Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed

Below are the breed specs and details for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a medium sized dog that stands 10-13 inches tall and weighs up to 30 pounds. It's short legs and elongated torso give it a slightly unproportional appearance, however the breed is very quick and agile despite it's short legs.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does very well with families, children, and other animals. However, due to the breed's strong herding instinct it may attempt to "herd" small children and other pets back to the group if the wonder away. The breed's intelligence makes it easy to train, but also makes the Pembroke susceptible to developing destructive habits out of boredom.

You can expect the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to be a medium maintenance dog breed. They need to be exercised daily to burn off their excess energy and the breed is prone to overeating so their food intake should be monitored. The Pembroke sheds frequently and will need to be brushed regularly to keep hair dander to a minimum.

The Pembroke Corgi is a breed of the Spitz group, and was recognized by the AKC in 1934. The direct ancestors of the Pembroke were brought across the channel by the Flemish weavers during a Vikings Invasion that took place about 1000 years ago. The Flemish were of agrarian nature, and the Pembroke adapted well to their farmland, working as herding dogs. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a descendant of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and is ancestry also includes the Keeshond, Schipperke, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Chow-Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, and Finnish Spitz.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a thick double coat to protect it from any harsh weather and rough terrain the breed may come across while herding. The breed has short legs and an elongated torso which gives the Pembroke a somewhat unusual appearance. The Pembroke has pointed ears and a naturally docked tail - which is the easiest way to tell the difference between the two Corgi breeds.

You shouldn't confuse the other Corgi breed, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, with being a different type. Both the Pembroke and the Cardigan are separate Corgi breeds.

When it comes to variations of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, there are only two kinds: coat color and hair length. (The varieties of Pembroke colors are discussed elsewhere on this page in "Pembroke Welsh Corgi Coloring.")

The long-haired Pembroke may look wonderful for show, but they are typically found in America. This is because that long hair, when a Corgi is in her natural habitat doing what she does (usually in the UK), her coat will quickly get full of mud, burrs and other debris. This messes up her coat, weighs her down, and can cause health problems. While there is a large demand for these long-hairs, also known as the fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi, they can be expensive to keep groomed!

If you are told there are any other varietals or types, especially regarding size, then it is almost certainly a hybrid or worse. Because these dogs are very popular, there are some backyard breeders (BYB) that might use terms such as mini, teacup, micro, king, giant, dwarf, miniature, toy, or even classic! If you find a person offering a Corgi with long legs, then that "breeder" should be avoided.

The Corgi is a highly-intelligent, loyal and independent dog. Both types are very trainable, but a lot of patience and positive reinforcement is required while training this breed. The Corgi has independent judgment and problem-solving abilities, and it is important that the owner must have the confidence to establish and constantly reinforce the rules, or the Corgi may make up its own.

Carrying a "big dog" bark and acute alertness, the Corgi makes for a fearless and vigilant guardian dog. With a natural working ethic embedded in them, the Corgi will often find work for itself to keep busy. If not properly exercised physically and mentally, they can become anxious and destructive when left alone.

The Pembroke Corgi is often described as outgoing, playful, bold, protective, tenacious and friendly. Herding, obedience, agility, or chasing balls are all enjoyable outlets for the Corgi's strong desire to work.

The average lifespan of a Corgi is 11 to 13 years. It is prone to serious health concerns including Intervertebral Disc Disease, Canine Hip Dysplasia, and epilepsy. Less - common issues include lens luxation, von Willubrand's Disease (vWD), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and urinary stones.

Some interesting facts about the breed:

• Heronsway Corgis: This Massachusetts-based kennel is one of the most renowned Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeders in the world. Kennel owner Anne Bowes, who has been breeding Pembrokes since the early 1970s, is one of the foremost experts on the breed.
• Goro the Corgi: Goro was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in Japan who became an Internet smash. For several years before his death in 2019, Goro entertained milllions with his YouTube videos, Instagram posts, and Twitter (with some obvious help from his owner).
• Ugly Corgi Christmas Sweaters: Though the breed is incredibly attractive, the name inspired a line of comically ugly Christmas apparel. Ugly Corgi is a series of hideous holiday sweaters that feature a dog (which may or may not be a Corgi) on the front.
• Queen Elizabeth II: England's queen has been a Pembroke owner since the 1930s. Her Royal Highness has owned more than 30 Corgis in all, and for decades oversaw a Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeding program at Windsor Castle.