Cute Corgi Pictures: 6 Corgi Photos And Breed Facts

These corgi pictures are six photos: a corgi resting on a stone patio, one standing in a park, one on autumn leaves, a puppy on a stone ledge, one sitting on grass, and a blue merle corgi running with a tennis ball. Under each photo you get one fact from the American Kennel Club (AKC) or a veterinary source.

Below the photos are the AKC numbers for the two corgi breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, followed by puppy care from VCA Animal Hospitals. Scroll through the pictures if you are already a crazy dog lady or about to become one.

Resting On A Stone Patio

This corgi lies on its belly with its front paws out and its tongue showing. Red is one of the corgi colors the AKC lists: Pembroke Welsh Corgis come in "red, sable, fawn, and black and tan, with or without white markings."

Standing In The Park

This corgi stands beside a tree with its mouth open and its ears up. Ear shape is one of the two differences the AKC names between the breeds. The AKC says the Pembroke's ears are "pointed and erect" and the Cardigan's ears are rounded.

Lying In Autumn Leaves

Fallen leaves cover the path around this corgi. The AKC describes the Pembroke coat as a "thick, weatherproof double coat." The Cardigan standard opens its coat description with "Medium length but dense as it is double."

A Corgi Puppy On A Stone Ledge

This young corgi has large ears. For puppies of the Pembroke breed, the AKC says that "early socialization and puppy training classes are strongly recommended."

Sitting On The Grass

This corgi sits upright and watches the camera.

Pembroke And Cardigan Welsh Corgi Facts

The AKC recognizes two corgi breeds. Both are herding dogs from Wales, and the AKC says the word "corgi," originally "kergie," is ancient Celtic for "dog." The Pembroke Welsh Corgi traces to the year 1107, when Henry I of Britain invited Flemish weavers to live and work in southwestern Wales. The weavers brought the dogs they used to herd cattle and sheep, and the AKC says those dogs were the foundation of the Pembroke. The Cardigan is the older of the two breeds. It is named for the medieval kingdom of Cardiganshire, and the AKC says the two were considered a single breed in the United Kingdom until as late as 1934.

The quickest way to tell the breeds apart, the AKC says, is the tail: "Cardigans have tails; Pembrokes do not." The AKC standard for the Pembroke says the tail is docked, and it also says a puppy is occasionally born with a natural dock. The Cardigan standard describes ears that are "Large and prominent in proportion to size of dog" and "Slightly rounded at the tip."

Colors differ too. Merle is not among the Pembroke colors the AKC lists, while the Cardigan, in the AKC's words, comes in "several coat colors, from red to the popular blue-merle pattern." The Pembroke standard asks for a head that is "foxy in shape and appearance."

Both breeds are herders, and the AKC describes the temperament of each in its own words. For the Pembroke it says "As herders bred to move cattle, they are fearless and independent." For the Cardigan it says well-socialized dogs are "especially fond of kids and agreeable with other pets." The AKC calls the Pembroke "a strong, athletic, and lively little herder who is affectionate and companionable without being needy." The Pembroke breed page also says the breed is "happiest when he has a job to do," and lists agility, herding, obedience, and tracking among the activities many Pembrokes enjoy.

Corgi health

Corgis, however, aren’t without their health issues. For the Pembroke, the AKC says responsible breeders screen their stock for conditions such as "elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, cardiac issues, degenerative myelopathy, and von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder." The AKC advises checking a Pembroke's ears weekly for signs of infection and brushing its teeth regularly.

For the Cardigan, the AKC lists hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and degenerative myelopathy as conditions that responsible breeders screen for. It adds that "as with any 'long and low' canine, one must be cognizant of potential back issues," and advises: "Avoid letting the Cardigan jump down off the bed or couch, and stairs can also be a hazard."

Weight needs watching in both breeds. The AKC says some Pembrokes are prone to getting overweight, and it says Cardigans "are known to become overweight very easily."

Corgi Puppy Care And Exercise

The AKC's Cardigan page names blue merle as a coat pattern, and it says most Cardigans are "ball-o-holics."

For daily exercise, the AKC says corgis benefit from moderate daily exercise, and that Pembrokes can manage long walks or slow jogs, but a bicycle is too fast for their short legs.

Puppy teeth come in fast. VCA Animal Hospitals says most puppies have started growing in their adult teeth by 4 months of age, and a puppy goes from 28 baby teeth to 42 permanent teeth. VCA says a puppy swallowing its own teeth is very common and harmless. For chewing, VCA says to avoid anything extremely hard, such as nylon, bones or antlers, and to choose toys with a little bend or that you can indent with a fingernail. VCA also says to supervise a puppy while it chews.

For a first vet visit, VCA says a puppy should go when it is 6 to 8 weeks old, unless it shows signs of illness before then. For socialization, the AKC says a Pembroke puppy should gently meet many kinds of people, places, and situations from 7 weeks to 4 months old. VCA adds that the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior suggests puppies start socialization classes at 7 to 8 weeks old at the earliest. For the Pembroke, the AKC says "Positive, reward-based training works best with this sensitive breed."

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FAQs On Pictures Of Corgi

How do you play with a Corgi puppy?

Fetch is one way, and the AKC says most Cardigans are "ball-o-holics." The AKC says the Pembroke is "happiest when he has a job to do," and VCA says to redirect a puppy that chews the wrong thing to an appropriate object and reward it with praise or treats. Read more about interactive toys.

Where do you get a Corgi?

You can start with the American Kennel Club (AKC), which says a reputable breeder will show proof of health screenings. Its examples are certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the OFA's eye registry, CAER. The AKC also lists a parent club for each corgi breed: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America.

Are Corgis good with other pets?

The AKC says well-socialized Cardigans are "especially fond of kids and agreeable with other pets."

Sources

• American Kennel Club, Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed page.
• American Kennel Club, Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed page.
• American Kennel Club, 9 tips for finding a working, responsible breeder.
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Dos and Don'ts of Puppy Teething Toys.
• VCA Animal Hospitals, New Puppy Guide.
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Puppy Behavior and Training.