AKC Dog Breeds: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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Herding Group
Height:10-12 inches  Weight: 24-30 pounds  Color: sable, red, fawn, black or tan with white markings

Low-set, strong and sturdily built, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi gives an impression of substance in a small space. He is one of the most agreeable small house dogs, as well as an avid competitor in many dog sports, including conformation, herding and obedience. The Pembroke Corgi is a separate breed from the Cardigan Corgi, possessing a shorter body and straighter, lighter boned legs. His ears are pointed at the tip and stand erect, and he has a short tail. The Corgi from Pembrokeshire is a breed of considerable antiquity. The direct ancestors of the Pembroke were brought across the Channel in 1107 by Flemish weavers. The early progenitor is said to have had a resemblance to the old Schipperkes, and sprang from the same family that includes the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi became a popular dog when Queen Elizabeth the Second started breeding and raising them herself. They have been used in many commercials and advertisements both in the United Kingdom and around the world, and the breed has become very popular since its first official showing in 1926. No longer used as much as a herding dog they are considered an ideal companion dog in almost any type of setting. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1934.

General Appearance
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a long, low dog with large erect ears, a broad flat skull and a fox-like head. The tail is almost non-existent. The Pembroke's eyes are dark, preferably with black rims, and the nose is black. The soft, water-resistant coat comes in red, sable, fawn or black & tan, usually with white markings. Some differences between the Pembroke and the Cardigan are: the Pembroke usually has straighter legs as it is not quite as long- bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke's head is generally more wedge-shaped; the ears are smaller and closer together than the Cardigans; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.

Temperament

Active, intelligent, and quick to learn, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a dependable dog and is easy to train. This breed is well suited to the more inexperienced dog owner as well as experienced ones, and makes a good family pet and companion. These dogs are very alert and will bark to raise the alarm if anything seems to be amiss, making them effective watchdogs - be warned though, as some can bark excessively. These are herding dogs by nature, and this is still reflected in the way that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi will try and herd people and other animals, often by nipping at the heels, which is something that will need to be addressed. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi thrives on the love and companionship of his owners, and is not the right dog for those with little time to dedicate to a pet - neglecting this dog can lead to boredom and destructive behavior. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a loving and affectionate dog, and will get along well with gentle children and family pets. He is likely to chase off strange cats and dogs, as he has been trained to do historically. With strangers the Pembroke Welsh Corgi may be very suspicious, which adds to his watchdog abilities, but with guests he tends to be polite and dignified.

Grooming

The medium to short coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very easy to maintain and only sheds heavily during the spring and summer sheds. For the rest of the year twice a week brushing with a wire brush or pin brush is all that is needed. It is always important to groom the dog with the direction of hair growth to remove all tangles, debris or knots. After the coat as been detangled, it is then possible to use one hand to push the coat against the direction of growth, then using the brush to get the undercoat completely free of knots. Finish with grooming with a slicker brush or pin brush for a sleek appearance.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
As with all long bodied breeds Pembroke Welsh Corgis may have health issues with their backs in the form of intervertebral disc disease. Canine hip dysplasia is also somewhat problematic and any signs of back or leg problems should immediately be checked by a vet to prevent the situation from becoming worse. Eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy and glaucoma can occasional be seen in this breed. von Willebrands Disease and epilepsy are not commonly seen but may occasionally be found in some bloodlines. Always check the history of both the parents to check for any hereditary health concerns in the line. The life expectancy of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is around 12-14 years

Activity Level
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a very active dog that loves to go on long walks and romps. They do best with long and frequent exercise and need a space to be free to run and play. They can live in an apartment but ideally need a medium to large sized yard unless they can have regular scheduled exercise.

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