pembrokes
What's in a name?
The name “corgi” is derived from the Welsh cor (dwarf) or cur (denoting a type of working dog) and ci (dog). “Corgi” refers not to a breed but a group of breeds like Hounds or Terriers. Cross breeding the Pembroke and Cardigan does NOT make a “purebred corgi” any more than breeding a dachshund and a greyhound make a “purebred hound”. We support ethical preservation breeder of purpose bred breeds.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Mixed Breed
About "Genetic Testing"
There is alot of confusion about “Genetic testing” that most breeders are doing. If you don’t understand or haven’t done your research PLEASE do so. Everyone needs to make their own opinion about this testing as everyone has different opinions. It should not be referred to as “all panel testing”. If you’re asking about testing then list specifically what you want to know. Just because someone tells you parents are health tested does NOT mean they are in the clear, have them be more specific with you. Many people are using the term “parents are tested” but they don’t give any results and some people are mislead by that statement.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord. It begins around age 10 with weak muscles in the rear legs and progressively gets worse until the dog is paralyzed. Affected dogs inherit the gene for the disease from BOTH parents. Not all dogs who carry two copies of the gene actually develop the disease. Carriers are dogs with only one copy of the gene and can NOT develop the disease. Symptoms begin late in life around 10 years of age with an unsteady wobbly gait. As the disease progresses the rear legs become weak and eventually the dog is unable to walk. Responsible breeders test their adults and do not make matings which might result in puppies who could develop the disease. We test all our dogs for DM and plan matings so puppies do not develop DM.
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis. EIC presents as exercise intolerance in apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs are usually diagnosed before two years of age and appear normal during low to moderately strenuous activity.
Von Willebrand's Disease VWD1
Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD1) is a blood clotting disorder found in multiple breeds of dogs. It may cause prolonged bleeding after an injury and bruising. There are multiple mutations that cause the disease in dogs. Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be affected by the type 1 mutation which is the mildest form and they MUST inherit the gene for the disease from BOTH parents to be affected. Carriers are dogs with only one copy of the gene and can NOT develop the disease. Symptoms include abnormal bleeding, bleeding gums, blood in feces or urine, nosebleeds and easy bruising. Responsible breeders test their adults and do not make matings which might result in puppies who could develop the disease. We test all of our dogs for vWD1 and plan matings so puppies do not develop vWD1.
Breeding History
Historical records tell us that ‘corgi’ is derived from the Welsh cor (dwarf) or cur (denoting a type of working dog) and ci (dog). It refers not to a breed but a group of breeds like Hounds or Terriers.
Historians theorize that ancestors of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are recorded as early as the 10th Century. They are thought to descend from members of the Spitz family, likely brought to Wales when Flemish weavers settled in the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire in the 12th century. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi was developed separately in Cardiganshire and descends from the Teckel (hound) family.
Why is this important? Because crossbreeding the PWC and CWC does not mean you have a ‘purebred corgi’. That’s akin to breeding a dachshund to a greyhound and calling the result a ‘purebred hound’. The PWC and the CWC have different inherited diseases and interbreeding them does not create ‘hybrid vigor’, but instead introduces potential to inherit diseases from both breeds.
The “American Corgi” or “Blue Merle Pembroke” is a scam to sell crossbred dogs as purebreds. These dogs are non-registerable with reputable kennel clubs such as the Canadian Kennel Club and American Kennel Club (amongst others). People that are producing these mixed breeds are not testing for potential issues in both parents, nor are they considering the differences in structure that may lead to a predisposition to injuries. If a colour gene from a Cardi is present, what other diseases have also been inherited?
If you love the “corgi”, do your research and support an ethical preservation breeder who truly cares about the future of our breed!