Pembroke Welsh Corgi facts for kids
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| Common nicknames | Pembroke, PWC, Pem, Corgi, Welsh Corgi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small, energetic dog breed. Its name means "dwarf dog" in Welsh. These dogs come from Pembrokeshire, Wales. They were originally bred to herd cattle.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of two types of Welsh Corgis. The other is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Both breeds are related to northern spitz-type dogs.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very famous because Queen Elizabeth II loved them. She owned over 30 Corgis during her time as Queen. Even though they were popular with the Queen for many years, their popularity in Britain has changed. However, they are still very popular in the United States. Many cities, like New York and Los Angeles, have big "Corgi Meetups." Hundreds of Corgis and their owners gather to play and have fun.
Experts like Stanley Coren say Corgis are very smart. His book, The Intelligence of Dogs, ranks them as excellent working dogs. In 2018, the American Kennel Club listed Pembroke Welsh Corgis as the 13th most popular dog breed.
Contents
About Pembroke Welsh Corgis
What They Look Like
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have ears that stand up straight. Their ears are medium-sized and have rounded tips. Their head looks a bit like a fox's head.
Pembrokes are shorter than Cardigan Welsh Corgis. They also have smaller ears and straighter legs. Some Pembrokes have a "fairy saddle." This is a slightly lighter patch of fur on their back. It's caused by how their hair grows.
Corgis have a double coat of fur. This means they shed a lot all year, especially in spring and autumn. But their coat is easy to care for with regular brushing. It also naturally keeps out water and dirt.
Sometimes, Corgis are born with very long, thin fur. These are called "fluffies." Other times, their fur color might look faded or bluish. These are called "bluies." These traits are not usually wanted in the breed.
Most Pembroke Welsh Corgis used to have their tails shortened. This was done when they were very young. It was a tradition, not because they needed it for herding. In many places, like the United Kingdom, shortening tails is now against the law. Today, many Corgis have their natural, full tails.
Their Personality
Pembroke Welsh Corgis love being part of the family. They often follow their owners everywhere. They really want to make their owners happy. This makes them eager to learn new things and be trained.
However, Corgis can also be a bit stubborn. This is because they are very smart and used to working. They were bred to herd animals. This means they are alert and tend to bark. They can bark a lot if they don't get enough playtime or mental challenges.
Most Pembrokes are friendly with everyone they meet. They usually get along well with children and other pets. It's important to help young Corgi puppies meet many different people and animals. This helps them grow into well-behaved adults.
Because of their herding background, Corgis love to chase things that move. So, it's best to keep them in fenced areas. Younger Corgis might even nip at people's ankles. This is a leftover instinct from herding cattle.
Health and Life Cycle
Pembroke Welsh Corgis usually live for about 12 to 15 years.
Corgis are known as "true dwarf" breeds. This means their short legs and long bodies are natural. Because of their unique build, they can have certain health issues. Some common problems include hip dysplasia, which affects their hips. They can also have eye problems. Genetic tests can help breeders avoid these issues.
Corgis also love to eat! This means they can easily become overweight. It's important to make sure they get enough exercise and don't eat too much.
History of the Breed
The history of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi goes back a long time. Some say they arrived in Wales around 1107 AD. Flemish weavers are thought to have brought these dogs with them.
There are also old stories about Corgis and fairies. One tale says two children found a fairy funeral. The fairies gave them two Corgi puppies. Another story says Corgis were war horses for fairies before they herded animals for humans. Some people even say the slightly rougher fur on a Corgi's back is where a fairy saddle once sat!
Pembrokes and Cardigans were first shown together in Britain in 1925. A Corgi Club was started that year. Later, the two breeds were officially recognized as separate in 1934.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have become very popular in the United States. However, in the United Kingdom, they were once listed as a "vulnerable" breed. This meant their numbers were getting low. One reason for this was a ban on tail-shortening. But their popularity has grown again. The TV show The Crown on Netflix helped bring more interest to the breed. Corgis have also appeared in other TV shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Cowboy Bebop.
Fun Activities
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very active dogs. They can take part in many fun dog sports. These include:
- dog agility trials (where they run through obstacle courses)
- obedience competitions (where they show how well they follow commands)
- flyball (a team sport where dogs race over hurdles)
- tracking (where they follow scents)
- herding events (where they show their natural herding skills)
Even though they have short legs, Corgis can run quite fast. They can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour! This is because they use a lot of their upper body strength to run. This strength helps them do well in agility and herding activities.
Queen Elizabeth's Corgis
Queen Elizabeth II loved Corgis from a young age. Her father, King George VI, brought home their first royal Corgi, named Dookie. The Queen stopped breeding Corgis around 2012. She didn't want to leave any behind after she passed away. Her last Corgi, Willow, died in 2018.
A movie about the Queen's Corgis, called The Queen's Corgi, was released in 2019.
Images for kids
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Corgi at 4 months, when they are starting to get their typical fawn colour. The ears look too big compared to their head.
See also
In Spanish: Corgi galés de Pembroke para niños
