Breeds / Medium
Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies
Affectionate, alert and smart, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is outgoing and friendly, a bold and workmanlike herder that thrives on having a job to do.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Great Britain
- Adult weight 12.7 to 13.6 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 28 to 30 lb
- Adult height 25 to 30 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 12 to 13 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was bred in Wales to move cattle, running low behind the herd and nipping at heels where a kick would pass harmlessly overhead. The job shaped the dog: a long, sturdy body on short legs, large upright ears, and a dense weatherproof double coat. Adults weigh about 12.7 to 13.6 kg and stand 25 to 30 cm at the shoulder, living 12 to 13 years. Living with one means living with an opinionated, alert, quick witted dog that wants a task.
Corgis need a proper walk or two a day plus something to think about, though their short legs rule out running alongside a bicycle. The coat is easy to brush but sheds steadily all year and heavily in late spring. They are vocal and will announce every arrival. With children they do well given supervision and early socialisation, since the herding instinct can surface as heel nipping. Keep them trim, since extra weight loads a long back and short legs.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, with a hip evaluation recommended by the national breed club
- Eye disease, with an ophthalmologist evaluation recommended by the national breed club
Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 12.7 to 13.6 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 13.6 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pembroke-welsh-corgi/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Dog breed facts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.