Origin

"Welsh" is translated as "Welsh", the word "Pembroke" indicates their small homeland - Pembrokeshire. But no one knows exactly what kind of “corgi” it is: either from “cor” - dwarf and “ci” - dog, or from “cur” - to guard.

It is unknown exactly when and how exactly the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed originated. But about a thousand years ago, their ancestors definitely already lived in the south of Wales - medium-sized dogs with short legs. They were used to herd sheep and ponies.

According to one version, they became short-legged due to a natural mutation. Those who disagree with this claim that they are the result of crossing Welsh dogs and Vallhunds. Or maybe it’s all about the infusion of Schipperke blood - this is how some historians explain the presence of the bobtail gene in the DNA.

Previously, the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis were not officially separated. But since Pembrokes differ in appearance, genotype and even character from Cardigans, in 1934 the Kennel Club assigned separate standards to both, now independent breeds.

Exterior

According to the description, it gives the impression of a strong, well-built and capable dog. The height is only 25-30 cm, and the weight is from 9 to 12 kg, but the Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not at all resemble a decorative dog: a powerful stretched body, a flat top, a strong long neck and a deep, rather wide chest.

The photo shows the most important features Pembroke Welsh Corgi exterior according to standard.

The limbs must be set straight, the bones are strong - the bone is wide right down to the paws. The head is “fox” shaped – a wide skull, a soft transition from the forehead to a neatly tapering, not too long muzzle (3 to 5 in relation to the skull). Medium-sized ears are always erect, with softly rounded tips.

According to the standard, the short coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi should not be wavy, hard or soft. The hair is straight, fairly coarse and fits well.

Common colors

• pale yellow;
• ginger;
• black and tan;
• and sable.

White markings are often described on the chest, neck, face and legs.

Who are Fluffies?

Some Pembroke and Cardigan puppies are born with long, soft and very beautiful hair - a collar, feathering, and a fluffy tail. The so-called “fluffy” are full-fledged representatives of the breed, but with defects in coat. Thin, soft hair does not protect well from cold and moisture, it catches dirt, snow sticks to it strongly, and rolls into tangles without care.

But during the molting period, fluff is easier to collect than coarse “needles.” And if the puppy is purchased as a pet, without exhibitions or breeding plans, fluffies are ideal for lovers of long-haired dogs. But you should buy such a puppy exclusively from a nursery - mixed breeds and mongrels are often sold under the guise of fluffy.

A typical example of a fluffy-fluffy Pembroke (pictured is a 9-month-old male from Finland).

Passion by the tail

The genotype of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has bob tail, i.e. some puppies are born with short tails. The degree of “shortening” is unpredictable: from the complete absence of a tail to a “stick” almost the length of a normal tail.

Visually, not all “beans” are short tails, - look neat. Therefore, throughout the selection process, their tails were docked “at the root.” It is clear that the breeders did not pay attention to this part of the body - cut it off anyway.

But in 1980-90. across Europe there was a wave of bans on cosmetic surgeries that do not benefit the animal. Those. They stopped cropping ears and tails in breeds where this is done only for beauty - otherwise it is impossible to participate in exhibitions, and therefore to engage in breeding.

This led to a split of Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeders into two camps. Some have accepted the existing realities and are working hard to improve the shape of the tail - ideally straight and low. Others strive to get as many bob-tailed puppies in their litter as possible. And future owners have a choice - buy a puppy with a tail normal length or with a short bob.

Compare for yourself and decide which option you like best.

Character and relationships

Most Pembrokes, according to their owners, are born clowns (it’s not for nothing that they can often be seen in the circus arena). An active, cheerful and inquisitive character makes the Welsh Corgi a pleasant companion and affectionate, sociable friend (see video below).

Like other shepherd dogs, the corgi clearly distinguishes one owner. But he sincerely loves the whole family, including small (sometimes careless and intrusive) children. Of course, you shouldn’t leave your baby alone even with the most patient corgi. But an older child, who already understands how to communicate with a dog, will find in Pembroke a tireless companion for endless games.

They treat strangers in different ways, from lively curiosity to indifference, but extremely rarely with aggression. This applies to both people and animals – “friends” or “strangers” encountered on the street. Pembroke Welsh Corgis rarely provoke conflicts and are almost always willing to make contact.

Their lively nature makes them somewhat dependent on people. But this tendency rarely develops to the point of painful obsession: if you regularly give your pet attention, he will not howl with melancholy all day and spoil things out of boredom.

Nuances of education

The herding past sometimes makes itself felt: some young corgis herd running children into “herds”, grabbing them by the heels. Such behavior should be stopped with a firm “no”, without unnecessary rudeness (manifestations of instinct are corrected gently).

Pembrokes are not prone to dominance, but, like herding dogs, they are incredibly smart and quickly assess the situation. They will not obey a hysterical, cruel and/or inconsistent owner.

In this case, problems with education will arise - the dog will stubbornly refuse to follow commands.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a physically active breed, not only by description, but also in life. They perfectly master various tricks and are good at obedience, freestyle, and agility. The only peculiarity is that they quickly begin to get bored and lose interest if you use repetition tactics.

Therefore, education and training should be approached as a game - easy and fun, constantly changing the sequence and set of exercises.

Another dynamic photo from an agility competition.

The short coat sheds quite heavily, twice a year. During such periods, the pet needs daily grooming - if the fur is not combed out, “needles” will be everywhere. They bathe as needed - the wool is water-repellent and does not collect dirt.

