Pet Companion Magazine - Special Corgi Issue

Welcome to this SPECIAL CORGI EDITION of Pet Companion Magazine, where we celebrate the sweetest, silliest dogs we know—from their noses to their fluffy, wiggly bums.

Pet Companion Magazine was thrilled to finally set up a booth at Corgi Beach Day in spring 2022. The event, founded and still hosted by the incredible team led by Kelly and Dan McLemore, was so much fun! Setup was organized and easy, and all the vendors were friendly and helpful. When the event opened and the corgis and their humans started pouring in, the energy was unbelievable. Corgi lovers are a fun group … their own special breed!

When we learned October would mark the 10th Anniversary of So Cal Corgi Beach Day, we wanted to help celebrate. So we created this issue for corgi lovers everywhere, and it’s ALL about the corgis!

A special thank you to Kelly for her help with resources, suggestions, and ideas for this special issue. The magazine, like Corgi Beach Day, flourished because of her enthusiasm.

Go online to petcompanionmag.com to find additional business resources on our website and in our digital issue. The digital magazine is easy to navigate and is phone-, tablet-, and computer-friendly. Use the scan code at right for fast access, or visit our social media to find the link to the issue. If you haven’t checked us out on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or our website, please do—we have a lot of great extra content there.

We at Pet Companion Magazine extend a huge thank you to our terrific advertisers, many of whom have supported the magazine since it began. And we welcome our new advertisers, who appreciate our loyal readership and are joining forces with us to advocate for pets everywhere. Please check out their ads, visit their businesses, and let them know you found out about them in Pet Companion Magazine!

We hope you’ll enjoy this special PCM Corgi issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

Publisher: Miriam Wiegel mwiegel@petcompanionmag.com

Editor: Christine Stossel editor@petcompanionmag.com

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Published four times a year.

Spring: mid March—mid June

Summer: mid July—mid October Fall: SPECIAL ISSUE

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Jojo

Mr. Pickles

Ziggy

Corgi Beach Day

A Look Back at 10 years of Corgi Beach Day Celebrations

By Larissa Salazar

Corgi lovers near and far are excited to be celebrating the 2022 Fall Corgi Beach Day, only the second since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all public events two years ago. But the freedom to mingle isn’t the only thing worth celebrating—this year marks the 10th anniversary of the very first (unofficial) So Cal Corgi Beach Day!

In the 10 years since that first informal gathering of corgis looking for a play date, the event has seen not only massive growth but also the birth of a community of corgi lovers, banded together and getting bigger every year. Back in 2012, Kelly and Dan McLemore’s beloved corgi, Mr. Pickles, had just made a full recovery from his torn ACL. After more than a year and a half of surgeries and infections, Pickles was back on his feet playing his favorite game of frisbee. Seeing Pickles active again inspired the couple to find some corgi friends for him to play with. They posted an invitation to a beach day for corgis on Facebook to anyone who would come.

When the day came, about 15 owners showed up with their corgis. Sandwiches were made and friendships were forged. Everyone wore a name tag and there were no activities, just hanging out. The gathering was so satisfying that Kelly and Dan decided to do it again 3 months later. On that day, 100 people showed up. It was a huge jump from the original 15 who started it all, so 3 months later, they tried it again. This time, 500 people showed up! They knew then there was

First Corgi Beach Day, 2012

Early Corgi Beach Day

Early Corgi Beach Day

PHOTOS COURTESY SO CAL CORGI NATION

no stopping the inevitable rise of the joyous Corgi Beach Day.

In 2013, Kelly and Dan partnered with Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Rescue. This corgi rescue started as a tiny but noble operation out of a one-bedroom apartment. Today, they have a full-blown facility just outside of Los Angeles. For the last 9 years, the couple has been encouraging people to donate to and support Queen’s Best.

Kelly and Dan continued to host Corgi Beach Day four times a year—one for each season—and quickly realized its potential. They knew it was time to make things official: they started producing stickers and t-shirts, and they invited vendors to sell their products at the event. Around 2017, the couple decided to schedule only two Corgi Beach Days a year, just spring and fall. The winter celebration was proving unpredictable in terms of weather. And the summer event was becoming difficult to manage with the ever-present threat of intense and sudden heat. No one wanted the corgis to burn their paws on the sand or overheat. Instead, more time and preparation were dedicated to the spring and fall events.

And ultimately, two new events were added to the calendar: Corgi Nationals and Winter Corgi Nationals.

In 2018, the McLemore family began hosting bi-annual corgi racing at Santa

the paper, and all over social media. Corgi Beach Day suddenly became famous. The future opportunities for Corgi Beach Day were now limitless.

To this day, So Cal Corgi Beach Day is still run almost entirely by Kelly and Dan. As you can imagine, it’s a huge undertaking for two people with full-time jobs. They plan and organize every detail leading up to the event, and enlist volunteers help run operations on the day. Both are natural entrepreneurs who had planned to create a business of their own for a long time before Corgi Beach Day ever entered their minds. After

peach in Japanese, and since the peach emoji is widely considered to look like the breed’s fluffy hind quarters, many corgi lovers affectionately refer to corgi butts as momos.

This year’s Fall Beach Day is dual themed—in addition to its usual “Howlo-ween” theme, it is also a celebration of So Cal Corgi Beach Day’s 10th anniversary. To cap off the festivities and fun, multiple bubble machines are launching thousands of bubbles at the end of the day. Corgis chasing bubbles—it’s the perfect photo op!

Don’t miss another So Cal Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Dog Beach—the next fun-filled event will be Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anita Park. The races are known as Corgi Nationals and Winter Corgi Nationals. So while they abandoned their plan to host Corgi Beach Day four times a year, Kelly and Dan still hosted quarterly events, but now with more variety. Corgi Nationals has proven just as popular as Corgi Beach Day. Marking only its fourth year, about 10,000 guests came to the event this past Memorial Day weekend.

A portion of the proceeds from Corgi Beach Day go to the Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Rescue, and 100 percent of the proceeds from Corgi Nationals are donated to the rescue.

Although 2013 saw a partnership with an amazing corgi rescue, and 2017 and 2018 saw the introduction of Corgi Nationals, 2015 was by far the most pivotal year for Kelly and Dan. It was the first year the media descended on Huntington Dog Beach to cover So Cal Corgi Beach Day. The event landed on the nightly news, in

hosting the event a few times, they realized this was the business they’d been looking for. Ten years later, the celebration remains close to their hearts and acts as a creative and entrepreneurial outlet for them both.

Corgi Beach Days now draw as many as 14,000 people, 30 vendors, and 9 food trucks. Hosted by emcee Dan, the day is jam-packed with activities in the main arena. A large swath of space is sectioned off for a Best Costume Contest, Cutest Cardigan Contest, Limbo Contest, Eating Contest, Fetch Contest, Best Momo Contest, and more. If you’re curious, “momo” means

Stay connected through their website at socalcorgibeachday.com, on Instagram @ socalcorgibeachday, or at facebook.com/ socalcorgibeachday.

PHOTOS @STEAMERLEEDOGPHOTOGRAPHY

@STEAMERLEEDOGPHOTOGRAPHY

@STEAMERLEEDOGPHOTOGRAPHY

@STEAMERLEEDOGPHOTOGRAPHY

Soulful Pet Portraits

In San Clemente today lives an artist who seeks to express the very soul of a wide range of domesticated animals in her watercolors-on-board, as the focus of her art business, Soulful Pet Portraits. Michelle Delanty, in her mid-30s, possesses the extraordinary ability to see inside our lovable pets, to capture in her painted portraits their personality and feelings, as well as every unique detail of their fur’s color, type, and individual patterns.

In her four years of painting pets, Michelle has become attuned to the different relationships that all kinds of people have with their pets. Characteristically, as Michelle studied those relationships, pet owners felt that the love they received from their pet was of the purest kind, since it was unconditional: animals know no evil, jealousy or discontent. They share every part of their owners’ lives with them, and go with them through every trial. Michelle believes that the relationships humans develop with their pets teach valuable lessons that can help us appreciate our human relationships.

As more and more collectors of her work began to provide photographs, requesting portraits of their beloved pets, Michelle’s observations and feelings began to fuel her passion to describe not only the outer appearance of these special creatures but also their emotions. To do that, she decided that she would learn

to paint the eyes of her models as “windows to the soul,” and it would be there—in the center of the face—that she would see and portray each pet’s particular personality. She changed her color palette to reflect the subtleties of fur patterns and lighting, and became a student of reflected light and the modeling of three-dimensional forms. She began to use archival materials, such as Ampersand boards made of high-density aspen fibers, and gouache paint (opaque watercolor) from Holbein and Winsor-Newton. She tested different brands and types of varnish until she found just the right sealant. Presentation of the final artwork is of primary importance to the artist, who employs sturdy, high-finish framing and ships her work—with a thank-you note—in secure packaging. At art fairs, she displays her work in a professional booth, with giclee reproductions, business cards and contact information. The Soulful Pet Portraits website is continually being updated (soulfulpetportraits. com). Michelle is always ready to accept new commissions and eager to work with anyone who loves God’s special creatures. She has even expanded her work to painting commissioned portraits of infants, children, and figures.

Contact the artist through soulfulpetportraits.com or on Instagram @watercolorpetportraits.

BY MICHELLE DELANTY

Degenerative Myelopathy

Your Most Common Questions Answered

By Dr. John Waterhouse Veterinarian and Certified Canine Rehab Practitioner, Canine Rehab on Demand

You may wonder why you sometimes see corgis with their back legs being supported by what looks like a dog-sized wheelchair. It’s called a cart, and it works for dogs the way a walker works for a human. There are several conditions that can affect a corgi’s mobility, particularly in the hind legs. Corgis, along with numerous other dog breeds, can be genetically predisposed to a spinal cord disorder called degenerative myelopathy (DM).

