Celebrating The Welsh Corgi

Did you know that today, March 1, is National Welsh Corgi Day? Fun, lovable, and affectionate, the Corgi is a small dog with a big heart, and is an absolutely wonderful pet! Read on as a local vet discusses these lovable, fluffy pups.

Basics

As the name suggests, Fido is originally from Wales. In fact, his name is taken from the words Cor, which means dwarf, and Ci, which means dog. Like many other herding breeds, Corgis are extremely smart. They’re also loyal, lovable, and playful, and have a special way of melting the hearts of pretty much everyone they meet. Did we mention that they’re also absolutely adorable?

Double Vision

There are two strains of Welsh Corgis: Cardigan and Pembroke. Both pups were named for the specific Welsh counties their lines originated in. They are quite similar in appearance and personality, but the Cardigan has a slightly longer body and a bigger head. There are some other differences between them as well. For instance, eye problems are much more prevalent in the Pembroke pups. The Pembroke is also the more popular of the two, likely because of the visibility and celebrity status they achieved as beloved pets of England’s Queen Elizabeth II.

Royal Dogs

As mentioned above, Corgis are known for being the favored dogs of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. This love story started back in the 1930’s, when Elizabeth II’s father, Prince Albert, purchased a dog named Rozavel Golden Eagle, or Dookie for short. In true Corgi fashion, the pooch immediately charmed the socks off the royal family. Elizabeth, a princess at the time, soon got her own Pembroke Corgi, Susan. Susan and her descendants soon became beloved fixtures in the royal household. (Fun fact: Susan was in the royal carriage with the Queen at her marriage to Prince Phillip, hidden under some rugs.) Between 1933 and 2018, the Queen always had at least one Corgi. However, the monarch stopped breeding them in 2015, so as not to leave any bereaved pups behind when she passed.

Celebrepups

The Queen may be the Corgi’s most widely-known fan, but she isn’t the only famous Corgi lover. Other celebrities that have chosen these sweet, charming pooches include Steven King, Brad Pitt, Keifer Sutherland, and the recently-deceased (and much beloved) Betty White.

Corgis Onscreen

Corgis have featured in several books, plays, and movies. Fido had a starring role in The Queen’s Corgi. He’s also appeared in Little Dog Lost and, more recently, Cowboy Bebop and the animated series Infinity Train. Any of these would make great watching for

Fido’s special day!

Do you have questions about Corgi care? Contact us, your animal clinic, anytime!