Pembroke Welsh Corgi
About the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 10-12" |
| Weight | 25-30 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The story behind the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes from Pembrokeshire in southwest Wales, where small low-set dogs drove cattle to market by nipping at heels and ducking away from kicks, and also guarded farms and killed vermin. Its background is generally attributed to spitz-type dogs brought to Wales by Flemish settlers, distinguishing it from the older Cardigan Welsh Corgi, which has a different ancestry, though the two were interbred and shown together until the Kennel Club separated them in the twentieth century. The Pembroke gained enormous public visibility through its association with the British royal family, particularly Queen Elizabeth II, who kept the breed throughout her life. Recognition by the Kennel Club and AKC is long established. Popularity has fluctuated, with a marked resurgence in recent years driven partly by media attention.
Originally bred for: Cattle droving, Farm dog, Vermin control. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Portion discipline matters more here than almost anything else, because this breed gains weight readily and a long back tolerates it badly. Serve a weighed everyday ration in two sittings, hold back part of it for training rewards, and check body condition by hand every few weeks.
Watch for: No characteristic food allergy is linked to Pembrokes, but obesity is a common and consequential problem given the breed's spinal conformation, so calorie control outranks ingredient concerns. Where itching or digestive upset persists, veterinary investigation should come before long-term dietary restrictions.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.