Welsh Corgi: temperament, care essentials & FAQs

The Welsh Corgi (also known as Corgi; English: Welsh Corgi, the plural form can be corgis or corgwn with the same etymology. Corgi means dwarf dog in Welsh) is a breed of shepherd dog originating from Wales, England. There are currently two different varieties recognized: Cardigan and Pembroke. Historically, it is generally believed that the Pembroke originated from the dogs introduced by Flemish weavers around the 10th century, while the Cardigan originated from the dogs brought by the Norse settlers, especially their common ancestor, the Swedish Shepherd Dog. Hybridization is sometimes used between these two species to explain their similarities. The Welsh Corgi has an average shoulder height of about 25 to 30 centimeters and weighs about 30 pounds. It was originally bred to herd cattle and sheep. Their short stature prevents them from being kicked by cattle. In order to make it easier for free grazing, some corgis will have their tails cut off to prevent their tails from being stepped on by cattle and sheep during grazing. Corgis are extremely intelligent, make excellent companion animals, and are excellent competitors in herding competitions and dog agility competitions. Since 1934, the American Kennel Club has recognized the Cutigan and Pembroke as separate breeds. Cutigan is the larger of the two, with larger round ears and a drooping fox-like tail; Pembroke is characterized by pointed ears and a smaller body. The Pembroke's tail is traditionally docked into a flat rabbit tail, giving them a tailless appearance. Both species have a wide variety of coat colors, but there are some differences between the breeds. According to research by canine intelligence expert Stanley Coren, the IQ of Welsh Corgis ranks 11th among dogs, which shows that they have excellent learning abilities, can quickly master new commands, and show a high degree of obedience. The Pembroke Corgi is famous as the pet dog of Elizabeth II, and the Queen keeps four of them at all times (the comedy movie "Bean Spy" joked about the Queen's dog becoming an idiot; in the play, the terrorists threatened the Queen with a gun to sign away her right to the throne, and the Queen decisively refused, saying "Never!" But as soon as the gun was pointed at the Queen's Pembroke dog, and the dog showed an innocent expression that is standard for the breed, the Queen immediately signed obediently).