Although all evidence seems to point to the fact that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a much younger dog than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, it is still true that the Corgi from Pembrokeshire is a breed of considerable antiquity. No breed that traces its origin back to A.D.1107 can be regarded as an especially new type of dog.

In modern times there has been an effort to link the two types of Corgi under the heading of a single breed. This is far from the truth, according to W.Lloyd Thomas, the Welsh authority who has spent so many years digging out the history of these small cattle dogs. He has given some interesting information, that, while it tends to divorce the two Corgis definitely, still gives the Pembroke a colourful past.

The direct ancestors of the Pembroke were brought across the Channel by the Flemish weavers who were induced by Henry I of England and took up their abode in Wales. This occurred in 1107 and it stands as a sturdy cornerstone upon which the development of a breed has been built. While weaving was one of their occupations, these Flemish people were also of an agrarian nature, and they soon had transferred to the southwest corner of Wales, at Haverfordwest, the replicas of the model homes and farms in their native land. The dog fitted into this scheme.

The early progenitor of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi of today has been described as having a noticeable resemblance to the old Schipperkes. It sprang from the same family that includes the Keeshond, the Pomeranian, the Samoyed, the Chow Chow, the Norwegian Elkhound, and the Finnish Spitz. It has little or nothing of the Dachshund characteristics.

In relation to the Cardigan, the Pembroke is shorter in body, the legs are straighter and lighter boned, while the coat is of finer texture. Two of the most noticeable differences are in the ears and the tail. The Cardigan's ears are rounded while the Pembroke's are pointed at the tip and stand erect. The Cardigan has a long tail and the Pembroke a short one. In disposition, the Pembroke is more restless, more easily excited. If one could see speciments of the early members of both breeds at the same time, the differences would be very marked. In modern times they have become more similar. The whole development of the Pembroke evinces a desire on the part of its breeders to produce a lower stockier dog. It also may be noted that the head has grown stronger, while in these times, good sized, round tipped ears are not unusual.

The manner in which the Pembroke and the Cardigan have approached each other in appearance is not merely a matter of chance or of selective breeding. It is known rather definitely, that the two were crossed before the middle of the nineteenth century.

The two breeds of Corgi were mated together frequently at the time when these dogs first came to the conscriousness of the bench show fanciers. Little was known about either dog, and crossings were common. This practice has been stopped, or practically so, since more information has become available and all breeders of today are determined to keep the Pembroke distinct from the Cardigan.

The Pembroke is one of the most agreeable of small house dogs. It has an affectionate nature, but does not force its attentions upon those unwilling to accept them. Its intelligence is undoubted and it is a remarkably alert, a very vigilant guard of the fireside.