Welsh Corgi is one of the most ancient breeds; it appeared more than 3000 years ago. Its representatives have long and firmly taken their place in the royal palace of Great Britain and in the heart of Queen Elizabeth. Corgi is gaining popularity among dog lovers, and this is not surprising. Cute, smart animals conquer at first sight.
Legends
The breed originates from the mysterious Wales. The history of the Corgi is shrouded in many legends and secrets.
According to one of them, the children herding cattle found puppies in the forest and, taking them for a fox, brought them home. Parents said that babies are a gift of fairies. Dogs grew up and became helpers of people, thereby determining the future of the breed.
According to another tradition, the little shepherds who got lost in the forest, the fairy gave a puppy. He helped them find their way and stayed with them.
Legends say that the little Corgi were fairies as sleds, they were harnessed to teams, transporting various items.
As if to confirm these beautiful fairy tales, on the back of the corgi there is a mark in the form of a saddle, which is expressed by a darker shade of wool.
Origin of variety
The name “Corgi” has several meanings:
- guard dog;
- dwarf dog.
It’s quite problematic to say exactly about the origin of the Welsh Corgi, but, as the name implies, the breed appeared in Wales and was initially positioned as a shepherd. These miniature shepherds with amazing agility coped with their work.
It must be said that in 1934 the breed was officially divided into two subspecies that differ in some features:
- pembroke;
- cardigan.
The homeland of the Pembrokes is the county of Pembrokeshire, and the cardigans are the neighboring county of Cardiganshire.
The appearance of the corgi has several assumptions.Some scholars attribute this merit to the Flemish artisans who were invited by King Henry to develop trade.
The brought Spitz-like dogs crossed with local breeds, and as a result Corgi appeared.
According to other sources, their origin is associated with the appearance of the Celts in the British Isles.
The dogs they brought looked like Welsh Corgi and were also considered shepherd dogs. The ancestors of the breed along this line are:
- schipperke;
- Walhund;
- Keeskhond;
- lundehund.
The first mention of the existence of small shepherd dogs is found in legislative documents of the X century.
Until 1850, Corgi were the only domesticated dogs in Wales. They were used for grazing cows and mountain ponies, and driving cattle into stalls. Dogs bit the animals by the limbs, thereby directing them in the right direction. Extreme agility and quickness helped them to easily avoid the blows of hooves and horns.
Corgis independently thought out the tactics of action and applied it in accordance with the situation.
Endurance, diligence and discipline made them indispensable helpers of the shepherds.
Despite their attractiveness and features, dogs were not very famous in a wide circle.
They first appeared at the exhibition in 1892, but as one breed. Corgi charmed everyone present.
Since then, the breed began its rapid development and quickly spread to different countries. The Corgi Club was created. But the animals gained their greatest popularity after the Duke of York presented Corgi puppies as a gift to his daughters Margaret Rose and Elizabeth, the upcoming Queen of Great Britain.
Since that time, representatives of the breed have become favorites of the royal family and the whole people.
Character
In England, especially in mountainous areas, Welsh Corgi and later on are used as shepherd dogs. But increasingly, they become just pets.
Welsh Corgi are wonderful companions, distinguished by fidelity, restraint and courtesy.
They are confident in themselves, with excellent intelligence and quick wits, but at the same time they love active games and are not averse to having fun at all. Dogs are distinguished by great cheerfulness, energy and goodwill. They are very loyal, this trait applies to both the owner and the whole family.
To strangers and other animals, including cats, are treated without aggression, they easily get along with them under one roof.
Welsh Corgi get along well with children, take care of them, protect them and become faithful companions in games.
He treats all household members equally well, and with those who do not particularly like him, they keep their distance.
Because of their lively nature and excessive energy, they love games and often require their continuation. The dog feels the owner’s mood well and knows when to caress, and when it is better not to approach.
Pembroke and Cardigan
The formation of the Pembroke and Cardigan as independent breeds of the Welsh Corgi line occurred in 1934, until that time they were considered a single breed.
Despite common ancestors and similar characteristics, these two varieties have numerous differences.
- Cardigan is more massive and weight. The back of the body is narrowed. Pembroke is lighter and smaller.
- The extremities of the cardigan are slightly turned outward; at its fellow they are straight, located in parallel.
- The Pembroke's physique is more elegant and proportionate, while the cardigan has a more developed and heavier front, and the back is lighter, with less developed hips than the Pembroke.
- Cardigan gait intermittent with strong shocks, Pembroke runs more smoothly and easily.
- Cardigan has a long and straight fluffy tail, pembroke - short-tailed. He lays a tail behind his back, or he curls in a ringlet.
- A cardigan has six slightly shorter than a pembroke.
You can learn about the history of the Welsh Corgi breed from the video below.
