Pembroke Welsh Corgi: The Ultimate Owner's Guide

Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.

In this post, we share insights from nearly 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a friendly Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

As Sniffspot user AG says, "He is incredibly friendly and playful; he’s a huge cuddle bug and most of the time just wants to be as near to you as he can be. There’s never any doubt if he loves us or not."

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Quick Characteristics

• Breed Type: Herding
• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years
• Healthy Weight Range: 25 - 30 lbs
• Height Range: 10 - 12 inches
• Temperament: Friendly, Affectionate
• Coat Type: Double, short
• Color: Red, sable, fawn, black and tan

About the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Pembroke Welsh Corgis, these dogs are known for being friendly and social. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also very affectionate with children and friendly with other pets.

When living with a Corgi, 71% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 51% of owners found that a rural or suburban area with open spaces is also acceptable. This dog is moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer, and owners say that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and obedience classes.

In terms of exercise, 59% of Sniffspot owners say their Pembroke Welsh Corgi benefits from moderate exercise every day, including between 1-2 hours of activity such as walks and active play sessions. The Sniffspot Corgi community would not recommend this breed for first-time owners.

History and Origin of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi traces its origins back to Wales, where it was developed over a thousand years ago. Believed to have been brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the 10th century, the breed quickly became integral to Welsh farming life. The Corgi's low stature and agility made it the ideal dog for herding cattle, a task it performed by nipping at the heels of livestock while avoiding kicks.

Throughout the centuries, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi remained a staple on farms across Wales. Unlike many other herding breeds, the Corgi's small size and friendly demeanor allowed it to transition smoothly from a working dog to a household companion. By the early 20th century, the breed gained recognition outside of Wales, particularly after being favored by the British royal family, most notably Queen Elizabeth II, who received her first Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Dookie, in 1933.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi's popularity grew steadily worldwide, particularly in the United States, where it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934. Today, the breed is cherished for its lively personality, intelligence, and loyal nature, maintaining its dual role as both a beloved pet and a capable herding dog.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Traits and Characteristics

• Temperament: Friendly, Affectionate
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Trainability: Moderately trainable - Learns commands with consistent training and practice.
• Grooming Needs: Moderate maintenance - Needs regular brushing and periodic baths.
• Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
• Good with Other Pets: Very friendly with other pets

What to Expect as a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Owner

As a Pembroke Welsh Corgi owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners.

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024

Grooming Needs

Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs require moderate grooming maintenance. This means Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners should expect regular brushing and periodic baths. These dogs have a double or short coat, ideal for protection from weather and underbrush. Their coat is considered high-shedding.

To keep your Pembroke Welsh Corgi's coat healthy and up to breed standards, include brushing in their daily routine and brush weekly to manage shedding. Among common herding breeds, the grooming needs for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are moderate maintenance.

Exercise Needs

Pembroke Welsh Corgis require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Corgis are considered very athletic and high-energy.

Corgis thrive with 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners report their dogs especially love playing with squeaky toys, chasing a ball or frisbee, and puzzle toys.

When small breeds like Corgis don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like barking, stubbornness, and herding behavior with small children. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular exercise to avoid excess energy.

Diet and Nutrition

What should you feed your Pembroke Welsh Corgi to keep them healthy? As a moderate energy breed, their diet is important. A reported 63% of our community feeds their Corgi commercial dry kibble.

With moderate exercise, Corgis should eat 1.5 to 2 cups per day of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 25-30 lbs. However, your Pembroke Welsh Corgi's ideal weight and food depend on their sex, activity level, and age.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Concerns

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed is most prone to joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis) and digestive issues (e.g., bloating, sensitive stomach). A reported 43% of Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners noted joint problems such as arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. The risk for these challenges increases as they age.

Similarly, 29% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Lastly, 27% of Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners claim their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis — common Corgi health concerns. If you're worried about any of these health issues, consult your vet.

How Friendly Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

Another important thing to consider when adopting a Corgi is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis compared to other small-sized breeds?

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

With moderate training, you can hone your Corgi's herding instinct into a friendly and affectionate family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like barking, stubbornness, and herding behavior with small children. Our community Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners comment on their pet's friendliness:

• They are fun, loving and adorable. Very comical and highly trainable (Trang)
• Very loyal and affectionate with family. They are very smart. They love to go on adventures with their people, and they are also great couch companions on lazy days (PP)
• What isn’t there to love. His amazing spirit even though he has gone through a few surgeries to correct his legs he is still the happiest guy (Madison)

How to Train Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Whether you're adopting a Corgi puppy or an adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi, training is a significant part of owning a small-sized breed. Without proper training, your Corgi is more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as barking, stubbornness, and herding behavior with small children. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Corgi.

As a herding breed, Pembroke Welsh Corgis benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Corgi community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:

• Positive Reinforcement (95%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
• Consistent Routines (62%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
• Obedience Classes (38%): Obedience classes are led by a trusted dog trainer and they lead to a strong foundation of positive habits

As dogs bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses, Corgis are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.

