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Known as a cattle herding dog breed, the Corgi hails from Pembrokeshire, Wales. You get 2 breeds – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Welsh Corgi.
The word ‘Korgi’ actually means ‘dwarf dog’. According to some, the small dog’s history goes back as far as 1107AD, but when you start doing research, you find that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi doesn’t have a traceable breed history.
The Pembrokeshire Corgi was officially recognized by the Kennel Club in the United Kingdom in 1934 and is a breed separate from the Cardiganshire Corgi.
The Corgi is a small to medium sized dog, standing at 25 to 30cm and weighs between 10 to 14kg.
The coat of the Corgi is fairly short to medium length and is thick. You’ll find him to be available in colors such as red, fawn, black and tan and with white markings.
He has a sharp, intelligent face with an amicable expression. Looking much like a fox with short legs, he has a long, low-set body body and is a sturdy dog. His ears also stand erect and he has a docked tail.
The sweet little Corgi is well known with his association with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth who has always loved these dogs with their long bodies and short legs. But while the Corgi may well be associated with royalty, he isn’t too snooty by any means to be your pet.
He has got a wonderful personality, and he is just waiting to be allowed into your household where he will prove to be a loving, devoted companion and friend.
A corgi, when he is well looked after, can live to be anything from 12 to 15 years of age. However even this sturdy dog may well be susceptible to some of the more common dog illnesses, such as hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy.
Also you have to be careful with your Corgi and make sure that he doesn’t gain weight as this weight gain can bring with it a host of health complications.
Hip dysplasia with your Corgi is about an abnormal joint structure where the bones lose contact with each other. This parting of the bones is known as subluxation, and it is this subluxation that can cause your pet pain and discomfort and lead to osteoarthritis.
This disease isn’t reserved for old dogs either, and some young dogs can begin to show signs of this disease before they reach their first birthday. Without taking your dog to the vet and having medical intervention, your pet may eventually be unable to walk.
It is so sad when Degenerative Myelopathy invades your pet as it is a devastating disease watching your pet become paralyzed. The disease seems to come on when then dog is between 8 and 14 years of age where your pet loses co-ordination in the hind limbs, getting worse until he can no longer walk. Often your dog can no longer control his urine output.
There are no real treatments that have stopped the progression of the disease and your vet may suggest treatments that can make your pet more comfortable You vet may compassionately suggest your dog be put down, particularly for those people who can’t afford treatment.
The Corgi isn’t a particularly heavy shedder, so a brush down twice a week will be excellent for his thick coat. And of coarse he will thrive on the attention given to him during the brushing session.
Corgis love walks and sniffing around as they go along. They’re energetic dogs so you’ll need to include him in your daily walks which he just loves, and include him in some ball games.
Corgis may be short in stature but they are robust dogs – sturdily built. They are active dogs and can use up a lot of calories. They will certainly require a diet that features good quality protein.
Feed your Corgi a good quality food designed for special life stages – puppy, adult, pregnant female, senior dog and also dogs with illnesses.
Most Corgis do well having 2 meals of kibble a day. Puppies usually eat 4 meals a day until they are old enough to move onto an adult feeding schedule. Include cooked rice, meat and vegetables in his diet as well as raw meat from time to time and ensure there is always a bowl of clean, cool water available.