Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are popular dogs in the United States due to their affectionate, loving, and loyal disposition. They were originally bred as herding dogs and make good watchdogs due to their protective nature. These intelligent, if slightly stubborn, dogs excel during training courses because they are eager to please their masters.

Breed Overview

Height:

10 to 12 inches

Weight:

24 to 30 pounds

Lifespan:

12 to 13 years

Colors:

Tan, sable, fawn, red, black- may have white markings

Suitable for:

Active families and individuals

Temperament:

Intelligent, sociable, loyal, affectionate, gets along with other pets

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a long body with a wide chest, and they sit low to the ground on short, strong legs. They have distinctively rounded upright ears, and they also have no tail, unlike their Cardigan Welsh Corgi counterparts. They come in a variety of colors, including sable, fawn, red, tan, and black and some may have white marking while others will not have any markings. These dogs love to spend time outdoors with their families, running on their short, powerful legs. If you’re thinking about bringing home a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, here are some facts to consider before getting a puppy.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Characteristics

Energy:
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
+
Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

divider-dog

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppies

cute Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy with one ear standing up outdoor in summer park
Image by: Natalia Fedosova, Shutterstock

A Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy will keep you on your toes with its high energy and herding instincts, so you’ll need to be prepared to take an active role in your puppy’s upbringing. They are friendly dogs, but proper socialization will be important to help them learn how to behave around small children and small domesticated animals due to their herding instincts.

Pembroke Corgis are also very intelligent and need mental stimulation, so they will enjoy the challenge of a puppy training course. If they have early socialization, they generally get along with other pets. They love being around their owners and will create strong bonds with families and children.

divider-paw

Temperament & Intelligence of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an intelligent, sensitive dog who wants to spend his time playing with his family. They are incredibly agile and courageous due to their herding ancestry, which also gives them an independent streak. Their strong love of their families makes them excellent watchdogs and they will pay back love and loyalty to their family ten-fold. Proper training will help both you and your pet develop the right exercise program to help make sure your pet gets all the mental stimulation it needs to be a happy, healthy member of your family.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an affectionate, loyal pet making it a good pet for families. They’ll love joining the family on long walks or playing energetic games of catch in the backyard. Young children should be taught to be gentle with the Corgi to avoid injury to the dog. Pembroke’s should also receive proper training and socialization in turn so they mesh well with their families. They also have a protective nature that makes them a good watchdog for families.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an independent dog, so they will need proper socialization with other animals from a young age to ensure there are no issues with other animals. They are generally friendly toward other dogs and people, so with proper socialization, you’ll have a well-behaved pet that will do well in just about any social situation.

red welsh corgi pembroke cute dog lying down on a dog bed
Image by: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock

divider-dog

Things to Know When Owning a Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs high-quality commercial dog food to help maintain its health and weight. Always follow the instructions for the proper feeding of your pet by weight found on the food package. Overfeeding, or giving too many treats, may result in an overweight pet as Pembroke’s can be prone to obesity if their food consumption is not monitored.

With regular exercise and proper feeding, your Corgi should naturally maintain a healthy weight. If you’re following the package instructions and feeding your dog the appropriate amount of food for their size, but they’re gaining weight, it might be time to consult your vet to determine if there are any health issues present.

Exercise 🐕

The small, but mighty, Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally bred to herd livestock, so they enjoy having a task to do that requires physical movement. A daily walk will greatly benefit your Corgi by providing it with mental and physical activity to keep it healthy. A slow job may also be appreciated by your Corgi to help burn off some energy. Be careful with extreme hot or cold weather with your Corgi as it may become overheated or too cold. After physical activity, give your pet lots of fresh water to stay hydrated. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does well in canine sports, such as obedience, agility, herding, and tracking.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi_Pixabay
Image by: ElfinFox, Pixabay

Training 🎾

Pembroke Corgi puppies are energetic and strong-willed, so they will need proper socialization and training from a young age. Work closely with your puppy to introduce it to new people, sights, and sounds to help give it the social skills it will need as it ages. A puppy training class is highly encouraged and then training should be continued as they grow. The Pembroke is very attuned to its owner and will respond well to positive reinforcement training, such as giving treats as a reward for good behavior.

Grooming ✂️

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a weatherproof double coat: a light undercoat is covered by a rough, thick outer coat. The Pembroke is a daily shedder because of this thick coat. This Corgi will need to be brushed every day to remove the shedding hair to prevent it from taking over your home. Give your Pembroke baths more often during the late spring and early summer to help remove dead hairs from both coats. Always allow your pet to dry completely before attempting to brush. The undercoat will need to be raked out as well to help keep your pet comfortable. Monthly nail trims, weekly toothbrushing, and regular ear cleanings will keep your pet looking and feeling its best.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually a healthy breed and tends to live long, healthy lives. If you’re purchasing a puppy from a breeder, always ask about the health of the parent dogs and what diseases they screen for to help determine the future health of your puppy. Good breeders will screen the breeder parents for some of the following disorders:

Minor Conditions
  • Eye disorders
Serious Conditions
  • Hip/elbow dysplasia
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • von Willebrand’s disease
  • Cardiac issues

divider-paw

Male vs Female

There are not many notable differences between the male and female Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The male Pembroke may outweigh the female by a couple of pounds. Both male and female Pembroke’s are known to be energetic, loyal pets. It will come down to the personal preference of the new owner whether they bring home a male or female Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

1. Pembroke Welsh Corgis have royal connections.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has long been a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s believed that she has owned at least 30 Corgis over the length of her reign.


2. There are two kinds of Corgis.

Many often confuse the two breeds, but they have different ancestors and don’t come from the same parts of Wales. There is one easy way to tell them apart right away: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has no tail and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a tail. There are other differences, such as weight, bone structure, coat color, and differences in ear size.


3. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are more popular than Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

welsh corgi pembroke winks
Image by: RikiEnot, Shutterstock

divider-dog

Final Thoughts

Bringing home a Pembroke Welsh Corgi means bringing home a loyal friend for life. These affectionate dogs want to spend all their time with their human counterparts and will enjoy spending time with you on long walks. They make good watchdogs for families and individuals because of their protective nature. Mental stimulation will be important, so enrolling your Corgi in a proper training course will give your dog a chance to shine by showing off his smarts. If you’re looking for an affectionate dog that gets along well with the whole family, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a good choice for a pet.


Featured Image Credit: Welshea, Shutterstock

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets