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Despite being the Queen of England’s favorite dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi may be at risk for eventual extinction in its native country.
As small, trendy “purse dogs” like the Chihuahua and the French Bulldog rise in popularity in Great Britain, once popular native breeds like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are declining – in both popularity and in population.
Some have speculated that the breed’s decline is due, in part, to new British laws that prohibit tail docking, forcing a change in the breed’s appearance.
So much, in fact, that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is currently being watched by Britain’s Kennel Club as a breed vulnerable to extinction. With only 241 of the short legged, silly dogs registered in Britain so far this year, it is highly unlikely that the breed will get the 300 registrations needed by the end of the year to keep it off of the vulnerable breeds list.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Corgi is Welsh for “dwarf dog”), also known as “Mandrew”, is a herding dog breed, which originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It has been a favorite breed of British royalty since 1933, when Elizabeth II’s father, King George, brought one home from a local kennel for his young daughter.
Just two years ago, in 2011, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was the 25th most popular breed in the world.
Historically, when Britain’s Kennel Club announces a breed in danger of extinction, that breed shows a revival in popularity. In recent years, the Old English Sheepdog and the English Setter, while still on the kennel club’s vulnerable native breed “watch list,” have shown tremendous rise in popularity as breeders and enthusiasts attempt to prevent extinction.
Morgan Leary
Jun 28, 2018 at 6:40 pm
This is completely inaccurate, if any breed is at risk of going extinct, is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, dawning a thicker, larger build and a wide variety of coat colors, they also have a very great personality to back them up.
angie
Jun 29, 2014 at 12:45 am
I pray that this don’t happens,what other dog this can happen to this is a shame,we are killing every thing Lord help us all.
Moya Boyle
Mar 18, 2014 at 2:58 am
In reply to Kevin’s comment Corgis are a wonderful breed.I was lucky to have a Pembroke Corgi for 18 months. He was a rescue and an intact male Also at 21/2 years he was an adult. I had a nine year old girl at the time and when my Corgi was neutered he and my child became best buddies. Unfortunately I lost Dewie my Corgi to bladder stones an a subsequent infection. He was a much loved dog and we still miss him.
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Jerica
Nov 20, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Kevin, I am dismayed by your opinion of corgies. I have two, and not only are they not snappy, they are very sweet and great around children. Blame your parents for not training your corgi properly, don’t blame the breed. I’m sure you have a bad opinion of pit bulls too, since it must be the breed and couldn’t possibly be the owner, could it?
Darlene
Apr 1, 2014 at 7:22 pm
I, too, have a Corgi. He is the sweetest!! He was, also, very trainable and smart!! He is going on 11 years old and having some skeletal issues but me and my two children love him very much!! He is very good around all children.
jake
Nov 11, 2013 at 8:24 am
The Queen’s corgis are going to survive. Plenty of breeders around the world have Pembroke Welsh corgis to supply genetic diversity, not like Otterhounds which are dwindling so low even dogs with mild hip dysplasia have to be breed to keep up the diversity. What’s surprising is that the KC and British media says nothing about the fact the Hunt bans are going to doom the old English Foxhound lines to the same fate. The Queen might still keep her corgis but the hounds the Royals have hunted with for generations are going to be extinct, at least the old English lines and Welsh hounds. Modern foxhounds might survive especially due to packs in the US and around the world but the only try colored old English hounds might be left in paintings.
Kevin
Nov 9, 2013 at 6:09 pm
I had one of these dogs when I was a boy. They are bred specifically for herding. They are very snappy. I was bitten several times, and Princess Anne is also on record as having been bitten by one of the queen’s dogs. Personally I think the demise of this breed cannot happen fast enough. I think that Pembrokeshire (the queens dogs are Pembrokeshire Corgis I seem to remember) should be represented by a much nicer breed. One of those lovely Affenpinscher’s would be much more suitable, or even a Jack Russell or a Lurcher. Maybe the new generation of Royals, Kate and so on, should have Labradors and a few cats as well — especially if they get them from rescues. In fact they should have anything providing they are RESCUE dogs!!!!
betty Brandon
Nov 21, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Kevin, I have had Corgis all my life and NEVER ever has any of my Corgis bitten anyone – and they have been amazing with kids – IMAGINE if someone was to say Good! kids are on the verge of extinction because they are usually naughty!!!! shame on you with a statement like this. Cruelty to animals is more prevalent today than in the 1950’s and WE are supposed to know better in 2014.
Karen
Nov 7, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Some Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies are born without tails naturally. The ones that are born with short or long tails are usually docked. Pembrokes do not come in the blue merle coloring,just Cardigans.
Hils
Nov 7, 2013 at 3:26 pm
So perhaps somebody could explain what the difference is between a Pembroke and Cardigan corgi if the Pembrokes are no longer docked? It always used to be a useful way to remember the difference between the two in that the Pembrokes had their tail “broke off” and the Cardigan had “sleeves” ie a long tail. If a Pembroke is not docked does it become a Cardigan? And if a Cardigan loses its tail is it then a Pembroke? Confused!!!!
Jan
Mar 19, 2014 at 9:20 am
For a start, the Cardigans have much bigger, rounder ears than the Pembrokes. Pembrokes, which the Queen has, come in a tan and white whereas the Cardigan can have other colours. The two breeds are not related even though they both come from Wales and are herding dogs. Can’t remember which is which but one comes from the low lands of Wales, descended from the dogs of the Vikings and other breeds, whereas the other originated in the Welsh hills, from a different mixture of breeds.
Dusty Gres
Nov 7, 2013 at 10:58 am
So because they are now prohibited from changing the dog’s appearance by tail docking, the dog is becoming extinct because if it keeps the tail, its appearance has changed! Wait! Does no one see the silliness in this?
Kathy
Nov 7, 2013 at 12:08 pm
I agree! STUPID SILLY!