One of the world’s most popular herding breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, or Pembroke for short, is a strong, sturdy, muscular dog who adores its human family with a cheerful personality. They were initially bred to herd sheep and cattle in Great Britain as part of the textile, carpeting, and tapestry industry. These adorable muppets are easily recognized with their signature short stature, prick ears, and foxy faces. In addition, these nimble-footed puppies are well-known for their exceptional personality, boldness, and intelligence. Beat your boredom and loneliness with these faithful, lively little herders.
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Overview
A Pembroke Dog is easy to maintain in grooming and nutritional requirements, with minimal attention needed to keep their distinctive curls in perfect condition. Their dedication to their loved ones and high energy levels makes these breeds ideal for active parents and families with children. However, these playful pups can also live in a home with plenty of outdoor areas and harmoniously with other animals. However, they need plenty of mental and physical stimulation, so be ready to exercise and play to create a happy life and bond with your Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
While very similar, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi are two distinct breeds. Their ears and tail differences can distinguish them. However, short but strong legs, muscular thighs, and a deep chest qualify them for a hard day’s work. Pembrokes are called chondrodysplastic canines, with slightly bowed limbs and the tendency for back issues. In addition, their stubbornness and independence sometimes make it challenging to train them. Still, if you are confident handling this breed, you will get an agile, independent, intelligent, and loyal watchdog.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Athletic and agile
Might be bossy and overprotective if not well-socialized early
Good with children and other pets
Needs regular exercise to avoid weight gain
People-oriented and eager to please
They may be territorial when it comes to cats and dogs.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Basic Information
Name: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Origin: Wales
Group: Herding group
Size: Small
Height: 10 – 12 inches
Weight: Up to 30 pounds (male); Up to 28 pounds (female)
Coat: Short, double coat
Color: Red, sable, fawn, black and tan, and may have white markings
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, made notable by Queen Elizabeth II, is a cattle-herding canine thought to have been brought to Wales by the Flemish weavers. Their job was to drive cattle from one location to another, requiring a great deal of stamina and a reliable character. Initially considered one breed, the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis were split and recognized separately in 1934.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Highlights
Pembrokes are vocal dogs that tend to bark at everything.
While they are intelligent puppies, they can also be stubborn. If housebreaking is a concern, crate training is recommended.
Their strong herding instinct may cause them to nip at kids’ heels when playing.
They are prone to overeating. Therefore, you should monitor their food intake closely.
Even though they are little pups, Pembrokes have a lot of energy and require a healthy amount of daily exercise.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Personality
Pembroke dogs are known for their fuzzy double coat in stunning colors, including red, sable, fawn, black and tan. They also boast a sturdy, muscular frame that hints at their hard-working herding dog past with charming teddy bear looks and distinctive whimsical expressions revealing their playful disposition. They protect their human families but are far more likely to alert their owners of suspicious strangers than become aggressive. Also, they can easily share their home with children and other animals with proper training and early socialization.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium to high
Dog-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
High
Good for new owners
Medium to high
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
Medium to high
Heat tolerance
Medium
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Physical Features
Head: The head is foxy in shape and appearance. Skull is pretty broad and flat between the ears. The muzzle is neither dish-faced nor Roman-nosed medium-sized. Oval eyes, erect ears, black and fully pigmented nose, and tight little lips.
Neck: Relatively long neck, slightly arched and blended well into the shoulders.
Topline: Firm and level, neither hanging up to nor falling away at the croup.
Tail: Short and docked tail without being indented.
Forequarters: Short forearms bent slightly inward, with the distance between wrists, so the front does not appear straight. Elbows are parallel to the body, not noticeable, and well setback to enable a line perpendicular to the ground with oval feet.
Feet: Arched feet with solid pads.
Hindquarters: Strong, flexible, ample bone, well-muscled thighs relatively angulated at stifle and hock. The Pembroke has a pretty hind end with a waddling fluffy backside.
Coat: Short, thick, medium-length coat with weather-resistant undercoat and longer outer coat. Hair is slightly longer on the back of forelegs and underparts, fuller and longer on the rear of hindquarters.
