Short-legged corgis, genetically related to the shepherd family, have helped English shepherds look after their herds for thousands of years and have long won sympathy and respect among the population. The dogs' small stature and size allow them to easily cope with herding work and dodge the hooves of their charges. In England they say about these dogs that they were given to people by elves, and that miniature dogs were fairy mounts. Now these animals are both helpers and companions of people, getting along well with them in the same house.
Corgi lifespan
In the 20th century, small Corgi dogs became famous for becoming the favorite animals of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Several generations of these dogs have lived in the royal family since 1933. In 2021, the last of them, the 12-year-old male Willow, passed away, but among the Queen’s pets there were also dogs who were able to live several years longer.
Illustration for a children's fairy tale about corgi dogs
Corgi dogs, by the standards of the animal world, are long-lived, perhaps because they love life very much, are charming, are always friendly to people, and are very active.
Queen Elizabeth II with her pets in April 2021
History of the breed
Professional breeders became interested in herding dogs after they were first shown at a dog show in 1892. Almost 35 years later, the Corgi Club was officially established in the UK and a breed standard was approved. The name of the dogs was accompanied by an indication of the territory of their origin - the county of Wales. Officially, the breed began to bear the name Corgi Welsh. It consists of two varieties of dogs - Pembrokes and Cardigans.
Since it is not easy for non-professionals to determine by the exterior (appearance) of the dogs which variety of Corgi Welsh they belong to, it was decided to dock the tails of the Pembrokes, because many of them are already born bob-tailed. In the 21st century, this is prohibited in many countries, so the presence or absence of a tail has ceased to be a distinctive feature of Pembrokes.
Important! Dogs with the short-tail gene are given the name natural bobtail, and in pedigrees they are designated with the index NB.
Now, even in their homeland, corgis of both species are considered expensive ornamental animals. The question of how long corgis live has become relevant for many who would like to make these cheerful, obedient dogs (if they are raised correctly from puppyhood) as pets.
Tailless Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Description of purebred corgis, life expectancy
Parallel selection of Welsh Corgi dogs took place in different counties of Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire, separated by rugged mountains, which is why two varieties of dogs arose. It is believed that corgi cardigan are more ancient animals; they are mentioned in written sources of the 10th century. The Pembrokes first became known 3 centuries later.
Differences between dog species are manifested:
- In height and weight: Cardigans are slightly taller, more massive and denser than Pembrokes - breed standards allow a weight of orgi cardigan 18 kg, orgi pembroke 11 kg.
- In the coat: Cardigans are covered with a coarser wool than Pembrokes.
- In physique: the corgi cardigan has a narrow rear part of the body, a tucked belly, rounded paws slightly turned outward, the front and rear of the corgi pembroke are equal to each other, the paws are parallel to each other, on the front paws two toes are extended forward.
There is no difference in how long corgis live at home - both types of dogs have an average life expectancy of 12-15 years. Some long-lived corgis have been with their owners for 17-18 years.
Note! The dog's height is measured from the ground to the highest point at the withers.
Types of Corgi Welsh Dogs
History of breeds
Both species belong to the same breed of dog - corgi, but their origins are different. The Cardigans and Pembrokes lived in Wales (southwest Great Britain), but their ancestors arrived on the islands thousands of years apart. The ancestors of the Cardigans arrived from the mainland BC, along with the Celts, and the ancestors of the Pembrokes were brought in the 10th century, from Germany.
Corgis were used to herd sheep and other livestock. They helped the shepherds by biting the legs of stray animals and forcing them to return to the herd. Representatives of these breeds crossed, resulting in one - the Welsh Corgi, and two of its varieties, the Cardigan and Pembroke. There is no general opinion about the origin of short-legged individuals - whether it is a mutation and further selection for this trait by man, or the result of crossing with other breeds. Until the twentieth century, Welsh Corgis were not divided into subspecies. The division into Cardigans and Pembrokes occurred in 1934, and standards were established for the breeds.
Health and susceptibility to disease
Despite the fact that corgi dogs have good health, love to run, frolic, and move a lot, some hereditary and acquired diseases can cause them to feel poorly and prematurely age.
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For both young and older dogs, their body structure – short legs – can be a big problem. Breeders of the breed recommend that owners of corgi puppies under one year not allow their dogs to go down and up the steps of high-rise buildings, so that the joints of the limbs and spine can acquire a normal shape as the animal grows.
Note! In older dogs, problems with lameness and impaired musculoskeletal functions can arise due to the onset of age-related arthritis, changes in metabolism, the orientation of joints in the limbs, and diseases of the intervertebral discs.