Pembroke's feeding should be balanced - they love to eat, and excess weight leads to problems with the spine. Due to the structure of the skeleton, it is better to choose a bowl on a stand so that the Corgi does not bend over to eat.

It is advisable to purchase an orthopedic mattress for a lounger. Soft shapeless pillows bend under the weight of the dog, and a special base supports the spine.

In any case, it should not be too soft.

Otherwise, there are no nuances that differ from the rules for keeping other dogs.

Health

If a puppy is genetically pure, then with proper care he will retain good health until old age. This is not a sickly, not pampered, but a working and strong breed in every sense. The only caveat is that many corgis cannot mate and give birth on their own, so breeding should be done under the guidance of an experienced breeder.

List of breed genetic defects and diseases of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

• eye diseases (lens displacement, retinal dysplasia and atrophy, cataracts, etc.);
• cervical disc disease (malformation or degeneration);
• skin asthenia (stretched folded skin, displacement of joints);
• narcolepsy (sudden heavy sleep);
• von Willebrand disease (spontaneous bleeding due to a clotting disorder).

And also epilepsy, hypothyroidism, cystinuria and other ailments that are also found in other breeds. The conclusion is simple: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy purchased must be born exclusively in a kennel, preferably with an excellent reputation. Only competent breeders conduct DNA tests and do not include problematic individuals in breeding.

Welsh Corgi Pembroke - interesting and unusual breed dogs, which were bred in Wales and belong to standard No. 39. In accordance with the ICF classification, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi belongs to the group of herding and cattle dogs that have become popular in our country relatively recently.

History of the origin of the breed

The breed originated in Wales and belonged to the category of the very first shepherd dogs. The breed became widespread in the tenth century. It is generally accepted that the ancestor of the Welsh Corgi was the Swedish Vallhund or the Icelandic dog.

This is interesting! As legend has it, the puppies were given to people by fairies who used this breed as a sled dog, which is why the Welsh Corgi has saddle marks on its back.

WITH scientific point In terms of appearance, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is classified as a member of the miniature sheepdog family. For the first time, the breed took part in an exhibition show only in 1892, after which such dogs became quite widespread in many countries, including Russia.

Description and appearance of the Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is considered a fairly active and intellectually developed breed, originally bred as a shepherd dog. However, unpretentiousness and very easy training have made the breed popular in home care. The average height of an adult animal at the withers is 25.4-30.5 cm. The average weight of an adult male varies between 10-12 kg, and the weight of an adult female is 10-11 kg.

Breed standards

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a stocky, powerful, robust, alert and active dog that meets the following breed standards. The head is similar in shape and appearance to a fox's head, and has a lively and intelligent expression. The skull in the area between the ears is wide and flat, with a moderately pronounced transition from the frontal region to the muzzle, ending in a slight point. The nose is black in color. Medium size, round eyes should be well set, brown in color, matching the tone of the main color. Vertical erect ears medium-sized and slightly rounded.

The neck is proportional and quite long, flowing into a medium-length body with arched ribs, not a short lumbar region. The back is straight and strong. Thoracic region fairly wide and deep, well dropped between the pair of forelimbs. The docked tail should be short. The undocked tail should be in line with the body and not curl over the back.

This is interesting! Tail docking was previously mandatory for all representatives of this breed, but now the number of supporters of natural beauty has sharply increased, so some countries have introduced a ban on docking.

The forelegs should be as straight and short as possible, with the shoulders close to the arch of the chest. The skeleton is quite massive. The hindquarters should be powerful and flexible, with well-defined angulations. knee joints.

The oval feet are powerful and well-knit, with tightly knit toes, thick and dense pads, and short nails. The movement of a purebred animal should be free and active, completely unloose, with a good extension of the forelimbs forward.

The coat is medium in length and straight, with a fairly thick and good undercoat, and should not be excessively soft or harsh, or wavy. The standard coat color of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be solid red, sable, fawn, black and tan. White markings are often present on the chest area, as well as on the limbs and neck. Small white markings on the head or muzzle are acceptable.

Personality of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke is a very strong and intelligent dog with a balanced and very friendly character.. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are absolutely non-conflicting pets, so they get along well under the same roof with cats, rodents and other dog breeds. Along with many other small breeds, Pembrokes love to attract attention and often consider themselves a full member of the family.

This is interesting! Some Welsh Corgis tend to produce peculiar “cake songs.” Such a funny and short howl with multiple modulations is performed by a pet solely for the purpose of greeting.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi - cheerful and mobile rock who loves to play and needs long walks. The main advantage of corgis is their friendliness. Pembrokes will always find friends, not only among animals, but also among people. The reaction of such a pet to strangers can be neutral-indifferent or very cheerful and active.

Lifespan

Most often, dogs of this breed live for about 12–15 years.. However, strict adherence to the regime rational nutrition, as well as proper care of the animal from a very early age, allow the Pembroke Welsh Corgi pet to often live to be 19-20 years old.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed began to actively spread throughout our country only in the early 90s of the last century.

Such a four-legged pet is unpretentious and well-mannered, so keeping it is not difficult even for inexperienced or novice dog breeders. Among other things, this breed is simply perfect for families with small children.

