Page 61 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

WORKING DOGS

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Fawn and sable
10–12in 20–26lb 12–15 years
(25–30cm) (9–12kg)

A sharp and confident watchdog with a big bark for its size, FIT FOR A QUEEN
this dog makes a good family pet if given enough exercise
The British royal family is well known for its
The more widely known of the two them ideally suited to driving cattle, sheep, love of dogs—and no breed is more closely
associated with the Windsors than the Pembroke
Corgi breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is and ponies to market by nipping at their
Welsh Corgi. King George VI, father of the
distinguished from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi heels. Today, these alert and active little
reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, acquired
(see p.60) by its slightly smaller ears, lighter dogs are still used occasionally in herding the first royal corgi, Rozavel Golden Eagle
build, finer features, and, in some dogs, lack and dog agility events. Pembroke Welsh (“Dookie”), in 1933. The Queen has owned
of tail. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Corgis make excellent watchdogs and and bred Pembroke Welsh Corgis since she
was 18 years old. One of her dogs, Monty
is the younger of the two, even though its enjoy family life, but they may revert to
(now deceased), starred with her in a James
ancestry has been traced back to 1107, when their herding instincts and nip ankles, a
Bond movie sequence at the opening ceremony
Flemish weavers and farmers first imported tendency that can be minimized by early of the 2012 London Olympics.
dogs from Europe into western Wales. The training. Corgis have a tendency to gain
two breeds were crossed for a time in the weight easily so need a regulated regime
19th century, but the Pembroke Welsh Corgi of diet and exercise.
was recognized as a separate breed in 1934. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is notable
Corgis have a long for having a feature called a “fairy saddle”—
history as cattle an area over the shoulders where the
herders and guard fur grows in a different thickness and
dogs in Wales. Their direction from the rest of the coat. The
low-slung shape and name derives from the legend that fairies
general agility made used these dogs as their steeds.

Erect ears
rounded at tips
Foxlike
head with
typical
PUPPY markings

Black and tan Level topline “Fairy saddle”
Red

White
markings
on chest
Broad, deep,
white chest

Oval feet with
inner toes longer
than outer toes

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