Also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM), DM is characterized by clinical signs of slowly progressive hind-limb weakness and paralysis. The symptoms are caused by the oxidative damage to and degeneration of the Schwann cells in the white matter of the spinal cord. This degeneration causes interference with both motor and sensory function of the white matter. In DM, the white matter of the spinal cord—which contains the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting movement commands from the brain

to the limbs and sensory information from the limbs to the brain—degenerates.

One of the first breeds in which the disease was diagnosed was the German Shepherd, so DM has also been called German Shepherd dog degenerative myelopathy. In the early stages, DM can be misdiagnosed as hip dysplasia, discospondylitis, a spinal tumor or injury, fibrocartilaginous embolism, or myasthenia gravis.

DM has been diagnosed in many dog breeds, but most of the research has been focused on these breeds:

ƒ American Eskimo Dog

ƒ Bernese Mountain Dog

ƒ Borzoi

ƒ Boxer

ƒ Cardigan Welsh Corgi

ƒ Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rhodesian Ridgeback

ƒ Collie

ƒ German Shepherd

ƒ German Shepherd Crossbreed

ƒ Golden Retrievers

ƒ Great Pyrenees

ƒ Kerry Blue Terriers

ƒ Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Poodle (Miniature)

ƒ Pembroke Welsh Corgi

ƒ Poodle (Standard)

ƒ Pug

ƒ Shetland Sheepdog

ƒ Siberian Husky

STAGING DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY

I like to divide DM into five stages. This helps when tracking how the disease is progressing and allows my clients to set objective benchmarks to use in making quality-of-life decisions. None of the stages is exact, as every patient is different and will progress at a different rate through these five stages. The stages provide good benchmarks for what to expect, but there can be some overlap in terms of clinical signs.

The average age at which clinical signs begin to appear is 8 to 14 years. Typically, the patient will progress through all the

stages within a 12- to 18-month timeframe. The cumulative oxidative damage to the spinal cord white matter doesn’t appear until later in life, which explains why dogs with DM don’t respond to treatment. By the time the dog displays symptoms, the damage is already done.

The number one question about DM that I hear from clients is about bladder and bowel function. These are generally normal in the early stages of the disease, but as the disease progresses to the mid- to late stages discussed below, urinary and fecal incontinence will develop in conjunction with hind-limb paralysis.

THE FIVE STAGES OF DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY STAGE 1 OR EARLY STAGE (SLIGHT SIGNS)

Clinical signs include:

ƒ Weakness in rear legs

ƒ Slight change in gait

ƒ Change in tail position

ƒ Scuffing of rear paw pads

ƒ Wearing down of innermost rear paw nail

Signs typically associated with hip dysplasia include:

ƒ The dog has difficulty getting up from a lying position

ƒ Hindquarters appear to sway when walking

Proprioceptive deficit (“knuckling

in a dog with suspected degenerative myelopathy.

ƒ Early evidence of a loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs

ƒ Tail movement becomes less active

ƒ Rear legs start to cross each other when walking (worse when the dog turns)

ƒ May start to see urinary and fecal incontinence

ƒ May start to see knuckling when walking

ƒ May start to see delayed righting-reflex response times

STAGE 3 OR MID-STAGE (PARTIAL PARALYSIS)

The clinical signs of mid-stage degenerative myelopathy include:

ƒ Loss of tail movement

ƒ Jerky movement in the hind limbs when trying to walk

ƒ Falling down when walking or standing (“drunken sailor”)

ƒ Cross extensor response—when one rear paw is touched, the other rear paw moves

ƒ Asymmetric weakness progressing to paraplegia

ƒ Falling over easily if lightly pushed

ƒ Wobbling and unable to maintain balance when standing

ƒ Knuckling of the hind paws when trying to walk (very obvious when turning)

ƒ Feet scraping on the ground when walking (constantly)

ƒ Inability to walk

STAGE 2 OR EARLY TO MIDSTAGE (NEUROLOGICAL DEFICITS NOTED)

The clinical signs in early to mid-stage DM include:

ƒ Beginning to have difficulty standing up

ƒ Swaying in the hind end when standing

ƒ Scraping all rear paw nails intermittently when walking (creating a click-click sound)

Bedding

One of the most important things I tell my clients is to think about a proper bedding system to help their pet. A supportive bedding system is my go-to first step.

Proper bedding is important not only for comfort but also because a dog suffering from DM needs to rest. In addition to providing a supportive bedding system, make sure the dog has a quiet place to sleep or just lie still, away from the activity and noise of the household. As the disease progresses, they will be more and more confined to a bed as they are no longer able to move around on their own. A supportive bedding system is vital in these late stages to help them stay comfortable and prevent pressure sore development from prolonged periods of non-movement.

Conditioning

Physical Exercise

ƒ Partial paralysis of the hind limbs (knuckling)

ƒ Urinary and fecal incontinence

STAGE 4 OR LATE STAGE (COMPLETE PARALYSIS)

The clinical signs of late-stage disease include:

ƒ Complete paralysis of the hind limbs and loss of all motor function

Conditioning benefits cardiovascular fitness, endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility. It’s essential for overweight pets or pets that aren’t fit. It’s also great for pets with chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Strong muscles around a joint help support it and diminish the risk of joint laxity. For pets with DM, we have to be careful not to overdo it when it comes to exercise conditioning, as this can have a counterproductive impact on the rate of disease progression and worsening of clinical signs if we overtrain.

The hind-limb paw of a dog with degenerative myelopathy shows the worndown, innermost nail, which can be a clinical sign of the disease.

over”)

ƒ Loss of all sensory and deep-pain reflexes

ƒ Hyporeflexia of the myotatic and withdrawal reflexes

STAGE 5 OR FINAL STAGE (ASCENDING PARALYSIS TO FRONT LIMBS)

The clinical signs of final-stage disease include:

ƒ Complete urinary and fecal incontinence

ƒ Ascending paralysis to the front limbs

ƒ Weakness in front legs

DOES YOUR DOG HAVE THE GENE?

The past thinking about DM is that only dogs with two copies of the mutated SOD1 gene will develop DM, but this is not always the case A dog must have both the alleles (that is, A/A homozygotes) to develop DM. But there have also been cases in which dogs that test positive don’t develop DM, as well as cases in which a dog that has only one SOD1 gene (A/N heterozygous) develops DM. It’s now thought that environmental factors may play a big part in the progression of the disease and explain why some dogs that are positive for both

Laser Therapy

Arecent study comparing class IIIB and class IV lasers in the treatment of DM patients was recently published, and this is a game changer in treating our DM patients. The objective of this retrospective study was to examine the impact that adding photobiomodulation therapy to rehabilitation therapy had on the pathology of degenerative myelopathy in canine patients. This research was conducted by Dr. Lisa Miller and Dr. Deb Torraca.

Here’s a snapshot of their protocol, which I’ve pulled straight out of the study: They divided the dogs in the study into group A and group B. Dogs in group A were treated with a class IIIB laser, and dogs in group B were treated with a class IV laser. The study showed that when compared to the historical expectations

DM and Genetics

Corgis have three alleles of the mutated SOD1 gene:

• Clear of any mutation

• Carrier – one mutated copy of the SOD1 gene

• At-risk – both SOD1 genes have a mutation

CLEAR CARRIER AT RISK

MATING PAIRS: There are six possible combinations, and each combination has four possible outcomes:

Clear x Clear – all puppies will be clear

Clear x Carrier – each puppy has a 50% chance of being clear, and a 50% chance of being a carrier

Clear x At-Risk – all puppies will be carriers

Carrier x Carrier – each puppy has a 25% chance of being clear, a 50% chance of being a carrier, and a 25% chance of being at risk

Carrier x At-Risk – each puppy has a 50% chance of being a carrier, and a 50% chance of being at risk

At-Risk x At-Risk – all puppies will be at risk

of life expectancy of dogs in group A (control group no treatment), dogs in group B had a significantly delayed progression of symptoms and significantly longer survival times. The study also showed that the disease progression rate and survival times for the group A dogs were similar to published historical data. There were a couple of

exceptions, but the study showed that the control or group A dogs had the same average survival time as untreated dogs with degenerative myelopathy. The time between symptom onset and euthanasia of dogs in group B was, on average, 38 months plus or minus 14 months. This was significantly longer than that for the dogs in group A,

which survived an average of 11 months plus or minus 2.6 months. This is game changing, in that there was more than a threefold increase in survival time in the dogs that received laser treatment using a class IV unit.

Similarly, the duration of time between symptom onset and non-ambulatory paresis or paralysis of dogs in group B averaged 31 months plus or minus 12 months. This was significantly longer than that of dogs in group A, which was eight months plus or minus one and a half months.

This is huge. This is revolutionary. This study was published within the last several months, and it’s already changing the way we’re treating our patients with DM—we always want to use a class IV laser when treating our DM-affected patients.

SOD1 genes (A/A homozygotes) don’t develop clinical signs and other dogs that are carriers (A/N heterozygous) develop this disease.

There’s still much to be discovered and learn about DM and its causes. The genetic test isn’t 100% foolproof, but it provides a common-sense prediction of which dogs are at risk—and the degree of that risk— and which dogs aren’t.

CLINICAL SIGNS USED TO DIAGNOSE DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY

The classic clinical signs of DM are:

ƒ Sudden onset of clinical neurological signs without trauma

ƒ No history of pain

ƒ Mild ataxia and paresis of the hind limbs without thoracic limbs being affected

As we’ve mentioned, there’s a greater likelihood of DM if the patient is a high-risk breed or between 5 and 14 years of age. Diagnosis is based on the exclusion of all other disorders, and the genetic test may assist in a diagnosis when used in conjunction with clinical signs to get a presumptive diagnosis. The only truly accurate diagnosis can be made on post-mortem examination

of the spinal cord.

