Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Cardigan Welsh Corgi? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Herding | Herding |
| Size | Small-medium · up to 30 lb | Small-medium · 25–38 lb |
| Lifespan | 12–13 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Double coat, sheds heavily | Double coat, heavy shed |
| Temperament | Bold, smart, vocal | Loyal, smart, steady |
| Best fit | Families, active singles | Families, moderate activity |
| Energy | ●●●●● 1 hr exercise daily | ●●●●● 1 hr exercise daily |
| Trainability | ●●●●● Smart, a bit stubborn | ●●●●● Smart, can be willful |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Brush often, heavy shed | ●●●●● Weekly brush, heavy shed |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Good with consistency | ●●●●● Adaptable, steady |
| Observed price | $700 median (389 prices) | Not enough prices yet |
How they differ
- Energy: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi rates higher than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (4 of 5 vs 3).
- Trainability: about the same (4 of 5 each).
- Grooming load: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi rates higher than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (3 of 5 vs 2).
- Beginner fit: about the same (4 of 5 each).
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi
A low-set Welsh cattle dog bred to nip at heels and duck the kicks, so it is tougher, louder and busier than its size suggests. Bright, affectionate and funny, the Pembroke is a big dog on short legs that needs daily exercise and weight control.
Corgis shed far more than people expect, bark readily and may herd children by nipping. Their long back and short legs make weight control and care on stairs important for spinal health.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed profilePembroke Welsh Corgi for sale
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The older of the two Corgi breeds, bred in Wales to drive cattle to market, the Cardigan has a long tail, large ears and a sturdy, low body. Loyal, smart and adaptable, it is a steady family dog that needs daily exercise and weight control.
Cardigans shed heavily, bark and may nip heels. The long back is prone to disc problems, so weight control and care with stairs and jumping matter.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed profileCardigan Welsh Corgi for sale
Questions
Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 4 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Good with consistency. Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Adaptable, steady.
What is the main difference between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi?
Corgis shed far more than people expect, bark readily and may herd children by nipping. Their long back and short legs make weight control and care on stairs important for spinal health. By contrast, cardigans shed heavily, bark and may nip heels. The long back is prone to disc problems, so weight control and care with stairs and jumping matter.