Another danger related to body structure awaits corgi females during childbirth. Half of the bitches have difficulty giving birth: specialist assistance for pregnant corgis is a must.
Corgi dogs are genetically predisposed to obesity, so the nutrition and physical activity of a pet, especially pregnant bitches and stud dogs, should always be under the control of the dog owner.
Corgi pembroke puppy
Elderly Corgi Welsh often suffer from eye diseases - cataracts, glaucoma, retinal atrophy. In adolescent dogs, dislocation of the eye lens and ulceration of the cornea are sometimes detected. Tearfulness, redness of the eyes, blurred vision, and photophobia should be the reason for an urgent visit to the veterinarian.
The presence of a non-healing, weeping wound on the surface of the dog’s skin may indicate eczema, which without professional treatment can develop into a chronic disease.
Additional Information! Welsh Corgi dogs are easy to train. Experts recommend starting socialization (introduction into everyday life and the life of the human family) of puppies as early as 2 months of age.
Description and breed standard
Welsh Corgi dogs are short in stature. They have an elongated and stocky body. In appearance, dogs resemble a fox.
The first standard was adopted in 1934, after which it was modified several times. Now the breed standard implies:
- height 25 - 30 cm;
- weight 9 - 14 kg;
- the shape of the head resembles that of a fox. The skull is flat and wide. The proportions of the length of the muzzle and skull are 3:5;
- strong jaws, scissor bite;
- brown eyes of various shades, harmoniously combined with the color of the dog, small and almond-shaped;
- black nose;
- erect ears, medium to large size. The tips are slightly rounded. If you mentally draw a straight line that starts from the nose and passes through the eye, then the tip of the ear should be on this line;
- the neck is long and proportional to the body, slightly convex;
- body of medium length. Wide chest with convex and rounded ribs. Straight back, short loin;
- Dogs can be born with either a long or stubby tail. The tail is set low and in line with the body. When at rest it should be slightly lowered. Tail docking is at the discretion of the owner;
- short and straight forelimbs. The shoulders are pressed tightly to the chest. Elbows should be close to the sides of the body. The angle between the shoulder blades and the humerus is 90 degrees;
- the hind limbs are flexible. The angles of the knee joints are clearly defined. Seen from behind, the hocks are straight;
- powerful oval-shaped paws. The toes are tightly closed, the paw pads are thick;
- The coat is straight, medium length. The undercoat is downy and dense;
- The color of the Pembroke can be solid (red, sable, fawn, red, sable) or tri-color. The cardigan has tiger or marble. White markings on the neck, limbs and chest are acceptable, but it can also happen without them. A small mark on the head is also possible.
Small size
Welsh Corgi is a herding breed. Despite their small size, these dogs are very energetic, strong and resilient. Corgi is the smallest representative of the shepherd section.
Breed characteristics and character traits
The Welsh Corgi has a friendly character. You can safely bring a dog into a large family; it will show its love to everyone. Corgi has a balanced psyche, so the dog treats other animals and children well. If there are several pets in the family, the dog will get along well with them.
The Corgi will be a good playmate for children due to its playful nature. However, if the child is very small, caution should be used. Corgis have a highly developed herding instinct. If, in the dog's opinion, the child is running in the wrong direction, the pet may run up and bite him on the legs.
The Corgi has strong protective qualities. The dog is loyal to strangers, but if the owner or family members are threatened, the pet will bark loudly and rush to defense.
Welsh Corgis can rightfully be considered royalty, because according to the standard, they are smart, intelligent and know their worth. Breeders claim that Pembrokes have a sense of humor and they like it when their owner laughs.
Corgis are very observant and subtly discern human emotions. The dog loves affection and attention, but when family members are in a bad mood, it will not impose itself.
Welsh Corgis are very curious and have a sharp mind. They need a variety of logic games. If the dog is bored, it will begin to damage furniture and other objects.
Security guard
What determines the lifespan of a Corgi Welsh?
How long do dogs live at home: table by breed
According to breed standards, genetic diseases of dogs must be identified by breeders in kennels. Adult dogs with hereditary diseases are prohibited from being bred, so puppies should not inherit diseases, and buyers should be sure that they are purchasing healthy animals. But it is not always possible to foresee everything.
Therefore, in order not to fear for the health and life of their pets, their owners should:
- constantly receive advice from specialists;
- visit veterinary clinics with animals;
- feed dogs according to veterinarian recommendations;
- monitor the body condition of animals;
- carry out all necessary vaccinations and hygiene procedures;
- provide physical activity;
- teach pets discipline.