One of the big challenges in diagnosing DM is that it’s a diagnosis of exclusion— meaning all other diseases must be ruled out. The signs of degenerative myelopathy are similar to hip dysplasia in stages 1 and 2, and initial clinical signs may mimic other spinal conditions, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) (see article on page 36), or a slow-growing tumor of the spine.

Radiographs (X-rays) are usually the first line of diagnostic tests performed in determining if a dog has DM. X-rays are excellent for ruling out hip dysplasia or other degenerative joint diseases in the hindlimb joints and spine. The only drawback to radiographs is they don’t show soft-tissue structures—such as the spinal discs and the spinal cord—very well. If IVDD or a spinal tumor is suspected, an MRI or CT scan is

How Do You Protect Your Corgi From DM?!

Unfortunately, there is no way to slow down or stop the effects of Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Affecting over 100 dog breeds and prevalent in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it is a genetic condition, BUT, you CAN stop future generations from suffering! This disease begins to cease motor functions until, ultimately, the dog suffocates. It is devastating for both dog and pawrent. However …

This disease is 100% preventable by testing before breeding. Help us by joining the fight!

a more appropriate imaging technique for ruling out these possible diagnoses. Another diagnostic alternative is myelography. This involves injecting a contrast agent (dye) into the space surrounding the spinal cord and radiographing the spine to note any interruption of the dye, which could indicate IVDD or a spinal tumor. Both MRI and myelography require the dog to be sedated with a general anesthetic.

Occasionally, it’s necessary to collect and analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to rule out inflammatory conditions. The problem that we see with DM patients is that putting the dog under general anesthesia can exacerbate the disease. It’s believed that the general anesthetic and the fluid-collection procedure places more oxidative stress on the remaining Schwann cells and can speed up the destruction of the remaining nerve cell axons in the white matter.

The genetic test that’s currently available is helpful, but it still can be costly, frustrating, and time consuming to get to a diagnosis of DM.

ƒ Anti-oxidant supplements

ƒ Physical exercise

ƒ Physical therapy, which has been shown to improve and prolong quality of life

ƒ Rehabilitation modalities, which have been shown to be successful in slowing spinal degeneration

ƒ A patient in stage 3 or 4 may need a supportive device like a sling or a cart when hind-limb paralysis progresses to the point that the dog is unable to stand or walk

PROGNOSIS

The one good thing about this disease is that it’s not painful. As white matter axons in the spinal cord are lost, the dog loses the ability to feel pain or any sensation in its hind limbs. As mentioned earlier, bladder or fecal incontinence isn’t seen in stages 1 or 2, but incontinence is usually a symptom in stages 3 and 4, as hind-limb paralysis progresses.

As mentioned, the DM disease process typically proceeds over a 12- to 18-month

heart-wrenching when DM is the cause. The reason is that the dog typically has a good appetite, is pain-free, and their mind remains sharp. Saying goodbye to a dog that we know is terminally ill or in pain is somewhat easier, because we don’t want them to suffer.

HOME CARE

Home care of a pet with DM requires 100% commitment from the pet parent. It is not an easy task, but with the proper guidance, caring for a pet at home can help slow the progression of the disease to allow a better quality of life for both the pet and the pet parent. Not incorporating a proper home care program early on can lead to a quicker progression of the disease.

It is important that a home care program incorporates a multimodal approach to caring for a pet with DM. This may include:

ƒ Pain control (from secondary falls and injury)

ƒ Weight control

ƒ An anti-inflammatory-rich diet (EPA-rich)

ƒ Physical rehabilitation

ƒ Controlled home exercise program

ƒ Nutraceutical supplements

The aim of a proper home care program is to improve strength and to maintain muscle mass, ultimately slowing down the progression of muscle disuse atrophy and maintaining good function for as long as possible. Our end goal for our pet companion is to maintain the best quality of life for the longest time possible.

To learn more about how to properly care for a pet with DM at home or to learn more about this debilitating disease, go to degenerativemyelopathyinfo.com or caninerehabondemand.com.

TREATMENT OF DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY

There’s currently no effective treatment for DM, although there are promising options to slow disease progression. That being said, there are several things we can do to extend the life of a patient by months or even years. If we know early on that a dog is a carrier of or at risk for DM, we can make lifestyle changes so they might never show clinical signs of disease.

These changes include:

ƒ Not allowing the dog to become overweight (maintaining a bodycondition score of no more than 5 out of 9)

ƒ Feeding a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in starches

period from the time of onset of the first clinical signs. When symptoms become too debilitating, most owners opt for euthanasia. Determining when to euthanize is a highly individualized decision that’s determined by how adaptive—both physically and psychologically—the dog and owner(s) are to the situation. Some dogs do well in a cart, while others never take to it. Besides the emotional toll that having a dog with DM takes on the owner, there’s also a great deal of physical care involved including lifting, carrying, and cleaning up after the pet. It’s a challenging situation for anyone, and some people are able to handle it better than others.

Deciding to euthanize a beloved family member is never easy, but it’s particularly

In 2010, John moved to the United States to undertake a fellowship in pain management and rehabilitative medicine under the direction of Dr. James Gaynor with Peak Performance Veterinary Group in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

John was brought on as a consultant from early 2013 to January 2014 to help build and open the new Canine Rehabilitation & Arthritis Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado

In 2014, John became director of Veterinary Teaching Academy. He currently speaks around the world at various conferences on the topics of Canine Arthritis and Pain Management in relation to canine sports medicine.

Dr. John Waterhouse BVSc, CCRP graduated in 2004 from the University of Sydney Veterinary School in Australia and went into general small animal practice. He continued to further his education in the areas of veterinary alternative medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture.

celebricorgIs meet THE

Each year, 2 million dogs are adopted into homes in the United States, with another 2.6 million purchased from breeders. One of the most sought-after dog breeds today is the short-legged, long-bodied, rump-wiggling corgi. According to the American Kennel Club, the corgi has been climbing steadily in the ranks as America’s most popular breed. In 2008, they ranked 24th; in 2018, they were 13th. By 2019, they had broken into the top ten, and they’ve stayed there the last three years. Their popularity can be traced online, first in the form of hilarious memes, and then on social media platforms like Instagram, where corgis amass huge followings of fans who delight in seeing their antics every day. Let’s meet some of the celebricorgis currently taking over the Internet.

Interviews by Larissa Salazar

We’ve noticed that corgis often come in pairs, but this crew comes in a quartet! And despite their account name of @threecorgis, they really are a pack of four. The eldest and only lady of the group is Cupcake at 14 years old. She’s sassy and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do, her owner Jerry reports. “No one gets away with sniffing her butt.”

Cupcake, Wolfgang, Angus, & Hammy @threecorgis

Followers: 167K

Following close behind at 11 years old is Wolfgang. Exceptionally sweet and loving, Wolfgang is unfortunately battling cancer with everything he’s got. The recent installation of a feeding tube has been encouraging, however, helping him gain back some of his strength. Perhaps the most unique looking of the bunch and the third in line in terms of age is Angus at 4 years old. Angus

is a cowboy corgi—a mix between a Pembroke Welsh corgi and an Australian cattle dog— and he sports a gorgeous black and white coat.

Last but not least is young Hammy, a mere 2 years old. Jerry likes to describe him as a “thick little bruiser” that will “go where no corgi has gone before.” He’s tough, unafraid of anything, and likes to prove it with his little performative growls if you pat his butt.

Jerry set out to adopt a corgi after watching one of David Letterman’s “Stupid Pet Tricks” segments. And before the current four corgis came into the picture, there was Hambone. The original family corgi, Hambone happily accepted each of his younger corgi siblings as they joined the family. Hambone passed away in 2018 after surgery and follow-up treatment for a back injury.

Ollie & Brinkley

@ollieandbrinkley

17.2K Followers

Kelly’s teenage daughter begged her parents for a corgi. Kelly and her husband didn’t understand what was so special about this dog breed—that is, until they begrudgingly attended a So Cal Corgi Beach Day in 2017. In no time, the hunt was on for a family corgi.

That same year, they met 12-week-old Ollie through a reputable breeder. They instantly knew he was the one.

Kelly likes to call the beautiful red-headed tricolor Pembroke Welsh corgi “the apple of his momma’s eye.”

After about a year with Ollie, the family knew it was time for a corgi sibling. They went back to the breeder and immediately fell in love with Brinkley, who is named after

Tom Hanks’ dog from the 1998 comedy movie, You’ve Got Mail. Kelly describes Brinkley as the spunky, sassy star of the show, who will give kisses to anyone who shows her some attention.

Today, Ollie, Brinkley, and the family travel all around California, as well as to Arizona

and Colorado. Next summer, they’ll attend Corgi Beach Day in Oregon! Between their travels and their Instagram platform, Kelly says she’s met many incredible people because of Ollie and Brinkley. The dogs even helped her forge a strong friendship with a family living all the way in Texas! She is grateful to have become a part of the corgi community and relishes the love, support, and friendship she finds there.

PHOTO BRETT FRAGER

Valerie had never owned a dog before, and after their marriage in 2011, husband Scotty had to use his parents’ gentle tri-colored corgi as a selling point and promise to do all the dirty work to get her to agree to adopt one into their new family. With Valerie finally on board, the couple set out to pick up their new adopted pup, Zero—they’d carefully made a comfy bed in the back

Followers: 84.6K

of the car for her to ride home in. But Zero must have known the way to Valerie’s heart, because she spent the 2-hour ride curled up in Valerie’s lap. Valerie never stood a chance.

