Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The tailless corgi, and the younger of the two. It drove cattle by the heels, and it was the breed Elizabeth II kept for most of her life.
Photo by Lvmubio, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Pembroke is the more popular of the two corgi breeds and the one without a tail, and it comes from Pembrokeshire in Wales where it drove cattle by nipping at the heels and ducking the kick. The low body is the whole design.
The short legs come from chondrodystrophy, a form of dwarfism, and that has consequences for the back that owners need to plan around.
Temperament
Bold, bright and vocal. Pembrokes are affectionate with their families, good with children, and considerably more outgoing than the Cardigan.
They are herding dogs and they nip at moving heels, which includes children and cyclists, and it needs addressing early. They bark a great deal. They are highly trainable and they are among the cleverest small breeds, and a bored Pembroke is a loud one.
Care and grooming
A medium double coat that needs weekly brushing and daily attention during the two heavy moults. They shed a great deal for their size.
Intervertebral disc disease is the main concern and follows from a long back on short legs. Degenerative myelopathy occurs in this breed at notable rates and has a DNA test. Hip dysplasia and von Willebrand's disease are also seen.
Living and exercise
An hour a day plus mental work. They are far more athletic than they look.
Keeping them genuinely lean, discouraging jumping on and off furniture, and providing ramps are the three things that protect the back. Obesity is very common in the breed and it makes everything worse. Twelve to thirteen years.
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