The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (IPA: /ˈkɔ(r)ˌgi/) is one of two dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. These herding dogs are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings^{[citation needed]}. The Corgi is the smallest dog in the Herding Group. Sherolie Sheer Brilliance owned by Sheila Barker. ... This article is about the country. ... Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) (English, World Canine Organization), is an international Kennel Club based in Thuin, Belgium. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ... The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) is the peak body in Australia responsible for promoting excellence in breeding, showing, trialling, obedience, and other canine-related activities and the ownership of temperamentally and physically sound purebred dogs by responsible individuals across Australia. ... The Canadian Kennel Club (or C.K.C.) is the primary registry body for purebred dog pedigrees in Canada. ... The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom is a club aiming to improve the relationships between dogs and their owners. ... The New Zealand Kennel Club is an organisation responsible for dog pedigree registration services in New Zealand. ... The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. ... The symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet can be used to show pronounciation in English. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Cardigans ears (left) are somewhat larger than the Pembrokes (right). ... Pembrokeshire (Welsh: ) is a county in the southwest of Wales in the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the country. ... A Koolie working with sheep. ... The Swedish Vallhund are a breed of dog. ... This article is about the country. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... The Herding Group is an American Kennel Club designation for purebred dog breeds that comprises herding dogs and livestock guardian dogs. ...

Appearance

Tricolor Corgi with predominant black coloring.

A Pembroke is between 10 and 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall at the withers (tallest point in the shoulders) and weighs no more than 30 lb (15 kg); dogs in peak condition weigh about 27 pounds (12 kg) for the male and the females are about 2 pounds (1 kg) lighter. Pembrokes can be red, sable, fawn, or black and tan (tri color) with or without white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle, underneath, and as a narrow blaze on the head. There are technical names for these Tri Colors, and they are Black Head Tri, and Red Head Tri Color. Too much white is not acceptable for show dogs. Image File history File links Tricolorcorgi. ... Image File history File links Tricolorcorgi. ... The withers is the highest point on an animals back, on the ridge between its shoulder blades. ... An American Cocker Spaniel show dog with its ears wrapped in preparation for showing A show dog is a purebred dog that is displayed at conformation dog shows to determine how well it conforms to established breed standards. ...

Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. Corgis have a short undercoat as well as a longer thicker overcoat. These coats shed continuously all year round, with extensive seasonal shedding occurring at least twice each year (as well as after the weaning of pups in the intact females). Also common is a "fairy saddle" marking over the dog's withers, caused by changes in the thickness and direction of hair growth. The phrase supposedly comes from mythology, with the dogs being used as steeds or carthorses for fairies, but it is possible the legend is a modern explanation that came after the term. Docking is used as a term for the intentional removal of part of an animals tail or ears. ... The withers is the highest point on an animals back, on the ridge between its shoulder blades. ... by Sophie Anderson A fairy, or faery, is a creature from stories and mythology, often portrayed in art and literature as a minuscule humanoid with wings. ...

Description

Like most herding breeds, they are active, intelligent, and athletic dogs despite their short legs and stocky body. The short legs may seem to be a disadvantage, but they can run and jump just as well as any other dog of comparable size. They were originally used to herd sheep, horses and cows by nipping at their heels. Its low profile allowed it to roll away from a cow's kick.

Red Coated Pembroke doing agility teeter-totter

A sable Pembroke Welsh Corgi doing agility teeter. ... A sable Pembroke Welsh Corgi doing agility teeter. ...

Health

The length of the spine can cause spinal problems and early arthritis in Corgis. Corgis have a typical life expectancy of twelve to fourteen years. Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ... This article is about the measure of remaining life. ...

Pembroke Corgis, if not kept active or if overfed, can easily become obese. The disease can end a Pembroke Corgi's life particularly early since biophysical stresses on the structures of a Pembroke Corgi's spine resulting from the weight of an over-sized belly can and do lead to secondary diseases such as osteoarthritis. Corgis are also prone to a disease called degenerative myelopathy. Obesity is an excess storage of fat and can affect any mammal, such as the mouse on the left. ... Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or in more colloquial terms wear and tear), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints and destruction or... Canine degenerative myelopathy (also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy) is an neurological disease common in German Shepherds, Welsh Corgis, and possibly occurring in other breeds. ...

Pembroke Corgis should also not be forced to jump from heights, such as from a couch, for they could fracture their relatively short legs or damage their very long backs.

Temperament

The Pembroke is very intelligent, quick, active, and exceedingly bold. It is thoroughly devoted and protective of its family, defending its home at any cost. It barks occasionally, but makes a good watchdog. The Pembroke is generally suspicious around strangers, and must be trained (as a puppy) to prevent growling around new people. Pembrokes can be resistant to grooming, in particular grooming the paws. Puppies should have their feet handled regularly to negate this behavior. This little dog is friendly and playful, although it has been known to nip at people's (especially children's) heels either in play or in an attempt to herd them, due to instinct. This can be avoided with proper training. The Pembroke is also patient with young children, as long as they know how to treat pets.

History

Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, they have proven themselves as excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and dog agility. There are two theories of Pembroke Welsh Corgi origin: A Sheepdog trial (or simply dog trial) is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. ... Agility field left side: A competition agility field showing (clockwise from lower left) a tunnel, the dogwalk, the judge standing in front of a winged jump, two additional winged jumps, dog executing the teeter-totter with his handler guiding, and the tire jump. ...

1. Some Cardigan Welsh Corgis were crossed with Swedish Vallhund Dogs.
2. Some of the original dogs (the Pembrokes) evolved from Cardigans and from other dogs, such as Schipperke and Pomeranians, and other Spitz-type dogs.

Corgis are becoming more popular in the United States and rank 22nd in American Kennel Club registrations^[1] as of 2006. Pembroke Welsh Corgis seem to be loved by the Queen of the United Kingdom; she reportedly has 16 of them. These dogs have been a favored dog by British royalty for more than 70 years. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi (IPA: ) is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Wales. ... The Swedish Vallhund are a breed of dog. ... Spitz-type breeds of dog (the correct German plural is Spitze, though Spitzen is commonly used in the United States) are characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. ... © The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is the largest registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. ... The British monarch or Sovereign is the monarch and head of state of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and is the source of all executive, judicial and (as the Queen-in-Parliament) legislative power. ...

On May 30, 2007 performance artist Mark McGowan consumed some Corgi meat live on air to protest the accused cruelty by Prince Philip during the hunting and killing of a fox in January.^[2] The animal, prepared by others for McGowan, was supposedly an animal culled for independent reasons by a Corgi breeder.^[2] Performance art is art where the actions of an individual or a group at a particular place and in a particular time, constitute the work. ... For other uses, see Mark McGowan (disambiguation). ... A platter of cooked dog meat in Guilin, China Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Philip Mountbatten), styled HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born June 10, 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ... This article is about the animal. ...

See also

• Welsh Corgi
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• Swedish Vallhund
• Herding Group

The Cardigans ears (left) are somewhat larger than the Pembrokes (right). ... The Cardigan Welsh Corgi (IPA: ) is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Wales. ... The Swedish Vallhund are a breed of dog. ... The Herding Group is an American Kennel Club designation for purebred dog breeds that comprises herding dogs and livestock guardian dogs. ...

References

External links

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America
• Flickr Pembroke pool