At a glance the quick version
FCI standard: dogs 10-12 kg, bitches 9-11 kg. UKC sets maximums of about 13.6 kg (30 lb) for dogs and 12.7 kg (28 lb) for bitches; Wikipedia gives 11-14 kg for males and 11-13 kg for females.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length straight double coat
A long, low and sturdy little dog with a fox-like head and upright ears. The weatherproof coat is of medium length and straight, with a dense undercoat, and is a little longer around the neck, chest and on the backs of the legs. The tail is naturally short in some dogs; full tails are now accepted and sit in line with the back.452
Personality what they are like
A confident, outgoing little worker that is friendly without being clingy. Corgis like to be where their people are and are keen to please, though their herding brain gives them an independent, determined streak. They are alert and make watchful house dogs, and young ones may try to herd by nipping at heels, which gentle training redirects.4826
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate to active. Guidance ranges from about 20-40 minutes (Hill's) up to around an hour a day (Royal Kennel Club). They enjoy herding, agility, obedience, tracking and flyball.672
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush the double coat at least weekly and more often during the spring and autumn shedding peaks, when the undercoat comes out in quantity. The coat is kept natural with very little trimming.6725
Home where they are happiest
Adapts to town or country and suits a smaller house with a small to medium garden, provided daily exercise and mental work are given.7
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A good-quality complete dog food in measured portions. Corgis have a hearty appetite and need only modest amounts, so keeping treats in check helps them stay trim on their long, low frame.62
Company who they like around
A people-focused dog that wants to be involved in household activity. Usually fine with children and other pets when raised with them; supervise play with running children because of the herding instinct.62
The story where it all began
The Pembroke is the traditional cattle dog of south-west Wales, with roots often traced back to around the 10th to 12th centuries. One theory links it to Spitz-type dogs brought by Vikings, possibly related to the Swedish Vallhund; another points to dogs arriving with Flemish weavers who settled in Pembrokeshire around 1107. On unfenced farms corgis kept cattle in check by nipping at their heels and ducking the kicks, and drovers took them on long journeys to markets in England. A Corgi Club formed in Wales in 1925, the Kennel Club separated the Pembroke from the Cardigan in 1934, and the Welsh Corgi League followed in 1938. The breed reached America in the early 1930s. Its fame grew worldwide after the royal family acquired a Pembroke in 1933, beginning a long association with Queen Elizabeth II.9325
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The name comes from the Welsh words 'cor' (dwarf) and 'ci/gi' (dog).2
- 2
Welsh folklore says fairies rode corgis, and the slightly different line of fur over the shoulders is nicknamed the 'fairy saddle'.2
- 3
Queen Elizabeth II owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with a family dog that arrived in 1933.2
- 4
Corgis herded by nipping the soft part of a cow's heel, staying low enough that kicks usually sailed over them.9
- 5
Welsh drovers used corgis to move cattle and even large flocks of geese to markets as far away as London's Smithfield, over 200 miles.9
- 6
Despite their short legs, fit Pembrokes can reach speeds of up to about 40 km/h (25 mph).2
- 7
UK registrations rose again around 2017-2018, a revival partly credited to the Netflix series The Crown.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 39, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs), Section 2 (Cattledogs); definitive acceptance 13 Nov 1963; current standard published 16 Jun 20221
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral Group; Corgis first shown in 1925 and given separate breed status from the Cardigan in 19343
- AKC
- Herding Group; first Pembroke registered 1934 (Little Madam); breed club PWCCA became an AKC member club in 19379
- UKC
- Herding Dog Group; recognised 19595
Popularity Ranked 16th of AKC-registered breeds in 2025.10
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Deshedding spring and autumnExtra brushing while the coat blowsevery day
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseAbout 90 minutes a dayevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) No. 39 fci.beused for recognition, origin
- Wikipedia: Pembroke Welsh Corgi en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, lifespan, fun facts, popularity
- Welsh Corgi League: Breed History welshcorgileague.orgused for history, Kennel Club recognition
- FCI Standard No. 39 fci.beused for size, weight, coat, colours, temperament
- UKC Pembroke Welsh Corgi standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, weight, coat, colours, history
- Hill's Pet: Pembroke Welsh Corgi hillspet.comused for lifespan, exercise, grooming, diet, social needs
- The Royal Kennel Club: Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, living space, lifespan
- AKC: Pembroke Welsh Corgi akc.orgused for temperament
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America: Brief History pwcca.orgused for history, AKC recognition, fun facts
- AKC: Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.