Color: Red, fawn, sable, black and tan with or without white markings on muzzle, neck(either in part or as a collar), legs, underparts, chest, belly, and a narrow flare on the head.
Gait: Free and smooth gait. Their forelegs should reach well forward without too much lift with the driving action of the hind legs.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Temperament
Pembroke Dogs are known for the following temperaments:
Loving and loyal
Energetic and smart
Affectionate and intelligent
Calm and eager to please
Excitable and quick learner
Caring and playful
Confident and adaptable
Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a vigorous, multi-functional, and sturdy cattle dog with exceptional guarding and hunting instincts. They make ideal watchdogs. Good socialization practices and training can reduce excessive barking and overreactions to new troubles. For example, they might attempt to herd smaller animals and nip at the heels and legs of kids to herd them, but they won’t hurt them.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Training
It shouldn’t be that difficult to train a Pembroke dog. Since these breeds are intelligent and enthusiastic, they will quickly pick up the concept you accomplish. They also excel at advanced herding or dog sports training as they grow older. However, behavioral issues like digging, barking, and a tendency to herd people by nipping their legs can arise without proper training. While they make exceptional watch dogs, they’re also likely to become excessive barkers. These characteristics should be discouraged early by positive reinforcement techniques.
Here are some of the training exercises that you need to do with your Pembroke dog:
Pembrokes are exceptional family pets and enjoy bonding with the human family. They will easily get along with all other pets, provided they are socialized as puppies and were raised with them. The only downside of their dedicated and loving personality is that they can easily undergo separation anxiety if left alone for a long time.
Pembrokes are highly energetic puppies who need lots of daily exercises and exercises to help with physical and mental stimulation. They will flourish with at least one hour of daily exercise combined with training lessons, play sessions, or training like agility, herding, obedience, and tracking events to keep their mind occupied. They are playful and active breeds but retain a firm herding drive; hence, those who can deliver a doorway for these instincts are advised. Also, a tall fence around the yard is ideal, as these little pups are agile and known to climb.
You can meet your Pembroke’s daily exercise essentials by:
The Pembroke’s waterproof double coat with a soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat is simple to maintain. However, you will need to brush once or twice weekly to remove dead hair and prevent shedding. Also, wet their skin after every brush and leave to dry naturally. Regular bathing, mainly in the spring and summer, is necessary to help with seasonal shedding, as Pembrokes tend to shed more during those times.
Since some Pembrokes have white or light-colored coats around their eyes, it’s an excellent technique to clean the eyes and surrounding areas daily to prevent tear-staining. In addition, you should check their ears weekly for signs of infection, such as redness, debris, and odor. Trim their nails to avoid nail growth and clicking sound. Finally, using dog toothpaste, brushing their teeth should be done at least once a week to maintain their gums and teeth healthy.
Pembroke is generally considered a healthy dog, but they are still predisposed to inherited conditions like other purebreds. Therefore, reliable breeders strive to keep high standards by testing adult dogs before breeding. Then, to maintain your puppy’s health, take them for regular vet check-ups and keep them updated with their vaccines.
Health Overview
General health
Medium
Weight gain tendencies
Medium to high
Size
Small
Cystinuria: Cystinuria results from the excessive release of cystine through urination. This disorder is more common in male Corgis and can further lead to the formation of stones.
Cutaneous Asthenia: In this disorder, the connective tissues of the skin will be defective, fragile, loose, and stretchy. This disease is also known as Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome, or collagen dysplasia, caused by a collagen protein defect that binds the skin cells together. Signs include excessive bruising and blood blisters.
Cataract: A condition seen as cloudy spots on the eye lens that grow gradually. This disease can develop at any age and often doesn’t affect vision; however, rare cases cause vision loss. Fortunately, you can remove cataracts surgically with good results.
Hip dysplasia: A hereditary disorder in which the thigh bone fails to fit into the hip joint. One or both legs of your dog may become lame or ache. X-ray is the best way to analyze the situation. It is not advisable to breed dogs with hip dysplasia.
