Dog Breed

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

BraniacConfidence KingFarmhand
Primary image of Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed
Full Name
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Alternate Names
Dwarf dog, Corgi
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Life Span
12 - 14 years
Weight
22 - 31 pounds
Description

If you've ever owned a Pembroke Welsh Corgi you can understand when people describe them as a "ball of happiness." On one hand, they are small house dogs good for apartment living, and on the other hand, they are deceivingly strong and athletic with a lot of energy. They love to learn new tricks and be trained, as they are one of the most intelligent dog breeds (even though they can sometimes be a little stubborn). Corgis love attention and behave well with children, as long as they are socialized in the right way. All of this, with the cherry on top that they have the unique and ever-viral "corgi butt" and it's no surprise that they are going up in the popularity rankings.

Origin
United Kingdom
Bred For
Driving stock to market in northern Wales
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi good with children?

    Yes, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Pembroke Welsh Corgi naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi like to cuddle?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi like to play?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will almost always be ready for play! The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi make a good service dog?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi good for first-time owners?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Pembroke Welsh Corgi be trained?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi shed a lot?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi easy to groom?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi need a lot of exercise?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi bark? Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi bark too much?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi a good guard dog?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi good at staying alone? Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi independent?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi a good apartment dog?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not the best dog apartment living, but it can work if the owner is dedicated to exercising and training their Pembroke Welsh Corgi
    Size

    How big is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is below average when it comes to size. They are not a "toy" breed, but it is still significantly easier to travel with them.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi try to run away?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi a healthy dog? The health of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Pembroke Welsh Corgi high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Pembroke Welsh Corgi into your home. Can you give your Pembroke Welsh Corgi enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi drool?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi have a large prey drive? Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi atheltic?

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.

Breed Variations

  1. Herding
  2. Shepherd / Sheepdog
  3. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a purebred dog that belongs to the Shepherd / Sheepdog sub group, which falls under the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.
Shepherd / Sheepdog sub-group: Shepherd dogs are the super performers of the dog world. For many generations they have served their owners by performing their job of helping in the farm- guarding, protecting, and herding. Shepherds were bred based off intelligence and temperament, and willingness to serve their families. Today they are excellent family dogs, but also excel as military service animals, emotional therapy dogs, and in competitive obedience competitions. They are highly trainable and intelligent, but that does not necessarily mean they are an easy dog or optimal for first time owners. With this potential comes greater responsibility from the owner. They need a firm owner who is willing to stimulate them both physically and mentally from an early age. They need a leader. If they have one, you will be rewarded with one of the friendliest and most intelligent dogs in the World.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis for adoption

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