what they are likePembroke Welsh Corgi temperament
A confident, outgoing little worker that is friendly without being clingy. Corgis like to be where their people are and are keen to please, though their herding brain gives them an independent, determined streak. They are alert and make watchful house dogs, and young ones may try to herd by nipping at heels, which gentle training redirects.1834
how to spot onePembroke Welsh Corgi coat and colours
medium-length straight double coat
A long, low and sturdy little dog with a fox-like head and upright ears. The weatherproof coat is of medium length and straight, with a dense undercoat, and is a little longer around the neck, chest and on the backs of the legs. The tail is naturally short in some dogs; full tails are now accepted and sit in line with the back.123
Coloursredsablefawnblack and tanany of these with white markings on legs, chest and neck12
a typical week and yearThe care rhythm
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
Deshedding spring and autumnExtra brushing while the coat blowsevery day
Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
Bathevery 10 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
Ear checkevery 2 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
ExerciseAbout 90 minutes a dayevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
how busy a day looksPembroke Welsh Corgi exercise needs
Moderate to active. Guidance ranges from about 20-40 minutes (Hill's) up to around an hour a day (Royal Kennel Club). They enjoy herding, agility, obedience, tracking and flyball.453
where they are happiestPembroke Welsh Corgi at home
Adapts to town or country and suits a smaller house with a small to medium garden, provided daily exercise and mental work are given.5
who they like aroundPembroke Welsh Corgi with people and other pets
A people-focused dog that wants to be involved in household activity. Usually fine with children and other pets when raised with them; supervise play with running children because of the herding instinct.43
the hands-on bitsPembroke Welsh Corgi grooming and care
Brush the double coat at least weekly and more often during the spring and autumn shedding peaks, when the undercoat comes out in quantity. The coat is kept natural with very little trimming.4532
what goes in the bowlPembroke Welsh Corgi food and feeding
A good-quality complete dog food in measured portions. Corgis have a hearty appetite and need only modest amounts, so keeping treats in check helps them stay trim on their long, low frame.43
the things everyone asksOwner questions
How often should I feed my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and at what times?
Feed your Pembroke Welsh Corgi a good-quality complete dog food in measured portions. Adult dogs do well with two meals a day, while puppies need three to four smaller meals. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.439
What should a Pembroke Welsh Corgi eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Stick to a good-quality complete dog food for your Corgi. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts, as these are especially harmful to dogs. Always keep treats in check to maintain a healthy weight.10
How often should I bathe a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests bathing your Pembroke Welsh Corgi about every 70 days, and general guidance recommends at least once every three months. More frequent baths may be needed if they get very dirty.11Pet Wiki plan
How often does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi need brushing?
Brush your Corgi's double coat at least weekly, and more often during spring and autumn shedding peaks. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests brushing every three days, and daily during heavy shedding.4532Pet Wiki plan
How do I trim a Pembroke Welsh Corgi's nails, and how often?
Trim your Corgi's nails when you hear them clicking on the floor, about every three weeks according to Pet Wiki's plan. Trim a little at a time and stop before the quick to avoid pain.11Pet Wiki plan
How much exercise does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi need?
Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs moderate to active exercise. Guidance ranges from 20-40 minutes up to about an hour a day, and Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests around 90 minutes daily. They enjoy activities like herding, agility, and obedience.453Pet Wiki plan
How do I look after a Pembroke Welsh Corgi's teeth and ears?
Brush your Corgi's teeth daily if possible, at least two to three times a week, using only dog toothpaste. Check ears every two weeks and clean gently without pushing anything into the ear canal.11Pet Wiki plan
How long does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi live?
Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically live between 11 and 13 years. With good care, many enjoy a long, happy life.435
Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi good with children and other pets?
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are usually good with children and other pets when raised with them. Supervise play with young children as they may try to herd by nipping at heels, which gentle training can redirect.43
Can a Pembroke Welsh Corgi be left alone?
