Corgi Health Testing Guide: What Every Stud Dog Must Have

Corgis are a beloved herding breed with a documented genetic burden. Here is the complete health testing protocol every Corgi stud should have before being offered for breeding.

Both Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are active, intelligent herding dogs with specific hereditary conditions. This guide covers the full recommended health testing panel for stud dogs in both varieties.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Testing

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) — Priority Test

DM is the most critical test for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The breed has one of the highest carrier rates of the SOD1A mutation of any breed — up to 40–50% of Pembrokes carry at least one copy.

• Clear (N/N): No copies of the mutation. Cannot pass DM to offspring. Strongly preferred.
• Carrier (N/DM): One copy. Will not develop DM but can pass the gene. Acceptable in breeding if the dam is Clear.
• At Risk (DM/DM): Two copies. Will likely develop DM in later life. Should not be used for breeding.

Von Willebrand's Disease (vWD)

vWD Type I occurs in Pembrokes. Affected dogs have a mild to moderate bleeding disorder. DNA test required — Clear or Carrier acceptable. Never breed two Carriers.

Hip Evaluation (OFA)

OFA evaluation at 24+ months. Good or Excellent preferred. Fair acceptable.

Eye Certification (CAER)

Annual CAER exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist. PRA occurs in the breed.

Patellar Luxation (OFA)

OFA patella evaluation — Grade 0 (Normal) required.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Testing

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — Priority Test

Two forms of PRA affect Cardigans:

• cord1-PRA (RPGRIP1): DNA test available. Clear required for breeding.
• prcd-PRA: DNA test available. Clear required or Carrier with Clear dam.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Same as Pembrokes — DM testing required.

Hip Evaluation (OFA)

Same standard as Pembrokes — Good or Excellent preferred.

Eye Certification (CAER)

Annual exam required.

Patellar Luxation

OFA patella evaluation required.

Blue Eye Colour

In Cardigans, blue eyes are an acceptable trait related to the merle gene. However, breeding merle to merle risks double merle offspring with severe vision and hearing issues. Merle status must be confirmed before any breeding involving a merle Cardigan.

Where to Run Tests

• OFA (ofa.org): Hip, elbow, patella, cardiac, thyroid, CAER
• Embark (embarkvet.com): DM, vWD, PRA, and 200+ health conditions
• Paw Print Genetics (pawprintgenetics.com): Individual tests for specific conditions
• Ophthalmology clinic: CAER eye exams must be done by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist

Summary

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi stud must be: DM tested (Clear strongly preferred), vWD tested, OFA hip evaluated, CAER certified, and OFA patella evaluated. A Cardigan Welsh Corgi stud must be: PRA DNA tested for both cord1 and prcd, DM tested, OFA hip evaluated, and CAER certified. Both breeds require annual eye certification renewal.