Where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi came from
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes from Pembrokeshire in Wales, where small herding dogs have worked for centuries. The breed's exact start is not well documented. One tradition says Flemish weavers brought the ancestors to Wales, but that is a tradition, not proven history.
Corgis drove cattle by nipping at heels and staying low to avoid kicks. They also served as farm dogs and watch dogs.
The AKC recognized the Pembroke in 1934. The breed became famous as the favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who owned more than 30 corgis in her reign.
- 1928 The Kennel Club in Britain first recognizes Welsh Corgis
- 1934 The Pembroke and Cardigan are recognized as separate breeds in Britain, and AKC recognizes the Pembroke
- 1944 King George VI gives Princess Elizabeth the Pembroke puppy Susan for her 18th birthday
The job a Pembroke Welsh Corgi was bred for
Corgis drove cattle by darting in to nip heels and then ducking away. That is why many nip at ankles and bark, and why they stay close to the ground and alert.
Sports that fit a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Herding. Their original job, done low and fast
- Scent work. A lower impact, high reward job
- Rally. Good partners who enjoy teamwork
- Trick dog. Smart and food motivated
- Barn hunt. Short, sturdy and good at tunnels and hay bales
Training tips for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Reward leaving ankles alone and redirect to a toy.
- Work on barking with calm quiet cues and rewards.
- Keep treats small, since this breed gains weight easily.
- Teach stay and settle for busy moments.
Body and health
Long backs and short legs mean stairs and hard jumping can strain the spine. Keep them lean and avoid repeated high jumps.
Fun fact. Queen Elizabeth II's first corgi, Susan, was a Pembroke puppy given to her on her 18th birthday in 1944.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
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