Care and hygiene

The main activities for caring for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi include standard procedures, represented by periodic water treatments, brushing, cleaning the eyes and ears, and trimming the nails as they grow. The coat should be brushed with a non-electric brush about a couple of times a week, which will remove dead hairs. You also need to bathe your dog no more than a couple times a year. Nail trimming should be done a couple of times a week, with the obligatory trimming of the hair that grows between the toes.

Teeth should be brushed weekly to prevent the formation of tartar. It is best to use special hygienic solutions or toothpastes for this purpose. It is very important to wean your pet from such a traumatic activity as jumping from a height.. Otherwise, problems may arise not only with the paws, but also with the animal’s spine. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to overeating and obesity, so it is important not only to provide the animal proper diet nutrition, but also expose your pet to sufficient physical activity during active daily walks.

Diet - what to feed a Welsh Corgi

A properly selected diet is a guarantee of a long and healthy life any pet:

• Fried and smoked, salted and fatty, as well as spicy foods, sausages and frankfurters, chicken bones should not be used for feeding;
• Sweet and chocolate dishes, as well as raisins, are strictly prohibited;
• the treat can be represented by low-fat cheese or unsalted feta cheese, lean bagels, NYLABONE dog bones or dog biscuits;
• the protein part of the diet should consist of raw or boiled high-quality lean meat, fermented milk products and eggs, as well as boiled liver, kidneys and heart;
• meat or fish dishes must be supplemented with finely chopped vegetables;
• at in a natural way The animal is given special vitamin and mineral complexes.

Professional foods have proven themselves well: EUKANUVA, ROYAL CANIN and HILLS. Before three months The pet needs to be provided with four meals a day. From three to six months, the dog is fed three or four times a day. Starting from six months, the pet should be gradually transferred to two meals a day.

Diseases and breed defects

In general, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed can be regarded as quite healthy and not prone to diseases.

However, the peculiar build makes the dog susceptible characteristic diseases, presented by:

• obesity;
• problems with the spine;
• hip dysplasia
• atrophy retina and glaucoma;
• dislocation of the lens of the eye;
• epilepsy;
• difficult or complicated childbirth.

Many of the health problems listed above arise only when there are significant errors in keeping and caring for the dog.

Before you start choosing a puppy, you need to know that recently breeders of the breed are increasingly selling Fluffy animals, which are long-haired representatives of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Fluffies look very beautiful and very funny, but they just need a lot of care. In all countries, such puppies are classified as breeding and do not fit the standard. Domestic unscrupulous breeders, on the contrary, sell fluffy at a very high price, presenting such an animal as a valuable and very rare, almost exclusive specimen.

Where to buy and what to look for

When choosing a Welsh Corgi puppy, you must follow simple, but very important rules:

• puppies sold by private breeders often do not correspond to the breed characteristics, so it is best to purchase the animal from nurseries with a good and proven reputation;
• when choosing you need to pay attention Special attention on the quality of keeping the puppy and the food used;
• It is necessary to check not only the pedigree of the purchased puppy, but also the documents of its parents;
• The proposed puppy must have documents confirming its origin, as well as a veterinary card.

The price of an animal that is too low should definitely alert the buyer. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed is classified as expensive due to the difficulty of breeding.

Price of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog

Average cost of a puppy in the capital and major cities, as a rule, varies in the range of 45-65 thousand rubles. When choosing an animal, you can also focus on the following average price data:

• representatives of the pet class - 20-25 thousand rubles.
• representatives of the breed class - 30-40 thousand rubles.
• representatives of show class - 45-60 thousand rubles.

It is very important to provide your four-legged pet with the earliest possible socialization, as well as purchase all accessories in advance and allocate a permanent place.

Breed standard

welsh corgi pembroke

in details and pictures, with explanations and comments.

Standard breeds - this is the law for the expert, which he is guided by when evaluating a dog in the ring.
Therefore, it would not hurt the owners to know him, and even better, to understand him. For a loving owner, his Corgi is the best example of the breed, although he may be far from ideal.
But let's not blame love for this - the feeling is bright and sincere.
Many owners are simply far from knowledge anatomical structure, so it’s difficult for them to figure out where in their pet there are certain deficiencies indicated by the expert in the description.
So, follow me, dear reader!

General form
Squat, strong dog, compact and active, looks strong and durable. It should not be too short, nor heavily boned, nor coarse, but also not lightly boned, in order to remain energetic and active. The look is bold but friendly. The expression in the eyes is intelligent and interested. By no means a timid or vicious dog.
Height, weight and proportions:
This is a squat, moderately elongated dog. The distance from the withers to the base of the tail should be approximately 40% greater than the distance from the withers to the ground.

correct ratio of angles and length of the front and hind limbs	lightweight dog with excessively long forearms	Very low dog with a bad back
excessively long lower back	very rough pembroke	excessively short neck

Height at withers: 25 - 30 cm.
Weight proportional to height.
No more than 13.6 kg for males and 12.7 kg for females.

Weight in show condition: males - about 12.3 kg, females - about 11.4 kg.

Rib cage

The chest is fairly rounded, somewhat ovoid and moderately long. Deep, well let down between forelegs. When viewed from above the body
tapers slightly towards the waist.
Vices: the chest is too deep, interfering with the free movement of the dog,
barrel-shaped or flat, shallow, excessively long or short chest.

Head and skull
Head in shape and appearance it resembles a fox, but without its inherent cunning expression.

Scull fairly wide and flat between the ears. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is moderately pronounced.
The cheeks are slightly rounded, but not prominent under the eyes. The forehead blends smoothly into a tapering muzzle.

