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Herding breeds: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Origin
Although younger than the Cardigan, this breed is by no means new. Its origins can be traced back to 1107 B.C. When Flemish weavers came to Wales, they brought with them the progenitor of this breed. It comes from the same family as the Keeshond, Pomeranian, and Samoyed.
The Pembroke is smaller, shorter, and its bones are lighter than the Cardigan. A Cardigan has rounded ears, while the Pembroke has pointy ears. The most obvious trait that they differ in is the tail. A pembroke has a very short one, while the Cardigan has a full tail. These two breeds were crossed at different times through their histories, and this is the reason for their similarities.
General description
Height: 10-12 inches
Weight: 28-30 pounds
Color: The outer coat is red, sable, fawn, black and tan, with or without white markings. White is acceptable on legs, chest, neck (either in part or as a collar), muzzle, underparts and as a narrow blaze on head. Bluish-colored portions of the coat have a distinct bluish or smoky cast. This coloring is associated with extremely light or blue eyes, liver or gray eye rims, nose and lip pigment.
Grooming requirements
Regular weekly brushing, bathing, ear cleaning, nail clipping. The Cardigan's coat is medium in length, thick, and dense. The coat is known to shed a lot. You will need a metal comb and a slicker brush to properly groom this breed. Problem areas for this breed include the hind quarters and bib areas. The shedding this little dynamo does can be cut substantially by regular grooming and conditioning after bathing.
Health considerations
Pembrokes are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease or heart disease.
Breed characteristics and personality
The typical Pembroke is happy, obedient, friendly, confident, and great fun to live with. However, this breed is bright and bossy -- if you aren't in charge, they will happily assume the role, and a problem is much harder to correct than prevent. With early obedience training and socialization, Pembrokes are easily trained as long as training is done with gentle handling and without severe physical correction. They are sensitive and intelligent dogs. They are healthy and long-lived dogs and are excellent companions for either rural or urban families.
The Pembroke also has a high to very high activity level and requires daily exercise. If exercised regularly, this breed makes a suitable apartment dog.
Uses
Today Pembrokes are seen in many areas of dog activities. Many of their competitions are sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. They are worked in obedience, herding, and tracking. Agility training and competition are fairly new in this country and Pembrokes and owners are enjoying the challenge. They are still used as working cattle dogs and are loyal family companions.
Web links
AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgi page
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America
Welsh Corgi League
Palmetto Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club Inc.
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