Welsh Corgi Dog Breed information

The Welsh Corgi is a small breed of dog that originated in Wales. They are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh (and the OED gives the Welsh plural corgwn as an alternative to corgis).

An average Welsh Corgi is around 10 to 12 in (250 to 300 mm) tall at the tallest point in the shoulders and weighs approximately 30 lb (15 kg). Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active dogs, and considered very intelligent. They have proven themselves excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and agility trials.

Welsh Corgis are generally recognized as two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Beginning in 1934, the American Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. The Cardigan is the larger of the two, with larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. The Pembroke features rounded, pointed ears and is somewhat smaller in stature. 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. The coats of both breeds come in a variety of colors, although there are some differences between the breeds.

The Pembroke was made popular by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who keeps four at all times, and remains the more common variety.

Health

Both the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are among the healthiest and longest lived dogs in the Herding Group. The Cardigan tends to be a little hardier and has fewer documented hereditary health issues; among them are canine hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and progressive retinal atrophy.^[1] Pembroke Welsh Corgis are susceptible to intervertebral disc disease, canine hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.^[2] Welsh Corgi owners should have their dogs' eyes and hips tested by a veterinarian before breeding. Cardigan Welsh Corgis typically live between 12 and 14 years, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically live between 11 and 13 years.^[3]

Corgis in movies and television

• Little Dog Lost, a 1963 Disney movie, is centered on "Candy," who gets separated from his family, and must go on a journey to find them

• "Edward", played by Bud, has a prominent role in the 1988 film The Accidental Tourist (Bud also appeared in the television show Dharma & Greg and the feature film Dave)

• The 1991 motion picture Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead features "Elvis"

• Murder, She Purred starring Ricki Lake

• Bud and Cody, brothers, are the best buddies of the First Lady "Ellen Mitchell" (played by Sigourney Weaver) in the 1993 movie Dave

• Ein, the 'data dog' in the anime series Cowboy Bebop, is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• Skipper is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the 1997 film Robinson Crusoe starring Pierce Brosnan.

• In the E!'s show "The Girls Next Door" Kendra has a Corgi, named Rascal. He's seen in most episodes with Kendra in her room and around the Playboy mansion.

• Disney's 2003 cartoon movie "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure" has a corgi named Lightning as its canine villain. The corgi is appropriately voiced by Jason Alexander.

• In Stephen Frears' 2006 The Queen starring Helen Mirren, Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis are played by Anna, Poppy and Poppy's puppies Alice, Megan and Oliver. Their real-life owner is Liz Smith of Ipswich.

• In 2006 Bob Jerving, the handsome and charismatic welsh corgi, also known as "Bobby" to friends and acquaintances was the star of a photo shoot in the Wisconsin State Journal. He was also the subject of "Dog Blog" written by Christine Martell of the Wisconsin State Journal.

References

1. ^ Cardigan Welsh Corgi Care - Breeder Retriever, URL dated January 22, 2007

2. ^ Pembroke Welsh Corgi Care - Breeder Retriever, URL dated January 22, 2007

3. ^ Coile, Caroline, Ph. D., Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, Barron's Educational Series, 2005. Page 328-31.