The Truth About The Corgi Fairy Saddle

Myths and legends about Corgis have always existed, and it’s easy to see why. They are charming little dogs with a lot of personality, and they have a certain magic to them that makes them irresistible. The fairy saddle is something this old breed has always had, but its origins only work to further fuel the various legends that follow Corgis. 

Just like the meaning of their name (which is often assumed to translate to Dwarf Dog), their history has been lost to us. But there’s something beautiful about that because we get their mythical origins instead. There’s nothing wrong with a little magic, and who’s to say these stocky companions are anything but?

Key Takeaways

• Legend states that fairies would ride Corgis into battle 
• The fairy saddle is the dark patch of fur on a Corgi’s shoulders 
• Not all Corgis have a fairy saddle, but it is very common 
• Fairy saddles cannot cause any health or behavioral issues 

What Is The Corgi Fairy Saddle?

The fairy saddle on a Corgi is the dark, rough stretch of fur that is found on the shoulder blades. It resembles the kind of saddle markings you might find on a horse, and they tend to be very distinct. See if you can spot the fairy saddle on my Corgi, Winston’s, back below!

The Legend Of The Corgi Fairy Saddle

Corgis are what’s known as an ancient breed of dog. Their history spans nearly 3,000 years, with the origin of the Cardigan Corgi. It is said they are descended from Celtic dogs, but what about the markings on their shoulders? The fairy saddle has an interesting and mystical history that gives this stumpy breed an extra touch of magic. 

Living alongside fairies

According to the legend, there was a time when Corgis lived together with fairies. They would pull their carts and coaches, and they would help them go between places by acting as their steeds. There were even times when Corgis would be ridden into battle. This was a common occurrence for those who belonged to the warring tribes, Tywyth Teg and Gwyllion.

One day, there was a conflict between Tywyth Teg and Gwyllion that led to the death of two Tywyth Teg warriors. During the funeral procession, two human children happened to walk past and stop to pay their respects. 

The children were given the warriors’ Corgis as a gift to help herd their cattle back home. From that point, they began to aid humans as well. They became more than just battle mounts. They were an essential part of life on the farm and had an important role in managing livestock and ensuring they all remained in the right place. 

Being small and mighty has its advantages. Their low position means they are less likely to get kicked by a cow. And, they are able to move quickly and navigate tight corners to help the cattle move. Just remember to let your Corgi know that you don’t need to be herded… or they might end up nipping at your heels!

Where Do Corgis Really Come From?

Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis have two separate timelines for their introduction to the world. The oldest of the two breeds is the Cardigan Corgi, which was first recorded in Wales around 1200 BC/BCE. They were later recorded in the Hywel Dda in AD 920. While some theorise that they were brought over by Celtic invaders, the truth is that we don’t know. 

The history of the Corgi is something that we have lost. What we do know is mostly down to speculation. There are even those who believe that the Pembroke Corgi (which came later) might be descended from the Swedish Vallhund, a Nordic cattle dog that was brought over during the Viking invasions and remains a fairly unchanged breed. 

Another theory regarding the Pembroke Corgi is that they were brought over by Flemish weavers around AD 1100. However, there are records of Pembroke Corgis from before this date, which is why many believe they are descended from Nordic Spitz dogs like the Swedish Vallhund. It is also likely that Vallhunds and Cardigan Corgis were bred to create them. 

Regardless of their origins, the Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis remain exceptional herding dogs. They are able to control and corral everything from ducks and geese to sheep and cattle without issue. They thrived in Wales as herding dogs. And in Bronant, the Cardigan Corgi was the only breed of dog to exist there until 1870. 

In 1925, the Corgi made its first appearance in the show ring after the Welsh Corgi Club was founded. It was created in a bid to highlight and protect the importance of such ancient and reliable herding dogs within Welsh culture. They have changed a lot since they started out as livestock managers, but they remain one of the hardiest breeds to this day. 

What Do Fairy Saddle Markings Look Like?

Typically, a fairy saddle has the appearance of a darker patch of fur that runs across the Corgi’s shoulder blades. This creates a clear contrast between the saddle and the lighter, even coat color that covers the rest of their body. The texture is usually slightly rougher than the surrounding fur, and it doesn’t extend too far towards the neck or hindquarters. 

Of course, not all coats are able to display a saddle shape that is distinct from the rest of the coat. Typically, Corgis come in red, sable, fawn, and black and tan. While blue merle Corgis exist, they are not purebred since they are usually a mix of Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis, and they are not classed as fitting the breed standard. Merles also have no saddle markings. 

