Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Short legs, big herding brain.
- Weight
- 22–30 lbs
- Height
- 10–12 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a herding-group cattle drover bred in Wales to nip at the heels of livestock, weighing 22–30 lbs and standing 10–12 in tall, with a bold, intelligent and affectionate temperament. It needs 45–75 minutes of daily exercise, mental work, heavy shedding management and strict weight control.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a big-dog personality in a small body
- enjoy herding, agility or brain games
- can keep a food-loving dog lean
Think twice if you…
- need a quiet dog for shared walls
- can't face heavy year-round shedding
- have stairs and no way to limit jumping
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 45–75 min a day
- Training
- 3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 55–70 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.5/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Fox-like face
Erect ears and a foxy muzzle give the breed its alert expression.
-
02
Low, sturdy build
Short legs on a long body let it nip at cattle heels and duck kicks.
-
03
Docked or natural tail
Many Pembrokes have naturally short tails, and the rear moves with every wiggle.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–30 lbs | 22–28 lbs |
| Height | 10–12 in | 10–12 in |
| Daily calories | 690–890 kcal | 630–850 kcal |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium double coat, weather-resistant | |
Personality
A bold, bright herding dog in a small body.
How it thinks
Intelligent and quick, but strong-willed and prone to barking and nipping at heels if under-exercised.
At home
Affectionate with family, reserved with strangers, and good with respectful children.
Training
-
How often
3 sessions daily, 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with children, strangers, other dogs and traffic.
-
Self-control
Teach a quiet cue and a settle; reward calm and redirect heel-nipping to a toy.
-
What it works for
Small liver pieces reward quickly, but count them, because Corgis gain weight easily.
Exercise
Exercise a day
45–75 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Brisk walks
- Fetch and herding-ball play
- Agility or treibball.
Brain work
- Obedience and trick training
- Scent games
- Puzzle feeders.
Feeding
Prone to weight gain, which is hard on a long back. Feed measured meals and avoid free-feeding.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 580–1,110 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–6 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 550–690 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 55–70 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- about 3 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 860–1,090 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 85–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–5 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 470–600 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 45–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 2–3 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 580–1,110 kcal | 28% | 18% | 60–110 kcal | 3–6 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 550–690 kcal | 26% | 15% | 55–70 kcal | about 3 pieces |
| Active / Working | 860–1,090 kcal | 30% | 20% | 85–110 kcal | 4–5 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 470–600 kcal | 28% | 12% | 45–60 kcal | 2–3 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Intervertebral disc disease and hip dysplasia | Neurologic and orthopedic exam | Yearly |
| Degenerative myelopathy and von Willebrand disease | DNA tests | Once |
| Obesity and eye disease | Body-condition scoring and eye exam | Every vet visit; eyes yearly |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Grooming Heavy year-round, with two seasonal blowouts
Brush several times weekly, and daily during sheds. Bathe as needed, clean ears weekly and trim nails every 3 weeks.
History
Origins
Welsh Cattle Drover
Corgis herded cattle by nipping at heels in the Welsh countryside.
Standardization
Breed Recognition
Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis were recognized as separate breeds in 1934.
Modern Companion
Royal Companion
The breed became a family favorite, boosted by its royal associations.
Questions owners ask
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis easy to train?
Yes. Corgis are bright and eager, but their herding instincts and strong will require consistent, reward-based training.
How many calories does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi need per day?
An active adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi (22–30 lbs) typically needs about 630–890 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 550–690 kcal and a working dog up to 860–1,090 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 55–70 kcal a day in total for an adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly about 3 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes, with daily exercise. Their size suits apartments, though barking and heavy shedding can surprise first-time owners.
How much exercise does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi require daily?
Most adults need 45–75 minutes daily, including walks and play, plus mental work.
What health issues are Pembroke Welsh Corgis prone to?
Corgis are prone to intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, obesity and eye disease. Keep them lean.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs only about 3 pieces a day, well inside the 55–70 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