Depending on the dog’s age, the requirements for the animal’s nutrition, care, and activity change.
How to determine a dog's age
The main indicators of a dog’s age are its appearance, motor activity, and the number and condition of its teeth. It is by the degree of abrasion of the permanent teeth that it is easiest to reliably determine how old the dog is, although in this case you can be mistaken by 2-3 years.
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2-month-old puppies should have all their milk teeth; by six to eight months the milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones. In young dogs aged 12 months. the teeth are white, the upper edges of the incisors, due to the trident-shaped tubercles, look like jagged knife blades.
At the age of 2, the jagged edges of the lower teeth begin to wear out, by the age of four, the snow-white color of the tooth enamel fades and the tubercles on some of the upper teeth begin to decrease; at the age of 5, the tubercles are absent on all teeth. By the age of six, the color of the enamel becomes yellow; by the age of 10, a layer of hard plaque appears on the teeth. Older dogs over 10 years of age begin to experience tooth loss.
Old dogs move little, their once bright eyes and fur become dull, gray hair appears on their face and cheeks, and then on their sides.
Important! Cloudy eyes may not indicate old age, but an illness in your pet.
Fox color and mouth shape of the dog Сorgi pembroke
How to care for an older dog
Elderly animals need no less human attention and care than young animals, despite the fact that they already have established skills and are socially adapted.
The main conditions for the continuation of the life of a decrepit pet will be a balanced diet, the absence of excess weight and stressful situations, regular examinations, monitoring the condition of the fur, ears, eyes, paws, claws, timely visits to veterinarians, a warm, draft-free, individual resting place.
For mature dogs, it is better to use professional food designed for older dogs with the required amount of vitamins. Combing fur and trimming nails should be done with gentle tools.
Important! The old animal should be protected from dampness and drafts, and the aggression of young dogs. During walks, do not allow him to jump from great heights. There is no need to allow negative emotional stress.
It is better to walk older dogs in protective clothing.
Main causes of premature death
Corgi dogs have an elongated spine and short legs, so excessive physical exertion, falls and jumps from heights can lead to deformation of the vertebrae and muscle paralysis.
Narrow birth canals, small pelvic width, and large puppies often do not allow bitches to give birth without difficulties. Many Corgi Welsh females require a caesarean section, which can only be performed by specialists.
Failure to comply with the vaccination schedule causes animals to become infected with infectious diseases. Visiting forests by unvaccinated dogs can lead to death from rabies.
Failure to follow feeding rules leads to obesity, and consequently to heart disease, stomach disease, and weakened immunity.
You can buy a corgi puppy in Russia without much effort, but you need to remember that corgis cannot fully live without human interaction. If a Corgi Welsh dog is left to live in a kennel, it will not be a friendly, intelligent and loyal animal, but will turn into an unhappy, sick animal.
Care, maintenance and feeding
Corgi is a fairly unpretentious breed; the small dog is easy to care for. The pet can live both in an apartment and in a private house. It is necessary to walk the dog 2 - 3 times a day, each walk should last at least an hour.
The Welsh Corgi needs physical exercise, so you need to run and play active games. Representatives of the breed have a thick undercoat and are not afraid of cold and snowdrifts. In summer, your dog can be hot, so you need to avoid strong sun.
The coat is combed 2-3 times a week. During the period of active molting, which happens 2 times a year, this is done daily. Welsh Corgi is a clean breed; it is enough to bathe your pet once every 2-3 months. However, in spring or autumn, the dog gets very dirty on its belly due to its short legs, so the corgi is bathed as it gets dirty.
You should check your dog's eyes, ears and nails weekly. Small discharge and dirt can be removed with a clean cotton pad moistened with chamomile decoction or a special lotion. If the claws do not have time to grind down on their own, they need to be trimmed. Hair often grows between the fingers and must be cut off. Once a week, your pet should be given a special treat for brushing its teeth.
Caring for a Welsh Corgi is not difficult, but you should know how to feed your dog properly. The breed is prone to obesity, and this in turn leads to diabetes and increased stress on the musculoskeletal system. You can feed your dog both natural food and ready-made industrial food.
When feeding naturally, the Corgi's diet should include: lean meat (veal, beef, turkey), vegetables (carrots, zucchini), apples, organ meats (stomach, tripe), cereals (rice or buckwheat). Fermented milk products, especially cottage cheese, are useful. When feeding ready-made food, you should choose a reliable manufacturer. You should purchase high-quality super-premium or holistic class products.
- MMM tasty!..
