Fun Corgi Facts For Kids

Welsh corgis were bred as cattle herding dogs. They were trained as heelers, which means they would nip at the heels of the larger animals to keep them moving. In the Welsh language, the term corgi means a dwarf dog or a cur dog. There are two breeds of Welsh corgis that have evolved over the years: the Cardigan Welsh corgi and Pembroke Welsh corgi. Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire are two agricultural counties in South West Wales. These two Welsh corgis are recognized as two separate breeds due to their origin. The Cardigan Welsh corgi has been known to have Nordic influence from the early Nordic settlers, who bred them as the smallest members of the herding group. The Swedish vallhund shares many similarities with the Cardigan Welsh corgi. Some also believe that the two modern breeds share a common ancestry. At the same time, some say that the Pembroke Welsh corgi may have Flemish origins. The Flemish weavers of the 10th century may have brought the breed to Wales with them. The word 'cor' means dwarf and 'gi' means dog, hence the name corgi dog.

There are theories that suggest that the breed originated in central Europe.  As per this, the ancestors of the modern-day Welsh corgi could be the deutsche bracken or dachshund, depending on when the corgi was brought to Wales. The Pembroke Welsh corgi is more popular than the Cardigan Welsh corgi.  The breeds share many similar traits, such as their coats and shorter legs. The differences are in their body length. This breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club and the UK Kennel Club as they meet the specified breed standard. The Cardigan Welsh corgis are longer than the Pembroke Welsh corgi.

After reading these Corgi dog facts, check out hokkaido dog facts and dorkie facts. 
 

What type of animal is a corgi?

Corgis are a type of dog and have two breeds known as the Pembroke Welsh corgi and Cardigan Welsh corgi. They were bred as small herding dogs in the countryside of Wales as early as 1000 AD. They are often compared to the American Staffordshire terrier as loveable dogs.

What class of animal does a corgi belong to?

Corgis belong to the mammal class of animals as they give birth to offspring like other mammals. The Pembroke corgi ranks at number 13 as the most popular breed with the American Kennel Club, and the Cardigan corgi ranks 68. The word 'cor' means dwarf and 'gi' means dog.

How many corgis are there in the world?

The exact numbers of the corgis in the world would be difficult to get. In 2015 there was a 34% increase in the number of Pembroke corgi’s registration in the UK. By 2016 the Pembroke corgis were removed from the Vulnerable Native Breeds list. Cardigan corgis are not as popular as their cousins from Pembroke. Even in the United States, the number of Pembroke corgis is higher than Cardigan corgis. The popularity of the corgis is increasing with the advent of social media. Therefore the numbers will also improve.

Where does a corgi live?

Corgis can live in an apartment with a family or in a house with a yard in the rural regions too. Pembroke Welsh corgi breed are active, playful dogs that will be a great addition to the family. This dog breed can also curl up on your lap and laze around if they feel like it. They can live with people comfortably and are social towards strangers if trained well.

What is a corgi's habitat?

Both the corgis were herding dogs who eventually became family pets. These little dogs are active, outdoor-loving species who love their playtime. This dog breed loves to impress their owner with new tricks and games. Their habitat can be an urban setup or a small house with a yard. These dogs are known to adjust well to their surroundings if these little dogs are trained well.

Who do corgis live with?

Corgi, also known as a dwarf dog, can live with large or small families. This dog breed can also share their space with other animals. Due to their herding instinct, they may nip at the heels of small children. This dog breed also can bark or become a bit pushy if left alone for a long period or if they are bored. Care must be taken so that they are always occupied and entertained.

How long does a corgi live?

Pembroke Welsh corgi and Cardigan Welsh corgi have the same life span with an average of 12 years. With an appropriate diet and regular exercising the corgis will have a long and healthy life. Because this breed are regarded as very small-sized dogs, care must be taken to feed them enough as these dogs have a tendency to overeat and can get obese.

How do they reproduce?

The reproduction for Welsh corgis is easier in comparison to other smaller breeds. There is not much in-breeding in this breed so far. Both dogs must be of the right age and size to start the mating process. The female dog must be going through her heat cycle. The dog will mount the female dog from behind, and the entire mating session will take 20 to 25 minutes. The gestation for the pregnancy could be around 50 to 65 days and six to eight corgi pups are born. There is an increasing number of C-sections being carried out for the Welsh corgi as they have a large head compared to their bodies. For both the Welsh corgi breeds, this is a bit risky during natural birth. Pembroke Welsh corgis have a higher number of C - sections because of the bobtail, primary uterine inertia, and the presence of dead puppies in the litter. It is always a good idea to consult a professional breeder or vet in such a situation.  

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of both the corgis is that of the Least Concern as they are domestic animals. Pembroke Welsh corgis are more popular than the Cardigan Welsh corgi; therefore, their number is higher. But this dog breed is gaining popularity, and the number of pet registration has been steady.

What do corgis look like?

