Corgis (both Pembroke and Cardigan) are of Welsh origin. They are part of the working breed called heelers, and they were first shown in 1925 in a Welsh dog show. Corgis are incredibly popular with the British Royal family, with Queen Elizabeth II keeping over 30 during her reign. These little dogs have enormous personalities. The Cardigan and Pembroke corgis are very similar, but they have their differences.

Golden retrievers are from Scotland, and they are an instantly recognizable, friendly-faced dog breed that’s a firm favorite around the globe. First formally recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1913, these gun dogs were bred to retrieve, giving them their name. The Golden Retriever is consistently in the top five most popular dog breeds around the globe, including the UK and the US. These two breeds are very different and would be the perfect pups for various lifestyles.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Corgi Overview

The corgi has two breeds under its umbrella: the Pembroke and the Cardigan. They’re named after regions in Wales, and while these dogs are similar, they have definite differences. Despite this, both of these breeds are heelers at heart. They are loving, loyal companions to the families that own them, both sharing the charismatic and tenacious personalities corgis are known for.

Personality / Character

Both corgis have personality differences, but they’re happy and loving dogs. They have shared traits, including a stubborn streak and a strong-willed mindset. Cardigan corgis are a more laid-back, reserved breed that is considerate and takes time before acting. They’re fun-loving and loyal but still share nippy traits with their Pembroke brothers. They are compatible but less likely to gel with other pets in the home than the Pembroke.

The Pembroke is more vivacious than the Cardigan and is affectionate and bold with a big playful streak. These are dogs that the Royal family favored and have a considerable presence on Instagram. However, while Pembrokes are more companionable, they’re still known for nipping at the hands and heels of their caregivers because of their heeler instincts.

Training

The corgi is willful and can be stubborn if not trained properly. However, they are very food motivated and willing to please. They’re intelligent and receptive to commands, becoming highly focused once in the swing of things. Corgis can be known for barking, but not as a nuisance; they are vigilant and protective of their owners. This could be something that potential corgi owners want to train out. Luckily, because corgis are so food-orientated, bark training shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Health & Care ❤️

Some health problems affect the Pembroke and Cardigan corgi due to their short stature. Going light on the treats and providing a well-rounded, healthy diet is essential, as these dogs are prone to obesity. It’s also important to train them early from puppyhood to accept a toothbrush so you can look after their teeth.

Exercise

Corgis are working dogs, so they have high energy and high exercise needs (around 1 to 2 hours a day). This can be spread out and divided into walks, running, playing fetch, or other games. Corgis are particularly skilled at agility and herding games, and they’re lovers of long walks.

Grooming ✂️

Corgis have a double coat that sheds, and daily grooming can keep them sleek and tidy. This is particularly important during their shedding periods as they will lose a lot more hair which can become tangled. A good massaging brush, such as a curry brush, can pull out any loose hair and keep the skin and coat healthy.

Suitable for:

Corgis can be the perfect pet for those who have time for their training and exercise needs. Older adults and couples would fare well with corgis as they are loyal and loving companions, provided they have the time to train the dogs. This can ensure that their stubborn streak is kept under control.

Families with children over the age of 12 are recommended; these are playful and fun-loving dogs, but because of their nipping tendencies, smaller children may not be the best companions for them. Corgis are excellent pets for people that want a smaller dog with a big dog personality, particularly if they have time at home to share with them. Corgis will create long-lasting bonds with their owners but don’t fare well being left alone.

Golden Retriever Overview

Golden retrievers are big, lovable, and instantly recognizable due to their soulful eyes and golden coats. They’re a large dog breed with a large personality, so while they’re gentle and aware of their size, owners should be prepared to live with their bouncy character. They’re happy with most activities, including long or short walks and riding in the car. However, they don’t like to be alone, needing their family to stay with them most of the time.

Personality / Character

The Golden retriever is an even-tempered, tolerant, and all-around family favorite. They are often described as the perfect family dog and are friendly, outgoing, bouncy, and gentle. Due to their retrieving nature, they usually have soft mouths. This means that they have good bite control if trained properly from puppyhood. They can be great with children as they are playful but aware of their size. However, how they fare around children depends on their socialization with children as a puppy. Golden retrievers are a very affectionate dog breed that gets along with other dogs and people. They are the most popular dog in many countries for a reason!

Training

Golden retrievers are intelligent and obedient dogs but have a mischievous streak. They’re also so friendly that it can be distracting when trying to train them. They tend to be very food orientated, so bringing their favorite treat can get them back into focus. Golden retrievers are easily trained, as they’re good at following commands and receptive to praise, wanting to please. They’re driven and intelligent and are often used as search and rescue dogs and guide dogs for the blind.

Health & Care ❤️

Golden retrievers have a few health conditions that potential owners should look out for but are generally regarded as healthy. Health care for the breed should include teeth cleaning, which should be introduced from puppyhood. Ear care is also important for golden retrievers; they have folds in their ears, which can mean they’re more prone to infections and the build-up of wax. Checking the ears daily and cleaning them when needed can help prevent any infection or dirt build-up.

Exercise

Golden retrievers need a lot of exercise. As large dogs with active personalities, they usually require around 2 hours of exercise a day. If they’re not given enough exercise to help them burn off excess energy, they can exhibit undesirable behaviors related to boredom, including digging or chewing. Taking them on long runs and letting them burn off excess energy, biking with them, or practicing agility training can help them stay healthy.

Golden retrievers love water and can even work as water retrievers, so many exercise options exist. However, goldens under 2 years old should be exercised more cautiously as their growth plates are still growing, and hard impact exercises such as running on concrete can affect how these plates grow.

Grooming ✂️

Golden retrievers have double coats with a very long and silky outer layer. They need regular grooming since they shed a lot, much like corgis. In addition, because their coats are longer, they can be more prone to matting. Using a comb first can help gently remove tangles, and a pin brush can help pull out any shed hair and distribute natural oils.

Suitable for:

Golden retrievers are suitable for pretty much anyone. Families with children and pets, the elderly (keeping their strength in mind), single people, or couples would all suit a golden retriever. One consideration is the time and space that these large dogs need. For example, those working from home would be excellent parents to golden retrievers as they need to be around their people more often than other dogs.

Popularity

The Golden Retriever is always in the top five favorite breeds in many countries, including the US. They were recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club in 1913 and the American Kennel Club in 1932. Because they are so popular as pets, they never suffered from restrictions or lost numbers during the second world war in the United Kingdom. They are known for their beautiful coats and gentle nature around the globe.

The corgi (Pembroke and Cardigan) has suffered with low numbers throughout its history. This is despite Queen Elizabeth II owning and loving corgis for her entire life. The Cardigan and the Pembroke corgi were on the Kennel Club’s vulnerable native breeds list for quite some time. However, due to the popularity of these loving dogs on social media, Pembrokes were removed from the list in 2016.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

These two breeds are very different in nature and temperament. However, they suit similar lifestyles. Corgis are small dogs with big personalities but need thorough training. Those familiar with small working dog breeds can combat their potentially nippy natures, and consistent training can keep them entertained and trim. Corgis have a sweet nature and love their people,  particularly if the time is given to them; It’s no wonder they were so popular with the British Royal Family.

Golden retrievers are very family friendly. They have an even temperament and are an excellent choice for families of all sizes. They are large and gentle, and they know their strength. They’re also happy to please but require an active lifestyle due to their exercise requirements. If you love the outdoors, the Golden Retriever will be your best friend for life.

• See Also: Golden Retriever vs Border Collie: Notable Differences (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Top – fatty corgi, Unsplash | Bottom – Svetozar Milashevich, Pexels