Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Shiba Inu
Side by side
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shiba Inu
Adult weight
Males 10–12 kg (22–26 lb); females 9–11 kg (20–24 lb)1
Males 8–11 kg (18–24 lb); females 7–9 kg (15–20 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
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
A moderate amount
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 8.8 kg (19 lb) for the Shiba Inu.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Shiba Inu lives longer: a median of 14.6 years, against 13.2 for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Grooming
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Shiba Inu needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and a moderate amount with the Shiba Inu.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Pembroke Welsh Corgi: keen to work with you; Shiba Inu: decides for itself) and on affection (Pembroke Welsh Corgi: affectionate on its own terms; Shiba Inu: likes its own space).
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.
Shiba Inu
Spitz & primitive · Small
In temperament the Shiba is alert, bold and independent, and reserved with strangers. It is fastidious and is often said to groom itself like a cat.
Breed traits
Day to day
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shiba Inu
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Needs daily brain work
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shiba Inu
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Decides for itself
Around the home
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shiba Inu
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Likely to chase small pets
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi grows to the heavier adult, about 11 kg against the Shiba Inu's 9 kg.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shiba Inu
More comparisons
Compare the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with
Sources
- 1
- 2American Kennel Club. Shiba Inu 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
- 7Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 8Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 9American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 10
Parts of this page were written by AI ·