Corgi
Both the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi are loyal and loving to their owners. They are good companions, especially if you like to take long walks or play catch. They’re working dogs and have a lot of energy. Cardigans are usually more reserved while Pembrokes are more friendly.
Breed Profile
Height
10.5 - 12.5
Inches
Weight
22-30
Pounds
Life Span
12-15
Years
Health
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint and socket.
Clinical signs:
The primary signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia in a dogs are: Decreased physical activity, reduced range of motion in the hips, wobbly gait
Treatment:
Total hip replacement, femoral head ostectomy
Health risks:
The risk of developing hip dysplasia increases in obese dogs. Hip dysplasia is more common in dogs who exercise too much or too little. Dogs with hip dysplasia are more prone to accidents and falls.
Eligible vet bill
$1,200
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Degenerative Myelopathy
What is it?
Degenerative myelopathy is a condition that affects a dog’s spinal cord.
Clinical signs:
The early signs of degenerative myelopathy include loss of coordination of the hind legs and weakness of the front legs.
Treatment:
There currently isn’t a treatment available for degenerative myelopathy. However, some vets recommend exercise therapy to slow the progression of the condition.
Health risks:
Degenerative myelopathy is much more common in older dogs. Diet and exercise play key roles in managing the condition.
Eligible vet bill
$4,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
What is it?
Progressive retinal atrophy is a condition that leads to blindness in affected dogs.
Clinical signs:
Dogs typically have to get tested at the vet, which sometimes requires a general anesthetic.
Treatment:
There is currently no proven treatment for this degenerative condition.
Health risks:
If you’re concerned that your dog might develop progressive retinal atrophy, DNA testing is a preemptive option. It’s best not to breed dogs who pre-test for progressive retinal atrophy.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Loyal
Both the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi are loyal and loving to their owners.
Friendly
They are good companions, especially if you like to take long walks or play catch. Cardigans are usually more reserved than their cousins and tend to be much warier of strangers. Pembrokes are more friendly.
Energetic
They’re working dogs and have a lot of energy.
Excitable
Both like to bark, whether at the mailman or a squirrel. This can make them great watchdogs.
Intelligent
The breeds are smart and easy to train, especially because they want their owner to be happy.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Both types of corgis have a double coat.
Colors
Sable, black and tan, red, fawn, blue merle, brindle, grey, red merle, sable merle.
Hypoallergenic
No, corgis aren’t considered hypoallergenic dogs.
Grooming
Weekly brushing, frequent fur care during shedding season, regular toothbrushing and ear cleaning.
Training
Corgi's love to learn.
Corgi: Dog Breed Information Guide
Corgis are famous for their short legs and long bodies. They are perfect dogs for herding. Their short stature makes them well suited for nipping at the heels of cattle. They are agile enough to get out of the way of any well-aimed kicks. They’re known for being a particular favorite of Queen Elizabeth II after receiving this breed as a gift from her father, George VI.
Here at Spot Pet Insurance, we want pet parents to find pets that fit right into their homes.
Maybe you are thinking about adopting a corgi. There are many things you need to consider before bringing one of these little dogs into your home. For example, there are two separate breeds of corgi: the more famous Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi.
Both of these corgi breeds have similar names and features, but they are distinctive physically and in personality. If a corgi is the dog for you, you’ll need to determine which type would find a happy home with you.
Corgi: An introduction to the breed
Both corgi breeds are short, mostly because of their tiny legs. Pembroke corgis are usually between 10 and 12 inches, while Cardigan Welsh corgis are between 10.5 and 12.5 inches tall. Both pups have double coats with an outer coat that’s rougher than the soft undercoat. Cardigans may have short or medium-length coats, and Pembrokes have medium-length coats.
One of the most unique features of the two corgis, and a way to differentiate them, is that the Cardigan is born with a long tail while the Pembroke has a naturally short tail. They are both long dogs, which is one of the corgis' most distinctive characteristics. Their body length combined with their height gives their legs the appearance of being stumpy. However, corgis are stocky and strong dogs, ready to handle any herd that comes their way.
What are the origins of the corgi?
The Cardigan Welsh corgi is a descendent of dogs that some speculate have lived in Wales for three millennia. The Cardigan Welsh corgi belongs to the same family as the dachshund. The Pembroke Welsh corgi was originally bred to herd cattle in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
What are the health risks for corgis?
Pembroke Welsh corgis usually live about 12 to 13 years, and Cardigans have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They are not without health concerns, however.
Corgis have such long bodies; they can have back problems, especially if they frequently hop down from couches or go up stairs. If you have a lot of steps in your home, try to arrange it so your corgi doesn’t have to use them.
Do corgis get along with children?
You might be a proud parent, aunt, uncle, or godparent, and you need to know if corgis make good family pets. After all, little ones have a tendency to poke and prod.
Pembroke corgis are sweet dogs and great around kids. They do tend to nip at heels when playing or excited, but that’s just their desire to herd coming out.
Cardigan corgis are also good with kids but are slightly less tolerant than their cousins. Both breeds must be properly socialized, so they know how to interact with children and adults.
Playing with kids can be a great way for a corgi to release their excess energy, but, as with any dog, you ought to keep an eye on them. After all, small children sometimes have trouble understanding the meaning of the word “gentle.”
Do corgis get along with other dogs?
Perhaps you are already a pet parent, and you want to expand your family. Maybe you just live in a neighborhood with a lot of dogs. Would your corgi get along with them?
Pembroke Welsh corgis, as the more friendly of the two breeds, are fairly good with dogs and even some other pets. They are more laid-back, so they tend to get along with everyone else better.
On the other hand, Cardigan Welsh corgis are not as friendly and can be more aggressive towards other dogs. They can potentially get along with other animals. They might just need more time.
What about corgi tails?
The easiest way to tell the two popular breeds of corgis apart is by their tails. The Cardigan has a long tail, and according to breed standards, their tails are not cropped. The Pembroke has a naturally short, bobbed tail.
How to be the best parent for a corgi
If you’re looking for ways to keep your corgi as happy and healthy as possible, read on. Here’s what you need to know about being the best parent for a corgi.
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your corgi
Corgis are little bundles of energy. They need to be in order to herd livestock, but this means you need to give them quite a bit of exercise.
These herding dogs enjoy playing, especially fetch or catch.
They’ll also enjoy joining you on long walks or a short jog.
Because they have short legs, they can’t really keep up if you’re moving quickly, so taking them along for a bike or skateboard ride isn’t a good method of exercise for a corgi.
Since corgis are working dogs, they do like having things to do. Training is a great way to keep them occupied unless you have some cattle that need herding.
Obedience training is a must for any dog. It is the foundation for all future kinds of training. Socialization is also a necessary part of a corgi’s training, especially for the Cardigan.
What foods should a corgi never eat?
As is the case with any dog, make sure to avoid giving your corgi any of these foods: