Meet The Corgi

Did you know that June 4th is International Corgi Day? These lovable little pups have definitely earned a special day of their own. Fido manages to pack a lot of dog into a little body! An Ellicott City, MD vet offers some information on Corgis below.

History

There are two types of Corgis. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is descended from the Spitz dog family, while the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is related to the Teckel family, which also produced the Dachshund. Fido’s history has been traced back as far as 1107. His ancestors—which may very well include the Swedish Vallhund—may have been brought to Wales by Flemish weavers, or possibly by Scandinavian raiders.

Folklore

Folk tales have a different take on Fido’s origins. One story states that two children were playing in the woods and came across a fairy funeral. The mourners presented the youngsters with two Corgi puppies. Other versions involve Corgis being warhorses for fairies!

Physiology

Corgis have quite a unique (and adorable) appearance: they almost look like chubby foxes on tiny legs. However, don’t let that innocent furry face fool you. These are herding dogs, and, like other pups in this group, are extremely intelligent. They were actually ranked as the 11th smartest breed in the book The Intelligence Of Dogs!

Herding Dogs

Corgis often herd animals by nipping at their heels. As one can imagine, seeing a Corgi herding cattle can be pretty impressive! Fido can herd all sorts of animals, including horses, goats, and even ducks. Like many herding dogs, he also may try to ‘corral’ his humans. Herding wasn’t the Corgi’s only duty, though. These lovable pups also acted as guard dogs, and even helped pull carts! (Needless to say, they also make wonderful pets.)

Personality

Corgis are super cute … and they definitely know it. Given the chance, Fido will have you completely wrapped around his cute paws before you can say ‘Fetch!’ Proper training is very important, not just for manners, but also for safety.

Physique

As you may have noticed, Corgis have long backs and little legs. Like the Dachshund, they can be prone to spine injuries. You’ll need to take extra care with Fido when holding or carrying him. Don’t let him jump on and off furniture, or run down stairs. As your Ellicott City, MD animal clinic, we’re dedicated to offering top-notch care. Please contact us anytime!