The length of the skull is greater than the length of the muzzle, and the ratio is 5:3.
The nose is black, fully pigmented.
The eyes are oval, medium in size, set somewhat obliquely; brown of various shades - to match the color of the coat. Eyelids dark, preferably black.
The ears are erect, with strong cartilage, of medium size, gradually tapering from the base to rounded ends, mobile, sensitive to sounds.
Imaginary lines drawn from the nose through the eyes to the ends of the ears and connected to each other should represent an equilateral triangle.

Forelegs

The limbs are short, with strong bones.
Proper placement of the elbows ensures a long, free stride. When viewed from the front, the limbs do not move in two parallel planes, but are tilted slightly inward to compensate

short limbs and broad chest. The forearms are slightly inclined inward, the distance between the wrists is less than between shoulder joints, so the forelimbs do not appear completely straight.
When viewed from the side, duckweeds are strong, almost vertical.
The shoulder blades are long and set obliquely. Length humerus equal to the length of the blade.

Angles of forelimbs and topline (topline)

Topline strong and straight. A slight visible very small visual "dip" behind the withers is allowed, caused only by the heavier and longer hair on the neck where it meets the shorter hair on the back.
The elbows are directed back, but not pressed against the body and not turned outward;
A line drawn from the withers through the elbow is perpendicular to the ground.
Vices: high rear, excessively sloping topline.

Hindquarter angles - topline

Hind limbs
with strong bones, strong and elastic, with moderate angles of articulation of the knee and hock joints. The thighs are strong, with prominent muscles. The metatarsus are short, parallel to each other, vertical.

Vices: straight hocks, saber, cow, barrel, narrow set of limbs.

Movements

Free and smooth.
The correct structure of the shoulder blades and the correct placement of the elbows ensure a long, free stride.
When viewed from the front, the limbs do not move in two parallel planes, but are tilted slightly inward to compensate for the short limbs and broad chest.
This is a tough herding dog, so it has fast, free movements to do the job it was bred to do.
Vices: short, mincing movements, a “waddling” or “prancing” step, too close or too wide paws in motion.

Official standard of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

FCI-Standard No.39 / 28.11.2003 / GB

beautiful Pembroke heads. The photo shows males and females

Pembroke male with long tail

pembroke -female, natural bobtail

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Country of origin: Great Britain.

Date of publication of the original valid standard:

29.10.2003.

Usage: Sheepdog.

FCI classification: Group 1 Shepherds and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

Group One: Shepherd dogs.

No operational tests.

General form

Squat, strong, solidly built, lively and active dog, giving the impression of power and durability in a small size.

Peculiarities

A brave dog with working qualities.

Behavior/Character

Sociable and friendly,

never cowardly or aggressive.

Head

Head fox in shape and appearance, with a lively and intelligent expression, the skull is quite wide and flat between the ears,

the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is moderately pronounced. The muzzle is in proportion to the skull 3:5. The muzzle tapers slightly. Nose is black.

Jaws/teeth Jaws, strong with a fine, regular and complete scissor bite,

that is, the upper incisors closely overlap the lower incisors, positioned at right angles to the jaws.

Eyes Well set, round, medium in size, brown in color to match the coat color.

EarsSharp, medium size, slightly rounded.

A line drawn from the tip of the nose through the middle of the eye should pass through the tip of the ear or close to it.

Neck

Quite long.

Frame

Of medium length, with well sprung ribs, not short, paired; when viewed from above, the body should taper slightly. The topline is level.

The chest is wide and deep, well let down between the front legs.

Tail

Short, preferably natural.

Docked: Short.

Not docked: Set in line with the topline, carried low, not curled over the back. Lined up with your back in motion,

low set at rest. Carrying the tail too high or too low is undesirable.

Limbs

Forelegs: The pasterns are short and as straight as possible, the forearms are formed around the chest. The bones are wide to the paw.

The elbows are located close to the sides, not free, not connected. The shoulders are well positioned and form a 90 degree angle with the forearm.

Hind limbs: Strong and flexible, with good knee joint angles. Legs are short. The bones are strong along the entire length to the paw.The hocks are straight when viewed from behind.

Paws: Oval, fingers strong, arched and compact, the two central fingers are slightly forward in relation to the outer ones,The pads are strong and well filled. Short claws.

Gait/Movement

Free and active, never free nor bound.

The forelegs move forward well without too much lift, in unison with the drive of the hindquarters.

Wool

Wool: Medium length, straight with a dense undercoat, never soft, wavy or wiry.

Color: Acceptable colors red, sable, fawn (light fawn), black and tan, with or without white markings on the legs, chest and neck (tri-color).

White markings on the head and muzzle are acceptable.

Dimensions and weight

Height: approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) at the withers.

non-standard colors
puppy of non-standard color - (tribal marriage)	blue eyed puppy (tribal marriage)
incorrect Pembroke tail set

Weight: males: 10-12 kg (22-26 lbs); females: 9-11 kg (20-24 lbs).

Flaws

Any deviation from the previous points should be considered a disadvantage.

The assessment of a given defect must be in exact proportion to the degree of the defect and its effect on the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog ​​clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified.

Note: Males must have two apparently normal testicles,

completely descended into the scrotum.

When preparing the material we used

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is considered one of the most intelligent and charming dogs. You definitely won’t be bored with such a pet, and you won’t be upset, because corgis lift your spirits with just their appearance!

