5 Iconic Welsh Dog Breeds to Celebrate St David’s Day!
To celebrate St David’s Day, we thought it was the perfect time to look at some of the woofly Welsh dog breeds! From cute Corgis to sprightly Welsh Springer Spaniels, discover the Welsh dogs that are loved in hearts and homes all over the world.
5 Pawsome Welsh Dog Breeds
While Welsh dog breeds are a varied bunch, one thing that they have in common is a hard-working fur-mily history. Mostly bred to herd, catch vermin and retrieve game, these dog breeds are an energetic bunch with a strong desire to work. With training and plenty of love and attention, they make wonderful additions to the family.
Did you know these canines call Cymru their home?
Cardigan Corgi and Pembroke Corgi
These little cuties are probably best known for their short posture and the wiggle in their walk! In fact, Corgi translates to “dwarf dog” in Welsh. But while they’re small in size, these athletic pups are quick on their feet and make brilliant dog sport competitors.
Welsh Corgis come in two breeds – the Cardigan and the Pembroke. To tell the difference, simply look at their ears: the Cardigan has rounded ears while the Pembroke breed has pointed ears, they’re also slightly smaller in size.
It’s believed that Cardigan Corgis arrived in Wales with the Celts around 1200 BC, whereas the Pembroke Corgi arrived with Flemish weavers in the 10th century.
Originally bred as farm dogs, these pooches are now popular companions due to their cuddly, playful and sociable nature. Just be sure to socialise them early! These little dogs have a big bark and they’re not afraid to use it when they’re wary of a stranger.
Fun Fact: It’s no secret that Queen Elizabeth II was very fond of Corgis, but did you know that since her reign in 1952, her Majesty has owned 30 of these cute canines?!
From pawfect prints to brighten up your home to high-quality dog bowls, our Corgi shop has 100s of gifts for you to personalise for your Corgi and fellow Corgi lovers alike.
Welsh Terrier
Energetic, independent and tenacious, the Welsh Terrier rose to popularity in the 18th century due to being excellent vermin catchers. Because of their high prey drive, they were especially popular with farmers and hunters in the Welsh countryside.
Small furry critters beware: the Welsh Terrier’s hunting tendencies run deep, so it’s strongly advised that these pups don’t share a home with small animals - unless they like to be chased.
Despite their boisterous nature, Welsh Terriers are intelligent and playful pups that are devoted to their loving humans (as well as digging up their garden).
As with many other breeds, early training and socialising is key, but with dedicated training, the Welsh Terrier is a lovely, lively addition to the family. Welsh Terriers love to love their owners, and will quickly take pride of place cuddling up next to you on the sofa! Why not reserve their space with a velvety soft personalised dog cushion?
Fun Fact: All Welsh Terrier puppies are born with black coats and they change in colour as they grow!
Shopping for a Welsh Terrier or a Welsh Terrier lover? Find their pawfect gift here…
Sealyham Terrier
Once a very popular pooch, the Sealyham Terrier is now one of the rarest terrier breeds in the world.
Developed in the 1900s by Captain John Edwardes of Sealyham House in Pembrokeshire, these dogs were bred as his personal pest control! Due to their small stature and determined, hardy nature, they were the pawfect hunting dog for Edwardes and they helped to drive badgers off his estate and flush out otters from his river.
As a member of the terrier family, these dogs have a stubborn streak and are prone to guarding behaviour, not to mention a high prey drive. They’re not all work and no play though - these pups love human company and plenty of playtime with their people.
If a Sealyham Terrier is your Welsh dog breed of choice, we have the ulti-mutt game for you! Our Sealyham Terrier shop is bursting with amazing dog board games that are just waiting to be personalised for your pooch.
Fun Fact: The Sealyham Terrier’s popularity grew after WWII due to having some famous owners, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Alfred Hitchcock and Bette Davis.
From boredom-busting games to lovely keepsakes, our Sealyham Terrier shop is bursting with amazing gifts that are just waiting for you to personalise.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Close in distance as well as lineage, it’s no surprise that the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a relative of the popular English Springer Spaniel. With their distinctive red and white coat, this beautiful gundog is energetic, sociable and smart to boot.
Due to their high-energy, this pooch suits owners who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy adventures in the great outdoors. If their adventures lead them to water then even better as these Welsh dogs love to doggy paddle.
Welsh Springers can form a strong attachment to their people and adore spending lots of quality time with them. As such, they’re prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches of time. So it’s wise to socialise this pup early to avoid too much codependency.
This seriously smart Welsh dog doesn’t miss a trick. In fact, you may have to sharpen up your detective skills if you want to figure out what they’re up to.
Fun Fact: The Welsh Springer Spaniel’s popularity may have shot up in the 18th century, but their existence actually predates this by two centuries. Paintings have illustrated Welsh Springer Spaniels by their master’s sides since the 16th century!
Wow a Welsh Springer Spaniel or Welsh Springer lover with a personalised gift they’ll truly woof.
Welsh Sheepdog
The Welsh Sheepdog, also known as the Welsh Collie, is a herding dog that’s popular to north and central Wales.
Unlike other herding dogs, the Welsh Collie can work independently to pen sheep and other animals across the countryside without the help of a shepherd.
An extremely active and intelligent breed, these pups need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy, so they’re suited to owners who can provide them with all the attention they need (and deserve). In return, they’ll have an incredibly loyal and affectionate member of the fur-mily on their hands.
Despite being around for about 800 years, Welsh Collies have slowly been replaced by their Border Collie relatives. To help revive the breed, the Welsh Sheepdog Society formed in 1997 in an attempt to keep their population healthy.
Fun Fact: Unlike other sheepdogs, the Welsh variety are often described as “loose-eyed” due to the fact that they control their stock with their presence rather than an intense, fixed stare.
Are you a lover of this iconic Welsh dog breed? Watch this space! We’re just adding the final finishing touches to our personalised Welsh Sheepdog shop and it will be available soon, ready for you to shop personalised dog gifts to your heart’s content. In the meantime, why not check out our Border Collie gift shop?
Have you got one of these wagnificent Welsh dog breeds?
This bandana is a wonderful way for your dog to fly the flag for Wales! Personalised with your dog’s name, they’ll look lush as they strut their stuff in their stunning Welsh flag bandana.
Shop Yappy Gifts for Dogs and Dog Lovers
From personalised dog bandanas to tote bags, we have lots of wonderful custom gifts that’ll delight both dogs and dog lovers. Not got a Welsh doggie? Don’t worry, at Yappy we cater to a huge range of dog breeds! Simply select your dog’s breed and find your pawfect dog gifts today.
Don’t forget to share the pawgeous photos of your pets with us and the rest of the Yappy Pack! Get involved and tag our handle @yappy_com or use the hashtag #Yappy.
And, if you enjoyed reading about these wonderful Welsh doggies, be sure to check out our post on Irish dogs that shamrock!