Corgis are small compact dogs that are famous for their dwarf stature. Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh corgis have a small body with a large head and short thick legs. This dog breed has upright ears, and the Cardigan Welsh corgis’ are a little larger and more rounded than the Pembroke ones. Cardigan Welsh corgis have a more foxlike tail which is longer in comparison to the Pembroke corgi tail. The Pembroke Welsh corgi tail is docked close to its body. The Cardigan corgis are heavier than the Pembroke corgis. The Cardigan comes in a variety of coat colors like brindle, white with brindle or tan points, sable or red with white markings, black and tan. The Pembroke comes in limited coat colors of sable, red, and tricolor with white marking. They both are slightly different in bone structures too.

How cute are they?

Both of the corgi breeds are extremely cute and loving. Because of their size and structure, they look unique and endearing. These dogs are active, loyal, and attractive companions. Their butt shape is also the talk of social media these days, as it is curvy and smooth. Funnily enough, this butt shape is one of the things they are most known for nowadays.

How do they communicate?

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a vocal dog that is known to bark at anything and anyone. As a herding dog, they also act as a watchdog, and they would bark if they saw anything unusual. If you are residing in an apartment where loud noises are not tolerated, it may be a bad idea to get them as pets. In comparison to the Pembroke corgi, the Cardigan Welsh corgi may bark less, but it is still a noisy creature. It will bark at any sign of danger or intrusion. This dog breed may show their dislike for a stranger by barking at them.

How big is a corgi?

Corgis are known for their small size and big personality. They come under the category of dwarf dogs. They are small dogs who are active, playful, and easily attainable due to their high intelligence and the will to please their owners. They grow to a size of 11-13 in (27-33 cm) only. This dog breed may be a little larger than a dachshund and a beagle.

How fast can a corgi run?

The corgi is known for its agility as they were used for herding, show racing, and as watchdogs. They can go up to a speed of 25 mph (40 kmph). Do not get fooled by their small size and short, stout legs.

How much does a corgi weigh?

Cardigan Welsh corgis weigh around 28-30 lb (12.7-13.6 kg). The Pembroke Welsh corgi weighs around 30 lb (13.6 kg). They have the tendency to gain weight due to unchecked eating habits and their small size. Therefore owners must be careful to not overfeed them.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male corgis are called dogs, and female corgis are called bitches like all other dogs.

What would you call a baby corgi?

A baby corgi is called a puppy, like all other baby dogs.

What do they eat?

Welsh corgis require healthy, wholesome food as they are active animals. It would be a good idea to serve them two meals a day that are measured with lots of water. However, the corgi’s diets should be managed regularly as they have a tendency to put on weight. Since it's a small dog, owners may misjudge how much they can eat. Healthy dry or wet food with a fat-free non-vegetarian protein source and one or two veggies are the best food you can give.

Are they slobbery?

Corgis are not known to be a slob. They do not drool that often until they smell food, and unless the slobber is caused by an underlying health issue or dental and oral hygiene.

Would they make a good pet?

Corgis were bred as herding and work dogs. They are also attached to their family and love to have humans around. They are social, active, agile, and loyal companions to their owners. They are known to spend their time outside as watchdogs and herders. Having proper knowledge of dog health is very important as these dogs can suffer from various health conditions such as degenerative myelopathy.

Did you know...

There is a Welsh legend that says that the fairies and elves used to ride the Welsh corgi. They were known as enchanted dogs. Queen Elizabeth II is the most famous owner of the Pembroke Welsh corgi and has always had the same breed as a pet since her father, King George VI, introduced them to her.

They may suffer from health conditions like cancer, back problem, ear infection, and eye disease in their old age. They have an extremely exuberant and outgoing personality. If that energy is not utilized with regular playtime and exercise, they may become cranky and aggressive. They love to play structured dog sport games and learn tricks which makes them great show dogs.

Welsh corgis require a lot of grooming and maintenance. As they shed a lot, weekly brushing and regular baths are a must. Their ears are to be checked regularly, oral and dental hygiene must be maintained with regular visits to the vet.

The welsh Corgi is excellent with children and babies too.

History of the corgi

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is the royal dog of Queen Elizabeth. The queen has bred ten generations of Pembroke Welsh corgis. In 1933, Princess Elizabeth visited Thomas Thynne, the fifth Marquess of Bath, and met their pet corgi, after which she and her sister made it clear that they wanted a corgi too. Their father, Prince Albert, Duke of York, purchased a purebred Pembroke corgi rozavel golden eagle from the Rozavel kennels in Surrey. They named it Dookie. After this, the princess received her own corgi for her 18th birthday, which she named Susan. Queen Elizabeth II has had more than 30 dogs which were either purebred Pembroke Welsh corgi or a crossbreed corgi dachshund known as dorgi.

The two Welsh corgis are recognized as two separate breeds due to their origin. The Cardigan Welsh corgi has been known to have Nordic influence from the early Nordic settlers. The Swedish Vallhund shares many similarities with the Cardigan Welsh corgi. At the same time, some say that the Pembroke Welsh corgi may have Flemish origins. The Flemish weavers of the 10th century may have brought the breed to Wales with them.

Getting your own corgi

The cost of a Pembroke Welsh corgi could be 1,000 to 2,200 USD. The Cardigan Welsh corgi will also cost the same. Due to its royal connection and being an excellent show dog, it is an expensive breed. They are very good family dogs who are loyal, affectionate, and active additions to the family.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including beagle lab mix, or cheagle.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our corgi coloring pages.