Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a lively companion. He plays games and enjoys travelling, visiting, even obedience training. He is glad to be in the city or the country, as long as his family is nearby. They have been the favourite dogs of British royalty since the late 1930s.

Pembroke Corgi breed facts

The Pembroke was brought to Wales in A.D. 1107 by Flemish weavers.

The name "corgi" comes from the Welsh language and means "dwarf dog."

Information you should know before owning a Pembroke Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds a lot. Your pet Pembroke should be brushed thoroughly at least twice a week.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an active dog who is willing and able to carry out his owner's commands in the pasture, the obedience ring, or the family home. The typical Pembroke is happy, obedient, friendly, and confident and great fun to live with.
 

Although all evidence seems to point to the fact that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a much younger dog than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, it is still true that the Corgi from Pembrokeshire is a breed of considerable antiquity. No breed that traces its origin back to A.D. 1107 can be regarded as an especially new type of dog.

The direct ancestors of the Pembroke were brought across the Channel by the Flemish weavers who had been induced by Henry I of England to take up their abode in Wales. This occurred in 1107, and it stands as a sturdy cornerstone upon which the development of a breed has been built. While weaving was one of their occupations, these Flemish people were also of an agrarian nature, and they soon had transferred to the southwest corner of Wales, at Haverfordwest, the replicas of the model homes and farms in their native land. The dog fitted into this scheme.

In relation to the Cardigan, the Pembroke is shorter in body; the legs are straighter and lighter boned, while the coat is of finer texture. Two of the most noticeable differences are in the ears and the tail. Cardigan ears are rounded, while the Pembroke's are pointed at the tip and stand erect. The Cardigan has a long tail, and the Pembroke a short one. In disposition, the Pembroke is more restless, more easily excited. If one could see specimens of the early members of both breeds at the same time, the differences would be very marked. In modern times they have become more similar. The whole development of the Pembroke evinces a desire on the part of its breeders to produce a lower, stockier dog.

The manner in which the Pembroke and the Cardigan have approached each other in appearance is not merely a matter of chance or of selective breeding. It is known, rather definitely, that the two were crossed before the middle of the 19th century.

The Pembroke is one of the most agreeable of small house dogs. It has an affectionate nature, but does not force its attentions upon those unwilling to accept them. Its intelligence is undoubted, and it is a remarkably alert, ever-vigilant guard of the fireside.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Low set, strong, sturdily built, alert and active, giving impression of substance and stamina in small space.
	Characteristics Bold in outlook, workmanlike.
	Temperament Outgoing and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.
	Eyes Well set, round, medium size, brown, blending with colour of coat.
	Mouth Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Fairly long.
	Forequarters Lower legs short and as straight as possible, forearm moulded round chest. Ample bone, carried right down to feet. Elbows fitting closely to sides, neither loose nor tied. Shoulders well laid, and angulated at 90 degrees to the upper arm.
	Body Medium length, well sprung ribs, not short coupled, slightly tapering, when viewed from above. Level topline. Chest broad and deep, well let down between forelegs.
	Hindquarters Strong and flexible, well angulated stifle. Legs short. Ample bone carried right down to feet. Hocks straight when viewed from behind.
	Feet Oval, toes strong, well arched, and tight, two centre toes slightly advance of two outer, pads strong and well arched. Nails short.
	Tail Short, preferably natural. Docked: Short. Undocked: Set in line with the topline, carried low not curled over back. Carried in line with back when moving, low at rest. Too high or too low tail set is undesirable.
	Gait / Movement Low set, strong, sturdily built, alert and active, giving impression of substance and stamina in small space.
	Coat Medium length, straight with dense undercoat, never soft, wavy or wiry.
	Colour Self colours in Red, Sable, Fawn, Black and Tan, with or without white markings on legs, brisket and neck. Some white on head and foreface permissible.
	Size Height: approximately 25-30 cms (10-12 ins) at shoulder. Weight: dogs: 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs); bitches: 9-11 kgs (20-24 lbs).