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Pembroke Welsh Corgi

alert / affectionate / smart
Herding Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

10-12 inches

Weight

up to 30 pounds (male)

up to 28 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12-13 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    80% 80%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    80% 80%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a powerful, athletic, and vivacious little herder who is loving and companionable without being needy, making him one of the most delightful small house dogs. They belong to the most well-liked herding breeds in the world. A well-built male Pembroke offers a big dog in a compact package at 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder and 27 to 30 pounds. He is equipped for a long day’s work thanks to his deep chest, strong yet short legs, and muscular thighs. Pembrokes are remarkably swift and nimble due to their long, low build. They are capable of being red, sable, fawn, black, and tan, and either have white markings or not. The Pembroke is an intelligent, sensitive dog who enjoys playing with his family of humans and takes to training well. They are bold and autonomous because herders were developed to move cattle. They bark like a “big dog,” are steadfast watchdogs, and have keen senses. No family can ever have a more devoted, loving pet than those who can accommodate their brave but gentle Pembroke’s desire for action and socialization.

What To Expect When Caring For a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The Pembroke is typically a healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, cardiac issues, degenerative myelopathy, and von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder. As with all breeds, Pembroke's ears should be checked weekly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed regularly.

 
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Hip Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

A soft, light undercoat is covered by a strong, waterproof outer coat on the Pembroke. The breed sheds moderately every day, and in the late spring and early summer, it sheds considerably more. Many of the shed hairs can be removed each day with a quick sweep of the house with a comb and slicker brush. A rake aids in removing the undercoat, and baths during shedding season help to release the dead hairs. The dog must be thoroughly dry before brushing. Like all breeds, the Corgi should have its nails cut regularly, and its ears should be examined to make sure they are clean and in good condition.

Exercise

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a sturdy, athletic little dog that was bred to herd cattle and other livestock. He enjoys physical exercise and is happiest when given a task to do. Moderate daily exercise is beneficial for corgis' physical and mental well-being. Pembrokes can run slowly or go for long walks with ease, but they can't keep up with cyclists because of their small legs. Ample amounts of cool, fresh water should always be available after exercise. Numerous Pembrokes excel at canine sports like agility, herding, obedience, and tracking competitions.

Training

Puppy training sessions and early socialization are strongly advised for all breeds. Between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months, the puppy should be gently introduced to a wide range of people, places, and situations to help him grow into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult. Pembrokes are lively, enthusiastic, and very clever partners who take to instruction well despite their propensity for having their own minds. With this delicate breed, positive reinforcement-based training is most effective.      

Nutrition

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is made commercially or at home under the direction and agreement of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.  

History

In the Middle Ages, European kings displayed their majesty to their subjects and foreign emissaries through the abundance of their possessions. The use of carpets, fabrics, and tapestries was prominent in these extravagant shows of consumption.

The top weavers of the time were concentrated in Flanders, present-day northern Belgium. To entice Flemish weavers to move to their domains, kings frequently staged talent raids. Henry I of Britain extended an invitation to a group of these expert craftsmen to settle and work in southwest Wales in the year 1107. The weavers accepted Henry’s invitation and arrived with all they required to rebuild their agrarian lifestyle in their new house. This included the canines they developed to herd sheep and cattle. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed was developed from these hardy, short-legged herding dogs.

Since the late 1800s, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and his cousin, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, have been clearly distinct breeds; yet, in the early Welsh breeding regions of Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire, the two breeds frequently mixed. The ears (the Pembroke’s are sharp and upright, the Cardi’s are rounded) and tail (the Cardi’s tail is substantially longer than Pembroke’s tail) are currently the most obvious physical variations between the breeds. Elizabeth II is the most well-known Pembroke enthusiast in the world; she acquired her first Pembroke, Dookie, in 1933 and has never been without one or more since.