Coat colors and color changes in Corgis

Recognized Colors in Pembroke Welsh Corgis

There are 5 recognized coat colors in Pembroke Welsh Corgis being red, sable, fawn, black and tan or Tris. They may or may not have white markings. Tris may be black headed or red headed. Fluffies (Long hair), mismarks (too much white) and bluies (Diluted coat color with a smokey appearance – NOT Merles) are considered faults and these dogs can not be shown. Merles and brindles are coat colors found in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Standard Colors - These are what we consider our standard colors

Red

Red headed tri

Black headed tri

Dark sable

Light or Fawn sable

Deviated Colors or Bluies - From time to time we will have bluies available

These dogs have 2 copies of the dilution gene. Their normal coat color will be diluted resulting in a washed out or bluish appearance.

Red Bluie

Born Gray
Have a grayish – blue tinge to their coat
Eyes will be a grayish blue or hazel
Nose and eye liner will be gray
Can be registered with AKC under their primary color but can not be shown in AKC shows.

Tri Bluie

Born Gray
Will be gray in color as puppies and have a gray tinge to hair as adults
Eyes will be a grayish blue
Nose and eye liner will be gray
Can be registered with AKC under their primary color but can not be shown in AKC shows.

Sable Bluie

Born Gray
Their coat is a grayish – blue sable color
Eyes will be a grayish blue
Nose and eye liner will be gray
Can be registered with AKC under their primary color but can not be shown in AKC shows.

Other Colors that you may see advertised - We do NOT try to produce these colors

Mismarks

These dogs have too much white fur for the breed standard.
Can be registered with AKC under their primary color but can not be shown in AKC shows.
Sometimes we will get a mismark. They are often very cute and make great pets.

Merles

Merles are not a color found in Pembrokes. This color is found in Cardigans.
Merle Corgis have Cardigan or some other breed in their pedigree and can not be registered with AKC. They are not purebred Pembrokes.

Coat Color Changes in Pembroke Welsh Corgis

The coat color in a Corgi puppy will dramatically change in color from the time that it is a puppy until it is an adult. Sometimes it is very hard to determine what color the dog will be as an adult but an experienced breeder will have a good idea about what color they will end up. Below we show you some pictures of coat color change in our own dogs.

Barkley - Red headed Tri

Note how the red came in on his head and body to give the saddle back look as an adult

Lilac - Red headed Tri

Note that she started out with more red as a baby and has more red as an adult

Benson - Sable

Note that he started out with a lot of dark hair and no widows peak but the hair on the edge of his ears was dark.
Note the masking or widows peak in the last image.