Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
Side by side
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog
Adult weight
Males 10–12 kg (22–26 lb); females 9–11 kg (20–24 lb)1
Males 7–11 kg (15–24 lb); females 6–10 kg (13–22 lb) (breed club figure)2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
Plenty
Health
Lymph node cancer (more likely)6
Class
Family
Companion
Which suits you
Size
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a little larger on average: about 11 kg (23 lb) as an adult, against 8.5 kg (19 lb) for the Shetland Sheepdog.
Grooming
The Shetland Sheepdog needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs brushing a few times a week.
Temperament
They differ most on sensitivity (Pembroke Welsh Corgi: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride; Shetland Sheepdog: needs a calm, predictable home) and on affection (Pembroke Welsh Corgi: affectionate on its own terms; Shetland Sheepdog: a lap or leaning dog).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: keen to work with you.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
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.
Shetland Sheepdog
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small
Shelties learn quickly, respond well to handling and are closely attached to their own people, though they are often reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi grows to the heavier adult, about 11 kg against the Shetland Sheepdog's 8.5 kg.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog
More comparisons
Compare the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with
Sources
- 1
- 2American Kennel Club. Shetland Sheepdog breed page. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 10Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 11American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 12
Parts of this page were written by AI ·