Link to photos of undocked dogs just for reference

Welsh Corgi Pembrokeshire standard on tails.

As the docking ban was first enforced in the Nordic countries, we feel we have the most experience in how full tails look in a Welsh Corgi Pembrokeshire. Therefore, the Corgis clubs of Denmark, Norway and Sweden would like to offer our opinion on the matter of tails in the standard.

First of all, in countries with a docking ban, it is of utmost importance to preserve the distinguishing traits between a Welsh corgi Pembrokeshire and a Welsh corgi Cardiganshire. One of them is the topline.

In the Pembrokeshire standard it says: "Level topline", nothing about croup and tailset. But in the League's own "Standard in Detail" by Anne G. Biddlecombe it says: "A Corgi's back should run level from the base of his neck to the root of his tail sloping quarters as in the Alsatians are faulty". Photos of the big winners in the breed show how the wording of the standard has been interpreted at all times. From champion Rozavel Red Dragon through Ch Fitzdown Dorian of Deavitte and Ch Belroyd Nutcracker to today's top winning Welsh Corgi; Ch. Penliath Shooting Star, the ones regarded as the best have had a spirit level topline with a relatively flat croup. If you take a look at the old photos of pems with similar toplines and a natural short tailor a longer dock, you'll see what sort of tail carriage such a croup and toplinewill lead to. We refer to Simon Parson's book on British Welsh corgi Pembroke champions.

The Cardiganshire standard also asks for a level topline, with a tail set in line with the body, carried low when standing, but may be lifted a little above body when moving. Photos of top winning cardigans shows although a level topline, a more rounded croup with a lower tail set is how the standard generally is interpreted.
We would not like to see a change in the general appearance and anatomy of the Pembrokeshire to provide for a lower tail set with a Cardiganshgire like tail carriage, but rather keep the top line and croup so far considered to be correct for the breed.

The standard also says "Characteristics: Bold in outlook Temperament: Outgoing and friendly.." A Pembrokeshire with a correct temperament and correct construction will carry its tail high unless strictly trained to do otherwise. We would not like to encourage such training through the wording of the standard.

It has generally been accepted that the Pembrokeshire Welsh corgi is of spitz origin. One of the characteristics of the spitz breeds is the high carried tail, often curled.

We have seen from experience that a dog with a strong, level topline and with its tail set in line with its topline, combined with a bold and outgoing temperament will in most cases carry its tail high, whether sabre like or curled over the back showing its spitz ancestry This would have to be faulted according to the proposed addition to the standard, and breeders in non- docking countries will have to be forced to breed for a more sloping croup. This again will lead to difficuitlies in bringing in fresh blood from Great Britain, which is a necessi~ in such a numerically small breed.

Some of the most attractive traits in the Pembrokeshire Welsh corgi and what catches the attention in the ring are its happy, extrovert temperament and active, workmanlike movements. Should we have to train it to keep its tail down when showing it would certainly loose its sparkle and appeal.

We would like to suggest that the standard on tail reads: "Tail: short, preferably natural. When undocked, set in line with the topline. Natural carriage above the topline when moving or alert" This would allow for a tail carriage that is in accordance with the anatomy and temperament of the dog.

For the Danish WCC Erik Faarup

For the Norwegain WCC Rolf Rune Miltvedt

For the Swedish WCC Carina Sandell-Widin