The Romans were the first to classify dogs. They arranged them into three groups according to the purpose for which they were used. One of these classifications contained the shepherd's or herding dogs. The herding dog assists man with various domestic livestock in a variety of ways. Some breeds were specialized to herd specific types of animals such as cattle. Still other breeds were developed to guard rather than move their charges around. From the group that specialized in moving livestock, came the many different sheepdogs, collies and flock dogs we know today.

During one period around the 10th century, peasants were only allowed to keep small dogs for the destruction of vermin. Hired keepers, shepherds and herdsmen were also allowed to keep their dogs, but all dogs were required to be mutilated in some way to prevent poaching of the royal game. Some of these mutilations were quite severe (usually to the feet) but the herdsmens' dogs were required only to have their tails docked, or cur-tailed, so as not to interfere with working ability. When these laws became unworkable, the crown levied a tax, exempting those dogs used for a purpose. The shepherd or herdsmen's dog was exempt from this tax if his tail was docked. The Pembroke had a naturally occurring bob-tail, a gene which is being specifically bred for again, especially in the UK and Scandinavian countries.

Iris Combe, in her recent history on herding breeds, traces the origin of the Corgi back beyond its pastoral origins and connects it with the Nordic/Spitz type breeds. Relatives might include the Swedish Vallhund, Norweigian Buhund, Schipperke and Norweigian Lundehund- a puffin-hunting dog of Norway. Through this connection, Ms. Combe traces the Corgi back to Neolithic times when islander families lived on a diet of fish, sea-birds and their eggs. This can more easily explain the use of the Corgi on the huge flocks of geese and ducks kept in Wales to supply the trade in feathers and eggs. The Corgi or spitz-types were used to work the caves and rock faces to hunt out live birds. The Scandinavians believe our Corgi is descended from their Lundehund, one of the Spitz family group. Another breed resembling the Corgi in appearance is the Swedish Vallhund. Vall means farm or guard dog and he is in fact mainly a cattle dog from a particular Swedish province. There is a difference of opinion on the place of origin for the Vallhund. Some think that the original dogs brought to Sweden were the Corgis, which over the centuries the Welsh had turned from bird dogs to cattle dogs. Others believed that the introduction of the Vallhund from Sweden helped in the evolution of the Corgi as a cattle dog. It is well known that the Corgi was used as a heeler and a drover, especially on cattle. Some evidence points to the Pembroke Corgi and the Vallhund sharing the same ancestry. Clifford Hubbard, in his notable book "The Pembrokeshire Corgi Handbook" (1951), believes that the Vikings brought their short-legged cattle droving Vallhund and crossed them with the native Corgi "as he then was in Pembrokeshire, the Welsh dog was thus modified into two types - the earlier longer-bodied, heavier and blunt-jawed Cardiganshire dog, and the type approximating to the Pembrokeshire breed with his typical Spitz head and abbreviated tail."

The Corgi in Britain was primarily a drover of the Welsh cattle, but was also used as a guardian of the farmyard against invasion by any type of vermin. They also helped collect the different types of domestic fowl- from chickens to geese. With poultry wandering freely around the farmyard, there was always a risk of predators, and an ever alert Corgi helped protect the stock. Corgis were also quite useful in gathering the flock so that they could be housed for the night. Taking them to market was quite a chore. The only way to get a flock of two hundred or more of these large, quarrelsome geese to market was to drive them along the road to town. Corgis were unsurpassed in this task and when working the Corgis in teams along roads the farmer knew the dogs could anticipate any moves for escape a flock might make. Corgis were fairly silent workers as too much noise would only serve to scatter the flock; yet they were strong willed enough to control any goose that lagged behind or strayed. Corgis could also take command of cattle in certain situations on the farm but it was as market dogs that they excelled. It should be noted that the first cattle the Pembroke were bred to handle were the small black Welsh cattle- not the hulking breeds that you are most familiar with today. To this day, Pembrokes still retain this easy adaptability to manage all different sorts of livestock, from poultry to cattle to pigs. On the whole, they can be used for most any purpose on the farm. Because of the various duties a Pembroke was supposed to perform as a guardian and drover of livestock, dispatcher of vermin and companion to the farmer's children, his brave, steady temperament, physical agility and easily-kept compact size are paramount characteristics of the breed.
Above taken from an article on the "History of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi" copyright Stephanie S. Hedgepath, used by permission.