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very people-focused and prefer to be with their family. They can be left alone for short periods but may become anxious if left for too long. Provide mental stimulation and a routine.1834
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
what to watchPembroke Welsh Corgi health problems
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint does not fit together well, which can mean stiffness and arthritis; the club asks buyers to check both parents were screened clear. Hip screening recommended by the PWCCA and listed as Best Practice by the UK Kennel Club; no published rate ↗
Degenerative myelopathy
A slow nerve disease of old dogs that weakens the back legs; most dogs that carry the gene never get it, so the DNA test is only part of the picture. PWCCA article: about 0.6% of Pembrokes affected in an UC Davis records study; 52.7% test 'at risk' but only about 1.1% of those develop it ↗
Inherited eye disease
Eye changes such as cataracts or retinal problems; the club asks for both parents to have a clear eye certificate. Eye certification recommended by the PWCCA code of ethics; no published rate ↗
von Willebrand disease
An inherited clotting problem that can mean heavy bleeding after injury or surgery; a DNA test shows carriers. PWCCA says many breeders test for it; no published rate ↗
Back problems (long back, short legs)
The long, low shape puts extra strain on the spine, so keep the dog lean and limit jumping from heights; worth an insurance check. Generic risk for this body type; not listed on the club page, so no published rate ↗
Tests a good breeder can show you
Hip evaluation (OFA, PennHIP or BVA/KC) Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America; UK Kennel Club Best Practice ↗
Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America ↗
von Willebrand disease DNA test Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America (many breeders) ↗
Degenerative myelopathy DNA test (optional) Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America ↗
Elbow and cardiac screening (optional) Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America ↗
From the breed club or a health scheme. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
per year, in your countryWhat a Pembroke Welsh Corgi costs
Running costs for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
by countryIs the Pembroke Welsh Corgi legal where you live?
No breed-specific rule names the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
homemade and simpleTreats they will love
Pembroke Welsh Corgi tip
Pembrokes are prone to becoming overweight, which is hard on their joints, so measure meals and keep an eye on treats. If your Corgi starts gaining, cut treats right back.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
for the dinner tableFun facts
1
The name comes from the Welsh words 'cor' (dwarf) and 'ci/gi' (dog).3
2
Welsh folklore says fairies rode corgis, and the slightly different line of fur over the shoulders is nicknamed the 'fairy saddle'.3
3
Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with a family dog that arrived in 1933.3
4
Corgis herded by nipping the soft part of a cow's heel, staying low enough that kicks usually sailed over them.12
5
Welsh drovers used corgis to move cattle and even large flocks of geese to markets as far away as London's Smithfield, over 200 miles.12
6
UK registrations rose again around 2017-2018, a revival partly credited to the Netflix series The Crown.3
the story behind itWhere the name comes from
The breed's name is derived from the Welsh words 'cor' (dwarf) and 'ci' (dog), combined with the county of Pembrokeshire in Wales, where the breed was developed.8
stars of the breedFamous ones
Queen Elizabeth II's corgis The Queen owned more than 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgis during her reign, making them iconic royal pets.8
I started my day by checking the perimeter, our yard is my kingdom, and I must guard it. My human called me for breakfast, and I trotted over with my tail high. After, we went for a walk, and I tried to herd a leaf, but it blew away. I’m not bossy, just helpful! Later, I played fetch in the garden and napped in a sunbeam. When the doorbell rang, I gave one sharp bark to announce the visitor. My human smiled and gave me a treat. Life is good when you’re a corgi.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
where it all beganPembroke Welsh Corgi history
The Pembroke is the traditional cattle dog of south-west Wales, with roots often traced back to around the 10th to 12th centuries. One theory links it to Spitz-type dogs brought by Vikings, possibly related to the Swedish Vallhund; another points to dogs arriving with Flemish weavers who settled in Pembrokeshire around 1107. On unfenced farms corgis kept cattle in check by nipping at their heels and ducking the kicks, and drovers took them on long journeys to markets in England. A Corgi Club formed in Wales in 1925, the Kennel Club separated the Pembroke from the Cardigan in 1934, and the Welsh Corgi League followed in 1938. The breed reached America in the early 1930s. Its fame grew worldwide after the royal family acquired a Pembroke in 1933, beginning a long association with Queen Elizabeth II.12732
Standard No. 39, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 2 (Cattledogs); definitive acceptance 13 Nov 1963; current standard published 16 Jun 20226
The Royal Kennel Club
Pastoral Group; Corgis first shown in 1925 and given separate breed status from the Cardigan in 19347
AKC
Herding Group; first Pembroke registered 1934 (Little Madam); breed club PWCCA became an AKC member club in 193712
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Swedish Vallhund
Lancashire Heeler