Corgi Facts
Corgis were bred to be herding dogs, 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 inpracticle. 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.
Differences
Cardigan
ideal height 10.5-12.5in
30-38lbs (male)
25-34lbs (female)
Body longer, heavy bone structure
Foxlike tail
more placid
Pembroke
ideal height 10-12in
<30lbs (male)
<25lbs (female)
Shorter body than Cardigan
tail docked as short as possible
bolder temperament