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Breed profile

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

A herding dog in a compact frame. Smart, bossy and very food-motivated.

Red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi bounding through deep snow
Short legs, big heart: a Corgi ploughs through fresh snow.Photo: Cmalaspina / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Weight
10–14 kg22–31 lb
Height
25–30 cm10–12 in
Lifespan
12–13 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
Wales
Popularity
#16 US#34 UK · 2025

Known for: Easy to trainWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Bold, Intelligent, Alert, Affectionate.

Health problems to know about

  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Obesity
  • Hip dysplasia

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks and training games. Heavy seasonal shedding. Watch weight closely.

A good fit for

Active singles or families, people who like training.

Probably not ideal for

Owners who hate barking or hair, homes with very young kids (may herd/nip).

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
  2. PetMD (vet-reviewed): Pembroke Welsh Corgi
  3. Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease (CDDY/IVDD)
  4. Wikipedia: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

Similar breeds

All breeds
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Swedish Vallhund

A short-legged Swedish cattle dog with a wolf-grey coat. Sturdy, cheerful and smart, with plenty of herding drive.

Blue merle Miniature American Shepherd standing on grass against a soft dark background

Miniature American Shepherd

An Aussie-style herder in a smaller frame, with the same work ethic. Bright, keen and happiest with a job to do.

A sable-and-white Shetland Sheepdog stands on a stone patio beside a lawn, looking back over its shoulder

Shetland Sheepdog

Small, clever herding dog in a big coat. Quick to learn, keen to please and very fond of the sound of its own voice.

A brindle-and-white Cardigan Welsh Corgi sits on dark coastal rocks with water blurred behind

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The older, long-tailed corgi. Steadier and more reserved than the Pembroke, with the same big bark and herding brain on short legs.

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