Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Caron McGregor (NIRENO)

nirenokennels@aapt.net.au
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Robin Robertson (Anwyl)

anwylcorgis@gmail.com
See Details

History

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) were ﬁrst bred in Pembrokeshire in Southern Wales as cattle dogs, or ‘homestead’ dogs. The breed is a combination of the local herding dogs, much like the black and tan Lancashire Heelers, and the Spitz breeds, like Vallhunds, brought over by the Vikings who landed around the Pembrokeshire coast.

The Cardigan Corgi was also originally bred to work closely with the farmers of Wales as a herder of cattle, guard dog and companion. These qualities mean that, even today, a typical Corgi likes to organise its family and is resilient and innovative.

Appearance

The Welsh Corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan) is a low-set dog with a body somewhat long in proportion to its short legs. It is sturdy, but athletic and active. The breed’s head has a foxy quality and appearance, with large upright ears and a bushy tail that should be carried high when the dog is excited or moving.

The Pembroke has a medium-length coat with a dense undercoat and is bred in a variety of colours, including all shades of red (fawn to bright bronze) with black shading over the red (sable), and black and tan.

Temperament

The Pembroke Corgi is both aﬀectionate and highly intelligent. It is not a one person dog, but will relate to each member of the family diﬀerently, happily playing rough with teenagers, but knowing instinctively to be gentle around the very young or very elderly.

Health

The Welsh Corgi is a robust, generally healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 12-16 years, and often it is still very healthy and playful up until the end. There are no very common health issues, but the breed can have Hip Dysplasia and Von Willebrand Disease, a blood clotting disorder. Knowledgeable breeders have tests for these and screen breeding stock so that these conditions do not become more common.

Maintenance

The Pembroke Corgi’s double coat needs to be brushed and combed through once a week to keep it looking its best. Dirt falls oﬀ a clean healthy coat, so the breed doesn’t need frequent bathing. It will moult twice a year.

Suitability

The Corgi makes a great family pet and loves to join in all the family activities. Because it is highly intelligent and a herding dog, the breed is at its best when it is well trained. Its best feature is its huge personality – the breed is full of fun and excels as a watchdog, as it has a keen ear and a remarkable memory.

Words: Robin Robertson and Jean Georgiou on behalf of the Welsh Corgi Club of NSW

Image supplied by Robin Robertson

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Jul 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Low set, strong, sturdily built, alert and active, giving impression of substance and stamina in small space.

Characteristics

Bold in outlook, workmanlike.

Temperament

Outgoing and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head foxy in shape and appearance, with alert, intelligent expression, skull fairly wide and flat between ears, moderate amount of stop. Length of foreface to be in proportion to skull 3 to 5. Muzzle slightly tapering. Nose black.
Eyes	Well set, round, medium size, brown, blending with colour of coat
Ears	Pricked, medium sized, slightly rounded. Line drawn from tip of nose through eye should, if extended, pass through, or close to tip of ear.
Mouth	Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Fairly long.
Forequarters	Lower legs short and as straight as possible, forearm moulded round chest. Ample bone, carried right down to feet. Elbows fitting closely to sides, neither loose nor tied. Shoulders well laid, and angulated at 90 degrees to the upper arm.
Body	Medium length, well sprung ribs, not short coupled, slightly tapering, when viewed from above. Level topline. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
Hindquarters	Strong and flexible, well angulated stifle. Legs short. Ample bone carried right down to feet. Hocks straight when viewed from behind.
Feet	Oval, toes strong, well arched, and tight, two centre toes slightly advance of two outer, pads strong and well arched. Nails short.
Tail	Short, preferably natural.Docked: Short.Undocked: Set in line with topline. Natural carriage above topline when moving or alert.
Gait/Movement	Free and active, neither loose nor tied. Forelegs move well forward, without too much lift, in unison with thrusting action of hindlegs.
Coat	Medium length, straight with dense undercoat, never soft, wavy or wiry.
Colour	Self colours in Red, Sable, Fawn, Black and Tan, with or without white markings on legs, brisket and neck. Some white on head and foreface permissible.
Size	Height: approx. 25-30 cms (10-12 ins) at shoulderWeight:Dogs 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs)Bitches 9-11 kgs (20-24 lbs)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.