Guide to judging Pembroke Welsh Corgis: essential breed standards, movement, coat, and markings. Bold, loyal, and agile herders.
Cynthia Savioli
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, October 2013 issue.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a large dog in a small package. They are bold and powerful yet kind and loyal companions. The Breed Standard for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi states that they should be low-set, strong, and sturdily built, giving the impression of substance and stamina in a small space. They should have a bold outlook, pricked ears, and good temperament. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known for its foxy appearance, with an intelligent and interested expression. This is an outline breed with a level topline, approximately 40% longer than it is tall. Corgis should have a fairly long neck that flows into well-laid-back shoulders. Their gait should be free and smooth, and dogs with a smooth and free side gait that is reasonably sound are highly regarded.
As this is an outline breed, it’s important to view the profile from at least 15 feet away, both on the ground as a group and on the table during individual examination. This distance allows you to view the breed at eye level. The correct profile is 40% longer than tall when measured from the withers to the ground and from the withers to the base of the tail. Ideal height is 10 to 12 inches, and weight should be proportionate to size but not exceed 30 pounds for dogs and 28 pounds for bitches.
When viewing the head from the front, you should see an equilateral triangle formed by drawing a line from the nose through the eye to the tip of the ear, then from ear tip to ear tip. This triangle reflects correct proportions. The skull should be fairly wide and flat between the ears, with parallel head planes. The head proportions are five parts for the skull and three parts for the foreface. The eye opening is oval, and eye color should harmonize with the coat color. As a herding dog, the eye is set somewhat obliquely to enhance peripheral vision. Ears are firm, erect, medium in size, and taper to a slightly rounded point. Eye pigment should match the coat color, preferably black, while nose and lip pigment should be black.
While examining the head on the table, check for a scissors bite (a level bite is acceptable). Avoid checking for dentition in the side and back teeth. Then, examine the proportions and planes of the head before moving on to the rest of the examination. Expression should be assessed on the ground, where the Corgi is most comfortable.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a fairly long neck that provides balance to the overall body structure. The neck flows into well-laid-back shoulders and a level topline. The upper arms should be nearly equal in length to the shoulder blade. The chest is deep, well let down between the forelegs, and oval-shaped. The forelegs are short, with forearms turned slightly inward. The distance between the wrists is less than between the shoulder joints, giving the front a slightly angled appearance. When examining the chest, you should feel its shape, similar to the keel of a boat.
The Pembroke has oval-shaped bone that extends down to the oval foot. The rib cage is well sprung and moderately long, with a short loin. The hindquarters should match the forequarters in angulation. The hocks are short and perpendicular to the ground, and when viewed from behind, they should be parallel. The tail is docked as short as possible but may be up to 2 inches in length.
The coat is medium in length, short, thick, and weather-resistant. It varies in length, with slightly longer ruff around the neck, chest, and shoulders. There may be a slight depression behind the shoulders where the heavier neck coat meets the shorter body coat.
Because the Corgi is the fairy steed of the elves, we say this is the saddle for the elves to ride. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is shown with a natural coat. There should be no trimming, scissoring, or sculpturing of the coat. The feet are tidied, and the whiskers may be removed (optional).
The outer coat of the Pembroke comes in several colors: red, sable, fawn, black, and tan with or without white markings. White is acceptable on the legs, chest, and neck, muzzle, underparts, and as a narrow blaze on the head. The white markings should never exist within the rectangular box (Figure F). It is important to always check both sides of the Corgi, as the markings are not symmetrical.
The standard states this best: “This is a herding dog, which must have the agility, freedom of movement, and endurance to do the work for which he was developed.” The late Dr. Charles Kruger, who was an outspoken and passionate breeder of Pembroke Welsh Corgis, describes Corgi side movement the best:
“When observing the Corgi moving from the side, the head is held well forward so the shoulder can function efficiently. The head should not be held high, as it will restrict the efficiency of shoulder function. The front foot finishes well forward of the shoulder joint. The front foot ideally will strike the ground at about the level of the ear. Any placement behind this indicates a problem with the shoulder assembly. Front reach is measured at the point the foot hits the ground…not where the foot may be at full extension off the ground. The hind foot reaches well under the body and strikes the ground at the same time as the front foot. This is rare to see, but it allows the dog to travel very rapidly at a trot without breaking stride, thus achieving the correct and ideal movement from the side. The hock joint opens wide, and the hind foot is well extended. This is proper for the breed. The topline is strong and level in motion, a must for proper balance in a herding dog. The strong, level back is perhaps the most significant single structural feature in a herding dog. Without this, the drive generated from the rear quarter is hampered on its way up the spinal column.”
When viewed from the front, legs do not move in exact parallel planes but incline slightly inward to compensate for shortness of leg and width of chest. Hind legs should drive well under the body and move on a line with the forelegs, with hocks turning neither in nor out.
When judging the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, always assess the outline and balance from at least 15 feet away. You should always examine the dog on the table and evaluate the expression on the ground. Remember to check both sides of the dog, as the markings are not symmetrical. A dog that is correctly marked on the judge’s side may very well be a mismark on the offside. Finally, special emphasis should always be placed on side movement.
The standard for Pembroke Welsh Corgi has no disqualifications. Serious faults include oversized and toy-like individuals, button, rose, or dropped ears, overshot or undershot bites, coat texture and color issues such as fluffies, whitelies, bluies, and mismarks. Additionally, weak pasterns, knuckling over, slipped or double-jointed hocks, barrel hocks, and cowhocks are considered serious faults. The judge should dismiss from the ring any Pembroke Welsh Corgi that is excessively shy or vicious.
When judging Pembroke Welsh Corgis, remember the judging priorities:
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a popular herding dog with strong breed characteristics. They are alert and always aware of their surroundings. Although bold in temperament, they are a kind and loyal companion to many families. Corgis are usually shown by breeder/owner/handlers who are always willing to share their knowledge of the breed.
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