Are you looking for the perfect dog for you and your family? The kind of dog that’s smart but not too smart, fluffy, caring, and fun to be around? If that is you, then you have probably already come across the breed known as a corgi. They are very well known for being fun-loving herding dog that is easy to take care of.
You may not know that there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to these pups. But, if you’re on the fence with the decision of what dog is best for you, then these facts might just do the trick.
Read on to learn five fun facts about corgis that you’ve never heard before.
1. Corgi means “Dwarf Dog”
The name “corgi” doesn’t mean much in the English language other than a small dog breed that everyone loves. However, it does derive from somewhere. One of the primary two breeds of corgi is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The Welsh word “cor” is said to mean “dwarf,” and the origin word for “gi” is “dog.” So, quite literally, the meaning of the word corgi can be traced back to mean “dwarf dog.” It seems pretty clear how they might have acquired this name as the typical height of a fully grown corgi can be around a foot tall. But, don’t let them fool you. They may be short, but they are powerful.
2. They Have Two Coats of Fur
Do you ever pet a dog and wonder, “how is it so fluffy”? You just kind of wish you could use it as a pillow. Well, maybe that’s not you, but the odds are you have enjoyed petting a very fluffy dog. Now imagine that fluffy dog, but with two coats. That’s twice the fluff! Corgis have two coats of fur. They are built to withstand a wintery climate; they have a tougher outer coat and a thick, soft inner coat that typically sheds two times a year.
3. They are Fairy Dogs
According to Welsh legend, the corgi breed used to be heavily utilized in the fairy kingdom. Fairies, elves, and other tiny mythical beings would use corgis to pull fairy coaches, provide transportation for the fairy warriors, and herd their animals. If you pay close enough attention, you might even still see the fairy saddle on their shoulders to this day.
4. Social Media Saved Them
In the year 2009, the corgi population in the UK had dropped to an all-time low. Making a local “at-watch” list, the corgi population had fallen to below four hundred and fifty registrations. By 2015, the population had dropped below three hundred, officially putting corgis on the Kennel Club list of vulnerable native species. Continuing to fall, by 2019, the corgi population reached a low of around 130 registrations in the United Kingdom.
This was undoubtedly scary for Corgi lovers everywhere. Was the fantastic and stubby herding dog known as the welsh corgi going to become extinct in its original land? Luckily that did not happen. With the rise of animal popularity on social media platforms like Instagram, the corgi breed became a staple yet again. Mainly enthralled with their furry butts and personalities, the general public could not get enough corgi content, ultimately saving the species in the UK. As of 2020, they were no longer on any risk lists.
5. They are Fit for a Queen
First receiving a corgi at the age of seven, Queen Elizabeth II was in love with the breed for the rest of her life. She went on to breed and own over thirty corgi puppies in total throughout her lifetime. This infatuation became quite the staple of her work as queen. Some remnants include statues, a coin with her and her corgis on it, and a movie dedicated to it all called “The Queen’s Corgis.”
Conclusion
Corgis are excellent dogs for individuals and families alike. They are small, soft, fun-loving, and relatively low maintenance. But that’s not all they are. They have a very interesting origin story full of fun folklore tales and other random facts. Making them the perfect mix of exciting and simple. Even though they were initially named “dwarf dog,” they still turned out to be royalty. There is no doubt that these dogs are a great addition to any family, royal or not.
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