Corgi

Introduction

Between their adorable appearance and quirky personalities, it’s no surprise that Corgi’s are among the top 20 most popular dogs. Despite their small stature, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a lively and determined breed that is smart, easy to train, and ambitious when it comes to learning new tricks. Corgis are distinct in appearance with their pointy ears, long body, short legs, docked tails, and big fuzzy bums! The Corgi was originally bred as a herding dog, primarily used to corral sheep, horses, and cattle. Because of their history working as field dogs, these enthusiastic pups love to play fetch, they are also eager to learn new tricks. Corgi’s may be small in stature, but they are larger than life in attitude! Corgi’s will naturally fit well into just about any household, but owners are often surprised by their energy level for such a small dog. If you are considering a Corgi, be aware that these are not lazy apartment dogs that can get by on just a few bathroom breaks per day!

History

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s lineage is as immense as it is fantastical, being traced all the way back to 1107 AD. According to legend, and old adage declares that a pair of Flemish kids happened upon the funeral of a fairy, and the mourning fairies gifted two young Corgi puppies to the pair. It is also folklore that fairies used to ride Corgi’s, much like horses, when charging (or fluttering) into battle. Welsh fable claims that the line of rough fur at the base of a Corgi’s haunch is the saddle line permanently etched into the fur from the ancient fairy warriors. More recently, Corgi’s are thought to have originated from Flemish weavers who brought a variation of the breed when settling in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. It is though that the local cattle dogs were bred with the Flemish variations to produce the characteristics seen in Pembroke Welsh Corgis today.

Appearance

Corgis are ‘cannot-miss’ at the dog park, their unique appearance can be spotted from a mile away with their short stature, fox like face and ears, long furry body, and of course their large furry bottoms! Corgi tails are typically docked at birth, however some puppies are born with natural bobtails. Corgis fall into the chondrodysplastic category for dogs, a characteristic where an abnormal growth of cartilage results in slightly bowed limbs, which unfortunately exposes these wonderful dogs to the risk of back and joint issues. Corgis are longer than they are tall, standing 25-30cms tall and ideally weighing between 10-13kgs. Corgi’s are typically bicolored or tricolored, with the most common bi-colored dogs being a combination of white and rich orange. The tri-colored variants usually have white, tan, and black. In all cases, Corgi coats are long, soft and often fluffy, they are also highly weatherproof.

Personality

These cheerful and exuberant dogs always seem to have a smile on their face… but don’t let their chipper demeanour fool you, Corgi’s can be stubborn and mischievous when an opportunity presents itself. Training and consistency at an early age are crucial to stave off stubbornness, and it’s best to keep these curious dogs busy and occupied with games or tasks to keep them out of trouble. The breed is very smart with a strong work ethic, and will always appreciate an opportunity to put their mind to work. Despite their short legs, Corgi’s are full of energy and require plenty of exercise. They also love to be the center of attention, Corgis love to involve themselves in the family business, so be sure that your family is ready for a new full-time companion if you are considering one of these special dogs!

Exercise Requirements

Despite their small stature and short legs, Corgis are surprisingly athletic dogs, they are strong, active, and remarkably fast. Originally bred to herd cattle and other livestock, Corgis require plenty of exercise, at least 1-hour of activity per day. They make for great apartment dogs, but only so long as their owner has the time to give them the physical stimulation needed. Corgis are prone to overeating, so make sure you have access to an off-leash park where you can regularly play their favorite game, fetch. They love long walks and even slow jogs, but their short legs are not built to keep up on a fast jog or bike ride.

While it many not be enough to rely exclusively on Spot’s on-leash dog walking services to provide your Corgi with the exercise they need, Spot can help break up your Corgi’s day home alone while you’re at work. If possible, it’s best to supplement your Corgi’s exercise regime with as many trips to the off-leash park as possible. With Spot, walks are all private and on-leash to ensure your Corgi is always receiving the one-on-one attention they deserve. Dog walks are also conveniently available on your schedule, on-demand walkers are available with as little as 90-minutes notices, while a Spot recurring walker will provide consistency and can be booked on a weekly ongoing basis. So whether you need a dog walker every month or every day, Spot is always just a few clicks away.

Grooming and Care

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi requires very little in terms of grooming! Their coat sheds heavily two times per year in the spring and fall seasons, and maintenance between major shedding calls for weekly brushing and baths as needed. Corgis medium-length water resistant double coat does not require any cutting or trimming, so no need to pay for a groomer unless you prefer to. Everything else is basic care, brush their teeth as often as possible and trim their nails as necessary.

Health

Corgis are typically healthy dogs with an average lifespan of 11-13 years. The oldest ever was recorded at 21 years old, and the Queen owned a 17-year-old Corgi. If the Corgi puppy is from a reputable breeder, it will be screened for the most common health conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, cardiac issues, degenerative myelopathy, and von Willebrand’s disease, a bleeding disorder. Other major health concerns for an ageing Corgi include intervertebral disc disease and CHD.