History
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi lineage has been traced back as far as 1107 AD. It is said that the Vikings and Flemish weavers brought the dogs with them as they traveled to reside in Wales. As far back as the 10th century, Corgis were herding sheep, geese, ducks, horses and cattle as one of the oldest herding breed of dogs. Pembrokes have proven themselves as excellent companions and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and dog agility.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis may be descendants of Swedish Vallhund Dogs, Schipperke, Pomeranian, and other Spitz-type dogs. Pembrokes and Cardigans first appeared together in 1925 when they were shown under the rules of The Kennel Club in Britain. The Corgi Club was founded in December, 1925 in Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire.It is reported that the local members naturally favored the Pembroke breed, so a club for Cardigan enthusiasts was founded a year or so later. Both groups have worked hard to ensure the appearance and type of breed are standardized through careful selective breeding. Pembrokes and Cardigans were officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1928 and are lumped together under the heading Welsh Corgis. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are becoming more popular in the United States and rank 22nd in American Kennel Club registrations, as of 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II owns 16 dogs of this breed. In September 2012, it was stated by Off the Leash Pet News on MSN Living online that two of them, Monty (who had appeared in the James Bond scenes in the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games) and Cider (who is half Dachshund) had passed away, leaving only two Corgis, Willow and Holly, left.
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