Pembroke Welsh Corgi health: what owners should know

The long back and short legs bring a higher risk of intervertebral disc disease, so weight control and fewer big jumps are genuinely protective habits. Pembrokes are also known for degenerative myelopathy, a slowly progressive spinal cord disease of older dogs, for which a DNA test exists. Other conditions seen in the breed include hip dysplasia, some inherited eye problems, and von Willebrand disease, a bleeding disorder that can also be DNA tested.

A responsible breeder can show you hip scores for both parents, recent eye examination results, and DNA results for degenerative myelopathy and von Willebrand disease. At home, keep the dog lean, use ramps, and watch how it moves. See a vet the same day if your corgi suddenly cries out when touched, drags or scuffs a back paw, walks with a hunched back, or cannot manage a step it climbed easily yesterday.