It is easier to see the saddle markings on red and fawn Corgis, although the sable and black and tan variants usually have white fur that makes up the saddle if it’s present. If it is there, it will be distinct enough to notice immediately, and it’s important to remember that not all Corgis have one. In fact, the breed standard allows for either a saddle or no saddle. 

Does The Fairy Saddle Affect Corgi Health Or Behavior?

While Corgis do have some natural health concerns that they are more prone to, such as IVDD and other back problems, none of them are caused by the fairy saddle. They are nothing more than a very cute and unique marking found on most Corgis, and they have never acted as an indicator of any predisposition to health problems. 

Similarly, a Corgi with saddle markings isn’t more likely to develop behavioral issues. There is no link between the two, and there is nothing to suggest these magical markings are anything more than the remnants of a wonderful legend. 

The Corgi Fantasy Poem

This was written by Anne G. Biddlecombe, founding member of the Welsh Corgi League, in 1946. It’s a wonderful poem that really highlights how fantastic and mystical this breed is. 

Would you know where Corgis came from?
How they came to live by mortals?

Hearken to the ancient legend,
Hearken to the story-teller.

On the mountains of the Welsh-land
In its green and pleasant valleys,
Lived the peasant folk of old times,
Lived our fathers and grandfathers;
And they toiled and laboured greatly,
With their cattle and their ploughing,
That their women might have plenty.
And their children journeyed daily,
With the kine upon the mountain,
Seeing that they did not wander,
Did not come to any mischief,
While their fathers ploughed the valley
And their mothers made the cheeses.

‘Till one day they found two puppies
Found them playing in a hollow,
Playing like a pair of fox-cubs.
Burnished gold their coat and colour,
Shining like a piece of satin –
Short and straight and thick their forelegs
And their heads were like a fox’s.
But their eyes were kind and gentle;
Long of body were these dwarf dogs,
And without a tail behind them.

Now the children stayed all day there,
And they learned to love the dwarf-dogs,
Shared their bread and water with them,
Took them home with them at even.
Made a cosy basket for them,
Made them welcome in the kitchen,
Made them welcome in the homestead.

When the men came home at sunset
Saw them lying in the basket,
Heard the tale the children told them,
How they found them in the mountain,
Found them playing in the hollow –
They were filled with joy and wonder,
Said it was a fairy present,
Was a present from the wee folk,
For their father told a legend
How the fairies kept some dwarf dogs.
Called them Corgis – Fairy heelers;
Made them work the fairy cattle,
Made them pull the fairy coaches,
Made them steeds for fairy riders,
Made them fairy children’s playmates;
Kept them hidden in the mountains,
Kept them in the mountain’s shadow,
Lest the eye of mortal see one.
Now the Corgis grew and prospered,
And the fairies’ life was in them,
In the lightness of their movement,
In the quickness of their turning,
In their badness and their goodness.
And they learnt to work for mortals,
Learnt to love their mortal masters,

Learnt to work their master’s cattle,
Learnt to play with mortal children.

Now in every vale and hamlet,
In the valleys and the mountains,
From the little town of Tenby,
By the Port of Milford Haven,
To St. David’s Head and Fishguard,
In the valley of the Cleddau,
On the mountains of Preselly,
Lives the Pembrokeshire Welsh Corgi,
Lives the Corgi with his master.

Should you doubt this ancient story,
Laugh and scoff and call it nonsense,
Look and see the saddle markings
Where the fairy warriors rode them.
(As they ride them still at midnight,
On Midsummer’s Eve at midnight,
When we mortals all are sleeping.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do Corgis Have Fairy Saddles?

According to Welsh legend, fairies would ride Corgis into battle and use them for work in the forests. They were used to pull carts and coaches, herd cattle, and as steeds whenever the fairies needed them to. That’s why the harness markings remain on their coats even today. 

Do Fairies Ride Corgis?

Yes, fairies are said to have ridden Corgis. They were once used as battle dogs before humans domesticated them and turned them into herding dogs. Although legend also says that fairies still use Corgis as mounts even today. 

Do All Corgis Have Fairy Saddles? 

Not all Corgis have a fairy saddle, but it is one of the most common markings and an important part of the breed standard. There are many variations of the Corgi coat, and all of them are acceptable, but the saddle is the most well-known. 

Final Thoughts 

Corgis are wonderful dogs for so many reasons, but the fairy saddle is definitely one of the most interesting features the breed has. There aren’t many dog breeds with a history quite as mystical as the Corgi, and it’s wonderful that this legend has continued to be passed down for hundreds of years. Maybe they’re just markings, but they could also be so much more. 

Perhaps you’ll catch your Corgi sneaking out one night to go and aid their fairy friends in the wilderness.