The Platinum Corgi
~A Dream in the Making~
For years, I have been dedicated to preserving the unique and rare colors of Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and now, alongside a dear friend and fellow breeder, I am working toward a truly one-of-a-kind vision: The Platinum Corgi. This project is the culmination of careful planning, genetics, and passion, with the goal of producing the first purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi that is ee on the E Locus (recessive red), bb on the B Locus (chocolate), and dd on the D Locus (dilute)—a triple recessive genetic combination that results in a breathtakingly unique coat color.
Importantly, every dog in this program is a documented, purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). This project is not about crossbreeding but about working within the breed to bring out the rare, naturally occurring genetics while maintaining the integrity and lineage of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
More than just a color project, The Platinum Corgi represents years of dedication to ethical breeding and the pursuit of something truly special.
HISTORY of the CORGI
1st UK. Champion Shan Fach
Sire: Bowhit Pepper Dam: Shan
1st AM. Champion Little Madam of Merriedip
Sire: Crymmych President Dam: Chalchot Saucebox
The history of Welsh Corgis traces back centuries to their origins as hardy herding dogs in Wales. The two breeds we recognize today—the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi—were once considered the same breed, with their distinctions emerging more clearly in the early 20th century.
​
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the older of the two, with its ancestors believed to have arrived in Wales over 3,000 years ago with the Celts. These dogs were long-bodied, with deep chests and strong herding instincts, closely related to the Teckel (Dachshund) family.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, on the other hand, developed in the region of Pembrokeshire, where it is thought to have been influenced by spitz-type dogs brought by Flemish weavers in the 1100s. Pembrokes were slightly smaller, with a more fox-like face and a natural bobtail.
​
The Crossbreeding of the Two Corgis
For many years, the two varieties were freely interbred, which led to some Pembrokes carrying Cardigan traits and vice versa. This blending of bloodlines contributed to the diversity of colors and body structures seen in early Corgis. It wasn’t until 1934 that the Kennel Club in the UK officially separated the two as distinct breeds, leading breeders to refine their lines and focus on maintaining their unique characteristics.
​
Early Champions: Shan Fach & Little Madam
One of the most influential Pembroke Welsh Corgis in early breed history was Ch. Shan Fach, the first Pembroke to earn the title of Champion in the UK. Her success in the show ring helped establish the breed’s reputation and confirm the Pembroke as a distinct and worthy breed of its own.
Across the Atlantic, Pembrokes were also making their mark. Ch. Little Madam became the first American Champion Pembroke Welsh Corgi in 1936. Imported from the UK, she played a crucial role in the breed’s early development in the United States, helping to lay the foundation for the Pembroke’s future success in the country.
​
Today, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are beloved worldwide for their intelligence, personality, and herding ability. While their history includes a shared past with the Cardigan, they now stand as two distinct breeds—each with its own unique heritage, yet forever linked by their common Welsh roots.
Liver in Pembrokes
Rozavel Juno
Sire: Rozavel Jack the Ripper Dam: Shan
There is a common misconception that the B Locus (which causes the liver or chocolate color) is not native to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed. However, historical records prove otherwise. One of the most notable early Pembrokes displaying the liver gene was Rozavel Juno, a liver-colored Pembroke Welsh Corgi born in the 1920s. She played a significant role in the development of the breed, as she was bred by Mrs. Thelma Gray of the renowned Rozavel Kennel, one of the most influential breeding programs in early Pembroke history. While liver gradually became rare due to evolving breed standards and selection preferences, its presence in foundational bloodlines confirms that the gene has always existed within the breed. Dismissing the B Locus as foreign to Pembrokes disregards the documented history and genetic diversity that helped shape the breed we know today.
​
Rozavel Juno was produced from a litter between "Rozavel Jack the Ripper" and "Shan". Although there are no digital pictures of "Shan", there are many photos of her offspring across the web and
in the old Welsh Corgi books. ​
Due to Rozavel Jack the Ripper being bred back to his dam - "Shan", we can largely assume because of the way genetics work that both Rozavel Jack the Ripper and Shan must have carried a single copy of the recessive B Locus gene to produce Rozavel Juno who is visually liver in color. Although it is possible that Juno inherited her copy of B Locus from her sire, it is more likely that she had inherited it from her dam.
Rozavel Jack the Ripper
formerly "Gwynfryn Jack"
Sire: Bowhit Pepper Dam: Shan
With this knowledge, we can safely say that "Shan" at the very minimum was able to pass on a recessive copy of B Locus to 50% of her offspring, with a chance of her offspring passing it onto theirs and so on so forth.
​
SOME PROMINENT NAMES PRODUCED BY "SHAN":
Ch. Shan Fach - Bowhit Pepper & Shan (1st UK Champion)
Rozavel Juno - Bowhit Pepper & Shan (1st Liver Pembroke)
Rozavel Jack the Ripper - Bowhit Papper & Shan (Produced the 1st Liver Pembroke by inbreeding)
​​
CHAMPIONS PRODUCED FROM "SHAN"'S BLOODLINE:
Ch. Shan Fach
Ch. Trier of Sealy
Ch. Bowhit Pompom
Ch. Cadno Coch of Cleddau
Int. Ch. Bowhit Pivot
Am. Ch. Robin Hood
Am. Ch. Rozavel Rufus
Ch. Flaming Lad David
Ch. Clarion of Cwmrhaidr
Fr. Ch. Bowhit Pingo
Ch. Bowhit Prince
Int. Ch. Lisaye Rattle
Int. Ch. Rozavel Traveler's Joy
Am. Ch. Rozavel Mayfly
Ch. Tiffany of Cogges (formerly Tiffany of Sealy)
Am. Ch. Scarbo of Cogges
Int. Ch. Firebird of Cogges
Ch. Teresa of Sealy
Aus. Ch. Titania of Sealy
Am. Ch. Fourwents Bronnda
​​
The question is-- how many of these dogs inherited a recessive allele of B Locus from Shan? How many puppies did these champions produce in their lives? Were there anymore liver Pembroke Welsh Corgis produced? If there were, was the lineage culled to maintain the breed standard?
​​​​​​​​​​