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is cute small dog, distinguished by her friendliness, beautiful appearance and love of life. Thanks to her qualities, she is perfect as a companion and gets along with children and other pets.

We will tell you in the article what features this breed has in care and education.

Story

Despite the external decorativeness of the breed, which suggests that it was bred artificially and not so long ago, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a rich history. The first written mentions of them date back to the 10th century. The basis for breeding was the Icelandic dog or the Swedish Vallhund.

The name comes from Welsh cor gi – “dwarf” and “dog”.

The Corgi's homeland is the British Isles, where they were apparently brought by the Celts. Initially, the breed was bred as a herding dog and was highly valued. The code of laws of the Welsh king prescribed compensation for the killing of a corgi in the amount of one ox - this was considered a large sum. At the same time, the cost of any other dog, even a royal one, was much lower.

Interesting fact: According to one legend, fairies gave Welsh corgis to people - these animals served as mounts for them. The legend is confirmed by the dog’s miniature size and the specific black saddle-shaped mark on its back.

According to another version, the first corgi puppies were found by children in the forest on a fallen tree and brought home. If you believe this legend, it becomes clear why Welsh Corgis are so good-natured towards children and willingly participate in their games.

By the beginning of the 20th century. Cardigan Welsh Corgis were bred in only one county, Cardiganshire (hence the prefix to the name “cardigan”), in Wales. However, everything changed in 1926, when the first Welsh Corgi Association appeared. The breed was finally established in 1934, when the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi were divided into two separate breeds.

Today, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is considered endangered in England - this is due to the significantly greater popularity of their closest relatives, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. But in other countries - the USA, Australia, Russia and Scandinavian countries, interest in this breed remains, so purchasing a Welsh Corgi Cardigan puppy is not a problem, and the breed as a whole is not in danger.

Description of the breed

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is very beautiful and powerful - this is exactly the first impression they make. The breed has a noble head shape, large erect ears, short legs and a specific, very pleasant expression of the muzzle - it seems that the animal is smiling all the time.

Colors

The color of the Welsh Corgi Cardigan can be varied:

The most common cardigans with tiger (brindle) And marbled blue (blue merle) color, and the rarest ones - black. There are no only white corgis.

brindle
Marble

Important: Blue eyes Corgis look very beautiful, but, according to breed standards, this coloring is only allowed for animals with the blue merle color. Typical for other colors nut color eye.

Standard

• head The cardigan corgi is shaped like a fox and a shepherd, the skull is wide and flat above the ears, and narrows toward the eye area;
• muzzle– narrowed, but not sharp, nose- black;
• eyes– tonsils, in harmony with the color of the coat;
• bite– full, scissor-shaped;
• ears Compared to the size of the dog, large, erect, tips slightly rounded;
• neck strong and muscular, proportional to body size;
• frame long and powerful, chest area deep, moderately wide chest, sloping croup;
• wool short or medium-long, hard, but silky to the touch, with a thick undercoat. Shines and perfectly protects from moisture;
• paws strong, straight, short. The front ones are slightly turned outward;
• tail also resembles a fox, medium length. At rest it hangs freely almost to the ground; when excited it can rise slightly above the top line.

Dimensions

The British have a joke about the corgi: “a dog a yard long.” Indeed, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are very compact, their ideal height at the withers is 30 cm, the length varies from 90 to 110 cm. The ratio of the length of the back to the height of the animal is important - it should be 3:2.

Height is in the range of 27-32 cm, weight for females - 11-15 kg, for males - 13-17 kg, occasionally - 20.

Weight by month:

Howl and bark

Good news for those who want to adopt a Corgi: this breed is not prone to barking over trifles, and she also won’t organize “concerts” in an empty apartment waiting for the owner. Most often, the animal makes a voice when greeting the owner or his guests. Because they are sensitive to the mood swings of others, corgis may bark if they feel something is wrong in the family.

A dog will also bark at a stranger who, in its opinion, is dangerous.

The breed is also characterized by the so-called “ cake songs" is a howl with tints of sound that many people find funny. It is performed as a greeting.

In any case, Corgis are easy to train. Therefore, an overly noisy animal is either an anomaly or a consequence of lack of training.

Differences from Pembroke

For a long time, these breeds competed with each other at exhibitions, but today they are often confused. Meanwhile, their differences (as well as similarities) are clearly expressed:

The breeds are similar primarily in size, affection, and charm. appearance, reminiscent of both a dog and a fox. Both Cardigans and Pembrokes are highly trainable, love new tricks and pick them up literally on the fly. Both varieties are suitable for inexperienced dog owners.

Lifespan

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be classified as a long-living dog. According to statistics collected in 2004 by the English Kennel Club, they live on average 12 years and 2 months. The main causes of death are old age and cancer. At proper care and with good genetics, this period may increase - up to 13-15 years.

Features of the breed: possible diseases

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a fairly healthy breed, and a list of them possible diseases not so big:

• retinal dysplasia and atrophy, entropion, glaucoma, lens displacement, persistent pupillary membrane;
• immune deficiency. There is practically no protection against this disease - even vaccinated puppies usually die very early;
• immunoglobulin G deficiency;
• cystinuria– leads to the formation of stones in the bladder and kidneys. Requires the use of drugs - D-penicillamine, and in severe situations - surgical intervention;
• complications during childbirth due to structure– births, especially the first ones, should be supervised by a veterinarian;
• back diseases– begin with excess weight, which puts pressure on the back. At proper nutrition no such problem arises;
• intervertebral disc abnormalities. Can lead to displacement or rupture. To find out whether a particular individual has such a problem, it is worth x-raying the puppy. If an abnormality is detected, it is important to monitor the puppy's activity.

