Crown Corgi's

*About the breed

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a long (by its body compared to the legs), low to the ground dog. Its back is actually not longer than those of most dogs’; their legs are just very short in comparison. The skull is wide and flat between the ears. The stop is moderate. The topline is level. The nose is black and the jaw meets in a scissors bite. The oval eyes are shades of brown depending on the dog’s coat color. The eye rims are black. The erect ears are medium in size, tapering slightly to a rounded point. The legs are very short. The feet are oval in shape. Dewclaws are usually removed. The dog is sometimes born with no tail, and is docked as short as possible when it does have a tail. Note: it is illegal to dock tails in most parts of Europe. The double coat has a short, thick, weather resistant undercoat with a longer, coarser outer coat. Some Corgis are born with longer coats called the "fluffy Corgi" or "longhaired Corgi." These dogs do not make the written standard and cannot be shown. Coat colors include red, sable, fawn, black and tan with or without white markings. There are often white markings on the legs, chest, neck and parts of the muzzle.

The most obvious difference between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is that the Pembroke lacks a tail while the Cardigan has a long tail. The Pembroke usually has straighter legs as it is not quite as long-bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke's head is generally more wedge-shaped; the ears are smaller and closer together than the Cardigan’s; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.

*Temperament

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is highly intelligent, loyal, able and willing to please its owner. Corgis are extremely active and are good with children so long as the dog sees humans as above him in the pack order. Protective and sturdy, they make fine guards, and excellent show and obedience dogs. Wary of strangers, it should be properly socialized and trained when it is still young. They need their humans to have a determined, consistent loving approach, showing firm but calm leadership with proper human to canine communication to avoid over-protective behaviors as an adult. They sometimes try to herd people by nipping at their heels, although they can and should be trained not to do this. The Pembroke tends to bark a lot and makes a good watchdog. If you find your dog is barking at you in order to communicate, you need to hush the dog and look into your leadership skills. A dog that is barking at you in that manner is showing signs of dominancy issues. The human handlers need to communicate to the dog that aggressiveness with other dogs is an unwanted behavior. Usually good with non-canine animals. Do not allow the Corgi to developed Small Dog Syndrome. 

*Height, Weight

Height: Males 10 - 12 inches Females 10 - 12 inches
Weight: Males 25 - 30 pounds Females 24 - 28 pounds


*Health Problems

Prone to PRA ( Progressive retinal atrophy )-

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 is an inherited eye disease affecting dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 3 is an early onset disease affecting the Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina and results in the progressive loss of vision. Affected dogs have abnormal thinning and degeneration of the retina beginning around 4 weeks of age. Signs of progressive retinal atrophy including changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called the Tapetum that can be observed on a veterinary eye exam by 6 to 16 weeks of age. Rod photoreceptor cells degenerate first resulting in loss of peripheral vision and night vision. As the disease progresses, cone photoreceptor cells also degenerate resulting in complete blindness. Most affected dogs are completely blind by 1 year of age, but some may retain limited sight until 3 to 4 years of age.

DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)-

 Degenerative myelopathy caused by Mutation of the SOD1 gene is an inherited neurologic disorder of dogs. This mutation is found in many breeds of dog, though it is not clear whether all dogs carrying two copies of the mutation will develop the disease. The variable presentation between breeds suggests that there are environmental or other genetic factors responsible for modifying disease expression. The average age of onset for dogs with degenerative myelopathy is approximately nine years of age. The disease affects the White Matter tissue of the spinal cord and is considered the canine equivalent to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) found in humans. Affected dogs usually present in adulthood with gradual muscle Atrophy and loss of coordination typically beginning in the hind limbs due to degeneration of the nerves. The condition is not typically painful for the dog, but will progress until the dog is no longer able to walk. The gait of dogs affected with degenerative myelopathy can be difficult to distinguish from the gait of dogs with hip dysplasia, arthritis of other joints of the hind limbs, or intervertebral disc disease. Late in the progression of disease, dogs may lose fecal and urinary continence and the forelimbs may be affected. Affected dogs may fully lose the ability to walk 6 months to 2 years after the onset of symptoms. Affected medium to large breed dogs can be difficult to manage and owners often elect euthanasia when their dog can no longer support weight in the hind limbs. Affected small breed dogs often progress more slowly than affected large breed dogs and owners may postpone euthanasia until the dog is paraplegic.



vWD1 (Von Willebrand’s Disease Type I)-

Von Willebrand disease type 1 (vWD1) is a bleeding disorder of variable severity that results from a quantitative or qualitative defect in von Willebrand factor (vWF). On vascular injury, vWf mediates platelet adhesion to exposed subendothelium and is involved in platelet-to-platelet aggregation. The disease is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder and it is genetically and clinically heterogeneous. Clinical signs of the disease include spontaneous bleeding from mucosal surfaces and excess blood loss after surgery or trauma. Three clinical types, 1, 2, and 3, have been described.

EIC (Exercise-induced collapse)-

EIC is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis. EIC presents as exercise intolerance in apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs are usually diagnosed before two years of age and appear normal during low to moderately strenuous activity. However, shortly after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise affected dogs will begin to walk with a wobbly, uncoordinated gait that often only affects the hind limbs. Dogs remain mentally alert and are not in pain during episodes of EIC. In some circumstances, the symptoms of EIC can progress to full body weakness with low muscle tone (flaccid paralysis), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures and very rarely, death. The episodes typically last 5-10 minutes and most dogs will completely recover within 15-30 minutes.
 

Corgis gain weight easily. Do not overfeed for if they become fat it can cause joint & back problems.

*Living Conditions

Corgis will do fine in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. With enough exercise they can be calm indoors, but will be very active if they are lacking. Will do okay without a yard so long as they are taken for daily walks.

*Exercise

Naturally active little dogs, they should always be encouraged to remain so. They need to be taken on a daily, long walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human.

*Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

*Grooming ( A sheading Breed )

The soft, medium-length, water-resistant coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. The coat is shed twice a year.

*Origin

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is older than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with the Pembroke being bred out of the Cardigan. Both Corgi varieties may be a descendant of the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Schipperkes and the Swedish Vallhund. Some say the older Cardigan was from Cardiganshire brought there by the Celts in 1200 BC. Whereas, the Pembroke's ancestors were introduced by Flemish weavers to the Celts in the 1100s. Whatever the case may be, the Cardigan and the Pembroke Welsh Corgis were interbred and considered the same breed up until 1934, when a show judge thought they were too different and separated them into two different breeds. After they were separated the Pembroke gained in popularity and is to this day more popular than the Cardigan. The name "corgi" is specific to that type of dog breed in Cymreig (Welsh). “Dog” in Cymreig (Welsh) is 'Ci' or if it is softly mutated 'Gi,' hence Corgi. The Pembroke was actually recognized by the AKC a year before the Cardigan. The Cardigan was recognized in 1935 and the Pembroke in 1934. Corgis were used as cattle drivers, vermin hunters and farm guards. They drove cattle by barking and nipping at the cattle's heels rather than just herding them. The dog's low stature helped him roll out of the way of kicking cows.

*Are Corgis the right breed for you?