Welsh Corgis come in two varieties: the Pembroke and the Cardigan. They were registered as one breed by the Kennel Club in the U.K. until 1934, but many breeders believe the two breeds developed separately. Both have similar heads, bodies, levels of intelligence, and herding ability, however, the Cardigan is slightly larger and heavier boned than the Pembroke.
For the untrained eye, the easiest way to tell the difference between a Pembroke and a Cardigan is to look at the tails. Pembrokes' are docked and Cardigans' are long. (You can think of it this way: the Pembroke has a "broke" tail; the Cardigan has a long tail like the sleeves of a cardigan sweater.)
Pembroke Welsh Corgis (also called Pembrokes, PWCs, or Pems) are the smallest of the American Kennel Club's herding group, and are also recognized by the United Kennel Club. Their coats can be red, sable, fawn, or tri-colored (red, black, and tan), usually with white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle, and belly. They also may have a narrow blaze on their heads. Pembroke heads are shaped much like the head of a fox.
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Hailing from Pembrokeshire, Wales, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an enchanting dog whose background is steeped in folklore. According to Welsh legend, this dog sprang from the lairs of fairies and elves!
As the tale goes, one day two children were out in the fields tending to their family's cattle when they found a couple of puppies. The children thought they were foxes, but recognizing something different about them, bundled them up and took them home. Their parents immediately realized that the pups were not foxes, but dogs, and told the kids that the pups were a gift from the fairies that lived in the fields. The fairies used them to pull their carriages and sometimes ride into battle.
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As proof that Pembrokes were indeed the mounts of fairies, the parents pointed to the marks on their backs where the fairy saddle had been placed on their shoulders. The children were delighted and adored their new pups. As they grew, the dogs became treasured companions and learned to help the children take care of the family's cattle.
And for those who don't believe in fairy tales, there are historians who say that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi descended from Vallhunds, Swedish cattle dogs that were brought to Wales by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. Others think their ancestors were brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the 12th century.
Either way, the breed has a rather misty historical pedigree.
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Farmers who kept working dogs in the past bred the best ones for the jobs they wanted them to do. They didn't keep extensive records about the matings.
In the 1920s, the UK Kennel Club recognized Corgis as purebred dogs. They were officially known as Welsh Corgis when exhibited for the first time in 1925. At that time, Pembrokes and Cardigans were shown in the same class as one breed.
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But eventually, in 1934, the Kennel Club recognized the Pembroke and the Cardigan as two separate breeds. In that same year, the American Kennel Club followed suit.
Pembrokes have slowly gained in popularity in the U.S., and today, are one of the top 20 most popular breeds for family pets. They're also popular with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, who received her first Pembroke Welsh Corgi from her father (King George VI) all the way back in 1933.
The puppy's name was Rozavel Golden Eagle and was a playmate for Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret. Elizabeth has loved the little dogs ever since.
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Even though you can still find Pembrokes who are used as working dogs, they are most often seen as family pets these days. Corgis are known for being happy, loving, and intelligent, but can exhibit a bit of stubbornness every now and then.
Pembrokes have a remarkable affinity for children, but due to their herding instincts, they sometimes nip at children's feet or ankles. However, since they are eager learners, though, they can be trained out of this behavior.