Corgi Cattle Dog

The Corgi Cattle Dog's origins are not well-documented and not much information is known about them to date. In order to better understand how the breed came to exist, it is essential to review its parent breeds – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Australian Cattle Dog. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a tail-less breed that originated from Pembrokeshire, Wales. The name “Corgi” is attributed to the Celtic word for “dog”. This breed is believed to have been developed around the 10th century. Initially, farmers desired a dog that would effectively drive cattle and herd successfully. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was adored for his ability to bite the ankles of the cattle, encouraging the animal to move. Welsh farmers decided that the breed should be used throughout the area farms and allowed the breed to drive cattle around the fields. There was a time when grazing land became competitive and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was used to define areas. Queen Elizabeth II is known to love the breed and ensures the palace is always stocked with the breed. In 1934, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The Australian Cattle Dog was created as a result of a need for a breed that could withstand tough environmental factors. George Elliott of Queensland is credited with crossing Dingoes to the extinct Smithfield dog, and then with the blue-merle Highland Collie. At the time, the breed was outstanding with his abilities to work in the field. The breed eventually became known as Blue Heelers and Queensland Blue Heelers before the name was changed to Australian Cattle Dog. In 1897, Robert Kaleski began to show the breed and developed a breed standard by 1902. In 1903, the breed standard was accepted  by the Cattle and Sheep Dog Club of Australia and the Kennel Club of New South Wales. In 1980, the AKC officially recognized the breed.