What is a Corgi?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Well, you know those little, short-legged dogs with perky ears and big smiles, not to mention the cute little wiggly bum.

Beyond that, though, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, their full name, are herding dogs that came from the Welsh countryside, in Wales. They were born and raised to help herd cattle and sheep. When herding cattle, their short stature kept them from being kicked in the head when the cattle became agitated with their persistent chasing and maybe barking.

What? They bark, yes, yes, they sometimes do. They are very brave and watchful dogs. They will be protective of their territory. If that means alerting you to the neighborhood dogs or squirrels, they bark. But they are very smart. So, that alert barking can be trained to not happen at every little thing. I know this from experience.

Their tails were historically docked for taxation purposes; a docked-tailed Corgi was considered a working dog and not taxed like a pet. That tradition of docking has stayed with the breed for the most part. Some corgis, i.e., Cardigan Welsh Corgis, don’t get their tail docked. They have that and other somewhat subtle differences from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. But not all corgis with a tail are Cardigans! Some are born with short or bob tails, and some breeders just don’t dock tails.

Another important feature of a corgi is their shedding. Oh yes, they do shed. However, if you brush them regularly and expect seasonal shedding that makes you think, "Something is wrong with my dog," it can be managed. A robot-type vacuum is always a good idea.

The most important trait you should be aware of is their personality. That is extraordinarily big. They are funny, sweet, silly, loving, and, uhh, demanding. They will be such a big part of your life that you will wonder how you ever lived without one. And don’t be surprised, just like potato chips, you may not be able to just have one.