About Corgis

PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

With his sturdy build, tidy coat and intelligent expression, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is quite an
attractive breed. While the Corgi's ears stand erect naturally, the tail must generally be docked
short, since few puppies are born tail-less. The essentials of the breed are as follows:

The head is foxy, with a fairly broad skull, which is flat between the ears and has a moderate "stop"
at eye level. The muzzle is tapered; the nose is black. The eyes are well set, hazel, or blending with
the coat color. The ears are pricked, rounded at the tip, and of medium size. While a scissors bite is
preferred, a level bite is acceptable.

The neck is fairly long, the forelegs are short and straight, and curve slightly inward around the
broad, deep chest. The body is of medium length, not short coupled, and the topline is level. The
hindquarters are moderately angulated, and straight when viewed from behind. The feet are oval.

The standard calls for a dog to be 10-12 inches at the shoulder and weighing 25-30 lbs. The coat
is dense and medium in length. There are several acceptable coat colors: various shades of red
with white markings on the feet, neck and chest, sable coloring (black hairs interspersed with red),
tri-coloring (black and tan with white markings), and black and tans.

There are some well-bred Corgis who have "very serious faults" according to the breed's A.K.C.
Standard of Perfection. Some of the faults are: ears that do not stand erect (as an adult); white
markings on the back between the withers and tail, on the sides between elbows and back of
hindquarters or on the feathering; an overshot or undershot bite; undescended testicles in a male;
oversized or undersized as outlined in the standard.

Conscientious breeders DO NOT allow these puppies to be registered with the A.K.C. until after
they are neutered. A CONTRACT TO THAT EFFECT SHOULD BE SIGNED BY BOTH THE
BREEDER AND PURCHASER. These dogs should not be bred.

HEALTH AND CARE

In general, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a hardy, healthy dog. He lives to a ripe old age; the
average lifespan is 12 to 13 years, although dogs 14 or 15 years of age are not uncommon.
Generally most health problems are related to breeding and whelping concerns.

Corgis require an average amount of exercise, and delight in simple games of ball chasing to
burn off excess energy, as well as daily walks if there's no fenced yard.

Grooming a Corgi is a simple task in that the coat requires a minimum of care. Brushing,
combing and an occasional bathing are all that is necessary. Basic nail trimming, ear and dental
care are also indicated. For the average Corgi, nail trimming is a task which they'd rather you
forgot. Although they do not enjoy having nails trimmed, a little bit of persuasion usually wins
out in the end. Trimming nails regularly from puppyhood is the best way to avoid disputes.

BREEDING YOUR CORGI

When purchasing a Corgi as a pet, concerned breeders will strongly suggest that it be neutered.
The health of your Corgi as a neutered animal is greatly enhanced. Bladder and prostate
problems and some of the more common cancers can be almost totally eliminated in the older
dog by simple neutering procedures done when they are young. For your Corgi's sake, all dogs
not actively used in a breeding program should be neutered.

If you have plans for purchasing a Corgi for showing and breeding you should be aware that
breeders recommend several involved and expensive tests be done prior to any breeding
considerations. The Corgi breed currently seems to be having problems with Cesarean sections
and uterine inertia that lead to increased costs of rearing a litter. This is in addition to the cost of
the dam's pre-breeding checkup by your vet, the stud service fee, possible airline shipping
charges and increased vitamins, protein and food for the momma-to-be.

Working with a competent and concerned breeder should give you added resources. You can
have their help in evaluating your Corgi physically and mentally. They can offer guidance as to
the selection of a suitable mate, reassure during the pregnancy, offer advice and may directly
help during the socialization of the puppies. Once the pups are at least 10 weeks old and have
received preliminary inoculations, they may be able to help you in finding suitable homes for
your puppies. There is a lot more to breeding that just putting a male and female together. The
Corgi puppy you love and cherish was not just evolved, it was the result of a lot of clear
thinking, hard work and expense.


	PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS PHYSICAL APPEARANCE With his sturdy build, tidy coat and intelligent expression, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is quite an attractive breed. While the Corgi's ears stand erect naturally, the tail must generally be docked short, since few puppies are born tail-less. The essentials of the breed are as follows: The head is foxy, with a fairly broad skull, which is flat between the ears and has a moderate "stop" at eye level. The muzzle is tapered; the nose is black. The eyes are well set, hazel, or blending with the coat color. The ears are pricked, rounded at the tip, and of medium size. While a scissors bite is preferred, a level bite is acceptable. The neck is fairly long, the forelegs are short and straight, and curve slightly inward around the broad, deep chest. The body is of medium length, not short coupled, and the topline is level. The hindquarters are moderately angulated, and straight when viewed from behind. The feet are oval. The standard calls for a dog to be 10-12 inches at the shoulder and weighing 25-30 lbs. The coat is dense and medium in length. There are several acceptable coat colors: various shades of red with white markings on the feet, neck and chest, sable coloring (black hairs interspersed with red), tri-coloring (black and tan with white markings), and black and tans. There are some well-bred Corgis who have "very serious faults" according to the breed's A.K.C. Standard of Perfection. Some of the faults are: ears that do not stand erect (as an adult); white markings on the back between the withers and tail, on the sides between elbows and back of hindquarters or on the feathering; an overshot or undershot bite; undescended testicles in a male; oversized or undersized as outlined in the standard. Conscientious breeders DO NOT allow these puppies to be registered with the A.K.C. until after they are neutered. A CONTRACT TO THAT EFFECT SHOULD BE SIGNED BY BOTH THE BREEDER AND PURCHASER. These dogs should not be bred. HEALTH AND CARE In general, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a hardy, healthy dog. He lives to a ripe old age; the average lifespan is 12 to 13 years, although dogs 14 or 15 years of age are not uncommon. Generally most health problems are related to breeding and whelping concerns. Corgis require an average amount of exercise, and delight in simple games of ball chasing to burn off excess energy, as well as daily walks if there's no fenced yard. Grooming a Corgi is a simple task in that the coat requires a minimum of care. Brushing, combing and an occasional bathing are all that is necessary. Basic nail trimming, ear and dental care are also indicated. For the average Corgi, nail trimming is a task which they'd rather you forgot. Although they do not enjoy having nails trimmed, a little bit of persuasion usually wins out in the end. Trimming nails regularly from puppyhood is the best way to avoid disputes. BREEDING YOUR CORGI When purchasing a Corgi as a pet, concerned breeders will strongly suggest that it be neutered. The health of your Corgi as a neutered animal is greatly enhanced. Bladder and prostate problems and some of the more common cancers can be almost totally eliminated in the older dog by simple neutering procedures done when they are young. For your Corgi's sake, all dogs not actively used in a breeding program should be neutered. If you have plans for purchasing a Corgi for showing and breeding you should be aware that breeders recommend several involved and expensive tests be done prior to any breeding considerations. The Corgi breed currently seems to be having problems with Cesarean sections and uterine inertia that lead to increased costs of rearing a litter. This is in addition to the cost of the dam's pre-breeding checkup by your vet, the stud service fee, possible airline shipping charges and increased vitamins, protein and food for the momma-to-be. Working with a competent and concerned breeder should give you added resources. You can have their help in evaluating your Corgi physically and mentally. They can offer guidance as to the selection of a suitable mate, reassure during the pregnancy, offer advice and may directly help during the socialization of the puppies. Once the pups are at least 10 weeks old and have received preliminary inoculations, they may be able to help you in finding suitable homes for your puppies. There is a lot more to breeding that just putting a male and female together. The Corgi puppy you love and cherish was not just evolved, it was the result of a lot of clear thinking, hard work and expense.