by George Jones

        Pembroke Welsh Corgis are study, hardy, healthy dogs. As with any breed of dog they are prone to some disorders - although a well bred dog from a sound healthy bloodline is you best assurance of having a healthy lifetime friend.

        One note for prospective Pembroke owners - these dogs do tend to be food driven, often described as beyond common sense. Obesity is of major concern. Diet and exercise can help you avoid the possible ramifications of letting your dog become overweight.

 

Bilateral Cataracts 
         Cataracts in dogs can be identified as opaque spots on the lens of the eye.  These spots may cause total or partial loss of vision.  Some cataracts are hereditary while others are not.   In some cases    surgery may help the dog recover.
 

Hip Dysplasia
       Hip Dysplasia is the result of the malformation of the hip joint(s).  This condition is a common difficulty in most of the large dog breeds.  This condition is both genetic and environmentally influenced.
        Be sure that both parents of any Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy you are considering purchasing is certified by OFA or Penn Hip to be free of Hip Dysplasia.
        Over-feeding, over-exercise and injury while young may also contribute to your puppy damaging (leading to degeneration) his hips.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
        Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) are among the most common eye problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. These conditions usually begin to display symptoms at about 2 years of age.  They are progressive in their degeneration. Both conditions are believed to be hereditary. Both parents should have CERF certification proof, when looking to purchase a pup.

 

von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)
       von Willebrand's disease is a hereditary bleeding disorder.  It impacts the dog's ability to clot blood (similar to hemophilia).  This disorder is found in both males and females.

 

 

Degenerative Disc Disease

        Pembroke Welsh Corgis are prone to degenerative disc disease although some bloodlines appear to have higher a incidence of this problem than others.  Dogs with Spinal problems should never be used for breeding.  Dogs producing offspring with spinal abnormalities should be spayed or neutered.

 

Degenerative Myelopathy

       Generally appearing in middle-aged dogs degenerative myelopathy is relatively rare in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Triggered by the body's auto-immune system, a progressive degeneration of the spinal cord occurs. Beginning with the hind limbs this disease progressively weakens the entire body.

 

NOTE,  The two Dutch Corgi club's insist that any male and female used for breeding is first declared free of the known eye diseases as PRA-RD-CPRA-Cataracts as also the hips must be "OFA Exellent-Good-Fair or Mod".   If not, the dog's are excluded from breeding for live by these club's.