Corgi

Most people know the Welsh Corgi as the Queen’s royal dog. The lowered dogs with their irresistible beady eyes not only enchant with their appearance, but they also have a fist behind their plush ears.

Corgis are arguably one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with roots dating back to before the 10th century. A distinction is now made between the punches Pembroke and Cardigan.

Size: Pembroke Welsh Corgi up to 25 cm, Cardigan Welsh Corgi up to 30 cm
Weight: Pembroke Welsh Corgi up to 15 kg, Cardigan Welsh Corgi up to 20 kg
Coat Length: Medium
Coat colors: Pembroke Welsh Corgi in red and white and tricolor, Cardigan Welsh Corgi in all colors
Country of origin: Wales

Origin of the Corgi

As the name suggests, the small herding dogs come from Wales. The Welsh Corgi is believed to have descended from ancient Viking dogs. The island location and the associated isolation from other breeds ensured that pure breeding took place for a long time. The nimble four-legged friends were mainly used as herding dogs and were not only supposed to keep the cattle together, but also to drive them.

In addition, the brave dogs were used to hunt down unwanted rodents and to guard their own yard. An interesting fact: the word “corrigi” comes from a document from the 14th century. Historical researchers assigned the origin of the derived word “Corgi” to Celtic descent. “Gor” means dwarf and “Gi” means dog.

The appearance of the Corgi

The Welsh Corgi is a small dog with short legs compared to its long body. While the torso is reminiscent of a shepherd dog, the short legs make you think of a dachshund. This exceptional physique is an advantage, however, as it protects the lowered dogs from being kicked by cattle. These wedge out over the heads of the dogs. Depending on whether you have a Pembroke or Cardigan in front of you, the dogs weigh between 10 and 20 kilograms and reach a shoulder height of between 25 and 30 centimeters.

Coat and color of the Corgi

Since 1934, the Welsh Corgi has had two breeds, the Pembroke and the Cardigan. This is how they differ:

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• short tail
• Coat color: red and white, tricolor

Welsh Corgi Cardigan

• long rod
• all coat colors allowed (restriction: white must not dominate in color)

The English dogs have a so-called double coat, i.e. topcoat and undercoat. During the change of coat, they lose a lot of furs and should be brushed regularly during this time. This not only supports and accelerates the change of coat but is also good for the dog.

Temperament and upbringing of the Corgi

If you consider how much courage such a small dog must have to herd cattle and drive them in the right direction by pinching the fetlock joints, it quickly becomes clear that this is not a sofa and cuddly dog. This is where the saying “Self-perception and external perception are worlds apart” hits the mark. Because the small herding dogs are not really aware of their missing size. The self-confident dogs don’t put up with anything. Coupled with a breed-specific dose of courage, corgis can be little daredevils.

In addition, they are highly alert, which is why they loudly report anything unusual in or around their territory. They are not unduly aggressive but are quite defensive when it counts. As former cattle dogs, they have a reputation for being little calf-biters. Due to their strength of character, it is necessary to ensure that they do not get used to such behavior when they are still puppies. Consistent training is advisable right from the start if you don’t want to hand over the position of boss in the house to the little dogs. Corgis are very fond of food, which pays off especially in training. Motivation from food and positive reinforcement drives the breed to peak performance.

Keeping and caring for the Corgi

The Corgi is not a dog for movement dyslexics and wants to be challenged. The dogs feel most comfortable in a rural environment where they can walk without a leash. A city stance is possible due to its size and stress-resistant character, but care should be taken to offer the dog enough exercise and activity. Due to the physique, the Corgi is not suitable for competitive sports, climbing stairs and overcoming obstacles should also be avoided. Suitable for these dogs are:

• hikes
• to swim
• obedience
• dog dance
• fetch

If there is a good upbringing and the hierarchy within the household is clear, the Corgi is a loyal companion and friend. What little dogs don’t like is when they are used as toys, they fight back. For this reason, Corgis should not be kept in families with children who are too young. With slightly older children who can already assess the dog, the dogs quickly make friends and form an intimate bond with them.