Corgis were bred as farm dogs to herd animals and perform other tasks around the yard and barn. Due to its people-oriented, intelligent, and friendly nature, the breed is a common house breed.
The present surge in the breed's popularity can be directly traced back to Queen Elizabeth II, who kept dozens of them throughout her life and reign as monarch of the United Kingdom.
Although generally considered a healthy, hardy breed, the Corgi is prone to certain genetic and physical conditions, especially thanks to its short stature and long back.
Hip Dysplasia Many dogs have hip dysplasia. Short legs and long backs make corgis more susceptible. Hip dysplasia causes joint laxity and leg bone malposition.
Intervertebral Disc Disease Corgi intervertebral disc illness is also linked to their long backs. Due to disc protrusion onto the spinal cord, affected pets have various neurological issues and pain.
Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy happens when the white matter in the spinal cord deteriorates over time. It is a genetic condition inherited from both parents, and symptoms typically appear around the age of 11 in Corgis.
Cataracts Cataracts arise when the eye lens becomes densely cloudy. Corgis are more susceptible than most other types to them. Late-onset cataracts impair vision.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy A number of conditions that affect the eye can lead to a gradual deterioration of the retina's health, which can result in progressive degeneration of the retina.
Retinal Dysplasia Retinal dysplasia is aberrant retinal development. Breeders should test their dogs for this rare disease, which can be passed on to puppies.
Von Willebrand’s Disease Von Willebrand's Disease, which is comparable to hemophilia, can occur in both humans and dogs. The dog's blood does not coagulate as well as it should, which can result in nosebleeds and gum bleeds.