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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breed Info
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a lively, outgoing, and playful dog. They are highly affectionate and have a strong desire to please their owners. They have been known as “dwarf dogs” since the 12th century. Famous for being the favored pets of royals for centuries, especially Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, they can now be seen in homes all over the world. They even outrank the Yorkshire Terriers on the top 11 most popular breeds.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Regularly
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Gentle, Kindly, Sweet, Playful
ADULT WEIGHT
22-31 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
10-12 in
LIFE SPAN
12-15 yrs
Characteristics
- The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a lively, outgoing, playful, and highly affectionate dog
- It is referred to as a "dwarf dog" because it has a short stature and compact body
- These dogs are known for being extremely loyal, kind, and caring towards their owners
- They were bred to herd cattle, but have also been used as guard dogs and even as therapy dogs
- Pembrokes are extremely loyal dogs who love being with their families at all times of the day or night
- They are very affectionate towards children too which makes them excellent pets for families with young kids who want a small-sized pet that they can play with easily
- The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an exceedingly bright dog that can easily be taught tricks or trained for agility competitions
Appearance
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are small, sturdy dogs that were made for herding on farms. They have foxy faces and medium-length ears that stand up straight. They were originally bred to be cattle herders in Wales, but they’re also great family pets.
They have sturdy builds with short legs and a low center of gravity that makes them able to move quickly around cattle without getting knocked over.
Their coat is usually black and tan or red and white, but they can also be fawn or sable. Their fur is thick and wiry, making them good for colder climates. Their fur can be long or short depending on what type of cut you want for your dog.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small to medium-sized dog with a height of 10 to 12 inches and a weight between 20 to 31 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi temperament is a curious one. They are affectionate, intelligent, and eager to please their owners. They are also extremely alert, watchful dogs that will bark at anything they think is a threat. They are very loyal and protective towards their families and tend to get along well with children.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not an aggressive breed but they will stand up for themselves if they feel threatened. They may not always be the best choice for households with small children because they can be easily injured by being stepped on or accidentally knocked over by an excited child.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also good with other animals but can sometimes get jealous if its owner spends too much time with another pet instead of him or her.
Care
Grooming
Pembroke Welsh Corgi grooming needs are minimal. Trim their nails every month or so and clean their ears regularly, once or twice a month. Brush their teeth weekly with a toothbrush and dog toothpaste approved by vets.
Bath time for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi should be when needed, but this breed does not need frequent baths since its coat doesn't tend to get dirty or greasy quickly.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds moderately, so brushing should be done once or twice per week during non-shedding seasons. Brushing will also remove loose hair from your pet's coat.
There are many different kinds of brushes available specifically for dogs; choose one based on your dog's size and coat type. Wire pins can help loosen dead undercoats on breeds like Pembrokes.
Exercise Needs
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known for being energetic and playful. They are very intelligent and love to be challenged mentally. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis were bred to herd cattle and work on farms, so they have plenty of energy to go around! They have a great desire to be on the move, so they require daily walks or hikes with their human family members.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an active breed of dog that needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, but 60 minutes would be ideal for most Corgis. If possible, a daily walk or run would be best for your dog's health and happiness. If this isn't possible then you should at least take the time to play with your Pembroke on a daily basis in order to keep him healthy and happy.
Health
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to a few health issues. They are prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies, spine problems, and epilepsy.
Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease of the hip joints. The condition can occur in any breed, but it is more common in breeds like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Dachshunds, and German Shepherds.
Pembrokes are also prone to skin allergies such as atopy and flea allergies. These conditions cause itching and inflammation on the skin surface as well as hair loss in affected areas. Some dogs develop eczema from these conditions as well as food allergies.
Spine problems affect both Pembrokes and Dachshunds because of their short legs that carry most of their weight on their backs instead of their paws like most dogs do. Spinal disc disease affects these breeds because they have weak or unstable spinal discs.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 12-15 years, with some living up to 17-18 years old. This can vary depending on their health and lifestyle.
Training
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are wonderful, bright little bundles of joy who love to learn. They are very intelligent, people-pleasers, and fond of tricks. They are gentle dogs who can be a bit sensitive and require a gentle approach. Training should be kept fun as they enjoy difficult tasks.
Training a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is best done with positive reinforcement techniques such as treat rewards and praise. They are independent dogs that need basic house training early on.
History
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the oldest breeds in the world. It has been around for about 2000 years, and it's thought that it even predates the Border Collie. The breed was originally used to drive cattle and guard sheep, but today it's most commonly seen as a family companion.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is thought to have originated in ancient Cardiganshire, Wales (hence their name), where they were used to herd cattle and guard sheep. The ancestors of today's Pembrokes were bred by shepherds who needed a dog that could work all day long no matter what the weather conditions might be. They needed a dog that could help them with their jobs while remaining calm and focused even when they were faced with danger or distraction. This required an intelligent dog with a strong sense of loyalty and devotion toward its human companions.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a herding dog from Wales. It's one of two breeds of small herding dogs known as Welsh Corgis, the other being the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Pembroke shares roots with the Swedish Vall Hund and the Schipperke. The Swedish Vall Hund was imported into Wales in the late 1800s and crossed with local dogs to make the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The Pembroke has been kept as a working dog throughout its history, helping farmers herd cattle and sheep. In 1925, it was recognized as a separate breed from its cousin, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, by The Kennel Club (England).
Queen Elizabeth II owns several Pembrokes and has had a long association with them; she appeared on television in 1957 carrying one at her side during an appearance at Westminster Abbey.