In October 2014, Valerie and Scott attended their first So Cal Corgi Beach Day. They had a blast and vowed to return. The April 2015 Corgi Beach Day went viral, and before she knew it, Valerie was transforming her Instagram into Zero’s Instagram, rapidly

gaining new friends and followers. Zero began to be recognized at both So Cal Corgi Beach Day and Northern California’s Corgi Con in San Francisco.

Early in Zero’s life, she showed a love for swimming. Because Zero looked like a “fluffy floating potato,” Valerie and Scotty decided to film her swimming underwater with a GoPro—and her popularity skyrocketed. In addition to swimming, Zero loves hiking,

frolicking in the flowers, and playing a homemade game called “CorgiPult,” where Zero launches her toys across the room while lying on her back. Zero is the queen of adventures, and she’s always ready for some new fun!

Ziggy @ziggy_thecorg

Followers: 47.8K

Adventure girl Ziggy is 2-1/2 years old and has a “larger-thanlife personality full of energy, love, and sass,” according to her owner Jessica. Ziggy has an incredible track record of racing at Corgi Nationals, finishing 3rd at the Spring Nationals and 2nd at the Fall Nationals. Not only does Ziggy continually knock it out of the park at Corgi Nationals, but she also got to show off her

speed in front of LA Chargers fans during a halftime corgi race last season. She placed 2nd overall. Jessica and Ziggy are currently pursuing their goal to visit all 50 states and have already checked 25 states off their list (including Alaska)! Ziggy’s other favorite hobbies include birdwatching and eating ice cream.

Jessica loves to keep Ziggy involved in the corgi social scene. She also enjoys helping Corgi Beach Day founder Kelly

McLemore with many of the So Cal Corgi Nation Events, including Corgi Beach Day and Corgi Nationals. She says some of her and Ziggy’s best friends have come from So Cal Corgi Nation’s planned meetups at dog parks and beaches. Watching the growth of the corgi community has been fun and gratifying for Jessica, and she looks forward to seeing just how big Corgi Beach Day will become in the future.

Since 2015, Maxine has lived with her parents in New York City and frequently enjoys snoozing, snacking, and going on adventures in her backpack as she continues to inspire chonks around the world to enjoy more adventures with their humans.

With millions of fans across the internet, Maxine the Fluffy Corgi is one of the most popular and recognizable dogs on social media. She’s also the mastermind behind Little Chonk, a creator-led startup revolutionizing the pet travel category.

Dash & Mae

@dashandmae_thecorgis

Followers: 17.8K

Corgis Dash and Mae are both 8 years old and have been enjoying life with their human parents since they were both just puppies. Although they came from different litters, they’re only three weeks apart, so they joined the family around the same time as young siblings. Despite their closeness in age, these two have distinctively

different personalities. For example, at the dog park, you’ll usually find Dash ordering the other dogs around, while Mae hangs back a bit, being very particular about the dogs she chooses to acknowledge. However, one thing they have in common is their shared love of attention, which they command wherever they go.

Alexandra’s affection for

her corgis is laughingly apparent as she mimics Mae’s unique howl—it sounds like a “roo”—and the funny sounds that Dash makes when he gets excited. As a young girl, she was immediately smitten when she met the fun-loving corgi

owned by a childhood pal. Delighted to finally have two of her own, Alexandra loves sharing her corgis with the world, and she says the friendly and supportive community at So Cal Corgi Beach Day has kept her coming back every year.

Five-year-old Han and two-year-old Momo are both tri-colored corgis. Their owner, Alyssa, was already a huge corgi lover when her boyfriend surprised her with Han on her birthday back in 2017. Han was the perfect gift—from the day she first saw a corgi at a dog park, she knew it was the breed for her. By the time 2020 rolled

@han.the.corgi

Followers: 22.1K

around, Alyssa decided it was time for Han to have a sibling, and there is no better sibling for a corgi than another corgi. That’s when the outgoing Momo entered the picture. You might not guess that Han and Momo are brother and sister, as their personalities couldn’t be more different.

Han is mellow and calm. Alyssa jokes that he is secretly human

because of the way that he looks at you when you talk to him. “It’s like he understands you completely,” she says. On the other hand, Momo is a high-energy social butterfly who isn’t afraid of anything. She was the one to introduce Han to the joy of water activities. Now, Han adores the beach.

Alyssa, Han, and Momo all

look forward to every Corgi Beach Day. Han and Momo enjoy wearing themselves out, playing in the sand and surf with their pals. Alyssa likes to shop the unique and corgi-themed merchandise available at the popular vendor booths. And, of course, all three love spending time with the close friends they’ve made in the So Cal corgi community.

Dropping In on Jojo Celebrity corgi still surfing at age 12

By Brady Rhoades

Photography courtesy @SuperCorgi_Jojo

Surfing champion Jojo is an international celebrity, and his fame comes with a price.

OK, who’s kidding whom? It’s not a price. It’s a perk.

On multiple occasions, we’ve been strolling around the mall, and people will randomly approach us and ask, “Is that SuperCorgi Jojo? The surfing corgi?!” said Josephine Zosa, Jojo’s human. “They always ask if they can get a photo or pet him. It’s so nice when that people recognize him.”

Jojo entered his first surf competition in Del Mar, California, in 2015 and raised over $2000 for Helen Woodward Animal Center. He competed in Florida in 2016. In Huntington Beach, California, in 2017, Jojo won third place in a surf competition. In 2019, Jojo won his first surfing title in Hawaii. And that would explain this San Diego local’s “surfer dude” personality.

“He knows if we’re going to the beach. Each time I pack his surfboard, he gets super excited and runs to the front door,” Zosa said. “He loves to sunbathe.”

“Jojo has been surfing for about eight years. He doesn’t act like he’s slowing down … he still acts like he’s 4 years old.”

—Josephine Zosa

Jojo, 12, is a sensation on social media, with 125,000 Instagram followers (@SuperCorgi_ Jojo). He’s also on Facebook and YouTube. Just type in “Super Corgi Jojo.”

Corgis are a popular breed of dog for a lot of reasons, including one royal one. The late Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, owned corgis from 1933 until her death, according to corgiadoption.com. The Washington Post reports she owned more than 30 of them over her lifetime. They were her constant companions. When she ascended to the throne, and when TV became a household fixture, her corgis became famous and beloved. The Daily Mail reported that the Queen’s dachshund-corgi, Candy, 18, passed away earlier this year. The Queen was reportedly heartbroken.

Both Queen Elizabeth and Candy are now at rest. The Queen’s surviving corgis, Sandy and Muick, are living with Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, to the relief of dog lovers around the world.

Jojo, however, doesn’t follow the news, so he’s unaware of the popularity of the Queen’s corgis or the affection held worldwide for his breed. He just wants to know if the surf’s up when he wakes from his nightly slumber.

The story of why and how he started riding waves makes him all the more compelling. When Jojo was 4 years old, Zosa and Jojo were walking to their car from her apartment when two large dogs suddenly attacked them. Zosa was left with a bite on her hand, and Jojo nearly died after the dog grabbed him by the neck and chest. He was left with mobility problems, separation anxiety, agoraphobia (fear of public places) and, later, weight issues.

Zosa and her then-husband spent the money they’d saved for their wedding on Jojo’s medical treatments. After weeks of procedures and therapy, Jojo could still barely walk. Aqua therapy had shown promise, though, and one day Zosa’s thenhusband put Jojo on his surfboard and nudged him into a cresting wave. Jojo rode

it all the way to the sand.

From there, it was a matter of practice. Soon enough, the little guy was a traveling surfing pro in the vein of Kelly Slater or, more currently, No. 1 ranked phenom Filipe Toledo. More importantly, Jojo’s passion for surfing resulted in weight loss and enhanced strength and flexibility in his legs. As time went on, Zosa’s friend, surf instructor Aidanne Angobung, took over helping train Jojo.

“Jojo has been surfing for about eight years,” said Zosa. “His health is excellent. He doesn’t act like he’s slowing down… he still acts like he’s 4 years old.” Surfing also boosted his confidence, and he did not forget that his human had been injured, too. “Since the attack, I notice I can’t pet other dogs while he’s present. Jojo is now protective of me, and I believe that’s to make sure we never run into that scary situation again.”

Like any surfer, Jojo has his favorite spots: Del Mar, California, and Oahu, Hawaii. The surf report must state: warm water (about

Jojo’s surf coach Aidanne Angobung (@aaidanne)

70 degrees, ideally). He also prefers to surf in the summer. Winter is for snowboarding at Big Bear Mountain and Mammoth. He dons his snow boots, snow jacket, and protective sunglasses for his mountain adventures.

“He makes so many people smile,” Zosa said. And if they’re not smiling, they’re probably soothed inside. Jojo is a certified therapy dog.

“Jojo started being a therapy dog when he was 3 years old,” Zosa said. “He started with American Therapy Pets, Inc., visiting the elderly in their homes and going to the library to have kids read to him. And he joined Scripps Pet Therapy Program to continue his therapy service at the hospital. He

has made so many connections by doing therapy visits. All the families and the people that he visited at the hospital wanted to follow him on Instagram. It’s been hard with the pandemic, because they stopped the volunteering completely for three years, but now it’s slowly opening back up. Thank goodness for Facetime and Zoom meetings, where they can still say hi to Jojo!”

In some ways, Jojo is a typical corgi. Corgis are alert, affectionate and smart, according to the American Kennel Club. Generally, they’re trainable, energetic and great watchdogs. At home, Jojo enjoys doing “zoomies” (racing around randomly), digging toys out of his toy box to gin up excitement, and playing with other dogs.

