Welsh Corgi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Welsh Corgi (IPA: /ˈkɔ(r)ˌgi/) is a small breed of dog that originated in Wales. They are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh (and the OED gives the Welsh plural corgwn as an alternative to corgis).
An average Welsh Corgi is around 10 to 12 in (250 to 300 mm) tall at the tallest point in the shoulders and weighs approximately 30 lb (15 kg). Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active dogs, and considered very intelligent. They have proven themselves excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and agility trials.
Welsh Corgis are generally recognized as two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. For example, beginning in 1934, the American Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. The Cardigan is the larger of the two, with larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. The Pembroke features rounded, pointed ears and is somewhat smaller in stature. Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. The coats of both breeds come in a variety of colors, although there are some differences between the breeds.
The Pembroke was made popular by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who keeps four at all times, and remains the more common variety.
For more details about each breed, see the breed-specific pages:
[edit] Corgis in movies and television
- Little Dog Lost, a 1963 Disney movie, is centered on "Candy," who gets separated from his family, and must go on a journey to find them
- "Edward", played by Bud, has a prominent role in the 1988 film The Accidental Tourist (Bud also appeared in the television show Dharma & Greg and the feature film Dave)
- The 1991 motion picture Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead features "Elvis"
- Bud and Cody, brothers, are the best buddies of the First Lady "Ellen Mitchell" (played by Sigourney Weaver) in the 1993 movie Dave
- Ein, the 'data dog' in the anime series Cowboy Bebop, is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Skipper is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the 1997 film Robinson Crusoe starring Pierce Brosnan.
- In the E!'s show "The Girls Next Door" Kendra has a Corgi, named Rascal.He's seen in most episodes with Kendra in her room and around the Playboy mansion.
- In Stephen Frears' 2006 The Queen starring Helen Mirren, Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis are played by Anna, Poppy and Poppy's puppies Alice, Megan and Oliver. Their real-life owner is Liz Smith of Ipswich.
[edit] Wikiquote
- "Oh, no, it's not dogs I don't like -- it's corgis. They get the blame for all the farts." [On the Queen's Dogs.] - Diana, Princess of Wales
- "Corgis are enchanted. You only need to see them in the moonlight to know this." -Tasha Tudorcy:Corgi
da:Welsh Corgi eo:Kimra ŝafhundo he:ולש קורגי ja:ウェルシュ・コーギー fi:Welsh corgi sv:Welsh corgi zh:威爾斯柯基犬
