A Legacy of Loyalty and Community
The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW Inc. was officially founded on 29 May 1950, born from a shared passion for the two distinct breeds of Welsh Corgis—Pembroke and Cardigan. That night, a group of dedicated breeders and enthusiasts gathered in Sydney to form a club that would go on to shape the future of the breed in Australia.
The Welsh Corgi Club of New South Wales has been a central organising body for corgi enthusiasts in NSW since at least the 1950s, publishing the breed journal The Welsh Corgi in Australia (Volume 1 appeared in 1969), which documents early club activity and breed matters.
But our story begins earlier.
• 1934: The first Welsh Corgis arrived in Australia, imported by Mrs. V. Nish in Victoria, “Titania of Sealy”, who soon became an Australian Champion. Her kennel, Benfro, laid the foundation for the breed’s presence in Australia.
• 1935: The first time a “Welsh Corgi” appeared in a RAS Sydney Annual Show Catalogue (now known as the Sydney Royal) was in 1935.
• 1936–1938: The first Corgis to make their way to NSW were all Benfro dogs, bought by Mrs C. Cotton & Miss E. McCloy (later establishing Doune kennel, Hornsby NSW) and Mrs J. Campbell (Picton kennel) who both contributed to establishing the breed locally. Records show Benfro and Doune Corgis first exhibited at the Sydney Royal Show in 1938.
• 29 May 1950: At a meeting chaired by Mr W. Bruce at the Memorial Centre, Castlereagh Street, Sydney, The “Welsh Corgi Club of N.S.W” was formed with just 20 financial members.
The first office bearers of the Club were Mr. J. Amour (President)—Mr. Amour retired three months later due to ill health, and Mrs. E. Broad was elected President in August, 1950; Mr. McPherson and Mr. McFarland (Vice-Presidents) ; Mrs. McNair (Secretary); Mrs. Darlington (Treasurer); Mrs. Irwin (Publicity Officer), and a committee of three comprising Mrs. Locke, Mrs. Hellyer and Mrs. McPherson.
Within months, the club held its first Championship Show, and by the end of the decade, it had become a vibrant hub for breeders, exhibitors, and corgi lovers alike.
• 1954: First Cardigan Corgi recorded in NSW, owned by Mr M. Barton.
• May 1958: “Newcastle and Northern Welsh Corgi Club” was formed. Mr A. Viney was elected President of the Club, and Mr J. Hemmings Secretary-Treasurer. The club’s first Championship Show was held on 30th November 1958.
• 1969: Welsh Corgi Club of N.S.W. appointed a subcommittee to investigate the condition of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Cardigan Corgis, and this sub-committee was later formed in association with the newly formed “Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association of New South Wales”.
While the Newcastle and Northern Welsh Corgi Club and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Association of NSW are no longer active, the Welsh Corgi Club of NSW Inc. proudly continues to unite Corgi fanciers from across the state. We remain committed to collaboration, camaraderie, and the ongoing improvement, health, conformation, and preservation of this historic and beloved breed.
A Club Built on Passion
From its earliest days, the Club has been more than just a registry—it’s been a community. The club organises specialty and championship events across the state and regularly appears in the Dogs NSW calendar and communications, supporting both Pembroke and Cardigan interests and promoting responsible breeding and training.
Historically the club has participated in national breed coordination — contributing to National Welsh Corgi Council initiatives and shared breed publications.
Over the decades, it has:
• Hosted 140 Championship Shows (as of 2024), judged by renowned local and international breed experts.
• Championed both breeds, even through challenges like the emergence of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) in Cardigans during the 1960s.
• Published educational resources, including the long-awaited Australian Welsh Corgi Handbook, first proposed in 1951 and finally published in 1969.
• Supported regional growth, with the Illawarra Welsh Corgi Club and Newcastle & Northern Welsh Corgi Club forming to meet local demand.
Looking Forward
Today, corgi pet ownership is steady and you can usually see their distinctive fluffy butt at local cafes and pet parks, however our registered breed numbers continue to decline—down from 1,921 Pembrokes and 258 Cardigans registered across Australia in 1986, to just 435 Pembrokes and 132 Cardigans in 2024.
The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW Inc. is embracing technology and social media to reconnect with the public, educate current and prospective corgi owners on how to show their dog, and join in the many dog sports that are available to everyone and that all corgis love to participate in!
Our mission is to celebrate the history, heart, and heritage of these remarkable dogs, and to inspire a new generation of Corgi lovers. Whether you’re here to learn, connect, or simply admire the breeds, we welcome you to explore our site and become part of a legacy that’s been nearly a century in the making.
