While cardigan and pembroke welsh corgis are actually separate breeds from different origins, both carry the name 'corgi' and corgi lovers enjoy them both equally. The pembroke is far more well known and is therefore the one more commonly thought of when the term 'corgi' is thrown about, but the cardigan has it's own special following, too.
The corgi was bred to be a herding dog, back in the agricultural areas of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire in Wales. There, farms were situated on rocky hills, with less than fertile soil and rough weather. A tough breed of cattle was developed to cope with these harsh conditions, and the terrain made fencing them in inpractical, if not impossible. The cattle were uncivil animals, and had a propensity for kicking larger dogs that attempted to herd them. A shorter, tough dog was needed to handle the job, and so corgis came to be, theorized to be related to dachshund, Scandinavian spitz breeds including the vallhund.
The name Corgi meant "Dwarf Dog" in Welsh, no doubt a reflection of the short stature the breeds are known for. Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire developed their own versions of the breed, and so today we have both Cardigan Welsh Corgis and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, although until 1934 they were considered a single breed when the Kennel Club of Britain granted them separate breed status. To this day, the argument persists that the two breeds came from entirely different origins, but that is impossible to know for sure.
Perhaps the best reason for the popularity of corgis is their beloved status with the British Royal Family. King George VI's "Dookie" was the first of a long line of Corgis that still grace the halls of Buckingham Palace.
The average corgi lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
- Cardigan Welsh Corgis are generally a bit larger than the Pembrokes, with a longer body and heavy bone structure.
- Cardigan Welsh Corgis have foxlike tails, while Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their tail docked as short as possible.
- Pembroke Welsh Corgis are often the bolder of the two breeds, Cardigans more placid.
A corgi walks into a bar and asks for a drink.
Bartender tells the corgi, “Sure, it’ll be $2.”
Corgi says “I’m sorry, I can’t pay that.”
Bartender asks “What kind of corgi can’t even pay for his own drink?”
The corgi replies “PemBROKE”