Videos Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breed Information
Country of origin -
Wales
Common nicknames -
Pembroke, PWC, Pem, Corgi
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
1 Section 8 #39|Stds
AKC:|Herding|Stds
ANKC:|Group 5
(Working Dogs)|Stds
CKC:|Group
7 - Herding Dogs|Stds
KC
(UK):|Pastoral|Stds
NZKC:|Working|Stds
UKC:|Herding
Dog Breeds|Stds
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (pronounced /'k?rgi/) is one of two
dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. These herding
dogs might be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to
Wales with the Vikings.
The Corgi is the smallest dog in the Herding Group.
1. Appearance
A Pembroke is between 10 and 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall at the
withers (tallest point in the shoulders)
and weighs no more than 30 lb (15 kg); dogs in peak condition weigh
about 27 pounds (12 kg) for the male and the females are about 2
pounds (1 kg) lighter. Pembrokes can be red, sable, fawn, or black
and tan (tri color) with or without white markings on the legs,
chest, neck, muzzle, underneath, and as a narrow blaze on the head.
There are technical names for these Tri Colors, and they are Black
Head Tri, and Red Head Tri Color. Too much white is not acceptable
for show dogs.
Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail
(very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not
aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other
characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be.
Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are
again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob
tails. Corgis have a short undercoat as well as a longer thicker
overcoat. These coats shed continuously all year round, with
extensive seasonal shedding occurring at least twice each year (as
well as after the weaning of pups in the intact females). Also
common is a "fairy saddle" marking over the dog's
withers, caused by changes in the
thickness and direction of hair growth. The phrase supposedly comes
from mythology, with the dogs being used as steeds or carthorses
for fairies, but it is possible the
legend is a modern explanation that came after the term.
2. Description
Like most herding breeds, they are active, intelligent, and
athletic dogs despite their short legs and stocky body. The short
legs may seem to be a disadvantage, but they can run and jump just
as well as any other dog of comparable size. They were originally
used to herd sheep, horses and cows by nipping at their heels. Its
low profile allowed it to roll away from a cow's kick.
3. Health
The length of the spine can cause spinal problems and early
arthritis in Corgis, especially those
that are overweight. Corgis have a typical life expectancy of twelve to fourteen
years.
Pembroke Corgis, if not kept active or if overfed, can easily
become obese. The disease can end a
Pembroke Corgi's life particularly early since biophysical
stresses on the structures of a Pembroke Corgi's spine
resulting from the weight of an over-sized belly can and do lead to
secondary diseases such as osteoarthritis. Corgis are also prone to a
disease called degenerative
myelopathy.
Pembroke Corgis should also not be forced to jump from heights,
such as from a couch, for they could fracture their relatively
short legs or damage their very long backs.
4. Temperament
The Pembroke is very intelligent, quick, active, and exceedingly
bold. It is thoroughly devoted and protective of its family,
defending its home at any cost. It barks occasionally, but makes a
good watchdog. The Pembroke is outgoing around strangers. Pembrokes
can be resistant to grooming, in particular grooming the paws.
Puppies should have their feet handled regularly to negate this
behavior. This little dog is friendly and playful, although it has
been known to nip at people's (especially children's) heels
either in play or in an attempt to herd them, due to instinct. This
can be avoided with proper training. The Pembroke is also patient
with young children, as long as they know how to treat pets.
5. History
Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, they have proven
themselves as excellent companion animals and are outstanding
competitors in sheepdog trials and
dog agility. There are two theories
of Pembroke Welsh Corgi
origin:
1. Some Cardigan Welsh
Corgis were crossed with Swedish
Vallhund Dogs.
2. Some of the original dogs (the Pembrokes) evolved from
Cardigans and from other dogs, such as Schipperke and Pomeranians,
and other Spitz-type dogs.
Corgis are becoming more popular in the United States and rank 22nd in American Kennel Club registrations
as of 2006. Pembroke Welsh Corgis seem to be loved by the
Queen of the United
Kingdom; she reportedly has 16 of them. These dogs have been a
favored dog by British royalty for more than 70 years.
On May 30, 2007 performance
artist Mark McGowan consumed
some Corgi meat live on air to protest
the accused cruelty by Prince
Philip during the hunting and killing of a fox in January. The animal, prepared by others
for McGowan, was supposedly an animal culled for independent
reasons by a Corgi breeder.
6. In Media
* In the popular Nintendo DS game
Nintendogs: Labrador and Friends a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is available at the start
of the game.
* In the anime Cowboy Bebop there
is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Ein.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
Taken or modified, in whole or part, from Wikipedia.org
