tail. Note: it is illegal to dock tails in most parts of Europe. The double coat has a short, thick, weather resistant undercoat with a longer, coarser outer coat. Some Corgis are born with longer coats called the "fluffy Corgi" or "longhaired Corgi." These dogs do not make the written standard and cannot be shown. Coat colors include red, sable, fawn, black and tan with white markings. There are often white markings on the legs, chest, neck and parts of the muzzle.

Some differences between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is that the Pembroke's tail is often bobbed or cropped at birth. Cropping tails is illegal in a lot of countries, and even in countries where it is legal, a lot of people opt out of cutting of the tail leaving it natually long. Whereas the Cardigan natually has a long tail and cropping the tail is not accepted in the written standard. The Pembroke usually has straighter legs as it is not quite as long-bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke's head is generally more wedge-shaped; the ears are smaller and closer together than the Cardigan’s; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.

Temperament

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is highly intelligent, loyal, able and willing to please its owner. Corgis are extremely active and are good with children so long as the dog sees humans as above him in the pack order. Protective and sturdy, they make fine guards, and excellent show and obedience dogs. Wary of strangers, it should be properly socialized and trained when it is still young. They need their humans to have a determined, consistent loving approach, showing firm but calm leadership with proper human to canine communication to avoid over-protective behaviors as an adult. They sometimes try to herd people by nipping at their heels, although they can and should be trained not to do this. The Pembroke tends to bark a lot and makes a good watchdog. If you find your dog is barking at you in order to communicate, you need to hush the dog and look into your leadership skills. A dog that is barking at you in that manner is showing signs of dominancy issues. The human handlers need to communicate to the dog that aggressiveness with other dogs is an unwanted behavior. Usually good with non-canine animals. Do not allow the Corgi to developed Small Dog Syndrome.

Height, Weight

Height: Males 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm) Females 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cm)
Weight: Males 24 - 31 pounds (10 - 14 kg) Females 24 - 28 pounds (11 - 13 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to PRA, glaucoma and back disorders. Gains weight easily. Do not overfeed for if they become fat it can cause back problems.

Living Conditions

Corgis will do fine in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. With enough exercise they can be calm indoors, but will be very active if they are lacking. Will do okay without a yard so long as they are taken for daily walks.

Exercise

Naturally active little dogs, they should always be encouraged to remain so. They need to be taken on a daily, long walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Litter Size

About 6 to 7 puppies

Grooming

The soft, medium-length, water-resistant coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. The coat is shed twice a year.

Origin

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is older than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with the Pembroke being bred out of the Cardigan. Both Corgi varieties may be a descendant of the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Schipperkes and the Swedish Vallhund. Some say the older Cardigan was from Cardiganshire brought there by the Celts in 1200 BC. Whereas, the Pembroke's ancestors were introduced by Flemish weavers to the Celts in the 1100s. Whatever the case may be, the Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgis were interbred and considered the same breed up until 1934, when a show judge thought they were too different and separated them into two different breeds. After they were separated the Pembroke gained in popularity and is to this day more popular than the Cardigan. The name "corgi" is specific to that type of dog breed in Cymreig (Welsh). “Dog” in Cymreig (Welsh) is 'Ci' or if it is softly mutated 'Gi,' hence Corgi. The Pembroke was actually recognized by the AKC a year before the Cardigan. The Cardigan was recognized in 1935 and the Pembroke in 1934. Corgis were used as cattle drivers, vermin hunters and farm guards. They drove cattle by barking and nipping at the cattle's heels rather than just herding them. The dog's low stature helped him roll out of the way of kicking cows.

Group

Herding, AKC Herding

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CCR = Canadian Canine Registry
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
  • UKC = United Kennel Club
Two tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies are sitting on a tan tiled floor and there is a large bag of dog food next to them.

Collins the Corgi pup

Front side view - A happy-looking, tan with black and white Pembroke Corgi dog is sitting on dirt and wood chips looking up and towards the camera.

Nemo the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at 1 year old

Side view - A short-legged, perk-eared, tan with black and white Pembroke Corgi dog is standing across a dirt surface. Behind it is a wooden bench.

Nemo the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at 1 year old

The backside of a panting, short-legged, perk-eared, tan with black and white Pembroke Corgi dog that is standing on dirt and wood chips.

Nemo the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at 1 year old

Front view - A low to the ground, tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog is standing on sidewalk. It is looking forward and it is panting.

Lucy the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Close up front view - A black and white with tan Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy is laying on a stone step and behind it is a plant. The Corgis head is tilted to the left and it is looking forward. Its mouth is open.

This is Chip, a tricolor Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy.

Front view - A tricolor tan, black and white, short-legged dog is standing on a carpet looking forward.

"Abby is our Pembroke Welsh Corgi shown here at a year old. She is so sweet and gentle, and good with the grandkids. She likes to nip at their heels and tries to keep them herded in part of the yard. Her father's name is Cowboy Giz and mother is Katy Get Ur Gun."

A tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi is running behind three sheep in a field. There is a lady standing behind them while the Corgi runs around the farm animals.

Clarabel is proudly shown here winning her first herding title at just 9 months old.

Left Profile view through a wire fence- A panting, tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi is standing in a field and it is looking to the left.

Clarabel the Pembroke Welsh Corgi on the recall

A lady in a burgundy shirt that reads - The Funny Farm - is kneeling next to the tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog with a green ribbon and a pole with a rope on the end in her hand. There is a plush sheep doll next to it.

Clarabel the Pembroke Welsh Corgi wins her first herding title at only 9 months old

A tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi is sitting in a crate that has a green ribbon on it. The cage is placed in the back hatch area of a vehicle. There is a green plush toy in front of the cage and a leather hand bag and a water jug to the left.

Clarabel the Pembroke Welsh Corgi heading home after a successful day

A tan with white Pembroke Welsh Corgi is sleeping in a wicker basket.

Clarabel the Pembroke Welsh Corgi tuckered out for the night

See more examples of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi