The Steadfast Corgi
The first and biggest Corgi we had, lived to be 16. He stood 15 inches high, beautifully proportioned, with a lovely head. Useless, of course, for any show ring, his only public appearances were in occasional obedience tests, the early days of tests before the war. "Joey" was owner-trained, and it was not his fault his performances lacked professional "polish". He so obviously enjoyed trying, and if the war had not intervened, he might well have improved.On one occasion, which I like to recall, he was the only dog to remain in the "down" position for the 15 minutes required, with the owner right out of sight, during a particularly sudden and heavy shower of rain and hail. One by one the bigger competitors - for he was the only Corgi - crept apologetically across the field to the shelter of the judges' tent, as if to say: "I am frightfully sorry, but this is really TOO much." When at last the 15 minutes were up and a drenched little dog, eyes almost closed against the fierceness of the rain, was released from his promise, the crowd's applause was spontaneous and heartwarming. He came nowhere in the prize list, having dropped marks in most other parts of the test, but we, his family, cared not a jot for that. No award could have bettered those proud moments when he defied the storm and remained alone, seeing all his companions give up.
It pleases me to think that in my present gay little bitch, there is a wee drop of his gallant blood, for one of her forbears was Taffy of Towey, who was his sire. We must not lose the fine brains and temperament of those Corgis of the pioneer days. It is a sad fact that in some breeds character has been sacrificed to show points. May that never be said of the Corgi, whose personality has been his most endearing feature.
M. Caldwell
Abstracted from The Welsh Corgi League Handbook 1955
27.05.2014