But fashion forward? That’s another area where Jojo is atypical. He loves dressing up. Think Lady Gaga but as a dude—he’ll try anything. In 2019, he won Best Costume at one of Huntington Beach’s biggest annual events: Corgi Beach Day. He went as a “claw machine.” Zosa dressed him as a lion and pushed him in a wagon—or “machine”—filled with corgi plush.

Surely, there will be more social media posts on Jojo following his next events.

When you browse his 3,000-plus IG photos and videos, a standout clip shows him dressed in his signature swim vest that features a dorsal fin. He starts on a wave, front legs down and rump raised (his usual MO before standing up and repeatedly adjusting his feet for balance), then, skimming past a camera, he appears to give it a quick sniff, or maybe it’s a kiss.

“I’m in love with this cool pup,” wrote one responder, and aren’t we all?

Jojo with bff Kilo (@kilokilopower)

Keeping Up with SuperCorgi Jojo

Surfing may be his first love, but Jojo enjoys new adventures of all kinds. He appeared on season 1, episode 5 of the Disney+ series, It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer. Farmer is an accomplished voice actor who has voiced Disney’s Goofy character since 1987, among other notable characters. In this show, he tells the extraordinary stories of dogs across the United States while educating viewers on responsible pet care.

You can also find Jojo at PetCon Chicago, an event celebrating favorite celebrity pets, in July 2023, where he’ll host a meet + greet for all his fans.

In August 2023, Jojo will be on the shores of Waikiki, competing in Hawaii’s only dog surfing competition, at Duke’s Oceanfest Watersports Festival. Held at venue sites across Waikiki, OceanFest features a variety of ocean sports that were close to the heart of surf-

ing legend Duke Kahanamoku.

And in October 2023, Jojo heads down to Florida for another surf competition.

Follow Jojo on Instagram @ supercorgi_jojo for all the latest dates, schedules, and other event information.

Featured Rescue: Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog

By Alicia Bailey

The popularity of corgis is undisputed, and if you’re on social media for any amount of time, it’s probable that images and videos of these perma-smiled, fluffy-bootied cuties fill your feeds on the daily. While it’s easy to assume that all corgis are living their best lives, the reality is that many are ending up in animal shelters, like so

many other dogs.

After adopting a corgi from a local rescue and diving into the intricacies of the animal welfare world, Susan Luong realized the plight of homeless corgis in shelters and began doing all she could to rescue them. Her passion for rescue and love for the breed drew her to focus specifically on corgis flagged as “special

needs”—at the time, mainly seniors and those with medical needs.

Over time, as the breed became more popular, Susan noted that behavior issues, such as biting, became as prevalent in the special needs category as for those without special needs. To truly focus on saving lives of the most vulnerable corgis and provide them with

the wide scope of care they needed and deserved, Susan knew she had to take a big step. She opened Queens Best Stumpy Dog Rescue (QBSDR) in 2013.

Like all breeds, corgis come with their own innate characteristics and personality traits and, if they’re not properly nurtured through the process of managing some of these

Rescue

Sanctuary Dogs

QBSDR sanctuary dogs are special souls that, because of their history and/or needs, are not candidates for adoption —they live full time at the ranch. Susan says, “We are so thankful to be able to give them a safe, loving home, and we’re grateful for their enduring spirits. Because of them, we have learned to always be Present, Aware, and Mindful of our surroundings and interactions, and how we, ourselves, can influence outcomes.”

About QBSDR Founder Susan Luong

As a child, Susan was diagnosed with juvenile polymyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes progressively worsening muscle weakness. Throughout her childhood and into young adulthood, she was in and out of hospitals. It was in those hospitals that she experienced the unconditional love and compassion of therapy dogs.

After an experimental treatment put her into remission, her love for animals guided her to work in the pet care industry, volunteer at her local shelter, earn her certificate in dog psychology, and, ultimately, open QBSDR.

Susan says, “I’ve always believed in giving back to the world, because dogs have given me so much. They literally saved me from some of my darkest and loneliest moments, and this is one of the best ways to pay my respects to them.”

The staff at QBSDR do their best to set up both adopters and dogs for success by offering helpful resources for training, breed education, and fosterto-adopt support.

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KIMO LEO

traits, it can result in poor behavior. For example, corgis are bred to be herding dogs, so it’s only natural that they’d have the instinctual desire to nip at the heels of moving animals, children, etc. And because we often don’t know the background of a shelter dog, they require instruction and patience to change their behavior. Adopting a corgi (or any pet) requires a long-term commitment from owners to (1) understand their natural tendencies; (2) provide them with love, care, training, and medical treatment; and (3)

a corgi without being fully educated on the breed, thinking they are getting a little fluff ball that will be ‘cute and playful’ forever. But that is not true of any breed,” says Susan. “It is important for people to be prepared to offer the amount of care, commitment, training, and lifestyle that will benefit and enrich their corgi.”

If a person is not equipped with information and experience with the breed—or is not prepared to learn—then they’re setting the companion animal/human relationship up to fail. The collapse of the relationship is felt largely by the animal and less by the human. A failed adoption takes a painful toll on a dog, and almost 10 percent of all dog adoptions end with the owner returning the dog to the

QBSDR takes the placement and well-being of their adoptables very seriously, taking

extraordinary steps to support the dog and adopter every step of the way.

“We are here for the corgis we rescue, and it is our duty to ensure that they are placed in the proper home. We want every adoption to be a true ‘forever home’ for every dog we adopt out,” Susan explains. “We are also here for any help you may need along the way; we offer a variety of different resources to our adopters and are here to help them without judgment.”

Adopting a Corgi from Queens Best Stumpy Dog Rescue

At this time, QBSDR requires all potential adopters to begin their adoption journey by visiting their website to meet all the dogs who are available for adoption, learn more about their adoption process, and get started filling out an

application. Note that QBSDR does not adopt to homes out of state. Visit their website queensbeststumpydogrescue. org to meet the dogs and learn their stories.

Hound and Friends knows that dogs live shorter lives than humans. Our goal is to provide adorable accessories for dogs to enjoy with their humans so that they can live longer and happier lives.

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Rescue Information

Queens Best Stumpy Dog Rescue (QBSDR) is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated specifically to corgis with special needs who find themselves at local shelters. The organization runs 100% on donations, and there are many ways to give. Your Donations

Count!

Website: queensbeststumpydog rescue.org

Facebook: facebook.com/queensbeststumpydogrescue

Instagram: instagram.com/queensbeststumpydogrescue

Email: info@qbsdr.org

Adoptable dogs were available at press time. Hopefully, they have already found forever homes, but if you see your perfect match, please visit queensbeststumpydogrescue.org to find out if they are still available.

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Whether your loaf is untoasted, golden brown or charred, you’ll be sure to find something from our shop that reflects the spirit of your corgi. pretzelspupwear.com

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Remembering Mr. Pickles

By Larissa Salazar

His Facebook page reads: “Once in a lifetime, a dog comes along that brings joy and happiness to the world. A dog that brings together and forms a community from all walks of life. A dog who helps bond friendships, relationships, and even marriages. Today we celebrate the life of that special dog.”

So Cal’s much-loved corgi Mr. Pickles passed away on May 23rd at the age of 15. While he will forever be sorely missed, his legacy lives on through So Cal Corgi Beach Day, the event he helped found. Ten years ago, Kelly McLemore arranged the very first Corgi Beach Day in hopes of finding other corgis for Mr. Pickles to hang out with. Little did she know that, within a decade, her humble beach meet-up of 14 corgi owners would swell to 14,000 corgi families and fans flooding Huntington Dog Beach twice a year for the popular event.

Kelly and her husband, Dan, got Mr. Pickles when he was just a puppy. His favorite game was chasing the Frisbee, which he would play all day—that is, until Mr. Pickles ultimately tore his ACL going for a catch.

will surely be missed at future beach days. He’s known for not only being the original Corgi Beach Day corgi but also for his signature Hawaiian shirts, which he wore to every event. Attendees always looked for him so they could fawn over his latest design and grab a selfie with him. A happy accident, the Hawaiian shirt trend started one year when Mr. Pickles had to see the vet about some hotspots just a few days before the event. Unbeknownst to Kelly and Dan, the doctor shaved spots all over his body for treatment. Concerned, they decided to cover him up with a Hawaiian shirt to protect his bare skin from the sand and sun. And that’s how Mr. Pickles’ iconic look was born. The look caught on, and now you see corgis with Hawaiian shirts everywhere on Corgi Beach Day.

Although Mr. Pickles’ loss is painful, Kelly says she feels incredibly lucky to have had him by her side for 15 years—it was a long life for a corgi. After his passing, the McLemore family was overwhelmed by the countless expressions of sympathy, gifts, and kind words they received about Mr. Pickles.

The injury required a series of surgeries over the next year and half, because the first surgery led to a recurring infection that had to be revisited multiple times to find the root cause. Proving resilient, Mr. Pickles eventually healed and was back on the beach, ready to play Frisbee and looking for some corgi friends to play it with. It was on that first beach day after his long recovery—10 years ago this year—that his owners were struck by the idea of establishing a Corgi Beach Day. It seemed like the perfect way to meet and get to know other local corgis and their owners.

The So Cal corgi community couldn’t have agreed more. The idea grew into an event beyond Kelly and Dan’s wildest dreams— officially the largest gathering of corgis in the world! This pet-centric, family-friendly festival in Huntington Beach welcomes corgis, honorary corgis (dogs of any breed), and people twice a year to a day of contests, games, music, food, and fun.

As the official host for 10 years, Mr. Pickles

They hadn’t realized how many people and dogs truly adored him, especially those who attended Corgi Beach Day.

