Most of us have fallen in love with Corgis, their little shaking tushies, and those adorable faces. Whether you have a Corgi of your own, want one, or simply enjoy learning more about dog breeds, there are lots of fascinating things out there when it comes to these feisty little dogs. Below, we’ve listed 14 fascinating Corgi facts we think you’ll enjoy. Take a look and see why these little dogs are so easy to fall in love with.
The 14 Cool Corgi Facts
1. There Are Two Breeds of Corgi
You may not have realized it but there are two breeds of Corgi out there. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the smaller of the two breeds and is considered the most popular. Pembroke Corgis usually have docked tails and pointed ears. Its counterpart, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, has a longer tail, rounded ears, and is a bit taller than the Pembroke.
2. The Evolution of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s Tail
Originally, Pembroke Welsh Corgis had their tails docked when they were pups to meet the breed standard of 2 inches or less. Over the years, however, these little Corgis have evolved somewhat and many are now born with shorter tails or no tails at all. This helps avoid the painful act of tail docking which has been banned in many countries.
3. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Is an Old Chap
Corgis were brought to Wales around 1200 B.C.E. by Warrior Celts. Their first home was Cardiganshire, hence the name. This means the breed has been in Wales for 3,000 years. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s ancestry isn’t as well known but they do date back to the 10th century.
4. Corgis Were Cattle Herders
While the idea of a little Corgi herding cattle may sound a bit far-fetched, they were actually quite good at it. Corgis are known for being feisty. They didn’t mind running along after the cattle, nipping at their heels to keep them in line. Their size was even an advantage as the cattle had a difficult time trying to kick the Corgis at their heels.
5. Corgis Are Great Watchdogs
Again, don’t let their size fool you. Corgis make amazing watchdogs. Their spunk and attentive natures help them determine when something isn’t quite right. Add in that sleep-altering bark of theirs, and you’ll see why Corgi owners say they are great watchdogs.
6. Corgi Means “Dwarf Dog”
Corgis get their name from the Welsh language. In Welsh, the word “Cor” means dwarf. The word “Gi” means dog. When you put the two together you have dwarf dog, which is totally suitable for the small, yet feisty Corgi.
7. Corgis Have a Fairy Background
While Corgi owners may say these little dogs are a bit mythical, folklore agrees. As the story goes, fairy folk used Corgis to pull their fairy coaches and as steeds. It is even said that they herded cattle for the fairies. Some Corgis even have a marking on their shoulder that many attribute as signs of where the fairy saddle would be.
8. Corgis Were the Favorite of Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II’s love of Corgis was well known. She was given her first Corgi when she was only 7 years old. Throughout the years, she owned more than 30 of these gorgeous dogs, many of them descendants of her first Corgi, Susan. When she passed, her Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Muick and Sandy were at her funeral procession at Buckingham Palace.
9. Corgis Share Ancestry With the Siberian Husky
Although they are much smaller and not able to pull a sled, Corgis share ancestry with Siberian Huskies. Corgis are very determined and excel at cattle herding. This isn’t on par with other dogs their size. Perhaps they are more like their larger kin than we realize?
10. They Were Loved by Vikings
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is believed to have made its way to Wales thanks to the Vikings. Tough in nature, these little dogs have earned a reputation for being hard-working companions and were loved by their Viking owners.
11. Corgis Made “Splooting” Famous
Splooting is when dogs and cats lay on their tummies and extend their legs behind them. While most pets may do this, it’s the Corgi that does it most often and made it famous. Seeing a Corgi in this position is super cute!
12. Amazon Once Had a Corgi Mascot
A Corgi named Rufus once walked the halls of the Amazon headquarters. Brought to work by his owner, an employee, Rufus was a good boy everyone loved. His likeness was used on the Amazon website as a mascot. They even have pictures of him on display in Seattle at their main office.
13. Corgis Have Their Own Beach Day
In California, there are three times a year when the SoCal Corgi Beach Day takes place. This event happens at Huntington Beach and has grown quite a bit since 2012 when it began. The first beach day hosted 15 dogs. Now, more than 1,000 show up in attendance.
14. Corgis Are Very Intelligent
While they are not on top of the list for the most intelligent dog breed, Corgis are very intelligent. They are easy to train, great at figuring things out, full of energy, and just fun to be around.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the Corgi is an amazing dog breed, loyal pet, and mythical steed if you believe in folklore. While we may adore seeing them strut their stuff online and in our homes, there’s more to these little dogs than meets the eye. If you’re considering bringing a Corgi into your life, be ready for a lot of fun and cuteness overload.
Featured Image Credit: Liudmila Bohush, Shutterstock
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