Welsh Corgi , Pembroke

Welsh Corgi , Pembroke

The most common of the Welsh Corgi breeds, the Pembroke is a devoted and intelligent companion. The most famous Pembroke owner is Queen Elizabeth II of England.

History:

Like their cousins, the Pembroke Welsh Corgis are an ancient breed. The earliest known written evidence of the breed's existence is from 1107 AD. The origins of the Pembroke are by no means clear-cut. It is most likely that the breed we know today developed in two stages. The first stage was during the ninth or tenth century, when it is thought that Scandinavian raiders brought their dogs with them to the British Isles, and that these were crossed with local dogs. The evidence for this lies in the striking similarities between the Swedish Valhund and the Pembroke. The finishing touches, as well as the name, are thought to have come from the dogs of Flemish weavers in the twelfth century, who settled in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. These dogs are thought to have contained the original Spitz characteristics that the breed carries today.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was first recognized by the English Dog Authorities in 1925, but wasn't shown together with the Cardigan until 1934. The Pembroke was three years behind the Cardigan in arriving in America; the first recorded arrivals were in 1934, and they were first shown in 1936.

Physical characteristics:

Overall, the Pembroke is a lighter-built dog than the Cardigan, and is not as long. Height: 10 - 12 in (25 - 31 cm). Weight: 25 - 30 lb (10 - 13.5 kg). A guide to length is that the dog should be 40% longer than it is high at the shoulders.

The Pembroke is a bright and happy little dog, rather foxy in appearance. The two features that distinguish it the most from the Cardigan are the smaller, pointier ears and the lack of a tail. The tail can be naturally short, but if not, it is docked. The coat is medium-length and is quite thick. It comes in a lesser range of colors than the Cardigan: merle is not acceptable. However, they can be red, sable, fawn or black and tan, with or without white markings.

Behavior:

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, although small in stature, exhibits the behavior of a much larger dog. It is very confident for its size and will bravely herd cattle by nipping at their heels. It is not advisable to use this dog with sheep unless you are a very experienced handler. This dog has a strong tendency to bite when herding. This nipping behavior usually means the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not suitable for families with young children. When purchasing this dog as a puppy, avoid those which are shy or timid. This dog makes a devoted companion to assertive owners.