Today, March 1, is National Welsh Corgi Day! Fun, lovable, and affectionate, the Welsh Corgi is a wonderful pet, and definitely one worth celebrating. A vet discusses these lovable, fluffy pups in this article.
The Corgi is a small dog with a big heart. As the name suggests, Fido is originally from Wales. His name is taken from the words Cor, which means dwarf, and Ci, which means dog. Like many other herding dogs, these little pooches 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.
There are two types of Welsh Corgis: Cardigan and Pembroke. Both were named for the specific Welsh counties their lines originated in. They are very similar in appearance and personality, though the Cardigan has a slightly longer body, and a bigger head. However, there are some key differences between them. For instance, eye problems are much more prevalent in the Pembroke pups. The Pembroke is also the more popular of the two, in good part because of the visibility and status they achieved as beloved pets of England’s Queen Elizabeth II.
As mentioned above, Corgis were the favored dogs of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. This love story started back in the 30’s, when Prince Albert purchased a pooch named Rozavel Golden Eagle, or Dookie for short. In true Corgi fashion, the pup immediately charmed the socks off the royal family. Princess Elizabeth soon got her own Pembroke Corgi, Susan. (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, she stopped breeding them in 2015, so as not to leave any bereaved pups behind when she passed.
The Queen may be the Corgi’s most widely-known fan, but she isn’t the only one. Other celebrities that have chosen these sweet, charming pooches include Steven King, Keifer Sutherland, and the recently-deceased (and much beloved) Betty White.
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.
Do you have questions about Corgi care? Contact us, your animal clinic, anytime!
