Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

The Pembroke Corgi, made famous by Queen Elizabeth II is a long, low, cattle herding dog, thought to have been brought to Wales by the Flemish weavers. Their job originally was to drive cattle from one location to another, a job which requires a strong character and a great deal of stamina. The cattle they would have worked would be small, feisty hill cattle, and the distances involved could take days to cover, make no mistake this is a hard worker! Originally considered one breed, the Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis were split and recognised separately in 1934.

Ideal Pembroke owners will understand pastoral types, particularly the all-rounder utility farm-dog role, so the Pembroke Corgi won’t be difficult to live with. You should have some suitable job in mind for the Corgi, as their busy, active minds must be kept fulfilled and their bodies kept well exercised. Better in child-free homes or for those with older children as the instinct to move, herd and ankle-nip is often strong.

Bred to walk or trot miles and be willing to deal with stroppy cattle, the Pembroke Corgi has plenty of stamina. An hours exercise per day at the very least, ideally more, will suit the Pembroke well. If you have nothing for your Pembroke to herd, consider activities such as ‘Treiball’ or ‘sheep ball’ where the dog herds large inflatable exercise balls.  Whilst the Pembroke won’t make a great running partner, they will ideally suit those who enjoy long country walks or rambles.

Pembroke Corgis don’t require a huge amount of space, but a secure garden is important, they are more than capable of digging under fencing or squeezing through small gaps. Due to their long body and short legs, they should avoid using stairs as puppies and only use them minimally as adults. Suitable for town or country but remember they will alert vocally, so consider if this will irritate those living in close proximity.

Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food.

The coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is of medium length, straight and waterproof with a dense undercoat. This coat needs a small amount of time spent on grooming. They do need to be brushed to remove any loose and dead hairs. If they have been out in the mud, then it is easy to remove the dirt once it has dried. 

With the right motivation of treats, toys and opportunity to herd things the Pembroke Corgi can be a fun dog to work with. A sense of humour is required and their short-legged, long backed physique will rule out some activities, but they have excellent brains, which need to be kept occupied with a variety of training games and puzzles.

While a good family dog with older children, the Pembroke Corgi is inclined to herd and to nip at the heels of anyone who doesn’t wish to be herded. This can cause issues with very small children who won’t understand or be able to react appropriately – or with those who tend to be over active and run about a lot! Otherwise, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi makes an excellent family pet for those with a suitably active lifestyle.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.