Proud of the difference Mr. Pickles made in the lives of corgis and corgi lovers, Kelly and Dan carry on with their other corgi Chappy (adopted 6 years ago), preparing for future corgi celebrations. On Corgi Beach Days, Mr. Pickles could often be found hanging around the main arena, smiling, looking for pets and scratches from anyone who was willing to give them. He loved to greet people and connected easily with everyone— the perfect balance of outgoing and chill.

So this year (or any year), if you’re lucky enough to witness the joy and spectacle of So Cal Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Dog Beach, give one of those corgis a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head. Do it for Mr. Pickles, and send him a silent thank you for inspiring this festival celebrating the cutest, silliest, sweetest dogs in the world and, of course, the corgi-crazy owners who love them.

Mr. Pickles passed away on May 23rd at the age of 15. While he will forever be sorely missed, his legacy lives on through So Cal Corgi Beach Day, the event he helped found.

IVDD Dogs and Intervertebral Disc Disease

By Dr. John Waterhouse Veterinarian and Certified Canine Rehab Practitioner, Canine Rehab on Demand

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition that affects a dog’s spinal cord and causes a range of painful mobility issues. Healthy discs between vertebrae (“intervertebral”) are rubbery and act as shock-absorbers. In IVDD, a disc becomes hardened and then ruptures, slips, or bulges, often pressing on the spinal cord.

This disease is also known by other names, including herniated disc, ruptured intervertebral disc, cervical disc disease, thoracolumbar disc disease, slipped disc, or disc herniation.

Intervertebral disc disease is an age related, gradual, degenerative disorder that often goes undetected. A veterinarian may not detect signs of IVDD until a dog’s hardened disc becomes ruptured and the dog shows symptoms of being in pain. Because the slipped, ruptured, or bulging disc may press on the spinal cord, it can not only cause pain but also interfere with nerve impulses. Some nerves affect bladder and bowel control, and other nerves affect muscles, which can lead to paralysis.

Disc degeneration typically occurs slowly, and a rupture may occur slowly as well. As a result, the degenerated disc material gradually escapes from the disc over several days or weeks. In these cases, the dog

often experiences pain and is reluctant to move. It can happen that the rupture may heal itself if the dog is allowed to rest. However, with an acute rupture, the dog may go from walking normally to being paralyzed in as little as an hour. It’s important to remember, though, that unlike some permanent, degenerative, and often terminal disorders like degenerative myelopathy,

for example (see article on page 10), IVDD isn’t fatal. It’s a lifelong disease that can usually be well managed.

A Brief Overview of the Anatomy of the Spine

The spine can be divided into four segments—cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. If the spinal cord is damaged, the

Anatomy of a dog’s spine

Cervical

Thoracic Lumbar Sacral

Thoracolumbar Region

damaged nerve cells don’t regenerate. The spine has 26 intervertebral segments that protect the spinal cord and give the spine it flexibility. Between each vertebral segment are the rubbery, cushion-like intervertebral discs.

As the outer fibrous layer of the intervertebral disc degenerates, the harder inner material starts to push out under pressure and can escape through that outer fibrous layer. This displaced inner material can place pressure on the spinal cord or roots of the spinal nerves extending from the spinal cord. This pressure can cause symptoms ranging from severe pain to weakness to paralysis.

Approximately 65% of disc ruptures occur in the thoracolumbar region of the back, and about 18% of disc ruptures occur in the cervical spine region.

Causes of Acute IVDD

Rupture of the intervertebral disc is caused by one of two types of forces that damage the spinal cord—compressive or concussive. The extent of the damage and the nerve cell loss is determined by the type of force. Compression works slowly over time, whereas a concussive force is like a bullet shot into the spinal cord. The longer the duration of compression, the more severe the clinical signs due to inflammation and reduced blood flow to the spinal cord. Often, in acute sudden onset cases we see something the dog frequently does—like jumping on the couch—damages a disc that’s been weakened by IVDD, triggering sudden and acute pain.

Disc rupture presents with different degrees of pain; however, when nerve damage starts to develop and progress, it follows a predictable pattern:

1. Back or neck pain, often resulting in the dog refusing to walk.

2. A “drunken sailor” walk or being wobbly in the hind end. The hind feet will often cross as the pet steps forward or tries to turn.

3. Complete loss of hind-limb motor function. At the same time, the pet often becomes incontinent.

4. Pain perception is lost, which is a sign of severe spinal cord injury that can carry a guarded to poor prognosis.

Breeds Most Susceptible to IVDD

The most common breeds affected by IVDD are breeds susceptible to chondrodystrophy (a disturbance in the proper development of cartilage). These are basically dwarf dog breeds, including:

ƒ Corgi

ƒ Dachshund

ƒ Basset Hound

Signs and Symptoms of IVDD

The most common clinical signs of IVDD are pain, loss of limb function, loss of peripheral and deep pain stimulus, neurological defects, or a combination of these. Other clinical signs include shortness of stride, trouble getting up, stiffness of gait, partial or complete lameness, decreased range of motion, and neurological deficits.

ƒ French Bulldog

ƒ Cocker Spaniel

ƒ Shih Tzu

ƒ Pekingese

ƒ Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

ƒ Pug

ƒ Lhasa Apso

In chondrodystrophic breeds, IVDD is a young-dog disease. In non-chondrodystro-

phic breeds, onset is usually seen between 8 and 10 years of age. There doesn’t appear to be any significant difference in the incidence of IVDD between male and female dogs. IVDD is the most common neurological problem seen in veterinary medicine.

Diagnosing IVDD

The diagnosis of intervertebral disc disease is based on medical history, physical examination, neurological examination, and radiographic examination. To determine if your pet has IVDD, your veterinarian might first do a physical examination in which they will observe your pet to see how it sits or stands and how it gets to its feet to see if there’s weakness in a single limb, multiple limbs, or all limbs. In the gait analysis, the veterinarian will look for head bobbing, signs of lameness, shortness of stride, weight shifting. In the neurological examination, your veterinarian will be looking for any signs of neurological deficits. If any neurological signs are noted, then a more detailed neurological examination will be performed to determine the presence or absence of a neurological lesion, determine its location, and assess the extent of damage to the nervous system.

Diagnostic workup of a patient who may have IVDD typically includes the following:

ƒ X-rays of the spine or chest

ƒ Myelogram, which is an X-ray series in which a needle is used to inject dye around the spinal cord to highlight any compression. Myelograms are used to

Side View Healthy Spine

Side View Disc Rupture

The red arrow points to a compression in the spinal cord resulting from IVDD.

Cross Section Healthy Spine

Cross Section Disc Rupture

Stages of IVDD

There are five stages of IVDD with symptoms that range from mild discomfort to complete paralysis.

STAGE 1 is the least severe form of IVDD. At this stage, a dog will show signs of neck or back pain but no other deficits. The dog is able to walk and stand normally, but its movements may be stiff. At this stage, the disease may resolve if the dog is placed on strict crate rest until the herniated disc heals, which typically happens within a few days. Until the disc is fully healed, it’s normal for the dog to hold its head lower and be reluctant to turn it.

The treatment for dogs with stage 2 IVDD varies. About half of patients are managed medically with crate rest, while the other half are treated surgically.

STAGE 3; A dog with stage 3 disease can still move its legs but is unable to stand or walk on its own. One or more of the dog’s paws may be knuckled or drag when it’s walking. Surgical treatment for dogs at this stage has an 85% to 95% success rate, whereas a more conservative, nonsurgical approach has a 30% to 40% success rate.

STAGE 4: At this stage, the dog experiences severe mobility problems— to the extent that it may be paralyzed— but still maintains a deep pain sensation. Many dogs with stage 4 IVDD aren’t able to control their bladder or bowels. Surgery is the best option at this stage and has an average 90% success rate. In patients with stage 4 IVDD, the timing of the surgery is critical for a good prognosis. Most veterinary surgeons recommend surgery immediately upon diagnosis of stage 4 disease to allow the best chance for the dog to regain use of its legs.

diagnose herniated discs, spinal cord tumors, and infection or inflammation of the spinal cord.

ƒ CT scan instead of or after the myelogram.

ƒ A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in addition to or instead of a CT scan.

ƒ Spinal tap at the same time as the imaging.

Clinical signs depend on where in the spine the lesion or compression is present and whether it’s an acute or a chronic condition.

With acute cervical IVDD, owners will frequently report the following in an acute onset situation:

ƒ Possible trauma

ƒ Severe painful episode of unknown cause

ƒ Sudden and severe neurologic deficits (e.g., paresis, quadriplegia)

ƒ History of sudden trauma due to:

—Traumatic event

—Climbing stairs

—Jumping onto furniture

—Jumping into car

—Standing on hindlimbs

With acute thoracolumbar IVDD, owners will frequently report the following with chronic onset:

ƒ Possible history of trauma

ƒ Severe pain

ƒ Vocalization

ƒ Reluctance to move

ƒ Protective when owner is touching or going near the thoracolumbar region

ƒ Aggressive behavior

If chronic IVDD is present in either the cervical or thoracolumbar spine, the owner may report:

ƒ All the clinical signs listed above for acute onset IVDD

ƒ Possible trauma or no traumatic event noted

ƒ Intermittent pain with resolution after a few days

ƒ Severe painful episode of unknown cause

ƒ Sudden and severe neurologic deficits (e.g., paresis, quadriplegia)

STAGE 2: If a dog is in stage 2 IVDD, it can still walk but will struggle with paw placement, and proprioception (spatial awareness) deficits such as paw knuckling are common. Typically, there’s a lack of coordination and ataxia (lack of muscle control). Back pain can range from moderate to severe and usually occurs in the neck or lower back. If a dog is handled or moved, it may yelp or become aggressive because of the pain.