Anton Shcherbakov on Unsplash

What Do Owners Love About Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

We asked Sniffspot Corgi owners what they love the most about their Pembroke Welsh Corgi pups, and here's what they had to say:

• Big dog traits in a small package! The perfect portable adventure companion. (Austen)
• Such a big personality. Talkative, loving, protective. Our girl is very snuggly but that is rare with Corgis. She loves meeting people and being the center of attention! (Amelia)
• Very affectionate breed with a lot of personality. High energy and fun to play with but is also down to take a mid-day nap with me. (Kaelyn)

What Are the Biggest Challenges for Pembroke Welsh Corgi Owners?

Similarly, Corgi owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

• It’s tough for us to say because he was a rescue, so it’s hard to know what’s a factor of the breed versus what is part of his history. In terms of strictly breed, he does shed A LOT, so we’ve had to make adjustments to our cleaning routine. (AG)
• Females tend to be very dominant, and the breed overall can be stubborn if they’re not trained properly. (Austen)
• Our girl is very smart and stubborn! If she doesn’t want to do something, it’s probably not happening. She is also a fluffy Corgi, so all of the shedding of a short hair Corgi, plus the tumbleweeds of a long-haired dog. (Amelia)

Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?

Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey

According to 60% of our Sniffspot community, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are not a great first-time dog. This comes from their stubborn nature and moderate exercise needs. Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners say it best:

• They can be sassy, strong headed and stubborn at times, so it takes lots of patience to train. The breed also comes with predisposition to some health risks, so may not be the best for a first-time dog owner. (Anna)
• Corgis can be a handful, I would not recommend them for first time dog owners. (Jonna)

Advice for Pembroke Welsh Corgi Owners

Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Corgi owners. These Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:

Be prepared for an active dog.

• Tire them out!! Take them to dog daycare or make them a working dog (Kelly)
• Choose your breeder wisely. (Christa)

Choose your breeder wisely.

• This is a dog you need to be sure to get from a responsible, preservation breeder. They can be obsessive, nippy, barky. You need to make sure you get them from a breeder who knows the dog and can help you. (Liz Sterry )
• Research as much as you can about the breed. I know they are cute and popular, but remember they were bred to work on the field all day, they were bred to run, to chase/herd animals, to bite ankles… they can be VERY loud, have infinite energy and have no off switch. Invest in training early on. They are prone to joint problems so don’t ever let them get overweight. Keep them active. (PP)

Understand this is a loud breed.

• Have a yard or be willing to go to the park often. Be aware of their loudness. Corgis can be hot and cold, very lazy and then all of the sudden tons of energy. They are very sweet though, very funny and smart. They also shed A LOT so be prepared for your home to always be full of fur. (Jenn)
• This is a smart breed but they are very stubborn and bark lot. This breed needs consistent weekly play time. Invest in professional training and stay consistent with it for the first 9-12 months. (Dyana)

If you have children, be mindful of herding tendencies.

• Their herding instinct towards children and small animal. They are very dominant and want to be in control at all times. Stubborn and can get jealous of new children or other dogs. Constant attention and prone to separation anxiety. Nipping and biting as herding instinct. Food aggression. Barking at everything (Trang)
• Probably not a good first time breed, but great if you have experience with other herding breeds. (Sam)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

What is the average lifespan of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

The average lifespan of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is typically between 12 - 15 years years.

What is the size of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

An adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs between 25 - 30 lbs pounds and stands between 10 - 12 inches inches tall.

How much grooming does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi need?

Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs require moderate maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs have a double or short coat, which is well-suited for protection from weather and underbrush. They are considered high shedders.

To maintain your Pembroke Welsh Corgi's coat, it's important to brush weekly to manage shedding. Among herding breeds, Pembroke Welsh Corgi grooming is categorized as expected.

How much exercise do Pembroke Welsh Corgis need?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Corgis are classified as moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.

Corgis are excellent companions and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Corgis note that their dogs particularly enjoy playing with squeaky toys, chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee, and puzzle toys.

If small breeds like Corgis don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.

How friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis with children?

According to our data, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very friendly and social with children with children.

How well do Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along with other pets?

Our research indicates that Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very friendly with other pets with other pets.

What should you feed your Pembroke Welsh Corgi to keep him healthy?

As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your Corgi is crucial. A significant 63% of our community feed their Corgi commercial dry kibble.

For optimal health, Corgis should consume 1.5 to 2 cups per day cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 25 - 30 lbs pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Pembroke Welsh Corgi's sex, activity level, and age.

What health concerns are common for Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed is particularly prone to joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma and digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Our data shows that 43% of Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Corgi's risk for these health issues increases as they age.

Additionally, 29% reported digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Finally, 27% of Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners indicated their dog struggles with skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis, which are common Corgi health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your Corgi's veterinarian.

Resources for Pembroke Welsh Corgi Owners

Whether you're a current Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog owner or you're considering adopting a Corgi, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners.

• Most Popular Pembroke Welsh Corgi Names
• Corgi Rescues and Shelters
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America

Sources:

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi History. (American Kennel Club)