8 HEALTH TESTS FOR PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS
A dog's health is very important for people who love Pembroke Welsh Corgis. A responsible Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder should do the following 8 Health Tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
In 2009 laboratories began creating websites, so the public could obtain DNA health tests for dogs.
In 2009 only 3 tests were available for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Since then several new health tests have been created for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. As of 2025, there are 8 tests that we recommend be done by every Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder.
Most breeders should be able to breed Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies safe from DM, VWD, EIC, PRA, X-SCID, and D Locus because all 6 health tests were created between 2009-2018. Plus it only takes 1 good copy to be safe from DM, VWD, EIC, PRA, and D Locus.
The new 7th and 8th tests of Copper Toxicosis and IVDD will be harder to breed out. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have more bad copies for both of these issues. Plus Corgis with 1 or 2 copies are AT RISK, while only the Clear dogs are safe on these issues.
DM
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is caused by a mutation of the SOD1 gene. DM is an inherited neurologic disorder of dogs.
The disease affects the White Matter tissue of the spinal cord and is considered the canine equivalent to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) found in humans.
Affected dogs usually show symptoms in adulthood with gradual muscle atrophy and loss of coordination in their rear legs due to degeneration of the nerves. The condition is usually not painful for the Corgi, but will progress until the Corgi is no longer able to walk.
The gait of Corgis affected with Degenerative Myelopathy can be difficult to distinguish from the gait of dogs with hip dysplasia, arthritis, or Intervertebral Disc Disease.
Late in the progression of disease, dogs may lose fecal and urinary continence and the forelimbs may be affected.
Affected dogs may fully lose the ability to walk 6 months to 2 years after the onset of symptoms.
The mutation of the SOD1 gene associated with Degenerative Myelopathy has been identified in the Pembroke Welsh corgi. The average age of onset for DM in Corgis is 6 to 11 years of age.
In one study of 3209 Pembroke Welsh Corgis only 6.9% were Clear of the mutation, 28% were Carriers of the mutation, and 65.1% were At-Risk for the disease.
VWD
Von Willebrands Disease (VWD) is a blood disease in Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
VWD is caused by a deficiency of Von Willebrand Factor (vWF), which is an adhesive glycoprotein in the blood required for normal blood clotting. A lack of vWF impairs platelet stickiness and clumping.
Symptoms of VWD can include: spontaneous hemorrhage from mucosal surfaces, nosebleeds, blood in the feces, bloody urine, bleeding gums, excessive vaginal bleeding, bruising, prolonged bleeding after surgery or trauma, and blood loss anemia.
Affected dogs may bruise easily, have frequent nosebleeds, bleed from the mouth when juvenile teeth are lost, and experience prolonged bleeding after surgery or trauma. Less often, the bleeding may be severe enough to cause death. Due to the variable severity of the disorder, affected dogs may not be identified until a surgery is performed or trauma occurs at which time excessive bleeding is noted. Veterinarians performing surgery on known affected dogs should have ready access to blood banked for transfusions.
EIC
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
EIC presents as exercise intolerance in apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs are usually diagnosed before two years of age and appear normal during low to moderately strenuous activity. However, shortly after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise affected dogs will begin to walk with a wobbly, uncoordinated gait that often only affects the hind limbs. Dogs remain mentally alert and are not in pain during episodes of EIC. In some circumstances, the symptoms of EIC can progress to full body weakness with low muscle tone (flaccid paralysis), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures and very rarely, death. The episodes typically last 5-10 minutes and most dogs will completely recover within 15-30 minutes.
Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)Affected Corgis have normal muscle mass, normal patellar reflexes before an episode of EIC, normal findings on muscle biopsy, and are capable of moderate exertion without showing signs.