The Pembroke is used sparsely as a stock dog today except in competitive situations. The Border Collie has eclipsed virtually all other herding breeds in its practical use on the farm. However, the Corgi is still a good choice for small farm work. Many individuals still have the "herding instinct" and can be trained to be very useful. They can work poultry, sheep, goats, cattle and pigs in close quarters and small pastures. On a small farm that may mean moving them into the barn or across to another field. They would not be as ideal in large pasture situations or free ranges. In competition, Corgis can work cattle, sheep and poultry, though most competitions use sheep for practical purposes. The PWCCA puts on an AKC herding trial each year. They also hold an instinct test annually and support regional clubs that also will put on instinct tests that try to find those of our Corgi companions that still retain herding instinct.

The AKC is one of several Organizations in this country that holds herding trials. AKC, like most of the organizations, awards titles to dogs that successfully compete as well as prizes at the individual events. The American Herding Breed Association and the Australian Shepherd Club of America regularly hold trials and give titles to any herding breed dog that competes successfully at a certain level for a specified number of times, similar to the American Kennel Club. The Border Collie Club of America also holds trials that any herding breed dog can compete at though their courses are most suited to the Border Collie and no "titles" are awarded.

The American Kennel Club herding program is divided into 2 basic levels. These are the test and trial levels. The test levels are very basic. They are to demonstrate your dogs interest in herding stock and your basic control over your dog. They are scored only on a Pass/Fail system. There are 2 different classes.

Herding Tested: This is the first class level. The dog is required to take the sheep across an arena in at least 3 passes. He is required to stop and come to you when told.

Pre-Trial: This is the second of the test levels- slightly more challenging than the first level. In this, you take the sheep around the periphery of an arena, though 2 panels then turn the sheep around and head back. The dog is required to stop on your command at some point in the course and then to allow you pen the sheep.

The next level of herding at AKC events in the Trial level. This is competitive herding and requires a much greater degree of training and experience than the test levels. It will often take 3-5 years of training to reach the advanced level, depending on the dog and handler. Once the HX is achieved, then further trialing can be done to work toward a Herding Championship. This takes a very talented dog and a dedicated handler. Only one Pembroke at the time of this writing has achieved a Herding Championship. But before we aspire that far with a Corgi, we need to look at the first level of trialing. When we get to trial level, we will find 3 different courses offered by AKC. The one our Pembrokes most often compete on is called the "A-Course". This involves the use of an arena, never larger than 200 X 400 feet, and takes the sheep through a number of obstacles. This simulates small farm work like a Corgi would most likely be used for. There are 2 other courses that it would be unusual to find a Corgi on because the courses are much larger. The B- Course is designed like a competitive Border Collie course. The outruns are immense- the minimum is 150 feet but can go up to 1200 feet at the advanced levels. The C- Course is designed for "tending breeds" like German Shepherds and the Belgian breeds. This takes a whole flock of sheep (usually a group of 80 or so), by and over various obstacles like bridges and roads. All these courses have started, intermediate and advance levels. A Pembroke looking at competing on the A Course would begin with Started.

Herding Started: This is the first class at the Trial level. On the A-Course, the dog takes the sheep through a number of obstacles. No driving is required at this level. Corgis that show a sustained interest in herding, hold up to some training and have dedicated handlers/trainers can achieve their HS.

Herding Intermediate: This is a deceptively harder level than Herding Started. It involves some driving. Up to this point, most Pembrokes have primarily been gathering or fetching stock to the handler. Now they are asked to drive the stock away from the handler and through various obstacles. There is a minimum of 1-2 years of training required between the Started and Intermediate levels. It takes a special Pembroke with a very dedicated owner to earn an HI. Few Pembrokes have the instinct and endurance to tolerate the extensive training needed to get this far.

Herding Advanced: This level requires that the dog drive the stock through the whole course with the exception of the Outrun. The Outrun is also much longer than in previous classes, being nearly the length of the arena. A Pembroke that has managed to get an HI may very well continue on to this level. The HX is probably one of the most difficult performance titles to achieve but it is very rewarding to have a dog capable of working at this level.