STAGE 5: Dogs with stage 5 IVDD are paralyzed and have no deep pain sensation in their feet. Because the dog isn’t able to feel its toes, it’s unable to walk. Surgery is really the only viable option at this stage, and the success rate is about 50%. A dog with stage 5 IVDD is considered an emergency, and surgery is recommended within the first 24 hours of onset of symptoms.

Treatment of IVDD

Treatment modalities for patients with IVDD comprise both medical and surgical options designed to help alleviate pain, decompress the spinal compression, speed recovery, reverse neurological deficits, and improve the patient’s comfort and quality of life.

For dogs with stage 1, 2, or 3 IVDD— which are typically patients experiencing

their first episode and having only mild neurologic deficits—I use a multimodal, conservative management approach comprising anti-inflammatory drugs (not aspirin), muscle relaxants for a week, and exercise restriction (cage/crate/small room rest or putting the patient in a gated-off area). After 7 days, patients who don’t improve or whose symptoms become worse are considered surgical candidates.

Surgery

The goal of surgery is to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord caused by the pressure of the disc material. Indications for decompression are the presence of motor deficits in one or more limbs or severe pain unresponsive to usual medical management.

There are several surgical procedures used to treat IVDD. The choice of which to employ depends on the veterinary surgeon and the location of the damaged disc. Surgical decompression of the spine by removal of the bone over the spinal canal is nearly always recommended, because severe damage from long-term compressive forces can lead to a complete loss of pain sensation, both peripheral and

deep. If deep pain sensation is lost, this is a surgical emergency and can have a poor prognosis for recovery, depending on the duration of the loss of pain perception. In these cases, patients need to be treated with surgery within 24 hours for any hope of a satisfactory resolution. For IVDD in the cervical region, the indications for surgical management include persistence of pain

and muscle spasms or paresis (partial paralysis) after conservative therapy for one or two weeks.

There’s no quick fix for IVDD. Treatment is a long, protracted process, and it will take weeks, if not months or years, for the patient to get back to normal function—if it ever does.

Likely outcomes by stage of IVDD, with

and without surgery:

ƒ Stage 1: without surgery, 80% to 90% chance of improvement; 90% to 95% with surgery

ƒ Stage 2: without surgery, 60% to 70%; 90% to 95% with surgery

ƒ Stage 3: without surgery, 30% to 40%; 85% to 95% with surgery

ƒ Stage 4: without surgery, less than 25%; 85% to 95% with surgery.

ƒ Stage 5: without surgery within 24 hours, less than 5%; with surgery within 24 hours, 50%.

The prognosis for recovery from surgery for IVDD varies significantly with the degree of injury and the location of the injury. Generally, if the dog is able to walk following the disc rupture, it has an excellent chance of walking following surgery.

Home Recovery

The biggest challenge owners face when their dog is at home recovering is assisting the dog with urination and defecation. Many dogs will lose control of their bladder and are at risk for chronic urinary tract infections and urine scalding. Owners can be taught to express their dog’s bladder and, as the primary caretaker at home, it’s

essential that they learn about the dangers of urine and fecal issues.

A Note About Overweight Dogs and IVDD

Weight loss is important for any overweight dog but especially for dogs recovering from IVDD. These dogs need to be lean. They do very poorly if they’re overweight. A study at the University of Tennessee looked at the force weight of one excess pound through a dog’s joint. They found that an extra pound of weight equals 4 pounds of additional shear force. This means that if the dog is 1 pound overweight, that’s 4 extra pounds of shear force applied to that joint. If they’re 10 pounds overweight, that’s 40 extra pounds of shear force on that joint.

Rehabilitation

It is recommended that the IVDD patient begin physical rehabilitation as soon as possible after surgery. The faster we can regain movement and function in the affected limbs, the greater the chance of a near-full to full recovery.

The Multimodal Approach to Rehabilitation

The multimodal approach to rehabilitation of a patient with IVDD—whether it’s managed medically or surgically—focuses on pain control, weight control, good nutrition, effective supplements, and physical rehabilitation.

The Home Rehab Plan

The key goals of a home rehab plan are to speed recovery, decrease pain and swelling post surgery, enhance tissue healing times, prevent muscle atrophy, and limit the occurrence of related compensatory problems. A rehabilitation program must be designed to accommodate what the owner is willing and able to do with their pet. Learn more about IVDD and how to care for your pet at caninerehabondemand.com or intervertebraldiscdiseaseinfo.com.

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Is a Corgi the Breed for You?

By Anabel Dflux

With their famous “loaf butts” and adorable facial expressions, corgis have become one of the most coveted dog breeds in the United States. Cute videos on social media of wiggly bums and silly antics have the corgi’s popularity skyrocketing. But as much as people would like to believe that this magnificent little dog makes a great companion for absolutely everyone, that’s not really true. Every dog breed has its own specific traits, characteristics, and—most importantly—needs that must be met to ensure their happiness (and yours). So, how do you know if a corgi is the right dog for you?

To begin answering that question, let’s take a look at the history of the breed. Well, breeds, actually—there are two types of corgis and, while they appear very similar, they are two distinct breeds. Both originated in the country of Wales, but from two different areas: from Cardiganshire in southwest Wales comes the Cardigan Welsh corgi, and from Pembrokeshire in southern Wales, we have the Pembroke Welsh corgi. The two dog breeds share some significant physical characteristics, like a long body and short legs, and behavioral instincts, like herding. It’s easy to assume these two breeds are strongly related, but history shows that the Cardigan Welsh corgi had been around for 2,000 years before any appearance of the Pembroke Welsh corgi.

“The Cardigan Welsh corgi is descended from the Teckel family of dogs, known for having also produced the dachshund,”

says Tricia Tomono, a self-described “corgi fancier,” with experience in both breeding and training corgis. “The breed is believed to have existed in Wales for over 3,000 years. A Cardigan’s original work was to go in before the farmer’s cattle, clearing the way of predators or trespassing herds so the farmer’s herd could graze. Later, the Cardigan was used as a herder, working behind the cattle as a ‘drover,’ driving the stock from the Welsh farms into English markets.”

Tomono continues, “As for the Pembroke,

1,000 years ago, Vikings introduced the Spitz-type dog into Wales. The Viking invasion and influx of Flemish weavers is when Spitz dogs were introduced into some areas of Wales, and these dogs were crossed with the original corgi to produce what we know today as the Pembroke Welsh corgi.”

Welsh farmers have cherished both breeds throughout the country’s history, and such strong breed instinct doesn’t simply vanish when life gets more modern, as it has for corgis living in California today. Both corgi breeds continue to bear the drive and

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desire for a working purpose. “New owners need to know that both breeds are herding breeds that were used as small farm dogs for hundreds of years before becoming companion dogs,” explains breeder Kathy Dolge of Rincon Corgis. “As such, they can be harder to train than some other breeds, but they can also be very good at many different performance venues. They’re not good dog park dogs, since both breeds value their personal space. They have excelled at competitive herding, agility, obedience, and rally for years and now

happily compete in the newer AKC sports, like FAST Cat and Scent work.”

Pembroke Welsh corgi breeder Diane Matsuura adds, “Corgis love doing. It’s like the popular home improvement catch line: I don’t think there is anything they can’t do. They are active little dogs and pretty much enjoy anything you can think of. They excel in herding and, while we don’t have a lot of sheep farms in Southern California, there are trainers who specialize in herding, and you can take your dog for lessons. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Southern

California offers an introductory sheep herding program called the Herding Instinct Test. Agility is another sport that corgis excel at. They are quick and agile and love learning the course and equipment. Home agility equipment is easily available to buy or make, so you can train at home if you can’t find a trainer.” Dog sports offer your pup an enriching life that can be beneficial for you both, helping you bond and giving that wiggly corgi butt a purpose!

In her own day-to-day life with the pups, Tricia Tomono sticks to much of what the

COURTESY DIANE MATSUURA

COURTESY PATRICIA TOMONO

COURTESY PATRICIA TOMONO

corgi was bred for. “We own a couple of acres and have sheep and ducks, so my dogs do help with chores and moving livestock around the property,” she shares. “I train my dog to help move sheep from pen to pen, help sort out ones that need any issue tended to, and put sheep back into stalls at night if they’ve been out grazing. But they also know when we’re just in the stalls cleaning the water or mucking stalls, and they know they can lay amongst the sheep while they eat and just watch. They consider helping with all barn chores as part of their job, and they love getting to go outside!”

“The corgi temperament is very much based on what they’re originally bred for: to be a companion, farm helper, and guardian,” adds Tomono. “This makes them adaptable. They want to be involved with their family, and it’s important that their family be involved with them as well. Some corgis are known to withhold favors from strangers until they get to know them better, so the family connection is important.”

As for daily life with a corgi, be prepared for quite a bit of cleaning if dog hair is not something you deem a great fashion accessory. “The stories about corgis shedding are real,” warns Diane Matsuura. “We can cutely call it ‘Corgi Glitter,’ but to those of us who experience it daily, there is nothing that can prepare you for the clouds of fluff that get everywhere. It’s an epic vacuum clogging experience. It doesn’t stop us from loving corgis, but it should be the first question on a new corgi owner questionnaire: ‘Do you mind dog hair on everything? If so, this is not the breed for you.’ I honestly feel there should be an ‘I Survived Corgi Glitterfest’ Medal of Valor!”

Kathy Dolge has more to say on this topic, adding, “Intact girls shed their coats each season, and males tend to hold coats for a year or so and then shed it all out. Altered dogs of either sex tend to filter coat off most of the year, with a big shed at least once a year.”

