Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: a good fit for you
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: could work, with compromises
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Corgi from the county of Pembroke in South Wales, was above all a drover of Welsh Black Cattle and also guarded the farmyard against vermin, from rats to foxes.[1] It worked by nipping at the cattle’s heels while staying low enough to miss their kicks.[1] The FCI standard describes it as bold in outlook and workmanlike, outgoing and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.[2]
- Size
- Small–medium
- Weight
- 9–12 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: origin and history
Clifford Hubbard, regarded as the foremost authority on Welsh dogs of his time, held that the breed certainly dated back to the early 12th century and probably to the reign of Hywel Dda, King of Wales, in the early 10th century.[1] The word ‘Corgi’ most likely comes from the Welsh ‘cor’ (dwarf) and ‘ci’ (dog).[1]
In 1933 a Pembroke named Rozavel Golden Eagle was acquired for Princess Elizabeth, which drew public attention to the breed and helped assure its popularity in Britain.[1] In 1934 The Kennel Club recognised the Pembroke as a breed separate from its cousin, the Cardigan Corgi.[1] The FCI gives Great Britain as the country of origin and classifies the breed in Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs, except Swiss Cattledogs), Section 2 (Cattledogs, except Swiss Cattledogs).[2]
Fact sheet
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needshigh
- Trainabilityhigh
- Grooming needslow
- Sheddingvery high
- Barkinghigh
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogsmoderate
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlyhigh
- Copes with being alonemoderate
- Watchdog instinctmoderate
- Good for first-time ownershigh
- Affectionhigh
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Yes. It rates 4 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (4 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
Up to 4 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. A few hours alone work if you build up slowly (3 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
About 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Plan for off-lead running or games, not just walks on the lead. Go easy on stairs and jumping to protect the back.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia.
How big does it get?
25–30 cm at the withers and 9–12 kg. Size class: small–medium.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 3 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Yes, a lot: 5 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round. Brush once or twice a week.
Male or female?
10–12 kg for males and 9–11 kg for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Kooikerhondje?
Biggest difference: shedding (very high vs. moderate).
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Kooikerhondje | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small–medium | Small–medium |
| Weight | 9–12 kg | 9–11 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Medium length | Medium length |
| Shedding | Very high | Moderate |
| Barking | High | Moderate |
| Apartment-friendly | High | Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | Moderate | Low |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- live in an apartment
- are getting your first dog
- want an easy-care coat
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs about 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–15 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Barks a lot
- 4 out of 5 for barking. With thin walls that can cause trouble with neighbours; training helps but rarely makes the dog quiet.
- Sheds heavily
- 5 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round.
- Back problems
- Prone to slipped discs. Keep the dog slim and limit stairs and jumping off furniture.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi: puppy price and monthly costs
£1,500 – £2,300 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Pets4Homes, 2026). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,500 – £2,300 [3] | from £69 [4] |
| United States | $500 – $4,000 [5] | $116 [6] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [7] |
| Australia | no data | A$210 [8] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [9] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Intervertebral disc disease [15]
- Prone to back and disc problems. Limit stairs and high jumps.
- Hip dysplasia [16]
- A malformed hip joint. Both parents should be X-ray screened.
Health tests for the parent dogs
3 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center): hip X-ray (HD) and eye exam.
- Required of club members who breed in Canada (Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association): hip X-ray (HD), eye exam, and DNA tests (vWD1).
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [17] | United States [16] | Canada [18] | New Zealand [19] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Required [20] | Recommended |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | not in the rules | Required | Required [20] | Recommended |
| DNA test: vWD1Von Willebrand disease type 1 (bleeding disorder) | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required [20] | Recommended |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD) and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for vWD1, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [21] [22] [23] [24]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [25] [26] [27]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [28] [29] [30] [31]
Similar breeds
Sources
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America: A Brief History of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Stephanie S. Hedgepath) (2025)
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 39: Pembroke Welsh Corgi (2026)
- Pets4Homes (UK classifieds marketplace): Welsh Corgi Pembroke Dogs Breed - Information, Temperament, Size & Price (2026)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed Health and Care (2025)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- PNAS 114(43):11476-81 (Brown EA et al.): FGF4 retrogene on CFA12 is responsible for chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease in dogs (2017)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) / Canine Health Information Center (CHIC): CHIC Program Requirements and testing statistics: Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- The Royal Kennel Club: Royal Kennel Club Health Standard: A complete guide to health testing for responsible breeding (2026)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association (Canada): Code of Ethics
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the WELSH CORGI (PEMBROKE) (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association (Canada): Health of the PWC
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.