The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is “the corgi without a tail”, and is an entirely separate breed from the Cardigan. Developed in Wales, Pembrokes were said to be used by fairies to pull fairy coaches – although in real life these little dogs were actually herding and farm dogs for humans. Enchanting stories aside, Pems are intelligent and sensitive companions that are just at home in the countryside as they are in city life. They do need a job to do, however, as well as enough human contact to keep them satisfied. A Pem that is left home alone all day with nothing to do can easily become bored and even destructive.

With their affectionate natures, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually a great match for a family with children. The breed also tends to be friendly toward other dogs, as well as cats. Because of their herding instinct, they may try to herd all three! Their herding style may also include nipping at heels – be prepared to deal with this through training and the occasional “time-out” in a crate. We recommend the sturdy and versatile Petmate Vari Kennel for Pembroke Welsh Corgis – https://amzn.to/3B3CUE6

While usually not aggressive, some Pems can also be bossy with other dogs, so keep this in mind when introducing new dogs to each other. When it comes to “their” humans, they enjoy spending as much time as possible with them, often following them from room to room.

Pembrokes are a healthy breed that tends to be long-lived when they are given plenty of exercise, love and regular vet care. Living to be 13 or 14 is not uncommon. Responsible breeders will test their breeding stock for hip and eye problems, so a potential owner should always buy from this source rather than a pet shop. As the Pem is a dwarf breed, owners should also take extra care to protect the legs and backs of growing puppies until they are fully mature.

As Pems are quite energetic, they do best when given a fenced yard to run and play in. A fence is necessary because their drive to herd means they might easily chase/herd their way off the property. That said, they can live in a home without a yard as long as they are given several on-leash walks a day. Walks are always recommended (even when owners have a fence) not only for their physical exercise component, but because Pems are outgoing and love visiting new places! When exercising, remember that the short legs of this breed means he is not a natural jogger, nor will he be able to keep up with you on a bike.

Pems are easy to train and learn best when given plenty of positive reinforcement. As they are very people and play-oriented, most love to please! Furthermore, their athletic nature means they are well-suited to many dog sports as well, making them great competitors not only in obedience, but also things like agility, tracking and herding trials as well! Despite many people thinking of Pembrokes as a toy breed because of their size, they were actually bred and developed to work with people.

Pembrokes make great watchdogs as they are alert to the goings-on around the house. They will alert when they hear someone (or something) outside the door, and their barks tend to make them sound bigger than they actually are. As they were bred to work cattle – an animal unquestionably much bigger than themselves – they are fearless and unafraid. This said, while they are great at alerting, their size prevents them from being actual guard dogs (as does their super friendly nature).

Despite their short coat, Pems do shed quite a bit. Regular brushing sessions and baths will help pull the dead hair out and reduce (but not eliminate) shedding. The double coat is fairly weatherproof, so water and shampoo will need to really get worked into the coat in order to clean it well. Thorough grooming should also always include regular nail trimming and ear cleaning.