The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of my favorite dog breeds of all time. I mean what’s not to love from their fluffy little bodies to their affectionate personalities? I also happen to be in the fantastic company on the team Corgi bandwagon with the Queen of England who had owned as many as 30 Corgis in her life.
If you are interested in the American Kennel Club’s 10th most popular dog breed in 2019 then you have a lot to look forward to. And you have come to the best place for more information on these doggies.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the two types of Corgi dog breeds originating from Wales. They are known for their short build, long torso silhouettes, and symmetrical skull features. When it comes to behavior, Corgis are considered very disciplined, alert, and loyal which can be traced back to their breeding for use as herding dogs. They are also known for being very affectionate both with family members and strangers.
In the sections below, we will take a closer look at what makes Corgis so special. This includes their shedding patterns, personality, health, and most importantly how to take good care of them. But first, here is more on what they look like.
How Does A Pembroke Welsh Corgi Look Like?
When it comes to appearance, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a Northern spitz-type facial appearance comparable to Siberian Huskies. Their bodies are more reminiscent of dachshunds in their sausage dog silhouette. For some better perspective on what to expect, here are the key physical traits of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite doggy:
Head And Face
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have very distinct facial features. They are known for their equilateral triangle-shaped head giving it the fox-like appearance. They have long snouts and oval eyes that vary in color based on the coat’s color.
Corgis are also known for their medium length and perky ears with slight tapering and round tips at the top end.
Body Build And Size
Corgis are considered a small breed size with their height average of 10 to 12 inches. Compared to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not get very large, weighing between 24 to 30 lbs.
These doggies also have notably long torsos and disproportionately short limbs.
Coat Type And Color
Pembroke Corgis have a double layer with a short, thick, and water-resistant inner layer and a long, coarse outer layer. The color varies based on genetics and includes options like red, sable, fawn, black, and tan. There may or may not be white markings in which case these appear on the paws, chest, and neck.
Tail
Another defining feature of these doggies is in their docked tails. In some, this may occur naturally based on genetics. However, many need to be docked after birth.
What Problems Do Corgis Have?
As a purebred dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Nonetheless, they may encounter a number of health issues that are passed on from one generation to the next. You will have to prepare for these in which case understanding what they are and what they mean for your dog is the most important step. Here are 6 of the most important problems Corgis have.
Joint Dysplasia
This skeletal condition is associated with poor joint formation, especially on the hip and shoulder sockets. This leads to instability that could seriously affect the dog’s mobility. It also puts them at a higher risk of developing arthritis later on in life.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
IVDD is a disease affecting the discs that connect the vertebrae on your dog’s back. In really bad cases, it could cause nerve damage with paralysis. More often than not, it just causes a lot of back pain for the pooch.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This is one of the most common hematological conditions in dogs and is caused by a lack of certain clotting factors. With proper care, this should be too problematic for your Corgi. However, it may require extra care in cases of open injuries or even surgery.
Obesity
Corgis have very big appetites and are not the most disciplined when it comes to stopping eating when satisfied. As a result, they are prone to being overweight and even obese with further consequences like diabetes and heart disease.
Eye Problems
The main eye problems in Corgis are cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. With proper nutrition and constant monitoring, you could prevent or at least slow them down.
How To Take Care Of A Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
Due to their personalities, build, and health issues, Pembroke Welsh Corgis need very intentional care. This will ensure they not only live long and healthy lives but that they also have as much fun being a part of your family as you do having them.
To help you out, here are 3 tips on how to best take care of your Corgi. We will look at grooming in the section after.
Go All Out On Healthy Dog Food
You cannot afford to take chances with issues, such as obesity and diabetes, to look out for. You can never go wrong with foods free of gluten and grain.
Hence, we highly recommend you check out Pet Plate. Its meals use all-natural ingredients and are safely prepared in USDA kitchens. Each meal contains additional immunity-boosting supplements, such as salmon oil and taurine, to lower the risk of diseases and infections for a healthier and happier Corgi.
Take Extra Care Of Those Bones And Joints
Skeletal issues in Corgis can be very painful and inconveniently debilitating.
While a good organic diet will provide important nutrients like protein, vitamin D, and calcium, you may need to supplement the diet to promote joint function and healing.
