With their fox like appearance and bright eyed nature, the corgi is a well-established breed that has been around for many years. Originally bred to herd, there are two types. They are the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi.
Corgis have been around for hundreds of years, indeed early records trace them as far back as the 1200’s. Both types of corgi were bred alongside each other from very similar dogs for a long time. They only formally differentiated into two separately recognized breeds in the 1930’s, although they had started to vary physically prior to this.
The Pembroke is more popular than the Cardigan, which can be quite rare. Indeed the Pembroke has been the preferred pet of Queen Elizabeth for many years. Overall the Cardigan is considered calmer, with larger ears. The tail is long and low set, giving the impression of extending the length of the dog even further.
Pembroke’s are very outgoing, alert little dogs. The ears are smaller than that of the Cardigan, with the tail being either naturally short or in some cases even born into a natural ‘bob’. Indeed it is this shortness of tail that gave the Pembroke its other name, the ‘bobtail’. Unlike the Cardigan, the Pembroke is only allowed in red, sable, fawn and black and tan with or without white markings. The most common colours seen are red and sable.
The Personality of the Corgi
Corgis are outgoing dogs, being a big dog in a small body. They make great pets for families and elderly alike being very obliging.
Due to the fact that they were originally bred to herd, the corgi is an intelligent breed that is easily trained if the effort is put in by the owner. Their herding instinct does lend them to being mouthy, making them great chewers! It is important to direct this instinct towards toys and treats rather than furniture. It can also make them more prone to being vocal, so this is something to bear in mind if you would rather you had a dog that is seen and not heard. Corgi’s like to talk to their owners!
Grooming a Corgi
The Corgi’s coat in both breeds is short but full of thick, dense fur. It requires no trimming or clipping, yet will benefit from regular brushing with a comb to remove dead hair. When they are shedding they will lose a lot of hair in a short time, be prepared for this! Daily brushing during this time will help to speed the process along and make it more manageable.
Size of a Corgi
Cardigan Welsh corgis are slightly larger than their Pembroke cousins. With a height range of 10.5 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder, males are larger at 30 to 38 pounds with females slightly less at 25 to 34 pounds.
The Pembroke matures at a similar height range of between 10 to 12 inches, however they weigh substantially less being a maximum of 30 pounds. Despite this both breeds are compact. They were not bred to run fast, but they were adapted to being able to go at a slow, steady pace all day.
How much exercise does a Corgi need?
As stated the corgi was originally bred to work, yet they have adapted rather well to being much loved pets instead! Despite this they should not be allowed to get fat, they are prone to obesity but this can cause serious health problems. Try and give your corgi at least one hours exercise per day, split over two walks. Of course they can have more if you have time. Although they will not need anywhere near the free running that say, a collie does, they should not have their exercise requirements neglected. Try to give them some time free running off the lead each day.
What should I feed a corgi?
Corgi’s do best when fed a high quality diet made with real meat. Avoid cheap commercial foods as these will be full of carbohydrates, cheap ‘fillers’ that have no nutritional value for your dog.
Puppies should be fed a small breed puppy diet that allows for the fact that they mature quickly. As adults, there are many small breed dog foods on the market that are appropriate for corgi’s. If your corgi is prone to weight gain, it may help to feed a calorie controlled ‘light’ diet to help keep them nice and trim.
Breeders- Where can I get a Corgi?
The Corgi is a fairly unusual breed, yet they do from time to time end up in rescues. Often this is through no fault of their own and is simply due to a relationship breakdown or change in living arrangements. If you can, consider giving a rescue dog a home as it can be incredibly rewarding.
If you do want to get a puppy avoid buying your Corgi from a pet shop or back yard breeder. Luckily the Corgi hasn’t been the subjected to the same level of indiscriminate breeding that many breeds have suffered from. Most breeders care passionately about the breed and as such will make sure that a corgi is the right dog for you. Puppies will rarely be available on demand and you will probably have to go on a waiting list. Saying this, it does make it all the more worthwhile when you finally get to take your Corgi home. In general, it will be a lot harder to get a Cardigan corgi than a Pembroke as there are simply not that many breeders around.
The Kennel Club has no recommended health checks in place for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at the moment, although you should always speak to the breeder and see the parents to ensure they are healthy. This doesn’t mean that the breed is free from issues, just that they are not common place enough to warrant health testing.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi should be tested for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, an eye disease that causes blindness. It is believed to be hereditary so parents should be tested to see if they carry the gene as this reduces the chance of it being passed on.
How much does a Corgi cost?
Expect to pay between 800 and 1200 Euros for a corgi puppy. Cardigan corgis are generally more expensive due to their rarity. Show quality or puppies that can be bred from (and the progeny can be registered) will be at the higher end of the spectrum.
Puppies that have been well reared should have been already wormed by their breeder. They should also have received the appropriate vaccinations if they are old enough. You should be able to view the mother with the puppies and ensure that you receive all the correct paperwork on collection. This should include their registration documents with a change of ownership form.
Should I get A Corgi?
The Corgi is an ideal dog if you love your daily walks, yet are limited on space in the home and are not looking to trek for miles each day. While each breed has a slightly different character, both make super, friendly pets. They may take longer to find than puppies of other breeds, but their sweet disposition more than makes up for it!
