Pembroke Welsh Corgi: temperament, and who the breed suits
A herding dog in a handy size: quick, alert and very sociable. What everyday life with a corgi looks like, and who it is happiest living with.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes from Wales, where for centuries it drove cattle by nipping at their heels. Being short was an advantage: a kick passed over its head. That work left it quick-witted, alert and very keen to work with people.
Temperament in five words
Intelligent. It learns fast and likes having a job. It thrives on reward-based training, and finds its own ways out of boredom.
Sociable. It wants to be wherever its people are: in the kitchen, on the sofa, by the desk.
Alert. It notices everything and happily comments with a bark. A calm response to the doorbell and to noise is worth teaching from puppyhood.
Energetic. Those short legs carry a surprising amount of stamina: a corgi will gladly go on a long walk, into the mountains or to agility training.
Food-loving. Food is a great motivator for learning and also the biggest risk, because the breed puts on weight easily.
Who a corgi suits
Families and people who spend a lot of time with their dog and enjoy being active every day.
Those who want to train with their dog: obedience, tricks, nosework, rally-o.
Flat and house dwellers alike. A corgi is happy in a flat as long as it gets its daily walks and something to think about.
Homes with children where adults keep the rules. Herding instinct sometimes tells a corgi to round up running children, and that is easy to turn into play.
What to be ready for
A corgi sheds all year round, most heavily in spring and autumn (more in our guide to shedding and grooming). It has a big voice and a mind of its own, so it needs consistency and patience. A lean figure and moderation in jumping down from heights, especially while growing, look after its long back.
Kasia, a dog trainer and canine behaviourist by profession, puts it like this: a corgi is a big dog in a small body. Whoever accepts that gets a friend who works, plays and cuddles with the same commitment.
Meet our corgis
The breed is best met in person. See our dogs and our current puppies, and if you are wondering whether a corgi would suit your home, write to us. We will gladly tell you what a day with our corgis looks like.