ON OUR PREVIOUS VISIT TO GREEN SPRING GARDENS, A NICE SURPRISE…

 

when we came across a sweet pup.  Her owners stopped for us to pass and immediately we could see they were very proud of their little pooch.  The lady asked us if we would like to pet her as she recognized ‘dog people’. We stopped a few minutes to chat, but sweet corgi was more interested in a squirrel.  She didn't move or tug at her leash, she was happy to stare at the other furry creature foraging in the grass 50 feet away.  Definitely focused!

I didn't need much of an excuse to go on a search for information about corgis.

According to this website, there are two types of Welsh Corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. They are considered two entirely different breeds because they come from different ancestors. Their remarkable resemblance is a result of crossbreeding in the 19th century. 

If you’re trying to tell the two breeds apart, the most notable difference is that the Pembroke Corgis have their tails docked (a procedure that is banned in several countries).  Cardigan Welsh Corgis also have rounded ears, while Pembrokes generally have pointy ears.  I am assuming our little friend is a Pembroke Corgi.

A warrior tribe of Celts brought the Corgis in their aboriginal form to Cardiganshire, Wales, around 1200 BCE, which means the dogs have been in Wales for over 3000 years. 

Although no one knows for sure, most agree that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dates back to 1107 CE when Flemish weavers migrated to Wales. 

The Welsh used the short dogs as herders as early as the 10th century. In those days, pastures were considered common land, so there were no fences. To keep a farmer’s cattle together - yet separated from other herds - Corgis would nip at their legs to herd them. Because of their closeness to the ground, the dogs had easy access to the cows’ ankles and were difficult targets of the cattles' retaliatory kicks of cattle. 

Cardigans were found in the rough, rocky terrain of Cardiganshire in southwest Wales. Pembrokes were found in the flatter, easier terrain of Pembrokeshire in southern Wales.

Queen Elizabeth II's famous corgis were in fact the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

There is more information at this link.

If you look closer, the differences are many. Cardigans have a long, foxlike tail whereas Pembrokes have their tail docked close to their body. Cardigans are slightly larger with heavier bone. Male Cardigans weigh up to 38 pounds while Pembrokes only weigh up to 30 pounds. The basic structure of the two breeds is also different. Pembrokes have oval bone and a squared-off rear end giving them a more linear and rectangular feel. On the other hand, Cardigans feel curvier due to round bone and a sloping rear.

The acceptable coat colors are more varied for the Cardigan. They come in brindle, black and white with brindle or tan points, red and sable with white markings, and blue merle. The only coat colors for the Pembroke are red, sable, and tricolor with white markings. Cardigans are also less restricted in their white markings than the Pembroke.

While corgis have two different types, they both evolved from the Swedish Vallhund. Also called Västgötaspets, this herding breed has an insulated double coat and a short, stocky physique similar to corgis.

Other links here and here if you want more information.

There is a wealth of knowledge to be found at many websites that pop up when you do a search.  I am always grateful to the ones I find that appease my curiosity.

Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of your week.