Try the Doggie Dailies Glucosamine soft chew supplements to deal with issues like IVDD and dysplasia. They contain useful compounds for this including glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin.
Let Them Have A Social Life
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very social whether it is with other humans or other animals. The lack of this kind of contact leaves them very frustrated. Make this more of a playtime sort of arrangement whether it is a doggy date or time together at the park so you can get them to work out in the process.
Grooming Tips For A Pembroke Welsh Corgi
When it comes to grooming, Corgis are not high maintenance.
A lot of people assume they need a lot of work due to their thick coats. However, this is not always the case. In fact, with the right care tips and tools, you shouldn’t have to use more than an hour every week to take care of the pooch. Here is what you need to do.
Regular Brushing
Corgis shed moderately. They have thick double coats with a long outer layer that needs very close attention. Due to its propensity to knot up and develop mats, you will have to brush 2 to 3 days every week. This also helps to get rid of loose hair that may fall off and litter your home.
For this aspect of grooming, DakPets Pet Grooming Brush is your best friend. With its four-inch stainless steel blade, thick bristles, and comfortable handle, brushing will be much easier and more effective.
Yearly Trimming
Corgis undergo two seasons of fur growth spurt and extreme shedding. This happens mainly around spring and autumn. You may therefore have to schedule trimming around these seasons to keep your pooch’s fur nice and manageable.
Corgis are also renowned for their famous butts. Yes, they are cute, but they do not come naturally without grooming. For some owners, the joy in owning a Corgi is, in fact, revolved around grooming this irresistibly cute style.
Washing And Wiping
Washing once every month or two is more than enough for any dog. However, your Corgi may need a bit more care. This is because their short stature puts them closer to the ground and dirt, and their bellies tend to get dirty more often than not.
If washing as a daily affair does not work out for your daily schedule, consider using doggy wet wipes. We recommend the SCOBUTY Pet Wipes as they contain aloe vera and other natural ingredients that not only clean but soothe the skin and condition the fur. It has multiple functions other than keeping your pooches’ bellies clean.
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis Aggressive?
Corgis are known for their very confident and dominant personalities. They are definitely not for the faint of heart as some assertion may be needed to control them. However, contrary to popular belief, they are not aggressive. Even their consistent biting is more a part of their herding nature than a sign of aggression.
Here is more on the temperament of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
Intelligent
Corgis are high intelligence dogs and this makes them very easy to live with. They are particularly easy to train.
Playful
Your pooch may not constantly hound you down for playtime but their moods visibly improve when they are involved in any form of physical activity.
Social
Pembroke Corgis are known for their friendly curiosity, especially to strangers. They will take some time to scope out any unfamiliar people or dogs and if they feel safe they will show them almost as much love as they do you.
Affectionate
Corgis are big, old cuddle addicts. They love to show their affection to humans they consider family. They also respond very well to affectionate gestures like patting and verbal reinforcement.
Attentive
Corgis are naturally alert and very aware of their environments. This came in handy in their herding years and is still as effective if you are interested in having your Corgi also serve a watchdog purpose.
Eager To Please
Another personality trait that makes Corgis very easy to train is their eagerness to please. They are always very excited to receive and complete tasks.
Related Questions
Are Boy Or Girl Corgis Better? The main difference between the two is in temperament. Boy Corgis are surprisingly better if you want an easier dog to manage. This is ideal for first-time dog owners and families with children. However, if you are up for a challenge, the very independent and assertive female Corgi also has a lot to offer.
Should I Get A Pembroke Or Cardigan Corgi? In addition to the subtle physical differences, Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis have very different personalities. You should get the Pembroke variety if you want a more social dog. They get along with everyone from children to strangers. On the other hand, you could get the Cardigan Corgi if you want a more loyal and reserved pooch. They make for perfect watchdogs in this case.
How Much Does A Pembroke Welsh Corgi Cost? Although they are steadily rising in popularity, Corgis are still relatively rare and are listed as Vulnerable Native Breeds in the United Kingdom. This is why they can be so expensive. While you could be lucky enough to find one at $600, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi could cost as much as $1,000 to $2,000.
