Welsh Corgi is one of the most ancient breeds, it appeared more than 3000 years ago. Its representatives have long and firmly taken place in the royal palace of Great Britain and in the heart of Queen Elizabeth. Corgi are becoming increasingly popular among dog lovers, and this is not surprising. Cute, intelligent animals conquer at first sight.
Legends
The breed leads its origin from the mysterious Wales. The history of the appearance of the corgi is shrouded in many legends and secrets.
According to one of them, children grazing cattle found puppies in the forest and, taking them for foxes, brought them home. Parents said that babies are a gift to fairies. The dogs grew up and became helpers of people, thereby determining the future of the breed.
According to another legend, 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 corgi kids were fairies as sledders, they were harnessed in teams, carrying 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 the variety
The name "corgi" has several meanings:
- guard dog;
- dog dwarf.
It is quite problematic to say precisely about the origin of 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.
I must say that in 1934 the breed was officially divided into two subspecies, differing in some features:
- pembroke;
- cardigan.
The homeland of Pembrokes is Pembrokeshire, and the cardigans are the neighboring Cardiganshire.
The appearance of corgi has several assumptions. Some scholars attribute these achievements to the Flemish artisans, who were invited by King Henry to develop trade.
Brought-up spitz-like dogs interbred with local breeds, and as a result corgi appeared.
According to other sources, their origin is associated with the appearance of Celts in the British Isles.
The dogs brought by them were outwardly similar to the welsh corgi and were also considered shepherd dogs. The ancestors of the breed on this line consider:
- shipperke;
- Walchunds;
- keeshondas;
- lundehundov.
The first mention of the existence of small shepherd dogs is found in the legal documents of the X century.
Until 1850, the Corgi were the only domesticated dogs in Wales. They were used for grazing cows and mountain ponies, driving livestock to stalls. Dogs have bitten animals for limbs, thereby directing them in the right direction. Extreme agility and quickness helped them to avoid hooves and horns with ease.
Corgi independently thought through tactics of actions and applied it in accordance with the situation.
Endurance, diligence and discipline made them indispensable assistants to the shepherds.
Despite their attractiveness and characteristics, the dogs were not very famous in a wide range.
For the first time they performed at an exhibition in 1892, but as one breed. Corgi charmed all those present.
Since then, the breed began its rapid development and quickly spread to different countries. The Corgi Fans Club was created. But 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, the representatives of the breed have become favorites of the royal family and the whole nation.
Character
In England, especially in the mountainous regions, welsh corgi and later are used as shepherd dogs. But increasingly they become just pets.
Welsh Corgi are wonderful companions, distinguished by loyalty, restraint and courtesy.
They are confident in themselves, with excellent intelligence and ingenuity, but at the same time they love active games and are not averse to having fun. Dogs are distinguished by great vitality, vigor and goodwill. They are very loyal, this feature applies to both the owner and the whole family.
By strangers and other animals, including cats, are treated without aggression, easily get along with them under the same roof.
With children, the Corgi get along well, take care of them, protect and become faithful companions in games.
All households are treated equally benevolently, but with those who do not particularly like it, they keep their distance.
Because of their lively nature and excessive vigor, they adore games and often require their continuation. The dog feels good mood of the owner and knows when it is possible 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 to be a single breed.
Despite common ancestors and similar characteristics, these two species have numerous differences.
- Cardigan is more massive and weight. The back of the torso narrowed. Pembroke is lighter and smaller.
- The extremities of the cardigan are slightly turned outwards, with his fellow they are straight, parallel.
- The body shape of a pembroke is more elegant and proportionate, the cardigan also has a more developed and heavy front part, and the back one is lighter, with less developed hips than the pembroke.
- The cardigan's gait is discontinuous with strong shocks, the pembroke runs more smoothly and easily.
- The cardigan has a long and straight fluffy tail, a pembroke has a short tail. He lays the tail behind his back, or he twists a little ring.
- The cardigan six is somewhat shorter than that of the Pembroke.
The history of the Welsh Corgi breed can be found in the video below.