Genetically healthy corgis remain active and cheerful into old age.

Where is the best place to buy a puppy: the most famous nurseries

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not a “fashionable” breed, which partly protects those wishing to purchase a puppy from unscrupulous breeders, and the babies from genetic diseases. However, it’s still not worth purchasing a cardigan “from hand” at the poultry market. The most famous nurseries in Russia are:

1. « Andevol", Kursk. The nursery has a website: http://www.andvol.ru, where you can look at the puppies, choose the one you like, or sign up in line for the baby. Corgis from this kennel have repeatedly won prizes at exhibitions - both in Russia and abroad.
2. « Vision Style", Moscow city. Website: https://www.corgy.ru. The kennel has been operating since 2009, the dogs from it consistently become prize-winners at exhibitions in Russia, Hungary, and Belarus.
3. « From the house of Hungre", Moscow city. Website: http://corgi-iz-doma-vengre.com. The dogs are champions of Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, and Romania. Prize-winners of the Smiling Corgi competitions.
4. « Highlight, sir", Serpukhov, Moscow region. Website: http://www/pastoralia.ru.

Price: how much does it cost in rubles?

The cost of a puppy is primarily influenced by pedigree and compliance with breed standards. Also, the price varies depending on the popularity of the breeders or nursery and the region of sale - in large cities it will be higher.

The cost of a Welsh Corgi Cardigan puppy can reach up to 75,000 rub. If the puppy has all the documents, buy it for less than 35 thousand rubles. will not work.

If you take a dog as a companion, without documents, then you can invest 10-20 thousand rubles.

“Can’t you be quieter?”

Owner reviews

Before buying a puppy, it is worth learning about all its advantages and disadvantages. Here are reviews from those who already have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

Positive

Olenka: A lot has been written about shortcakes, and almost everything is positive and enthusiastic. And rightly so! They deserve it! We have a girl living with us, she is now 11 months old. The dog is very tactilely pleasant, incredibly positive, and lifts your spirits even when things are not going well. The cuteness is off the charts) Sometimes he does all sorts of outrages, of course, but then he makes such a sweet little face that it’s impossible to scold!

Vitaly: Most best friend. Lex is our entire family's favorite dog. We have two children, they played with the puppy, now he has grown up and plays with them. There have never been any problems, the main thing is to understand that this is an animal and it requires attention.

Zhanna: I have a corgi - Peach. This is a sea of ​​positivity. Such a toy. I took him from the nursery at 3 months, and have been inseparable since then. There are no disappointments with this cute creature, I love the prankster!

Negative

Sergey: The corgi cardigan has been living in our house for three years now; we bought it as a gift for our daughter. The dog is beautiful, no doubt. But the intelligence that is indicated in the description of the breed is not there. When I read the canine descriptions before purchasing, it was written everywhere that the norm for a corgi is to learn commands the second time. No. She knows most of the common commands, but, for example, she still cannot learn the difference between “give” and “put down” when she brings the ball. Although he understands the “bring” command itself. Plus stubborn. So there will be difficulties with training.

Natalya Petrovna: Corgi, Fenechka, got a daughter. At first everything was fine, but my daughter went to university, but the corgi stayed and I suffered a lot with her! The animal is very stubborn - it does not follow commands demonstratively, out of spite! She gnawed all the blankets in the house that she could reach, gnawed the wallpaper, and even managed to gnaw concrete! To turn her somewhere during a walk, if she doesn’t want to go there, you can only drag her and the third time. If she decides that she needs something, she will bark, whine, jump and demand her way in any way. I read that these are characteristics of the breed, and not mine that is so unique. So I would think ten times before buying.

Characteristics: pros and cons

1. The animal's character is almost perfect: Corgis are balanced, alert, not aggressive, but not timid either. Among the disadvantages, one can note a tendency to stubbornness - this dog will not be able to give orders, it will have to be persuaded to do one way or another.
2. There is also positive side: Cardigan Welsh Corgis are extremely smart– are in 11th place in the ranking of smart dogs. And although obedience is not theirs strong point, if you can find it with an animal mutual language, That more loyal than a friend hard to imagine.
3. The dog is great as a companion: she is very attached to the owner, is able to feel his emotional background, understands when it is possible to run and frolic, and when it is better to leave the owner alone. Incredibly active, enjoys walking and learning new tricks.
4. There is also a drawback to extreme devotion: Corgi has a very hard time with separation from his owner and loneliness.
5. He does not show jealousy towards other family members; he accepts the family either as his flock or as a herd that he shepherds.
6. Cardigan Welsh Corgi loves less children than Pembroke. Rather, he treats them with some caution. But, if the kids do not show cruelty towards him, the cardigan will soon fall in love with them and join in the games. The dog is not recommended for families with a large number of children and with children under 6 years old.
7. It won't be easy to build harmonious relationships and with cat– a cardigan can make friends with furry pet, but only if the primacy remains for the corgi.
8. Being a shepherd dog Corgi has a nasty habit of biting his legs like he did with disobedient cows. This defect can be eliminated with the help of proper education and building a hierarchy in which the owner is at the very top.

