A corgi is a small herding dog with short legs, a long body, and oversized ears that stand straight up. Originally bred in Wales to herd cattle and sheep, corgis are surprisingly athletic despite their stumpy appearance. Their low-to-the-ground build helped them nip at the heels of cows without getting kicked.

There are two types: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (which has no tail or a very short one) and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (which has a long, foxlike tail). Queen Elizabeth II of England famously loved Pembroke corgis and owned more than thirty during her lifetime, making the breed recognizable around the world.

Today, most corgis are family pets rather than working farm dogs. They're intelligent, energetic, and often have strong personalities packed into those compact bodies. Despite their cute appearance, corgis need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Their herding instincts sometimes show up in funny ways, like trying to herd children or other pets by gently nipping at their ankles. That kind of nipping isn't mean, but it can still hurt, so corgis need training to use their instincts safely.