The Welsh Corgi is largely unknown in this country. The dog became known mainly due to the fact that Queen Elizabeth II kept and bred Pembrokes for decades. Her last corgi died in 2018. In the USA, the short-legged corgi is enjoying growing popularity, in 2018 they were at number 13 in the “dog charts”.

Where do corgis come from?

According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), Welsh Corgis belong to Group 1 of herding and herding dogs and there to Section 1 of German Shepherds. As the name suggests, they come from Wales. There are two breeds of them, the Pembroke and the Cardigan. Both owe their names to the counties from which they originally come: the Pembroke from Pembrokeshire and the Cardigan from Cardiganshire.

The Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis are among the world’s oldest breeds, they are said to have existed as early as the 10th century. Since the 12th century, their use as a herding dog for cattle and ponies has been documented. The reason for this lies in their low shape: through the short legs, the dog ran effortlessly under the bellies of the herd animals.

At the end of the 19th century, Welsh Corgis were shown at an exhibition for the first time. Both lofts were recognized together in 1925 by the Kennel Club (umbrella organization of British dog breeding clubs); a separate registration took place in 1934. In Germany, the dogs have been around since 1974.

Corgis are best known today for the British Queen Elizabeth II. She has bred this breed since her youth and always had one or more of these likeable fellows around her at home and when travelling.

What does the Welsh Corgi look like?

Welsh Corgis are medium-sized dogs. They are about one meter long from nose to tail. However, the legs of these dogs are relatively short, so that the Corgi has a height at the withers of just 25 to 30 centimeters. Males weigh 10 to 12 kilos, females 9 to 11 kilos.

In terms of stature, corgis look like a small shepherd dog from above. From below, however, they resemble dachshunds. They have a fox-like head with erect, rounded ears. When a corgi looks at you with its round, dark brown eyes, you can tell by its alert gaze that it is a lively, enterprising dog.

The breeds Welsh Corgi Cardigan and Welsh Corgi Pembroke differ in size and stature. The Pembroke is somewhat more stocky and compact than the Cardigan. In addition, it is usually somewhat lighter and smaller.

Both Corgi breeds have a medium-length coat with a dense undercoat. It feels wavy and wiry. In addition, the Welsh Corgi breeds differ in coat colours. The Pembroke comes in the colours fawn, red, black and brown as well as Sable (also: sable). The Cardigan, on the other hand, only comes in red, Sable, Black and brindle. Both dog breeds are available with or without white on the legs, sternum and neck. The dog may also have white markings on the head and muzzle.

ProfileWelsh Corgi

Do corgis have a tail?

The Welsh Corgi Cardigan has a fox-like tail that almost touches the ground. In the Pembroke breed, the tail is shortened. In the past, the Pembrokes had a stubby tail. In most cases, this was created by docking. The trimming of tails and ears is now prohibited in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as parts of Europe, so corgis with a stubby tail are now rather rare.

If the Welsh Corgi Pembroke nevertheless has a stubby tail, this indicates a possible genetic defect. This often has serious health consequences, some of which are fatal. For animal welfare reasons, the breeding standards regarding short-tailedness in Pembroke have been relaxed.

Characteristics and character of the Welsh Corgi

In order to master their task as herding dogs for cows and ponies, corgis needed a lot of courage and endurance. In addition, they needed a lot of skill to avoid the kicks of the animals in time. In contrast, the hunting instinct in this breed is very weak and hardly exists.

From their herding dog days, the Pembrokes and Cardigans bring with them a lightning-fast reaction, self-confidence and fearlessness. This dog breed is very independent and has a mind of its own. And since the four-legged friends were out and about in all weathers, they are very robust and resistant.

Despite their small size, Welsh Corgis are not lap dogs. They want to be challenged and encouraged. Nor are they typical companion dogs: they like to go their own way. Therefore, you always have something to do with a Corgi and can always expect surprises.

In species-appropriate husbandry, they bond closely with their humans, are loyal to them and prefer to be everywhere. The compact German shepherds are playful into old age. But be careful: The Corgi has it thick behind the ears and will try to wrap you around the little claw with all his charm.

Another legacy from the time as a cattle dog is the corgis’ preference for calf pinching. In the past, the dog used this method to drive cattle and small horses in the desired direction. In the meantime, the four-legged friends have largely lost this tendency through breeding. But it occasionally breaks through during play. However, with thorough training from an early age, this peculiarity can be well controlled. However, keep in mind that for this reason, the Pembroke and Cardigan breeds are only suitable for older children who can hold their own against the dogs.

Education and Keeping of the Welsh Corgi

As a herding dog, the Welsh Corgi Pembroke needs consistent leadership, otherwise he will quickly question the hierarchy. He is receptive to positive reinforcement and shows a pronounced “will to please” when working with his human. This means that the dog wants to please you on his own. He wants to do everything right for you and is always attentive when you teach him something.

Despite its short legs, the Corgi needs sufficient exercise. Long walks with varied activities through search, tugging and retrieval games challenge the Welsh herding dog physically and mentally. In addition, dog sports such as agility, obedience or tracking are excellent for this smart, enduring four-legged friend.

