Dog breed

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a low, long and very lively herding dog from Wales that spent generations driving cattle by nipping at their heels. Corgis are cheerful, smart and self-assured, and Queen Elizabeth II made them famous worldwide. Short legs notwithstanding, this is a true working dog that needs exercise and things to do.

FCI Group I · Sheepdogs · standard no. 39

Weight: 9–12 kg
Height: 25–30 cm
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Origin: United Kingdom (Wales)

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Photo: nieznany autor, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

A corgi is a big dog's personality packed into a small body. It is cheerful, curious and very sociable, wants to be part of everything going on at home and usually greets guests in a friendly way. At the same time it can be surprisingly assertive: it barks at unusual sounds, guards the house and is not afraid of dogs several times its size. Its herding instinct leads some corgis to nip at the heels of running children or circle family members on walks. That behavior should be gently redirected into play and training, not punished. The breed learns fast and likes having a job, but it also has a mind of its own, so rewards and short sessions work better than drilling. Corgis are noticeably more vocal than many breeds of their size, which can be a challenge in an apartment building.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi for?

A corgi is a good choice for an active person, couple or family with older children, including city dwellers, as long as the dog gets daily exercise and activities. It is great for a beginner who wants to train. I would not recommend it to people who cannot stand dog hair in the house and barking, or to families with toddlers who do not have time to teach the dog to stop nipping heels.

Pros

cheerful and sociable
smart and eager to learn
apartment-friendly size
long-lived

Challenges

heavy shedding
tendency to bark
gains weight easily
instinct to herd and nip

Size and looks

Size and looks: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Height at the withers	males 25–30 cm, females 25–30 cm
Weight	males 10–12 kg, females 9–11 kg
Lifespan	12–14 years
Coat	medium
Colors	red, sable, fawn, black and tan, with or without white markings on the legs, chest, neck and head
Country of origin	United Kingdom (Wales)
Classification	Group I: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Also known as	Corgi, Pembroke, Welsh Corgi Pembroke

Care and exercise

45–75minof exercise a day

2/5grooming needs

4/5shedding

A corgi needs about an hour of exercise a day, ideally as varied walks, scent games and short training sessions. It does well in obedience, rally and even sheep herding. Because of its long back and short legs, limit jumping off the couch and repeated runs up and down stairs, especially in puppies; a ramp or steps by the bed help. Weight control is key: corgis love to eat and are expert beggars, and every extra kilogram strains the spine. The dense double coat sheds heavily, especially in spring and fall, so brushing 2–3 times a week, and daily during shedding, will keep the hair around the house down. Trim the nails regularly, because with little exercise on hard surfaces they do not wear down on their own.

How much should the Pembroke Welsh Corgi eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Pembroke is a long-lived breed: the AKC gives 12–13 years, and in a British study the median was 13.2 years. The US breed club recommends hip and eye exams for breeding dogs, and the UK Kennel Club lists hip X-rays as the minimum before mating. VCA counts the corgi among breeds at risk of degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease that slowly leads to hind-leg weakness in older dogs. A DNA test is available that lets breeders avoid pairing two carriers. Weight has a huge effect on a corgi's health: obesity raises the risk of spine and joint problems, so regular weigh-ins and moderate portions are the simplest prevention.

hip dysplasiaThe main orthopedic problem, for which the Kennel Club recommends X-raying breeding dogs.
degenerative myelopathy (DM)A progressive spinal cord disease in older dogs; corgis are an at-risk breed, and a DNA test is available.
eye diseasesThe US breed club recommends eye exams for dogs intended for breeding.
obesityCorgis gain weight easily, and extra pounds strain the long back and the joints.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip X-rays (HD)
eye exam (ECVO)
DM DNA test (SOD1)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to lore cited by the American Kennel Club, the Pembroke's ancestors were brought by Flemish weavers whom King Henry I invited to southwest Wales in 1107. These low, nimble dogs drove cattle and sheep, dodging kicks thanks to their short stature. Since the late 19th century the Pembroke has been a separate breed from the closely related Cardigan, although in Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire the two were crossed for a long time. The royal family boosted the breed's popularity: Elizabeth II got her first corgi, Dookie, in 1933 and kept these dogs for decades. Since tail docking was banned, some breeders have been developing lines with naturally short tails.

Fun facts

According to the AKC, Elizabeth II got her first Pembroke, named Dookie, in 1933.
The Pembroke differs from the Cardigan in, among other things, its pointed ears and much shorter tail.
The FCI standard gives the same height at the shoulder for males and females: about 25–30 cm.
Since tail docking was banned, some breeders have kept corgi lines with naturally short tails.

Frequently asked questions

Do corgis shed a lot?

Yes, the corgi is a heavy-shedding breed. It has a dense undercoat that sheds year-round and especially heavily twice a year. Brushing several times a week, and daily in season, helps keep hair off the floor and your clothes.

How much does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi weigh?

Under the FCI standard, an adult male weighs 10–12 kg and a female 9–11 kg, at a height of about 25–30 cm. Corgis gain weight very easily, so weigh yours regularly and count treats as part of the daily food ration.

Is a corgi a good apartment dog?

Yes, with about an hour of activity a day it settles well into apartment life. Keep in mind its tendency to bark, though, and limit jumping and frequent stair running because of its long back.

How long do Pembroke Welsh Corgis live?

Usually 12–14 years. The AKC gives 12–13 years, and in a large British study the median was 13.2 years. Keeping the dog lean is one of the most important factors for a long, comfortable life.