Corgi Dog: History and Personality

There’s a new Corgi dog at Buckingham Palace! It’s a wise choice of gift from Prince Andrew for the Queen, to celebrate what would have been Prince Philip’s 100^th birthday.

Not only has the Corgi long held a special place at the palace hearth, but it’s a favourite in many Australian homes too. And lucky for us common folk, our Corgis love us whether we have a palace for them to live in or not.

To celebrate the latest addition to the royal family, we’ve decided to give this plucky pooch some facetime. Read on to find out where this adorable dog comes from and much more…

The Queen’s Corgi

Pembroke Welsh corgis have the upper hand in Corgi stardom. And that’s all thanks to Queen Elizabeth having owned 30 of them.

However, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is also among some of the most adored dog breeds on the planet.

Want to know what’s the difference between a Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi? It’s all in the furry-tail… But before we get into that, watch this video of the Queen’s Corgis.

Pembroke Corgi and Cardigan Corgi

The main difference between a Pembroke Corgi and a Cardigan really is its tail. Cardigans have long tails while Pembrokes have bobtails. In addition, Cardigans are slightly bigger and heavier set.

Apart from these differences, both pups share a high spirited intelligence and verve.    

Corgi dog history

The Corgi is one of the oldest (and shortest) of European dog breeds. The Pembroke and the Cardigan made their first appearance at the UK Kennel Club in 1925. That same year the Corgi club was founded in Wales, with a separate club appearing soon after for the Cardigans.

This diminutive dog is thought to get its name from the Welsh words ‘cor’, meaning ‘dwarf’, and ‘gi’, meaning dog. So Corgi basically means dwarf dog! This is a winner for anyone who’s caught between wanting a big dog vs a small one. Because when getting the Corgi you get a bit of both – a larger head and short legs.

Corgi dog personality

Both the Pembroke and the Cardigan rate high on the intelligence scale. And despite their little legs, these perky pups were bred as herding dogs. They can run a mile without breaking a sweat.

As a result, it’s important your Corgi gets a regular workout. For a start, read up on these top puppy games and how to find a great puppy training school.  

Their herding history makes them highly trainable and vigilant guardians. When they’re well socialised they can be the ideal family dog, as faithful companions to kids and other pets.

Just let it be known, what this pup lacks in height is made up for by their loud bark. It’s one situation where we can consider saying its bark is louder than its bite. ????

Corgi dog health

Provided they get plenty of exercise and a well-balanced diet, Corgis tend to be relatively healthy. However, like many purebred dogs (and plenty of mixed breeds and bitzers, for that matter!), they’re prone to some health conditions.

Like the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever, Corgis can be disposed to having hip dysplasia. This needn’t be a deal breaker, provided you have adequate protection with dog insurance from the start.

As they say, knowledge is power, so here are some conditions for Corgi pet parents to guard against:

• Retinal dysplasia
• Eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Persistent pupillary membranes

Being equipped to look out for and treat potential problems in good time can save you and your fur kid tears. Speak to your vet about a power plan for your pet’s health.

Corgi dog – over to you

Are you a Corgi dog pet parent (or you’d love to be)? Tell us your favourite Corgi character trait, we’re all fluffy ears.