The bark of the corgi is also worthy of note, as silence is not something you’ll frequently hear with a corgi in your home (unless, of course, yours is busy getting into trouble!). “Corgis bark. They bark at everything. Not much is needed to add to this, except I don’t recommend them as apartment dogs for that reason. Corgis don’t understand the concept of other people in the vicinity having the right to generally talk, walk, and make noise without your corgi telling you (and them) all about it,” says Diane. But for those who love the corgi, this is part of their charm, along with their other

silly antics. Tricia explains, “Corgis can be clowns if they think you’re watching! If you laugh at them, they’ll do it again and again to get your reaction. They’re smart and can definitely think for themselves.”

However, one area that’s a big point of contention with purebred corgi lovers and experts is food. Unfortunately, many of the cute corgis you see online are overweight, and those extra pounds can have serious health implications. “They are easy keepers and don’t require a lot of food (though they’d like you to think they do),” Kathy Dolge reveals. “And they’re very successful at convincing unsuspecting owners that they need more food—as evidenced by the large numbers of overweight corgis seen everywhere. It does them no favors to let them be overweight.”

“Growing corgi popularity comes with so many problems—or creates them, I’m not sure which,” remarks Diane Matsuura. “Corgis are not ‘starter’ dogs. They are serious working dogs with dominating tendencies and a controlling personality, capable of wrapping you around their furry paw before you even know what has happened.” She warns, “Too many newcomers are so wrapped up in the idea of creating their new Instagram or Facebook accounts based on a cute corgi before they even get a puppy or an adult dog, that they’re not prepared for the realities of living and being owned by a corgi.”

“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries for your corgi,” Diane advises. “A well mannered corgi is a joy, and a spoiled rotten one can be a nightmare. For instance, corgis can develop resource guarding very

quickly. I see this behavior exhibited in the babies when they are started on solid food and are being fed in a large group food pan. This early behavior can escalate further, leading to more excessive resource guarding as the puppy grows. An experienced breeder recognizes the problem and takes steps to let the puppy know this isn’t acceptable. But a novice corgi owner may not realize what is going on until they have a severe problem on their hands.”

For those interested in either the Pembroke Welsh corgi or the Cardigan Welsh corgi, going to a responsible breeder for your puppy will help ensure that you find a happy and healthy companion. Aside from raising the puppies for a successful start in life, reputable breeders are also heavily involved in the health of the breed and ensuring that future generations steadily improve upon previous ones.

Breeder Cheryl Beck Luce points out some of the health testing you should note

COURTESY PATRICIA TOMONO

when looking for your corgi puppy: “We strive for correct conformation in our dogs. It is equally important in the conformation ring as it is in performance sports. A wellbuilt dog will move beautifully in any arena. But athletes require correct conformation to prevent injuries and have successful careers in herding or agility. All breeding animals require passing hip ratings, whether it be OFA, PennHip, or an international rating system, as well as passing eye ratings via CAER or other. We use DNA testing as an additional tool in our toolbox. We study pedigrees and discuss dogs in pedigrees with more experienced historians of our breed. We test for the blood clotting disorder VWD and never breed carrier to carrier, as it could result in an affected puppy. We also test for degenerative myelopathy (DM).” Editor’s note: see article page 10.

Contrary to popular belief, puppies in shelters almost never come from reputable breeders. “Responsible breeders’ dogs do not end up in shelters,” adds Cheryl, owner of Gwyndolyn’s, a Pembroke Welsh corgi breeder in Guinda, California. “In fact, our National and Regional Clubs are the ones

that take the poorly bred dogs from shelters, evaluate them, provide any needed medical or dental attention, and carefully rehome them.” The love and care that goes into breeding these beautiful dogs is

certainly not for the faint of heart, but the result of all that effort is a great family member for the families who give them their forever homes. “We are often asked, ‘How can you let the puppies go?’ But this is the easy part,” reveals Cheryl. “We interview prospective families and develop a relationship with them—a lifelong relationship, I might add. We don’t see it as one less puppy but as one more Gwyndolyn’s family member. A responsible breeder matches the puppy to the family, because it isn’t one size fits all. Most of our puppies will fit nicely into various family types, but there are some with more drive or more attitude that need to be placed with experienced corgi owners or more active owners. This is crucial. And by all means, if it isn’t the right fit or if ‘life happens,’ a responsible breeder requires that the puppy/dog be returned.”

Despite their cute expressions and famous fluff, corgis require prospective owners to have an understanding of their characteristics, instincts, and needs, just like any other breed. But, for those with an active lifestyle, the corgi can make a wonderful companion, ready to go on any adventure!

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Corgi Trivia 10 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

By Anabel Dflux

Both the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Pembroke Welsh corgi are instantly recognizable, with their unique body structure and adorable faces. But did you know that there are a lot of unique facts surrounding these popular pups? Here are ten fun facts about the corgi.

1. Lots of folklore and legends surround corgis.

According to Welsh lore, Pembroke Welsh corgis were beloved by the fairies and elves of Wales and were used to draw fairy coaches, tend fairy cattle, and act as the mount for fairy warriors. Even now, you may still be able to make out the marks of the “fairy saddle” over the shoulders and withers (on the back, between the shoulder blades) of a Pembroke’s coat.

2. The name “corgi” literally translates to “dwarf dog.”

In Welsh, the term “cor” denotes dwarf and, when combined

with the Welsh word for dog, “gi,” you get the phrase “dwarf dog.” Corgis actually do have a type of dwarfism that affects their legs—it’s called achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism. This disproportionate dwarfism results in a dog with a head and torso that are proportional to larger breeds, but with much shorter limbs.

3. The corgi has been celebrated in various way through pop culture.

Many people were first introduced to the Pembroke Welsh corgi by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was

often photographed with the more than 30 corgis she owned throughout her life. At Amazon, Rufus the corgi was the unofficial first mascot in the company’s early days. Owned by Amazon’s main engineer and editor-in-chief, he was known as “Amazon’s shortest volunteer worker.” Reggie, a Pembroke Welsh corgi who passed away last

year at the age of 10, served for years as the University of Michigan’s campus corgi, appearing in official university media and, when the pandemic hit, as the backdrop for UM’s online Zoom classes. And author Stephen King is known for being a Corgi lover—he’s had numerous corgis over the years, including his beloved Molly, who he liked to refer to as “Thing of Evil.”

4. The Cardigan Welsh corgi breed is almost 2,500 years older than the Pembroke Welsh corgi.

The arrival of the Cardigan Welsh corgi in Wales has been traced back to around 1200 BC, brought in its aboriginal form by Celtic tribes who migrated to Wales from central Europe. It would take well over 2,000 years to see the Pembroke Welsh corgi appear in Wales. Although these two breeds share a similar name, they come from different ancestors.

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These Spitz dogs were crossed with the original Cardigan corgi to produce what we know as the Pembroke corgi. That’s why Pembrokes usually have a distinctly different look from Cardigans. Today, however, with the cross-breeding of Pembrokes and Cardigans, differences in their appearance may be less obvious.

6. Corgi dogs are naturally good surfers.

Yup, you read that right! While all breeds can learn to surf—as long as they’re water lovers who don’t mind wearing a life vest—the corgi’s low center of gravity gives them an advantage: stability. Their short stature helps them ride the waves with their paws firmly on the board until they reach the sand.

7. Corgis are incredibly smart dogs.

More than 200 professional dog obedience judges ranked 110 breeds on the basis of their intelligence, and the results were published in the 2006 revised edition of Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions. Both types of corgis scored well: the Pembroke Welsh corgi ranked 11th, while the Cardigan Welsh corgi ranked 26th. Breeds are rated based on instinctive intelligence (the capacity of a dog to carry out the functions for which it was developed, such as herding), adaptive intelligence (the capacity of a dog to find solutions on its own), and working and obedience intelligence (a dog’s ability to learn from people).

8. The Pembroke and the Cardigan were once

In 1925, Captain J. P. Howell gathered breeders of both Pembroke and Cardigan corgis to debut as one breed, the Welsh corgi, at a dog show in Wales. The Welsh Corgi Club was subsequently established, with 59 original members. In 1934, the Club separated corgis into two breeds: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi.

9. The Cardigan Welsh corgi is

Cardigans were bred to measure a Welsh yard (about 40 inches) from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. They come from the same line that produced the dachshund, another breed with long bodies and very short legs caused by achondroplasia.

Cardigan corgis are known for their long, full-length tails. Pembrokes are generally born with tails that are docked off after birth, a practice believed to have started to keep the tail from getting trampled while the dog was herding. A docked tail has become the Pembroke Welsh corgi breed standard, so breeders today will routinely dock the tail after birth. However, some corgis are born “natural bobtails,” because of a genetic mutation. Either way, Pembroke corgis have enjoyed more social media popularity than Cardigans, largely because of their funnylooking fluffy butts.

5. The Pembroke Welsh corgi was the result of Vikings bringing dogs of the Spitz family into some areas of Wales around 1107 AD.

technically considered a single breed.

sometimes referred to as the “yardlong dog.”

10. Cardigans have tails and Pembrokes do not.

Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, 6-9PM (Belmont Shore - Long Beach, CA)

2023 Corgi Winter Nationals

Join the cutest corgis in So Cal for Corgi Races - ALL DAY LONG!

You won’t want to miss these speedy corgis put their paws to work at this fun, family and pet-friendly festival event!

Sunday, January 1st, 2023, 11am-4pm (Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA)

Santa Photos, Live Music, Paint & Pint Sessions Food & Drink, and more!

Saturday December 17th, 2022, 2-7PM (Taps Brewery & Barrel Room, Tustin, CA)

SPRING

Saturday, April 1st, 2023, 10am-3pm (Huntington Dog Beach, HB, CA)