Degenerative Myelopathy: A disorder commonly known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM) is a spinal cord condition that causes weakening and paralysis in the hind limbs. Degeneration of the white matter of the spinal cord causes the symptoms.
Epilepsy is the most prevalent neurological disorder in canines, affecting about 0.75 percent of the population. Epilepsy is a broad name for conditions indicated by repeated, uncontrollable seizures generated by a brain defect.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): In between the vertebral column’s bones, IVD allows vertebral movements, which usually work like shock absorbers. They are formed with two layers, the inner soft jelly-like layer and the external fibrous layer. This condition happens when the inner jelly-like layer forces the spinal cord, resulting in spinal cord compression; signs include paralysis, neck and backache, and loss of bladder, sensation, and bowel control.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A cardiac abnormality known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs once the ductus arteriosus fails to seal properly at birth.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye disease that causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eyes. It can be detected earlier. A very later stage is blindness. Canines with this condition can survive for several years since they have other senses to compensate.
Retinal Dysplasia: The retina becomes detached and abnormal, causing blindness.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: VWD is a hereditary condition in which the capability for a blood clot is troubled. Some symptoms are excessive bleeding after surgery or injury, nosebleed, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the abdomen or intestines.
Spay or Neuter: In spaying, the uterus or ovaries in female dogs is removed, and in the neuter, the male dog’s testicles are operated. It is done to eliminate the chance of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and lessen the likelihood of cancer types.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Degeneration of the heart muscle is known as cardiomyopathy. The muscle, mainly the thick muscular membrane of the left ventricle, becomes delicate. These membranes expand because of the blood pressure inside the heart, which directs to a much bigger heart.
Obesity: Corgis are prone to obesity and worsening hip and elbow dysplasia. This disease negatively hits a dog’s fitness and durability. Obese dogs exhibit an increased risk of heart disease, digestive conditions, diabetes, joint problems, and hypertension.
Glaucoma: A deadly eye condition that needs medical attention. Symptoms such as squinting, pain, watery eyes, and redness can display glaucoma, leading to blindness.
Dental Disease: It affects 80% of dogs, generates tartar build-up on the teeth, causes infection of the roots and gums, and in complex situations, causes loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys.
Portosystemic Liver Shunt: A disorder in which the liver does not get sufficient blood supply to purify it. As the name indicates, blood flow to the liver will be shunted.
Cancer: Cancer can be cured by surgical removal of tumors and chemotherapy. However, it is essential not to ignore the symptoms and diagnose them earlier. Various cancer types affecting your pet are:
Lymphoma: A severe illness that affects lymphocyte cells.
Hemangiosarcoma: This is a hazardous form of cancer that originates in the lining of blood vessels and the spleen. It most commonly happens in middle-aged and elderly dogs.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer common in large and giant breeds.
Recommended Tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Diet and Nutrition
You can feed your PWCs with 3/4 to 1.5 cups of dry dog food daily, divided into two meals. With your vet’s supervision and approval, a Pembroke dog should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared. Some Corgis are prone to getting overweight, so monitor their weight level and calorie consumption. Treats can be an integral aid in training, but giving too many treats can result in obesity. Please consult your vet to feed your dog a healthy diet and portion schedule based on their weight, age, and activity level. Here are a few nutritious suggestions for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi:
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Exercising your Pembroke’s body and mind is more important than having a large fenced yard or living space. However, their unique herding dog bark could make apartment living tricky. Nevertheless, they are ideal for active pet parents or families with children. They need lots of engagement to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Your PWCs cannot tolerate extreme weather; hence avoid taking them outdoors when it’s too warm or cold.
Did you know?
Pembroke is an enchanted dog used by the Welsh fairies and elves to pull fairy coaches, work fairy cattle and serve as a steed for the fairy warriors.
Queen Elizabeth II met her first Pembroke as a child. King George VI brought home a male pup named Dookie in 1933. After introducing a second Corgi, Jane, they had a litter of dogs and thus began the Corgi tradition within the royal lineage.
There are two causes behind their name. The first is that “cor” is Welsh for watching others, and “gi” means dog. However, others have decoded “cor” to mean Dwarf.
