There are two breeds of Welsh corgis, the Cardigan and the Pembroke, each named for the counties in Wales where they originated. The only difference to those unfamiliar with the breed often appears to be that the Cardigan Welsh corgi has a tail, while the Pembroke does not. However, closer examination of the two breeds reveals differences in bone structure, body length, and overall size that indicate separate origins.
Cardigans are the larger of the two breeds, with large rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail of moderate length set in line with the body. Though it is allowed more colors than the Pembroke, white should not predominate the coat. The Cardigan is a double-coated dog. The outer coat is dense, slightly harsh in texture, and of medium length. The dog's undercoat is short, soft, and thick. The breed stands about 12" at the shoulder and weighs in at approximately 30 lbs. The Cardigan is sturdy, tough, mobile, alert, active, intelligent, steady, and neither shy nor aggressive.
The Pembroke’s head is fox-like and the tail short, which can be accomplished through breeding or docking. Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (a very short tail), and today, if the Pembroke has a tail at all, it is usually curly. Due to the advent of tail docking in dogs, the bob tail was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries now ban docking, breeders are again attempting to select dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. Pembrokes stand 10 to 12 inches and weigh approximately 28 lbs.
