Tri-Color Corgi: Facts, Pictures, Origin & History

If you’re looking for a small dog with a big personality, look no further than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and its delightful color variation, the tri-color Corgi. Tri-color Corgis aren’t exactly tiny but look that way thanks to their incredibly short legs! What they lack in height, they make up for in character, and most are playful, energetic, and eager to please.

Breed Overview

If you’re interested in learning more about the tri-color Corgi and its two color variations, red-headed and black-headed, read on. We have detailed information about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed below, including when they were first introduced, their recognition by dog clubs, whether they make good pets, and more.

Corgi Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Tri-Color Corgis in History

Surprisingly, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be traced back to Flanders around the 12th century. The Flemish people used dogs to herd their farm animals, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was quite popular. Skipping forward a few hundred years, Princess Elizabeth’s family in England brought home a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Dookie, and the breed, not surprisingly, became popular.

While that was happening in Europe, Pembroke Welsh Corgis were gaining popularity in the United States, thanks to their combination of small size, giant personality, intelligence, and attractive looks. Today, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the tri-color Corgi are both very popular dogs in the United States and ranked 16th in the AKC’s 2025 breed rankings.

How Tri-Color Corgis Gained Popularity

It was in the early 1930s that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was introduced in the United States. That's when a dam named Little Madam and a sire named Captain William Lewis were brought to the U.S. by their owner Lewis Roesler. That first dog power couple, if you will, was the foundation for many generations of Pembroke Welsh Corgis and, of course, the tri-color Corgi.

To give you an idea of how popular the tri-color Corgi is today, all you need to do is read this New York Post article from October 2019. The article states that the Corgi was the 13th most popular dog breed in the United States, up from the 24th only a decade earlier in 2008. This article from The Kennel Club talks about how, in 2021, 1,223 Pembroke Welsh Corgis were registered in the United Kingdom, the breed’s highest number in almost 30 years. In other words, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have been popular for a long time and continue to be popular to this day.

Formal Recognition of Tri-Color Corgis

The tri-color Corgi is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a tri-color coat. Their coats, which come in two color variations (red-headed tri-color and black-headed tri-colors), are both accepted by the American Kennel Club. They were accepted into the AKC in 1934. Before that, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was accepted into The Kennel Club (KC), a similar organization to the AKC located in the United Kingdom. In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognizes both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the tri-color variations.

Top 5 Unique Facts About Tri-Color Corgis

Haven’t you had enough fantastic facts about the tri-color Corgi yet? If not, the unique facts below will add another layer to the intriguing dog known as the tri-color Corgi.

1. The Tri-Color Corgi Comes in Three Varieties

Tri-color Corgis come in two varieties: red-headed tri-color Corgis and black-headed tri-color corgis. As you might have already guessed, the difference is that the former has more red hair than the latter. There’s also a tri-color blue variety that is very unusual and attractive.

2. Pembroke Welsh Corgis Are the Stuff of Welsh Legends

In Wales and other areas of Europe, it’s long been said that, at night, elves and fairies come out and use Pembroke Welsh Corgis to pull their coaches and herd their cattle. While these claims have never been authenticated, if your tri-color Corgi is tired, it might be that the elves worked the poor thing too hard.

3. Tri-Color and Other Corgis Are Great Competitors

The tri-color Corgi is a great choice if you want a dog that will put on a show when well-trained. This athletic and energetic breed is well known in competitive agility circles and is one of the world’s foremost herding dogs. There are many Pembroke Welsh Corgi champion herders, and they’re a very competitive breed.

4. Apple Is Dog-Friendly Thanks to Rufus the Pembroke Corgi

Rufus was owned by Apple’s principal engineer and would walk the halls, greeting everyone happily every day for several years. Because of the effect he had on morale, today, Apple is one of the largest dog-friendly organizations on the planet.

5. British Royalty Loves the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Since the 1930s, the royal family in Great Britain has had several Pembroke Corgis. It’s been said that Queen ElizabethⅡ had more than 30 Corgis in her lifetime, and other royal family members also had Corgis.

Do Tri-Color Corgis Make a Good Pet?

Folks who love Pembroke Welsh Corgis and their tri-color counterparts will tell you that few dogs make a better family pet. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are always in a great mood, enthusiastic, and enjoy being with their human families. They get along well with children, other dogs, and pets and aren’t known for being too clingy.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a strong urge to herd other animals, including children and pets. While this behavior isn't innately dangerous, it is something you will need to train out of your Pembroke Welsh Corgi so that it doesn't become a problem.

As for grooming, and exercise, the tri-color Corgi needs moderate amounts of both. They have a double coat which keeps them warm in winter but sheds heavily in the spring. Daily brushing can keep the coat healthy and prevent tangles. As for exercise, while energetic, these are small dogs that don’t need as much activity as their larger cousins. One to 2 hours a day of moderate activity, including two daily walks, should suffice.

Conclusion

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and tri-color Corgi have been around for several hundred years and have been popular for most of them. They’re intelligent, affectionate, and agile and make great pets that will amaze you with their feats of agility and intelligence. When trained and socialized well, a tri-color Corgi will be a loving, fun, active, attentive companion. We hope this article has given you the insight and answers you were searching for about the fantastic Pembroke Welsh Corgi and its beautiful variation, the tri-color Corgi.

See also:

• Long-Haired (Fluffy) Corgi: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

• How to Introduce a Dog to a New Home: 8 Vet Approved Tips

Featured Image Credit: SasaStock, Shutterstock