The Permbroke Welsh Corgi or Pembroke for short, may be best recognized for being photographed by Queen Elizabeth’s side. Queen Elizabeth had Pembroke Welsh Corgis as pets her entire life. These intelligent dogs are full of personality, making them popular companion pets.
Pembrokes were bred for herding cattle. Their short legs and long bodies help them weave through the herd, nipping at the heels.
Although very similar in looks, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a separate breed from the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is slightly smaller in stature and has a more foxlike head. Pembrokes are also the most outgoing of the two breeds and warm up to new people quicker.
Caring for Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembrokes are herding dogs and do best when they have job, making them ideal dogs for agility training and obedience classes. If you don’t plan to use your Pembroke in sporting activities, make sure you have plenty of interactive toys to keep their minds busy. They also make excellent watch dogs, alerting the family to any strange noises or unusual activity. Daily exercise will keep them out of trouble and help prevent obesity.
Pembrokes have a dense, medium length double coat that requires occasional brushing, but does not need to be shaved, even in the hotter months.
Common Health Issues in Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Pembrokes tend to be healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. There are a few hereditary conditions that may be passed down including hip dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Degenerative Myelopathy.
Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t develop properly. The hip socket is too shallow and/or the ball of the femur is flattened so the hip joint doesn’t stay in place.
Hip dysplasia occurs in puppies as the bones are developing. Depending on the severity, limping and joint pain may be noticeable right away. In other cases, the body can compensate for years and pain and lameness are not present until arthritis develops from chronic instability and inflammation.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – Degenerative myelopathy is a neurologic condition that most commonly affects the hind legs. It is a slowly progressing disease, causing hind limb weakness that may eventually cause complete hind limb paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. DM is caused by a genetic mutation and DNA tests are available. Since most dogs don’t develop DM until after five years of age, it is important that proper screening tests are done prior to breeding.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – The retina is located in the back of the eye and contains photoreceptors that transmit images to the brain. With Progressive Retinal Atrophy, these photoreceptors stop transmitting over time. The loss of vision is gradual over months to years, but most dogs with PRA will eventually be completely blind.
Nutrition for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Although there are no specific nutritional requirements for the Pembrokes they tend to become overweight easily, which can lead to health problems. Monitor your Pembroke’s food intake carefully and limit treats to no more than 10% of their diet.
Pet Health Insurance for Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi
If you are looking for pet health insurance for your Pembroke you should ensure that many health issues that are commonly seen in Pembroke Welsh Corgis are covered. You will also want to find insurance with short waiting times for treatment and surgery. If you prolong these procedures, your dog could have permanent health issues.
Many times, certain health conditions are considered genetic or are a pre-existing condition and they may not be covered for your Pembroke Welsh.
You could also consider enrolling in Mint Wellness, a pet wellness plan that also includes membership in Pet Assure, a low-cost pet insurance alternative and veterinary discount plan. This plan has no exclusions due to age, breed, or hereditary conditions. Even pre-existing conditions are covered! Get a quote today. It's perfect a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Shepherd, DVM
