Pembroke Welsh Corgi Insurance, Care and Health Advice
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi descends from working dogs that were brought to Wales back in the 1100s by Flemish weavers - this breed in particular being brought to Pembroke. This short, stocky breed with upright ears was originally used for herding livestock. They’re best known for being the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite dog breed. They first came into the Royal family in the 1930s when King George VI bought the Royal’s first Pembroke.
This popular breed is not to be confused with the Cardigan Welsh Corgi who look very similar but are slightly stockier and larger.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Facts
Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Right for Me?
Although they were originally bred as a herding dog, their friendly temperament and size means they’re a favourite amongst pet owners. They can be a bit nippy though which means they’re not always great with very small children. But they’re an intelligent breed and are easy to train, a plus for first-time owners. And because of their size, they’ll happily live anywhere as long as they have a small garden to play in.
They can be vocal and have lots of energy to burn! So, make sure you start their training early and have plenty of spare time for playtime and walks. Affectionate, loyal and loving, this breed will form a strong bond with their family. They’re sometimes strong-willed and stubborn, so you’ll always need to be one step ahead!
What Are Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppies Like?
Pembroke puppies are mischievous and full of energy! Start training your puppy from an early age to avoid any future problems. Don’t forget they’re very intelligent and were originally bred to work. So, keeping your puppy entertained will keep them out of mischief.
They need lots of socialisation early on in their lives. They must learn to be confident when they meet strangers, and not behave aggressively when they meet new people or other dogs and cats.
Life with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Life with a Pembroke will be fun loving, and there’ll never be a dull moment. They’re not very high maintenance, so caring for your dog should be easy, even for the first-time owner. Pembrokes have lots of energy, so they’ll benefit from lots of fun walks and playing games.
Be warned though, they can be yappy and a bit nippy if they’re not trained from an early age. Keep their training positive and consistent and they’ll soon learn what behaviour is acceptable and what’s not!
Caring for Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi
This breed is known for over-eating, so keeping their waistline in check is important. Split their food into two meals and feed them at a similar time every day. If you're unsure how much to feed them, check the guidelines on the food packaging.
Avoid over-feeding and monitor their weight regularly to stop them from getting overweight. If you want more advice on feeding, your vet will be happy to help.
The Pembroke has a medium-length double coat that needs regular grooming. Grooming once or twice a week will keep their coat looking clean and healthy. Grooming is also a great way of bonding with your dog.
Pembrokes shed all year round, and even more in the spring and autumn. You’ll need to groom them more often around these times to remove the dead undercoat and get rid of any knots, dust or dirt.
Pembrokes are intelligent which makes training easy, but they can be strong-willed and stubborn, making training even more important! Start at an early age and make sure you have all the basic commands mastered like sit, stay and come. Plenty of training and exercise can help prevent problems like excessive barking, destructive or aggressive behaviour. They may be small, but they need an hour of exercise a day to keep their energy under wraps.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Insurance
Taking care of your Pembroke Welsh Corgi's paws is essential. After you've made your home safe for your pup, think about getting pet insurance for extra security. Everypaw's Pet Insurance can provide protection for your beloved companion in the event of unexpected health concerns or accidents.
Everypaw's Lifetime Dog Insurance offers a variety of coverage options, ensuring you can find a plan that suits both your needs and those of your Corgi. But Everypaw goes beyond just covering veterinary expenses. Each policy includes a range of additional perks to assist you during challenging times. From 24/7 access to veterinary advice through Petcall to comprehensive Third Party Liability, we've got your pup covered at every step.
Common Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Problems by Vetstream
Pembrokes are generally a healthy and hardy breed but can suffer from a few health conditions. We've teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream to give you an idea of what to keep an eye out for in your dog.
DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. Early signs of disease can be mistaken for arthritis or other problems affecting the lower back and hindlegs. They develop weak hind legs, might stumble, knuckle over and seem unsure of where their feet are. This can lead to uneven nail wear and injuries on the top and sides of their toes.
Eventually DM causes severe weakness or paralysis of the legs. Other complications can include incontinence and muscle wasting. Unfortunately there isn’t a cure, and most dogs die or are euthanased within a couple of years of diagnosis.
A cataract is when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts can eventually cause blindness. They can be inherited, caused by diabetes, poisoning, poor nutrition, associated with glaucoma or just related to old age. If you think your dog has cataracts, take them to see your vet for a vision test as soon as possible.
Cataracts can be surgically removed! There are several techniques, but the most common is phacoemulsification which uses ultrasound waves to break up the cataract. If your dog can’t have surgery, don’t worry, most dogs cope and adapt very well to being blind.
Dysplasia affects the joints, bones and surrounding tissue like the muscle and cartilage. It causes pain, lameness and eventually leads to arthritis. If you think your Pembroke might be suffering from dysplasia your vet can take some x-rays to see what’s going on. Treatment will probably include anti-inflammatory drugs, joint supplements, and in severe cases, surgery.
Dysplasia can be prevented by not breeding from affected dogs. The British Veterinary Association and Kennel Club elbow and hip dysplasia scoring schemes help identify dogs that can be used for breeding. Before buying a puppy, ask the breeder if their breeding dogs are screened for elbow and hip dysplasia.
IVDD is also known as a prolapsed, slipped or herniated disc. It’s a degenerative condition of the discs of the spine. Unfortunately, breeds like the Pembroke with long bodies and short legs are prone to this painful condition. Signs range from pain alone, reluctance to walk, to complete paralysis and can progress slowly or appear suddenly.
If your dog shows signs of back or neck pain, or has difficulty walking, take them to see your vet straight away. Your vet will take some x-rays and may need to do an MRI scan to make a diagnosis. Mild cases can be treated using anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and rest, while more severe cases may need surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial for a good outcome.
Quick Pembroke Welsh Corgi Q&A
This breed is an ideal family dog. They’re affectionate, loyal and loving, and will form a strong bond with the whole family. They’re full of energy, so will love going out on family walks and hikes. After that, they’ll love nothing more than snuggling on the sofa for cuddles and quiet time.
Pembroke puppies are pricey! A quality pup from a reputable breeder could cost £1500-2000. Responsible breeders make sure their breeding dogs have been tested for any inherited conditions. When you buy a puppy, don’t forget to find out more about the health of the puppy’s parents before parting with any money!
Pembrokes are usually born with long tails, but some have been bred to have short tails, known as bobtails. Historically, in the UK, this breed had their tails docked (removed) to meet showing Breed Standards. Docking is now illegal in the UK unless it’s for medical reasons, so they’re usually seen with long tails. In countries where docking is still allowed, like the US and Canada, Pembrokes still have their tails docked.
Yes, they shed all year round! Pembrokes have a medium-length double coat that will need grooming once or twice a week. When they’re shedding heavily, you’ll need to groom them more often to get rid of any knots and tangles.
That’s All You Need to Know About Pembroke Welsh Corgis
This regal breed make great family pets. They’re loyal, loving and will just want to be your friend. They can be strong-willed and have a stubborn streak but take proper training seriously and exercise them regularly and you shouldn’t have a problem! Give them your time and love and they’ll return it in bucket loads.
Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis
Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.
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