The Corgi was originally bred in Wales as a herding dog. Corgi translates into “dwarf dog” in the Welsh language. There were actually two different dog types that were identified as Corgis, which were in different locations in Wales at that time. There are now two distinct breeds known as Corgis that look similar, but are unrelated and have no common ancestors.
There is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They are similar in body structure, both having short legs – thus the idea of being dwarves. The biggest difference is the tail – Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a long tail while Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a naturally docked tail lying close to the body. Most people in the USA are familiar with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi which has a short tail. Therefore, when they see a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, they presume it a crossbred dog instead of a purebred.
Corgis are quiet, reserved dogs which makes them a great choice in an urban area. They are smart and easy to train. They are lovable, love to play, and extremely loyal. They have been a favorite breed of British royalty for a number of years (Queen Elizabeth II). Corgis seem to know when their owners are having a bad day and are masters at getting your attention and making you smile once more.
People could learn something from this breed!
