Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis have historically been used as herding dogs, specifically for cattle. They are of the type of herding dog referred to as "heelers", meaning that they would nip at the heels of the larger animals to keep them on the move. Both Pembrokeshire and Cardigan are historically agricultural areas of Wales.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Corgi
The two Corgi breeds are named for those regions. Once interbred, the Kennel Club designated the different types as two distinct breeds in 1934. Slightly smaller than the Cardigan, not quite as long in body and with a smaller ear and straighter front legs, the Pembroke was traditionally docked, but that differentiation no longer exists since the docking ban. However some breeders have worked hard to produce natural bobtails. The Pembroke has always been the more popular breed, perhaps helped by the Royal patronage it has received since the reign of King George VI and carried on by our present monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/welsh-corgi-pembroke/
Also see:  Cardigan Welsh Corgi  https://dogwellnet.com/breeds/pedigreed/cardigan-welsh-corgi-r220/

PWCCA: illustrated Standard
http://pwcca.org/images/uploads/PWCCA_JEC_2016_Powerpoint.pdf

PWCCA: 2021 JEC Presentation

https://pembrokecorgi.org/images/uploads/PWCCA_JEC_2021_Presentation.pdf

Sweden: Domarkompendium
https://www.skk.se/globalassets/dokument/domarkompendium/domarkompendium-welsh-corgi-pembroke.pdf?_

Welsh Corgi Pembroke

Great Britain (Wales)

Get a GRIHP! on Welsh Corgis

This article on Welsh Corgis is part of a series to highlight the Big Picture of health, welfare and breeding and to help develop Globally Relevant Integrated Health Profiles (GRIHPs) for many breeds.  See IPFD's Get a GRIHP! on Breed Health Initiative. 

Comments on the corgi breeds by Aimee Llewellyn, Manager of HGTD and owner of corgis...
 

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Genetic Testing and the Welsh Corgis.

Generally speaking the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeds are considered a lower risk for known inherited diseases. Currently on HGTD, you can see that there are 8 disease-related tests (Cardigan LINK, Pembroke LINK) offered, and a few tests related to aesthetics such as coat colour/length. Of the disease-related tests, most of the tests are quite rarely seen clinically in the breed (with the exception of Chondrodysplasia – the “Short” mutation!). Looking at Breed Club advice, it is interesting to note how different the genetic testing recommendations are around the world. In the US, for example, only degenerative myelopathy (DM) testing is mentioned in the health information from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America (www.pwcca.org), but there are a number of clinical examinations (eyes, hips, etc.) that are considered very important. Looking at the UK, The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme (www.thekennelclub.org) mentions the DNA test Progressive Retinal Atrophy rcd-3, but not DM. Does this mean that different corgi populations are experiencing different risks? Or just prioritizing different testing? It is hard to know, as there is research out there discussing how many breeds have different health priorities based on their country/location, but clearly there are some aspects of the corgi that remain the same – like their short stature (Chondrodysplasia).

For breeders, most consistent recommendations from international breeding advisors – such as breed and kennel clubs - focus on advising to breed for good temperament, sound conformation, and eye testing – both clinical examinations, and DNA tests.

In my personal experience as a Pembroke corgi owner since childhood, they are far more likely to be at risk for the common challenges for all dogs – temperament, and obesity if you get a real foodie. Personally, I believe genetic testing for these breeds is a very valuable tool in the breeder’s toolbox, but it is even more important to always breed for whole dog health – temperament, sound conformation, low-risk genetic test results, breed diversity, and ultimately a dog you want to live with and enjoy for their fairly long lives.

Note: I write this with my own sweet boy, MacDuff (Duffy) resting his head on my feet, so I admit to some bias!

 

There are numerous breed standards. The basis of breed/conformation shows is the judging of pedigree dogs against the 'Breed Standard', which is a picture in words that describes the range of features that are deemed appropriate for the breed. Three of the major international standards are:

The American Kennel Club

The Kennel Club, UK

FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale)

1. Swedish Insurance Data Breed-specific information on rates of disease and death from Agria Pet Insurance (Agria Djurförsäkring) is available for many breeds. This breed has information on Veterinary Care and Life Insurance.

2. Finland: KOIRANET DB: Pembroke Welsh Corgi: https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmEtusivu.aspx?Lang=en&R=39

Health/Breeding Strategy Documents and Links:

US: OFA: CHIC: https://www.ofa.org/recommended-tests?breed=WCP
OFA: Breed Summary Report: https://secure.ofa.org/regSums/PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI.pdf

UK/TKC: Breed Watch (Category 1)

• https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/welsh-corgi-pembroke/

Sweden: RAS: RAS VERSION 4 WELSH CORGI PEMBROKE:

• https://www.skk.se/globalassets/dokument/rasdokument/ras-welsh-corgi-pembroke.pdf

Denmark: Health Schemes relevant to PWC:

• https://www.hundeweb.dk/dkk/public/openPage/tjenester/avlsrestriksjoner/raseData.html?RAID=0390

Finland: JTO: 2020-2024 - WELSH CORGI PEMBROKE:

• https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/RotuPDF.ashx?R=39&T=2

         PEVISA 2020: https://www.kennelliitto.fi/en/media/3794 : https://www.corgiseura.net/jalostus/pevisa/
        

Health Surveys
OFA: https://www.ofa.org/about/educational-resources/health-surveys
UK: KC: 2004 Health Survey: welsh corgi pembroke.pdf
 

HGTD: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Indrebø, Astrid & Langeland, Marianne & Juul, H & Kippenes Skogmo, Hege & Rengmark, Aina & Lingaas, F. (2008). A study of inherited short tail and taillessness in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The Journal of small animal practice. 49. 220-4. 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2007.00435.x.

A study of inherited short tail and taillessness in Pembroke Welsh corgi.pdf

Degenerative Myelopathy in 18 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs P. A. MARCH, J.R.COATES, R.J. ABYAD,D .A.WILLIAMS, D. P. O’BRIEN, N.J.OLBY,J.H.KEATING,ANDM. OGLESBEE

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natasha_Olby/publication/24177685_Degenerative_Myelopathy_in_18_Pembroke_Welsh_Corgi_Dogs/links/56c33f4508ae6023425081b7.pdf

PWCCA: Article: Degenerative Myelopathy: Jerold Bell: http://pwcca.org/about-pembrokes/canine-degenerative-myelopathy-and-genetic-testing-in-pwcs/

We are listing sites for breed clubs with health or other information that might be helpful. Follow links below.

UK: The Welsh Corgi League: https://www.welshcorgileague.org/
US: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America: http://pwcca.org/
France: Corgis Club de France: http://www.welshcorgi.fr/
             Tests Santé Search available.
Canada: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association: http://www.pembrokewelshcorgis.ca/
Sweden: Svenska Welsh Corgi Klubben: http://www.swck.org/
Denmark: Welsh Corgi Klubben; https://www.corgi.dk/
Finland: Suomen Welsh Corgi Seura ry: https://www.corgiseura.net/