Signs begin within 2 minutes after cessation of 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous exercise. Affected Corgis develop a wobbly gait with hindlimb weakness and incoordination, wide based stance, and walking with crouched hind legs. Signs can progress to full body weakness, extensor rigidity, confusion, loss of consciousness, and rarely death. Episodes frequently last 5-10 minutes, often with complete recovery after 30 minutes. Loss of patellar reflexes persists after initial recovery.
PRA
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Rod-Cone Dysplasia (PRA) is an inherited eye disease affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis. PRA is an early onset disease affecting the Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina. PRA results in progressive loss of vision. Affected dogs have abnormal thinning and degeneration of the retina beginning around 4 weeks of age. Signs of progressive retinal atrophy including changes in reflectivity and appearance of a structure behind the retina called the Tapetum that can be observed on a veterinary eye exam between 6 to 16 weeks of age. Rod photoreceptor cells degenerate first resulting in loss of peripheral vision and night vision. As the disease progresses, cone photoreceptor cells also degenerate resulting in complete blindness. Most affected dogs are completely blind by 1 year of age, but some may retain limited sight until 3 to 4 years of age.
X-SCID
Affected dogs are unable to produce a protein important for proper immune function, predisposing them to severe recurrent or chronic bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
Affected dogs often present with symptoms of disease around 6 to 8 weeks of age including failure to thrive, poor growth, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting and lack of palpable lymph nodes.
Affected dogs may also present with active respiratory, skin, eye or ear infections. Affected dogs die within 4 months of age.
D Locus
Dilute Locus (D Locus) is a mutation that destroys the natural pigments of hair, eyes, and all skin on Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
The D Locus mutation also causes Alopecia and Follicular Dysplasia, which results in dry skin, dull coat, and hair loss that can become permanent.
Clinical signs of Alopecia can appear as early as 4 months old, middle age, or older. Alopecia often results in re-occuring bacterial infections in the hair follicles, which can be misdiagnosed as rashes and allergies.
Tri-Colored Corgis with 2 mutations would appear blue or grey instead of their natural black color. Red Corgis with the mutation would appear brown. Eyes may appear blue instead of the natural brown, which is part of breed standards. Noses may appear grey instead of natural black. The pads of paws may appear grey instead of natural black.
COPPER TOXICOSIS
Copper Toxicosis is an inherited metabolic disease that results in excessive copper in dogs.
Dogs with Copper Toxicosis have a decreased ability to excrete dietary copper from the body resulting in excessive copper storage in tissues and organs, including the liver, which can result in liver damage and subsequent cirrhosis.
Though the age of onset and speed of disease progression are variable, most affected dogs will present in middle age with non-specific signs of liver dysfunction including weight loss, lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
In late stages of disease, affected dogs may develop signs of liver failure including abdominal swelling, jaundice, and neurological dysfunction.
The National Library of Medicine reported the first known case of Copper Toxicosis in a 6 year od spayed female Pembroke Welsh Corgi in 2014.
Testing for Copper Toxicosis became available to the public in mid 2024.
Dogs with either 1 or 2 copies are AT RISK for the disease. Therefore, it will take years for most breeders to breed it out. However, most are not aware of the disease.
A small study on Pembroke Welsh Corgis found that at least 58% of Corgis are At Risk for Copper Toxicosis.
IVDD
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is an inherited disease affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
Corgis affected with IVDD have premature degeneration and calcification of the cartilage discs that connect the vertebrae and function as shock absorbers for the spine.
In some cases, these degenerative changes result in cartilage weakness and subsequent herniation of the discs into the spinal cord, causing hemmorage and inflammation.
Affected dogs present with a variety of neurological clinical signs including severe back pain, abnormal gait, loss of balance, and limb weakness or paralysis, often requiring surgical intervention.
Affected dogs are at risk of experiencing disc herniations at multiple sites along their spine during their lifetime. Therefore, it is common for dogs which have been surgically treated for disc herniation to experience a herniation in another location of the spine later in life.
MORE
Health testing on dogs is a growing science. The descriptions of new tests will be added as they become available to the public.