Pembroke Welsh Corgis
A dog that is growing in popularity in the United States is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. These dogs have been popular in Britain for many years but only now are starting to become highly recognized among American dog lovers. In fact, Pembroke Welsh Corgis seem to be so loved by Queen Elizabeth II that she reportedly has sixteen of them. These dogs have been a favored dog by all British royalty for more than seventy years. These dogs have a long and interesting history. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of two dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is assumed that these herding dogs might be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. The Corgi is considered to be the smallest dog in the Herding Group.
As is typical with herding breeds, Pembrokes are active, intelligent, and athletic dogs despite having short legs and a stocky body. At first their short legs may seem to be a disadvantage, but they can run and jump just as well as any other dog of comparable size. These dogs were originally used to herd sheep, horses and cows by nipping at their heels.
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi is considered to be a small to medium sized dog. Most Corgis are between ten and twelve inches tall at the withers (this is the tallest point in the shoulders) and weigh no more than thirty pounds; dogs considered to be in peak condition weigh about twenty seven pounds for the male and the females are about two pounds lighter.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis can have a variety of different colorings. These dogs 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 among the Pembroke Welsh Corgi group for these Tri Colors, and they are Black Head Tri, and Red Head Tri Color. Dog showing experts feel that too much white is not acceptable for show dogs. Corgis also have a short undercoat as well as a longer thicker overcoat. Pembrokes coats shed continuously all year round, with extensive seasonal shedding that occurs at least twice each year (as well as after the weaning of pups in the intact females).
It is also typical in Pembroke Welsh Corgis to have a "fairy saddle" marking over their withers which is caused by changes in the thickness and direction of hair growth. This phrase supposedly comes from mythology, with the dogs being used as steeds or carthorses for fairies. Some dog experts also feel that it is possible the legend is a modern explanation that came after the term.
The Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob(or very short) tail. After the advent of docking, this trait was not aggressively pursued, while breeders focused instead on other characteristics, and the tail was artificially shortened if need be. After some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select dogs with the genes for natural bob tails.
While Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically have a life span of twelve to fourteen years they can have some serious health problems. The length of the spine can cause spinal problems and early arthritis in Corgis. This is especially true in dogs that are overweight. Pembroke Corgis can easily become obese if not kept active or if they are overfed. Obesity 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. Pembroke Welsh Corgis can also be prone to a disease called degenerative myelopathy. A preventative measure to help the health of your dog is making sure they are not forced to jump from heights, such as from a couch, as they could fracture their relatively short legs or damage their very long backs.
Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, these dogs have proven themselves as excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and dog agility.
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