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Pembroke Welsh Corgis are popular as family dogs.
These affectionate, calm, intelligent canines are great with older children and other pets.
They are a separate breed from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Their friendly disposition has won hearts across the globe, most famously of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She received her first Pembroke Welsh Corgi from her father, affectionately called Dookie, in 1933.
Since then, her Corgis have become synonymous with the English Monarchy.
In fact, at Her Majesty’s funeral, her two Pembroke Corgis Muick and Sandy were present to wish her a final farewell.
The devotion and athleticism of these little herding dogs have made them a favorite of families worldwide.
They are the more popular of the two Corgi breeds and are beloved by all who meet them.
The History of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Despite the Pembroke Welsh Corgi being “younger” than its Cardigan Corgi counterpart, it still has a long history.
It begins in the year 1107 AD. King Henry I of Britain was in search of the best weavers in his kingdom, who happened to be located in northern Belgium.
He invited these Flemish master craftsmen to live and work in southwestern Wales.
They agreed and moved their whole lives to Wales, including their herding dogs.
These dogs, which were bred to herd sheep and cattle, were the direct ancestors of today’s Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Their short legs and sturdy frames made them excellent herders.
Once they crossed the English Channel, they grew in popularity throughout Great Britain and became a staple in Wales.
They were used as companions, herding dogs, and guard dogs.
Almost 1,000 years after their introduction to the area, both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi emerged as breeds.
They were officially recognized by the English Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.
Appearance and Characteristics
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a beautiful, medium-length double coat.
According to American Kennel Club standards, the Pembroke Corgi comes in four recognized colors:
- Fawn
- Black and tan
- Sable
- Red
They can be found with or without white markings, and any markings they have should only be white.
Their characteristic ears are oversized and pointed, allowing them to capture every sound around them.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis stand about 10 to 12 inches at the shoulders and weigh 24 to 30 pounds.
Their frame is long and low, making them surprisingly fast and agile herding dogs.
This also allows them to excel at canine sports like agility and tracking events.
Owners and breeders have described Pembroke Corgis as a “big dog in a small package.”
They are achondroplastic, meaning they are a dwarf breed with shortened legs.
They boast a deep chest and short but strong legs, with thick, muscular thighs that aid in herding livestock much bigger than themselves.
Their average life span is 12 to 13 years old.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Temperament
The Pembroke Corgi is an intelligent, sensitive dog.
Their playful nature makes them excellent family pets, while their fearless, independent streak makes them great livestock herders.
They are highly trainable and love to have a job.
As long as you can expend their energy with daily walks or playtime in the yard, they will return the favor one-hundred-fold with their loyal and loving nature.
The Pembroke is an ideal family dog that loves being around people.
They are affectionate without being needy and make excellent companions for single people and families alike.
This breed makes an excellent watchdog with their close attention to their surroundings and “big dog” bark.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a vocal breed. However, some corgis bark more than others.
They are generally well-behaved with other dogs and cats in the household, especially if they were raised with them.
However, they can be territorial around strange dogs because of their protective herding instincts and are prone to resource guarding.
Early socialization with other dogs, animals, and people can help to prevent this.
Caring for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known to be a generally healthy breed.
However, there are a few tests that are recommended when it comes to having Pembroke puppies.
If you’re planning on welcoming a Pembroke puppy into your family, make sure your breeder screens both parents for these health conditions:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye disorders
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Von Willebrand’s Disease (a bleeding disorder)
As with all dog breeds, you should take your Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the vet on a regular basis for check-ups.
Because of their short stature, they won’t be able to jump up onto furniture as easily as larger dog breeds.
Be sure to provide steps or ramps for your Pembroke Corgi to prevent back straining.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Nutrition Requirements
You can feed a Pembroke Welsh Corgi a commercial diet or a home-cooked one, as long as it is high-quality.
You should talk with your veterinarian to help you choose the best diet for your dog.
Whichever food you choose should be appropriate for your dog’s stage of life (i.e. puppy, adult, or senior). They should also have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Pembroke Corgis’ typical love of food puts them at risk of becoming overweight.
To avoid this, keep an eye on your dog’s weight, avoid giving them excessive treats or human food, and talk with your vet to set up a diet if needed.
You should also avoid free-feeding them, as they are likely to overeat.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Grooming Requirements
They are not a high-maintenance breed. However, there are some corgi-specific grooming requirements you should be aware of.
Their water-repellent fur is made up of a soft, lightweight under-layer that is covered by a coarser, heavier outer layer.
They shed a good amount throughout the year, but especially in the late spring and early summer.
You can help to control excess hair around your home by brushing daily with a comb (to strip the undercoat) and a slicker brush. This will remove loose hair before it is shed.
Your Pembroke Corgi will benefit from weekly baths during shedding season.
This will help to loosen dead hair and help remove it when you brush them following the bath.
Just make sure that you dry them off completely before running a brush through their coat. You can use a blow dryer on the low setting to help dry them off and warm them up after they get out of the bath.
Like all dog breeds, be sure to regularly trim your Pembroke Corgi’s nails and clean their ears to ensure they remain healthy and free of infection.
It is wise to check for infection at least once per week.
You should also brush their teeth daily or a few times per week with dog-friendly toothpaste to keep their gums and teeth healthy. We want our dogs to greet us with fresh breath, after all!
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Exercise Requirements
These small, compact dogs pack a lot of punch.
They are natural-bred herders prone to want to run and expend their energy throughout the day.
While not overly energetic like a Border Collie, Pembroke Corgis do need daily exercise.
They will benefit from a walk or two plus some play time throughout the day.
When it comes to temperature, these dogs do best in moderate climates.
When exercising them, avoid extreme heat or cold weather.
And always be sure to provide them with fresh, cool water after a walk or play session.
These strong, athletic dogs love physical activity and do best when they have a big backyard or access to a park to run in.
If you can provide them with a job, that’s even better.
They naturally excel at and enjoy canine sports like herding, agility, obedience, and tracking.
Corgi exercise requirements are moderate.
So while they can make do in a city, just be sure to provide them with plenty of walks and indoor playtime.
Exercising your dog can be a lot of work, but the rewards are worth it.
Your Pembroke Corgi will be the most loyal family companion if you put in the time and effort to maintain their mental and physical health.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Training Requirements
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, like all dog breeds, benefits from socialization early in their life.
Gentle, gradual exposure to other dogs, humans, and places will help them to become confident, well-rounded adult dogs.
Puppy classes or puppy socialization groups are a great way to get a head start on this process.
It’s best to focus on socializing your Pembroke Corgi puppy between seven weeks and four months old.
When it comes to training, Pembroke Corgis are intelligent, energetic dogs who are willing to please their handler.
While their high intelligence makes it easy for them to pick up on tricks,
Pembrokes will sometimes be stubborn and have a mind of their own.
Patience and positive, rewards-based training are the keys to success with this smart, sensitive breed.
Be aware, though, that while treats are an important training aid, too many can cause your corgi to become overweight.
Final Thoughts
The Pembroke Corgi is among the most popular of the small herding dogs.
Their friendly, agreeable nature makes them a popular choice for families, and their strong, compact bodies make them impressive athletes in canine sports like herding and agility.
These playful little herders make lively, affectionate companions that are not too clingy or needy like other small and toy breeds can be.
If you want to add a new pooch to your pack, consider the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a herding dog breed beloved by royalty and families worldwide.