Shedding

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are strong, but at the same time they are quite clean, and their coat is easy to comb. The corgi doesn't smell like a dog. Shedding periods occur twice a year, in spring and summer. At this time, a huge amount of hair falls from the cardigan, and it is advisable to comb it every day.

Estrus and mating

The bitch reaches puberty at six months, which is when the first heat occurs. About a week before this, the animal will begin to worry, perhaps falling into melancholy. It is too early to breed a bitch at this time.

The Welsh Corgi Cardigan reaches sexual maturity: in females during the second heat, in males - at the age of 15 months.

These animals are quite freedom-loving, so mating should take place in conditions as close as possible to natural ones. Nothing will happen in front of the owners. Mating is not always successful the first time, but if it is successful, puppies will appear in 2.5 months.

Conditions of detention

Where is it better to live: in an apartment or a house?

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi adapts well to different living conditions; he can live both in a private house and in a city apartment, where he does not take up much space. However, in the latter case he will need frequent and long (at least 2 hours a day) walks. Also, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi needs a lot of play.

If there is no opportunity and time for this, it is better to get a dog in a private house - there, at least, the dog will be able to run around the area. The breed is not prone to wrecking and digging.

How should you walk?

The best option would be to walk 2 times a day for 1 hour, morning and evening. When walking, the corgi is not inclined to break off the leash, making it suitable for older people.

For this breed, interaction with the owner is more important. Therefore, it is extremely important to fully play with your pet while walking - at least three times a week. At this time, you can repeat commands and learn new ones, play with toys or just move, but be sure to communicate with the dog.

If possible, it is worth taking the corgi to bodies of water - he is clean, loves water and will be delighted. Swimming is perceived by the cardigan as a new exciting game, and, importantly, allows you to stay in shape.

“I’m keeping an eye on the figure! And you?!"

Necessary care

Caring for a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not burdensome. Enough:

1. his soft brush 1-2 times a week,
2. 2-3 times a year,
3. 1 per month
4. as they increase.
5. It is important to examine your eyes every day, since they are a weak point for corgis.
6. Also, since back diseases are common in this breed, it is worth purchasing a special orthopedic bed.

What to feed?

An important aspect of care is the correct and balanced diet. There may be problems with this: Corgis are big eaters and will beg for food over and over again.. The owner should be firm, because obesity, which corgis are so prone to, entails a number of health problems.

The dog must be fed strictly certain time. It is important to choose the right bowl and place it on a stand so that the Corgi does not have to bend over and injure his back. Your pet should be weighed regularly. Once every few months, corgis have fasting days with food once a day.

You can choose one of two feeding options:

• . In this case, you will need to maintain a balance: 50% of the diet is meat (except for chicken, which is contraindicated), the second half comes from cereals - rice and buckwheat, vegetables, fish and offal. It is important to give your corgi vitamin complexes in courses or on an ongoing basis (alternating).
• Dry food. Only premium and holistic foods are suitable. Recommended food includes Dachshund from Eukanuba (Netherlands), a balanced food designed specifically for corgis, and Orijen Adult Dog, a grain-free, complete food.

Training and education: what is important to know

1. The first thing to consider when training a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is: this is a food dog. That is, the animal will most willingly work for encouragement in the form of something tasty. It is important not to overfeed the corgi and ensure that the dog gradually begins to follow commands with verbal encouragement.
2. Cardigan loves to learn and will perform new tricks with no less pleasure than his owner does to watch them. It’s worth constantly giving the dog new tasks: this way it can occupy its mind and release excess energy, which would otherwise spill out into destruction in the apartment. The training goes from simple tricks to complex ones.
3. It is important to pay attention to the attitude of the cardigan to strangers and p curb excessive alertness and aggressiveness. A dog is an excellent watchdog, but without training this character trait will result in a problem with communication.
4. When training a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, you will need a lot of patience, but aggression and physical influence are prohibited.
5. It is important to get your dog accustomed to being examined by a veterinarian.

Important vaccinations

To keep your Cardigan Welsh Corgi healthy, he will need a number of vaccinations:

• at 1 month(made by the breeder) - Nobivac Puppy DP (against canine distemper and parvovirus enteritis);
• at 2 months— Nobivac DHPPi (against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis and parainfluenza) + Nobivac Lepto (against leptospirosis);
• at 3 months— Nobivac DHPPi + Nobivac Lepto + Nobivac Rabies (against animal rabies);
• further annually— Nobivac DHPPi + Nobivac Lepto + Nobivac Rabies.

Important: after the first vaccinations, a 2-week quarantine is required, during which immunity develops. Before each vaccination, treatment against worms is carried out.

Nicknames for boys and girls

You can name your pet as follows:

In TV series, movies and cartoons

The Welsh Corgi, thanks to its inexhaustible charm and ability to captivate at first sight, often appears on screens. And, we must give them their due, the tailed actors become favorites of the audience. You can see the Welsh Corgi in:

And in the anime series Cowboy Bebop, the Welsh Corgi is shown as the smartest member of the spaceship - so the intelligence of this dog is even captured in the cinema!

Educational video

Video about the breed:

Photo

Adorable puppies:

Conclusion

We can talk endlessly about the Welsh Corgi Cardigan breed, but the basic information to understand whether it is worth getting this breed has already been given. To summarize, Welsh Corgi Cardigan:

• small, healthy dog, living up to 12-15 years;
• charming and devoted;
• gets along well with children over 6 years old;
• requires a lot of free time and regular walking;
• very smart;
• unpretentious in care.

