Facts About Corgis

Corgis are the favorite dogs to Queen Elizabeth II. There are two breeds of corgi, both of which were bred to drive cattle. One is the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the other, the queen's favorite, is the Pembroke Welsh corgi. Both live about 12 to 15 years. The Cardigan is an older breed, and the Pembroke was bred from the Cardigan.

  1. Body Type

    • The Cardigan originated in Cardiganshire, Wales.

      Both of the dogs have long bodies in relation to their short legs. The Cardigan has a long, foxy tail, while the Pembroke's tail is short. The Cardigan's feet are a bit rounder, and its ears longer and more widely spaced than those of the Pembroke. The Cardigan is bigger and heavier than the Pembroke. It stands 10 1/2 to 12 1/2 inches at the shoulder and weighs 25 to 38 lbs. while the Pembroke stands 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder and weighs 20 to 26 lbs. Until the 1850s the Cardigan was the only dog known to be kept in some Welsh homes.

    Personality

    • The corgi is an active, intelligent and obedient dog but can be aggressive. Its small size allowed it to nip at the legs of cattle to get them moving, and the queen's corgis have been known to bite her as well. Thus they need to be well socialized and understand their status in the pack -- which includes humans. Other than that, they're dedicated and very active, if wary of strangers. Both Pembroke and Cardigan are good watch dogs and tend to bark lot -- Princess Diana is said to have despaired of the queen's "yapping corgis." Both breeds do well in apartments because of their small size, but must be taken for long daily walks.

    Health and Grooming

    • Both corgis have a water-resistant, medium-length coat that's easy to take care of with a comb and firm bristle brush. Both shed their coats twice a year. These dogs are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma and back disorders, and should not be overfed, as they easily become fat. This can lead to back problems.

    Background

    • The Pembroke Welsh corgi might be descended from the keeshond, pomeranian, shipperke and Swedish vallhund. The Pembroke and Cardigan were considered the same breed until 1934 when a judge thought they were too different and decided they were separate breeds. The Pembroke is more popular than the Cardigan, according to the Dog Breed Info Center website, probably because of its association with the queen. As well as cattle drivers, these dogs were also ratters and farm guards.