As the name implies, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was developed in Wales in the Pembrokeshire area. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two corgi breeds and undoubtedly was used in the development of the Pembroke. Other possibilities are the introduction of the Pembroke into Wales by Flemish weavers in the 10th century, and the descent of the Pembroke from Swedish Valhunds brought to Wales by the Vikings.
The word corgi has different meanings; it is Celtic for "dog" or cor for "dwarf" and gi for "dog." Whatever the meaning, corgis were originally used as all-around farm dogs, particularly good with cattle. With their low stature, they nip cattle on the heels and then duck to avoid the kicks. Being small, they were less expensive to maintain, and the docked or natural bobbed tail meant that they were working dogs and exempt from taxes.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi as we know it today separated from the Cardigan Corgi in the early 1930s. A gift of this dog to the Queen of England and her subsequent love of the breed has helped to make these dogs popular the world over as family pets.
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