Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Traits & More

If you’ve been searching for a smaller dog to add to your family, you might want to consider the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Often confused with the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is probably most famous for being the favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth II. They are affectionate, smart, and energetic, and they're ideal for more active families.

If you don’t know much about this breed, we have you covered. Below, you’ll find everything you could ever want to know about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, from the breed’s history to little-known facts. With this information, you can decide if they are the one for you.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has been around for a long time. They were once used to herd sheep, cattle, and other livestock, but now they're most often companion dogs. Due to their friendly nature, the Corgi makes a fabulous pet (though they can be somewhat active, so you’ll have to keep up!).

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Characteristics

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Puppies

You may have difficulty finding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi at your local shelter, but there are rescue organizations you can try. Many states will have rescue groups for this breed; even if yours doesn’t, a nearby state might cover your area. Chances are, you’ll need to get your Pembroke Welsh Corgi from a reputable breeder. You can find a wealth of reputable breeders via the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America.

Once you have your puppy, you can expect to have a lively, intelligent canine on your hands! Your Corgi puppy will love to play and should take to training well (though this dog has a bit of a stubborn streak). Your puppy may also be quite vocal until you train them to bark less, so be aware of that.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi Origin & History

The exact origins of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are unknown, but it’s thought that they date back to approximately 1107 A.D. They made their way to England by way of Flemish weavers when Henry I invited the weavers to work and live in Wales. They accepted his invitation and brought along the dogs they used to herd sheep and cattle; they are believed to be the foundation for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi we know and love today.

These pups have been used as guard dogs, herding dogs, and, of course, companion dogs. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II was a huge fan and owned Pembroke Welsh Corgis from 1933 onwards!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 🧠

Though the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is small in stature, they have an incredibly large personality! They are playful and affectionate with their families. They love to play games and can be quite active (after all, they used to chase after sheep and cattle). Their herding background also makes them courageous and very agile, but they can have an independent streak and desire to do things their way.

Corgis are incredibly intelligent, so they take to training well and are great at agility courses and show competitions. Because they are so loyal and loving to their families, they can also make fantastic watchdogs. Early training and plenty of activity will keep your pup happy and healthy!

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Corgi makes a wonderful pet for the right family. Because they are so friendly, they get along well with children of all ages, but children should be taught how to interact with them properly. They may be muscular and capable of caring for themselves, but they’re still on the smaller side, so they shouldn’t be involved in excessive roughhousing.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will happily join family members on walks, hikes, or in backyard games. They can be energetic, so be prepared for lots of play! Due to their herding background, they also have a protective nature, so they can make excellent watchdogs who will look out for all family members.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Corgis can get along with other animals, including dogs and cats. However, they can be ambivalent toward other dogs in the home because of their independent nature. They’ll likely be tolerant of smaller animals, but because their prey drive isn’t high, they shouldn’t chase after them. However, if your dog is properly trained and socialized from a young age, you shouldn’t encounter too many issues with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and other pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

There’s so much more to know about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi than what’s been mentioned above. You need to know how to properly care for your pup, including learning how to groom them, what to feed them, and more.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi will do best on high-quality dog food suited to their age and size. You can talk to your vet about the appropriate amount to feed your dog each day, as the serving sizes on dog food bags aren’t always accurate. This is especially important in the Corgi’s case since they're prone to weight gain. Also, search for healthy treats that don’t contain many calories for your dog.

Exercise 🐕

Because they were initially developed to herd, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a relatively active little dog. They'll need around an hour of daily exercise and play. They love to go on long walks or jogs, but because their legs are so short, they won’t be able to keep up with runners or bicyclists.

They can also participate in tracking, herding, and agility events. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also at their best when they have a job to do, so let them “help” around the house. Add in some games, such as fetch, and mental stimulation, like puzzle games, and you’ll have a happy pup on your hands!

Training 🎾

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is highly intelligent, so they take to training well. However, you may occasionally run into issues because of that independent streak they sometimes have. Occasionally, they want to do things their way! However, training them should be relatively easy.

Be sure to keep things interesting for your pup by mixing up training activities. Also, ensure you only use positive reinforcement with your dog and keep training sessions shorter. Don’t forget to begin socializing your Pembroke Welsh Corgi from an early age, too, so they learn to get along with other animals and people!

Grooming ✂️

Due to their thick double coats, Corgis are heavy shedders. To keep their coat healthy and shiny, you should brush it with a slicker brush daily to eliminate loose hair. This will keep the hair on your furniture to a minimum. When shedding season occurs in late spring to early summer, you’ll also want to incorporate a rake to strip your pup’s undercoat.

Besides reducing the amount of loose hair flying around, you’ll need to brush your pup’s teeth regularly, bathe them as needed, and trim their nails.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are relatively healthy but have a few conditions they are prone to developing. In particular, they can develop skeletal or joint issues, so if you adopt your pup from a breeder, ensure the breeder has run the proper tests.

Male vs. Female

There are no fundamental differences in personality between male and female Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The most significant difference is their size, as males weigh a few pounds more. Whether a female or male Pembroke Welsh Corgi is right for your family will depend on your personal preference.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

You can never know too much about a dog, so here are a few more facts about the Pembroke Wesh Corgi that you may not have known!

1. The Word “Corgi” Means “Dwarf Dog” in Welsh.

Possibly, at least. Some think the word “Corgi” comes from “cor”, meaning to watch over, and “gi”, meaning dog; others believe the “cor” means dwarf, which would make Corgi translate to “dwarf dog.”

2. One of These Dogs Was the Mascot for Amazon!

Amazon's editor-in-chief had a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Rufus who came to work with them each day. Rufus soon became the company's unofficial mascot and helped foster its dog-friendly culture.

3. This Breed Is Enchanted.

Legend has it that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi worked for the Fae, pulling carriages and acting as a steed for Fae warriors.

Final Thoughts

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a sweet, energetic, loyal pup that makes a wonderful pet for families and individuals. They enjoy running around with kids, going on walks, and being involved in everything you do. The biggest downside to the Corgi is probably how vocal they can be, but if you begin training them early, you should be able to prevent them from barking too much.

• See also: Do Corgis Sleep a Lot? 5 Reasons & Tips to Keep Them Active

Featured Image Credit: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock