Corgi Gimmicks

Let’s take a minute to talk about gimmicks…the gimmicks several corgi breeders are using to pull the wool over the eyes of the general public. For those not familiar with the corgi world, there are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. These are two distinctively different breeds although some would try to convince you that a corgi is a corgi. I am not here to recite the AKC breed standards of each breed and tell you their virtues. You should know how to look up a breed standard and if not, message me and I will send you a link.

What I am here to tell you is that anyone advertising purebred American Corgis is using a gimmick; there is no such thing as an American Corgi. It is a crossbreed between a Pembroke and a Cardigan, not registerable with the American Kennel Club or any other reputable registry.

Another gimmick is the Cowboy Corgi. Again, there is no such breed as a Cowboy Corgi. It is usually a Pembroke or a Cardigan that has been crossed with a cattle dog. These dogs are also not registerable with the American Kennel Club or any other reputable registry.

And finally, let’s address the elephant in the room…the bluies, whitelies, merles, and fluffies. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed standard is very specific on coloration, amount of white, and coat type. Below is an excerpt from the AKC standard:

“Very Serious Fault - Fluffies - a coat of extreme length with exaggerated feathering on ears, chest, legs and feet, underparts and hindquarters. Trimming such a coat does not make it any more acceptable.”

“Very Serious Faults - Whitelies - Body color white, with red or dark markings. Bluies - Colored portions of the coat have a distinct bluish or smoky cast. This coloring is associated with extremely light or blue eyes, liver or gray eye rims, nose, and lip pigment. Mismarks - Self colors with any area of white on the back between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters, or on ears. Black with white markings and no tan present.”

Breeders need to stop promoting such severe faults and marketing them as “rare” or “unusual”. I have seen breeders justify breeding severely faulty dogs by saying it is what the public wants. What are you really doing to the breed by purposely breeding such faults or by purposely breeding crossbreeds just for the all-mighty dollar?

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a breed that I hold dear and it is a breed that my daughter has come to love and cherish. I am proud of her for stepping up and starting her breeding program with quality dogs that have been genetically health tested and I pray that she does not ever toss her principles out the window and start fad breeding.

Preservation breeders need to band together to ensure that the integrity of the breed remains true and help educate the public. Both Corgi breeds are fantastic dogs and when bred correctly can make the most amazing companion and partner. But when you have backyard breeders producing mutts and calling them purebred corgis or producing severe faults within the breed, the breeds begin to falter and lose their greatness.

So, please, next time you are searching for a companion (even if it is not a Corgi), do your research, read the breed standard, ask questions, and ensure that you are purchasing a purebred, healthy companion from a breeder that truly cares about the puppies.