Welcome
We breed Welsh Pembroke Corgis
Living with a corgi…
“a big dog in a small dog’s suit”
Corgis are bold, but kindly and never shy or vicious.
Their personality is playful and fun-loving they love attention and can be real clowns.
Corgis are intelligent, protective, and tenacious which can cause all sorts of fun. They are most definitely not a trophy dog!
They are at their best when incorporated into full family life. A versatile dog that will cope with nearly anything in its stumpy stride.
Do Pembroke’s shed much? Absolutely! This is not a breed to consider if you do not like to hoover or accessorise your outfit with Corgi glitter!
Pembroke Corgis are vocal dogs; a typical Pem has several different sounds and will let you know what is going on and exactly how they feel about it.
Corgis & Folklore
Folklore says that fairies created Corgi to save their tired wings so that they may travel further. Fairies used them to ride into battle, to pull the fairies’ carts and watch over the local human children. Corgis have a darker patch of fur under their shoulders that known as the “fairy saddle.” The literal meaning of Corgi is “dog of the dwarfs” could this mean the Wee Folk and maybe a Brownie?!
The legends say that two Corgi puppies were gifts from fairies to humans, but can tend to get nippy… well that’s because fairies do not really give gifts without strings attached.
Old wives tales say you should make your Corgi wear a collar with an iron buckle to prevent it nipping its owner, as fairies are naturally averse to iron!
Pembroke’s and Cardigan’s
One name but two separate breeds. Both breeds come from Wales and are used as heelers, driving cattle by day and guarding them at night.
| Pembroke | Cardigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage | Descent from the Nordic Spitz breeds | Descent from the same line as Dachshunds |
| Tail | Straight or curled fox-like or natural Bobtail | Straight bushy tail |
| Appearance | Rectangular or loaf shape with straight front legs | Long sturdy curvaceous body with bowed front legs |
| Height & Weight | Weight up to 12kg and up to 25cm tall | Weigh up to 17kg and up to 30cm tall |
| Personality | Friendly, outgoing want to be part of the family | Laid back, reserved, independent |
| Vulnerable native breed | No - making steady come back since 2017 | Yes only 132 puppies born in 2020 |
| Colours | Red/sable/Fawn & White Tricolour (red, black & white) | 12 colours including Blue Merle, Brindle & Point tricolours |
| Popularity ranking | 28th | 53rd |
| Intelligences | 11th Understanding of new commands within 15 repetitions | 26th Understanding of new commands within 25 repetitions |
Pembroke Breed Standard
Link to The Kennel Club
Pembroke Breed Info
Link to The Kennel Club
History of Breed
1000
AD
Pembrokes arrived in Wales with the Vikings
1920’s
Barbara Douglas-Redding (Wolfox) and Thelma Gray (Rozavel) popularised the breed by making trips to Wales to bring dogs back to England
1925
The first recorded date for Corgis appearing in the show ring in Wales
1925
Captain J. P. Howell called together a meeting of breeders of both the Pembroke and the Cardigan varieties, and formed the Welsh Corgi Club, with an initial membership of 59 members
1927
The Welsh Corgi appeared at Crufts for the first time
1928
The first CC was awarded at a Cardiff show, to a red and white Pembroke bitch named Shan Fach
1933
King George VI purchased the Pembroke Corgi Rozavel Golden Eagle, Pet name Dookie
1934
The two Corgi now separate breeds
1938
The Welsh Corgi League was established
1944
Princess Elizabeth is given her first Corgi ‘Susan’
1953
Ranked as the fourth most popular breed by the Kennel Club
1955
The reserve Best in Show at Crufts was the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Kaytop Maracas Mint
1960
Breed heyday 9,000 puppies registered with The Kennel Club
1980
Breed lose popularity, 1806 puppies registered with The Kennel Club
2007
Docking tail now illegal
2009
The Kennel Club add breed to watch list
2012
The queen stops breeding Corgis
2014
Now on ‘Vulnerable Native Breeds’ list with only 274 puppies registered
2018
The last Corgi ‘Willow’ breed by the queen passes away
2019
Breed comes off ‘at risk’ lists due to popularity of ‘The Crown’ & ‘and dog’ on instagram
