Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi

A Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Photo: FatFairfax
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Photo: Electrokardiogram

Side by side

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Adult weight
Males 14–17 kg (30–38 lb); females 11–15 kg (25–34 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 10–12 kg (22–26 lb); females 9–11 kg (20–24 lb)2
Height
Males 26.7–31.8 cm; females 26.7–31.8 cm (breed club figure)1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 13.1 years3
Median 13.2 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Sheepdogs & cattledogs5
Sheepdogs & cattledogs2
Coat
Short coat or coat of medium length5
Coat of medium length2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
No sourced figure
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Lymph node cancer (more likely)6
Class
Companion
Family

Which suits you

Size
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is larger on average: about 14 kg (32 lb) as an adult, against 11 kg (23 lb) for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Cardigan Welsh Corgi: cooperative, with its own ideas; Pembroke Welsh Corgi: keen to work with you) and on sensitivity (Cardigan Welsh Corgi: average; Pembroke Welsh Corgi: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium

In temperament it is affectionate and loyal with its own people, steady, alert and quick to learn. It is often described as more reserved with strangers than the Pembroke and makes a watchful guard.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small

In temperament the Pembroke is bold, outgoing and quick to learn, alert to strangers and ready to bark, and closely attached to its household.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi page →The Pembroke Welsh Corgi page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi grows to the heavier adult, about 14 kg against the Pembroke Welsh Corgi's 11 kg.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
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More comparisons

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Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·