Perhaps you already have a dog of this breed? If you think your choice was successful, share a photo of your pet in the comments and tell us about upbringing, care and happy moments!

In accordance with international standard The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a type of tiny shepherd dog.

The miniature size of a dog is its only advantage.

Having decided to start this breed dogs as a pet, it is necessary to study in advance the standard, a description of the character and possible shortcomings, and the pedigree of the parents

There are quite a few theories about the origin of the Welsh Corgi. Many historians believe that the breed came to us from Ancient Egypt.

This is confirmed by ancient burials with images of the sun god Anubis.

According to a fabulous English legend, little elves used corgis instead of horses, harnessing them to their chariots.

Afterwards, the magical creatures gave them to the peasants, leaving a mark on their back in the form of a saddle as a souvenir.

More reliable written evidence is the code of 920 of the King of South Wales.

The purpose of adopting this document is to establish the significance of each breed, depending on the work they perform.

For the loss or theft of the “angry shepherd dog” (this was their original field of application), the amount of compensation for damage was significantly higher than that of guard dog and even royal.

They have two varieties: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and (appeared in Wales much earlier).

Despite the similarity of these dogs, they have fundamental differences in size, proportions and structural features of the body.

The main visual characteristic is the tail: Cardigans have long tails, while Pembrokes have either docked tails or short tails from birth.

Also, the Welsh Pebble breed has a more diverse range of coat colors. In the 30s of the 20th century, the Pembroke Corgi became beloved and revered in the royal dynasty.

Even today, the breed is under the care and protection of the English Queen Elizabeth II and is recognized nationwide.

Standard

The improved Pembroke Corgi standard was adopted in 2010:

According to the standard, the weight of an adult animal should not exceed 12 kg (for a female 10.5 kg), height - 30.5 cm.

The shape and appearance of the head at first glance resembles that of a fox. The look is smart, not cunning.

The length of the skull is longer than the muzzle. The eyes are symmetrically set, round; eye color - various shades of brown, in harmony with the tone of the coat color.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has massive teeth with a good, regular scissor bite.

The nose is plain, completely black. The ears are small, strong, erect, and actively respond to any sounds, even the quietest ones.

According to the standard, the imaginary line that runs from the center of the nose to the eye, when extended, should touch the top of the ear or fairly close.

The neck is relatively long, but creates a proportional appearance due to the elongated body.

The chest is voluminous, lowered between the front legs; ribs are arched. The back is fairly straight. The tail is short from birth or docked.

The front legs of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are short and strong, chest elbows fit tightly.

The specificity of the breed is in the constitution of the paws: the middle two toes protrude slightly forward compared to the outer ones. Hind legs elastic, powerful with dense bones.

The color variation of the Pembroke Welsh Corga is divided into two main categories: reddish-white and tri-colored.

Tricolor representatives in early age They look like they are two-colored: the real color appears later, after the first molt.

According to the standard, the coat of the Pembroke Welsh Corg is smooth, thick and silky, of medium length.

The breed of corgi dog with long, soft hair is called fluffy.

A fluffy puppy can be recognized immediately after birth. Their coat takes quite a long time to dry compared to regular Welsh Corgis.

The disadvantages and difficulties of caring for fluffies lie precisely in the specifics of their coat..

Every time after a walk in the snow, you will have to soak the stuck frozen breasts. In autumn and spring periods- it will be leaves or dirt. Fluffy can also get very wet in the rain and become hypothermic.

To determine the fluffy gene, it is necessary to conduct a DNA test. Even a dog with a standard coat structure can be a carrier of the gene.

If you cross two gene carriers, the offspring will be 25% fluffy; one carrier, the other - fluffy from birth - 50%.

If at least one of the parents has this recessive gene, then all those received from the parents will be carriers of the fluffy gene.

If the resulting offspring does not have a single fluffy puppy, this does not completely exclude the absence of this gene in both parents.

Description of character

The character of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is characterized by such traits as activity, good nature, love of life and innate nobility.

They are loyal and kind: they treat the owner’s family with great reverence. Corgis are peaceful not only with people, but also with all pets.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a playful, resilient dog that loves long walks in the fresh air.

The character of the Pembroke Welsh Corg is truly intelligent.. They intuitively understand whether to approach the owner for a portion of attention and affection, or whether to lie on the sidelines, without distracting him from important matters.

The sensitivity of dogs to the feelings and desires of the owner is almost magical.

Dogs receive only joyful emotions from life; at one point they will readily join any game or other interesting activity.

They will be happy to demonstrate their agility at agility competitions.

This description of the breed is conditional; as a rule, they are irreplaceable companions, talented artists and “vocalists” (they can make funny sounds: grunt, squeal and even grumble).

Flaws

An integral natural character trait is a muted sense of fear; they are not afraid of a breed of dog that is much larger than them, and will rush into battle without hesitation.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a big fan of tasty food, so you need to carefully monitor his figure.

With intensive nutrition and insufficient physical activity they tend to be overweight.

The shedding process is very noticeable (as in other dogs with thick hair).

A veterinarian must be present during childbirth, since in most cases it is complicated by the need for a caesarean section.

Photo gallery

Even in the standard there is a mention of the comical nature of this breed. They are born artists who can lighten the mood even with their cheerful facial expressions. Let's make sure of this by looking at our photo selection.