It is important to have an intelligent, varied activity, otherwise corgis will get bored and go their own way. It happens that your dog tries to chase after joggers or cyclists because he wants to catch and herd them. Others bark excessively, steal your shoes or make other mischief.

If a Welsh Corgi comes into the house, you should determine with your family in advance what the new housemate is allowed to do and what is not. If everyone sticks to the agreed rules, living together with the likeable charmer usually works well.

Are corgis “yappers”?

The clever, playful corgis are very communicative. Barking is part of their heritage as herding dogs. Pembrokes and cardigans are happy to show you when they are interested in something, a stranger enters their territory, they want attention or are simply excited and pleased.
With appropriate training, it is possible to reduce barking. Nevertheless, you should be aware that these dogs like to comment on what they are doing. It is part of their nature. Before buying, consider whether this may lead to problems with family and neighbors.

Who is a Corgi suitable for?

Corgis are family dogs that feel most comfortable in their pack. They prefer to accompany you everywhere and are very affectionate. Therefore, you should leave your four-legged friend alone as little as possible.
Furthermore, the short-legged dogs enjoy exercise and are therefore ideal for agile, sporty masters and mistresses. A garden to play and romp around at home is extremely practical for the four-legged friends who love to move.
It is also important to have a loving, consistent upbringing from the very beginning. Because Welsh Corgis have a mind of their own and try to get their way. Otherwise, they are friendly family dogs and get along well with older children.

Is a Corgi a beginner dog?

To train the Welsh Corgi, it takes time and patience. Due to his self-confident nature, he is only suitable for beginners to a limited extent. With the support of a good dog school or a dog trainer, novice dogs are best able to meet the peculiarities and needs of these herding dogs. Well trained and with enough activity, these four-legged friends are loyal companions through thick and thin.

Caring for the Welsh Corgi

The corgi’s medium-length coat is relatively easy to care for. It is usually sufficient to brush it once or twice a week. An exception is the time of moulting. Due to the dense undercoat, the dog loses a lot of hair, especially in spring and autumn. Therefore, you should free him from it every one or two days with a comb and brush during this time.

The diet of corgi herding dogs

Pembrokes and cardigans are not picky when it comes to nutrition. This dog breed has no special demands on its food. BARF is also suitable for the Welsh herding dog. However, corgis are good food converters and tend to be overweight quickly with little exercise.
Make sure that your four-legged friend only gets the amount of food he needs every day and be economical with snacks. By the way, the clever corgi is a master at getting additional food. Secure the food in the kitchen and pantries, otherwise the hungry four-legged friend will help himself.

Health: What do you need to know about corgis?

In general, Corgis are robust animals with good health. The breed is quite old at 10 to 15 years. The average life expectancy is around 13 years.
However, due to their stocky physique and long back, Welsh Corgis are susceptible to back and joint problems. This dog breed should therefore jump or climb stairs as little as possible to avoid back injuries or fractures.
On the other hand, the dogs are the ideal companions for activities such as Nordic walking or jogging. Even if you don’t see it, the short-legged dogs are excellent even when cycling and even feel right at home when hiking in the mountains.
Furthermore, the dog breed suffers more often from congenital diseases. These include:

• Hip dysplasia (HD, malformations of the hip joints)
• Cystinuria (accumulation of cysteine crystals in the urine)
• Intervertebral disc diseases
• Degenerative myelopathy (death of the long nerve pathways in the back)
• pathological changes of the retina such as progressive
• Retinal atrophy (PRA, dying retina) or retinal dysplasia
• Von Willebrand syndrome (inherited blood clotting disorder that leads to an increased tendency to bleed)
• Epilepsy

How much does a corgi cost?

If you want to buy a purebred puppy of the breed Welsh Corgi Pembroke or Cardigan, the price from reputable suppliers is between 1,300 and 1,800 euros. This is primarily due to the fact that there are not too many breeders of this breed in this country.

In addition to the purchase price, there are the usual costs for equipment, food and vet visits.

Important: The lively corgis are in the mood for all kinds of pranks. Dog liability insurance is therefore recommended in case the smart fellows have caused major damage.

These herding dogs could also win your heart:

• Bobtail: The Old English Sheepdog – better known as Bobtail – is one of the oldest German Shepherd breeds in England. The German Shepherd in XXL coat, which loves to work and move, remains calm and confident even in stressful moments.
• Harz fox: The Harz fox was originally bred to work with cattle. Today it is mainly used for flocks of sheep. It is a brave and assertive herding dog with a mind of its own.
• Miniature American Shepherd: The Miniature American Shepherd has developed parallel to the Australian Shepherd. It almost resembles its big brother – but is much smaller. Despite its compactness, it is a robust herding dog that can also take on large cattle.
• Komondor: At first glance, the Hungarian Komondor gives the impression of a large cuddly toy. But don’t be fooled: he is an incorruptible protector of his territory and his herds.
• Mudi: The Mudi is an extremely talented herding dog, which is wonderful as a family dog thanks to its friendly nature and playfulness. It is open-minded and affectionate towards its humans and a wonderful playmate for children.
• Czechoslovak Wolfhound: The Czechoslovak Wolfhound is a cross between the German Shepherd and the Carpathian Wolf. He presents himself suspiciously towards strangers, sometimes even aggressively. For his owner, however, he goes through fire.