Embark for Breeders offers six breed-specific genetic health tests for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi among the 250+ genetic health conditions for which Embark tests. Breeders can easily share breed-specific DNA test results on parents or puppies with the one-page DNA Health Summary report with Embark test results.
Genetic health testing is an integral part of a responsible dog breeding program. When using genetic health testing, breeders need to educate themselves about concepts such as modes of inheritance, penetrance, prevalence, and phenotype for a specific variant in their breed to apply test results. Breeders also need to know which variants are causing health concerns in their breed and which health conditions currently have no genetic test available. This handy search function by breed or health condition can show breeders which DNA tests Embark provides.
Embark DNA tests for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi include the following conditions. The health condition percentages based on clear, carrier, and at-risk status presented on common, rare, and very rare genetic risk factors are based on a subset of dogs within the Embark database and do not necessarily represent all dogs of this breed. While we are not able to provide specific population numbers at this time, we believe the data provided here to be sufficient to inform on current trends within the North American population of Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
Common genetic health risk factors <95% clear rate
These are the most common genetic conditions based on Embark data, ranked from most to least prevalent in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with less than 95% of dogs testing clear.
Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease, CDDY/IVDD, Type I IVDD
Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a back or neck issue affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae (the spine bones). With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have an event where the disc ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs ranging from pain to a wobbly gait to paralysis. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer.
There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance, as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. However, this particular variant is the only one known also to increase the risk for IVDD. The gene is FGF4, and the mode of inheritance is dominant.
Many dog breeds, due to human selection for a desired appearance (phenotype), have a high frequency of this variant in the FGF4 retrogene, meaning most or all Frenchies have at least one copy of the variant. Therefore, breeding decisions cannot be made solely based on this breed variant.
- Based on Embark-tested Pembroke Welsh Corgis that have opted into research, here’s a snapshot of the breed today: 3.7% of dogs tested clear; 68.4% tested at-risk, homozygote dominant; and 27.7% at risk, heterozygote dominant for Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease, CDDY/IVDD, Type I IVDD
Citations: Brown et al 2017 Batcher et al 2019
Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A)
The dog equivalent of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, DM is a progressive degenerative disorder of the spinal cord. Because the nerves that control the hind limbs are the first to degenerate, the most common clinical signs are back muscle wasting and gait abnormalities. The gene is SOD1A*, and the mode of inheritance is recessive.
* SOD1A vs SOD1B
Please note: While we test for the SOD1A variant, we do not test for the SOD1B (Bernese Mountain Dog type) variant at this time. Degenerative Myelopathy genotype results apply only to SOD1A.
- Based on Embark-tested Pembroke Welsh Corgis that have opted into research, here’s a snapshot of the breed today: 32.4% of dogs tested clear, 41.1% tested carriers; and 26% at risk for Degenerative Myelopathy, DM (SOD1A)
Citations: Awano et al 2009, Shelton et al 2012, Capuccio et al 2014
Von Willebrand Disease Type I, Type I vWD (VWF)
Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is a type of coagulopathy, a disorder of blood clotting. vWD is characterized into three types based on clinical severity, serum levels of vWF, and vWF multimer composition. Dogs with Type I vWD have low vWF levels, normal multimer composition, and variable clinical signs. This blood disease has a recessive mode of inheritance.
- Based on Embark-tested Pembroke Welsh Corgis that have opted into research, here’s a snapshot of the breed today: 82.8% of dogs tested clear; 16.3% tested carriers; and 0.7% tested at-risk for Von Willebrand Disease Type I, Type I vWD (VWF).
Citations: Brooks et al 2001
Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC (DNM1)
EIC, a muscular disorder, has been linked to a mutation in the DNM1 gene, which codes for the protein dynamin. In the neuron, dynamin trucks neurotransmitter-filled vesicles from the cell body, where they are generated, to the dendrites. It is hypothesized in dogs affected with EIC, the mutation in DNM1 disrupts efficient neurotransmitter release, leading to a cessation in signaling and EIC. The mode of inheritance is recessive.
- Based on Embark-tested Pembroke Welsh Corgis that have opted into research, here’s a snapshot of the breed today: 85.3% of dogs tested clear; 13.9% tested carriers; and 0.6% tested at-risk for Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC (DNM1).
Citations: Patterson et al 2008
Embark for Breeders dog DNA test kits
- Sale Price
- $119-$159
Very rare genetic health risk factors >99% clear rate
The following genetic conditions have a greater than 99% clear rate and are considered very rare genetic diseases in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rcd3 (PDE6A)
PRA-rcd3 is a retinal disease that causes progressive, non-painful vision loss. The retina contains cells, called photoreceptors, that collect information about light and send signals to the brain. There are two types of photoreceptors: rods, for night vision and movement, and cones, for day vision and color. This type of PRA leads to early loss of rod cells, leading to night blindness before day blindness. The gene is PDE6A. The mode of inheritance is recessive.
Citations: Petersen-Jones et al 1999
X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, X-SCID (IL2RG, Corgi Variant)
SCID dogs cannot produce functional B-lymphocytes, the cells responsible for producing antibodies and long-term “memory” of infection, as well as T-lymphocytes, which can act to destroy infected cells as well as direct other immune cells to do their job. Without a functional immune system, they are extremely susceptible to infections. The gene is IL2RG. The mode of inheritance is X-linked recessive.
Citations: Somberg et al 1995
With six known conditions in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, this is evidence that genetic disorders are of concern within the breed, and other conditions are likely to be identified in the future. By DNA testing your Pembroke Welsh Corgis with Embark, you can help accelerate more novel discoveries to help your breed and all dogs.
Canine Health and Breed Resources
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
OFA Canine Health Information Center (CHIC)
OFA-CHIC Health Testing Requirements for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Mandatory
Hip Dysplasia
ACVO Eye Exam
Remember, genetic health testing is not a diagnosis of a disease. Please consult your veterinarian for any health issues with your dog. To start your DNA testing journey, explore Embark for Breeders Dog DNA Tests.
