The cute short-legged purebred Pembroke welsh corgi became famous thanks to the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth received her first puppies in 1933. Since then, the Pembroke welsh corgi dog breeds have been the Queen’s favorite breed of canine.
What’s the secret behind its popularity, and is it right for you? In this article, we’ll talk about the history, external characteristics, and care features of the Corgi breed.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi History
Cynologists believe that the ancestors of the modern Corgi were Swedish Vallhunds from Scandinavia. The Vikings used them for hunting and also as herding dogs. History suggests that the Vallhunds were brought to the British Isles from Sweden in the 9th century.
Crossbreeding with local Welsh breeds resulted in a new breed. The prefixes “Welsh” and “Pembroke” point to the center of the breed’s origin, the county of Pembrokeshire in Wales.
The word “corgi” itself has two ways of deciphering it:
- “Dwarf dog” in Welsh;
- “Watchdog” in translation from English.
The wide public got acquainted with representatives of the breed at a dog show in 1892. The peak of popularity of funny corgis began in the middle of the 20th century when Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Characteristics
According to the description, adult Welsh Corgi Pembroke has a small height and weight. The height of the dog at the withers is 25 – 30 cm. Pembroke welsh corgi weight of the body in individuals of different sexes differs:
- In females – up to 12.8 kg;
- The weight of the males is up to 13.5 kg.
Representatives of the breed are inherently prone to obesity, so more stringent Pembroke welsh corgi size were set: up to 11.4 kg for bitches and up to 12.3 kg for males.
The muzzle is fox-like with a black nose and elongated brown eyes. The triangular ears are spaced apart. They have a wide base and tapering rounded tips.
Dogs are characterized by a compact, dense build. They have a wide, rounded chest that sags between the front limbs.
Distinctive features of corgis:
- short paws;
- straight back;
- long neck;
- short tail.
Pembroke belongs to the short-haired category of dogs. The coarse straight coat is tight to the animal’s body. Sometimes bitches give birth to puppies with long, soft fleece. Such a fluffy coat is considered a defect. According to the standard, there are 2 color options: bicolor (white-red) and tricolor (red-black-white).
Allowed colors include:
- sable;
- pale;
- stag;
- black and tan;
- ginger.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Temperament
Corgis have a lively, energetic nature. They need to move around a lot. They love walks. These dogs combine high intelligence, natural cunning, and stubbornness. They can not be forced to do what they do not want to. At the same time, pets always manage to achieve what he wants using various tricks.
To keep the dog from getting spoiled, its education and training must be practiced constantly. Corgis quickly learn their name and commands. They love playful activities and are great company for children.
They get along well with people and other pets, but they adhere to a clear hierarchy: they find the leader in the family and obey him. They are very affectionate to their master and miss him very much in his absence. You should not leave these dogs alone in your apartment for a long time.
Care Features
Care for the Welsh Corgi includes performing the usual sanitary and hygienic procedures that will allow the dog to feel well.
Pembroke is characterized by long periods of molting (2 times a year), at this time the hair falls out abundantly. The apartment will need constant cleaning and the pet will need daily combing. However, most of the year the pet’s fur does not require special care. It is enough to comb 2-3 times a week.
Bathing is done 2-3 times a season. If paws and belly become dirty during a walk, wipe them with a damp cloth. It is better to put a raincoat on the pooch before a walk in bad weather. For colder seasons, you can buy a romper. However, do not use too many clothes, as wool and undercoat make a good thermal regulator.
You should also take good care of the corgi’s ears and eyes. Clean them of dirt, as needed. Sharpen nails with a nail file and trim them with a claw cutter.
It is extremely important to feed the Pembroke correctly. The breed is gluttonous and prone to obesity, which leads to health problems. You should not overfeed and give food at inappropriate times.
Keeping a dog in the apartment involves equipping a special sleeping place for it. You can use a cot, a pillow with a removable pillowcase, or a house.
They are cute, compact animals that are easy to get along with your family members and bring lots of fun into your home. You should pay attention to its training, but even if it’s your first dog, you’ll manage and get a reliable companion.