Corgi temperament guide: What you need to know

So, you’re thinking about adding a corgi to your family? 

Before you decide on bringing this fun-loving, compact breed home, it’s important you know what you’re getting yourself into. 

This article will guide you through everything you need to know about corgis, including the different types, the difference between temperament and personality, what you can expect in a corgi’s temperament, this breed’s physical needs, and much more.

Ready to learn more about the corgi? Let’s dive in.

There are two separate corgi breeds: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi. There are some differences in traits between the two.

For instance, the two types come in different color variations, and the Cardigan Welsh corgi is slightly larger than the Pembroke. Nevertheless, the Pembroke is the more popular type — this is the type that we’ll focus on in this article.

It’s easy to get confused between temperament and personality, but it’s important to know the difference.

When you’re choosing a dog, especially a family pet, it’s crucial to know whether that dog will integrate well with your household, including any other pets you may have and the lifestyle you live.

It’s widely assumed that much of a dog’s temperament is derived from its breed — the innate characteristics each dog is born with. But research suggests that a dog’s breed is only 9% of what determines each animal’s behavior.

As such, it’s important to consider your Pembroke Welsh corgi’s upbringing, socialization, training, and the warmth and love it’ll receive as a puppy and young adult. This will determine its behavior much more than its breed.

While you’re likely interested in Pembroke Welsh corgis, you might want to read about other breeds — such as a Saluki’s temperament — to compare. This will help you appreciate the importance of personality in each dog’s behavior.

So, defining temperament in a Pembroke Welsh corgi isn’t pointless, but it must be assessed in line with the dog’s personality and how it’s nurtured.

This section discusses the different temperament traits of the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the breed’s general personality.

Are Welsh corgis high- or low-maintenance?

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is generally a low-maintenance dog (with some exceptions, as we’ll discuss below). This is one of the reasons why it maintains its position as one of the most popular breeds.

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is intelligent, lively, tenacious, and good with families and children. As such, it typically makes an excellent family pet.

However, three factors make the Pembroke Welsh corgi somewhat higher maintenance than some other breeds.

1. The Pembroke Welsh corgi has a double coat and it’s important to groom it weekly to keep it in good condition and prevent matting. The Pembroke Welsh corgi sheds a lot all year round, so you may need to invest in a good vacuum.
2. As a herding breed, the Pembroke Welsh corgi was originally a working dog. As such, it has a high energy level and requires daily activity to keep it healthy and happy.
3. These dogs typically enjoy being with other dogs and humans. If they don’t have regular interactions with humans or another furry playmate, they may get bored and, in turn, destructive.

Do Welsh corgis get lonely?

Yes. Like most other breeds, Pembroke Welsh corgis can get lonely or develop separation anxiety; however, this can be managed by adopting a second furry friend for your corgi (only if you’re properly prepared) or setting up play dates with other dogs.

If you do this, your Pembroke Welsh corgi is less likely to object to, say, a few hours at a time of you being away from home.

Do Welsh corgis make good family pets?

The Pembroke Welsh corgi is an extremely loyal and affectionate dog, including to children. As such, it’s typically an excellent family pet.

Fun fact: This trait was publicly documented in the records of the British Royal Family when King George VI gave his young daughter Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, a Pembroke Welsh corgi as a pet.

Are Welsh corgis good with other pets?

The answer to this question mostly depends on your Pembroke Welsh corgi’s personality, which depends on the environment it was brought up in.

If your Pembroke Welsh corgi is well-socialized and has been brought up with other dogs, then it’s likely to work well with other dogs. And as an added bonus, as mentioned earlier, other pets in the house can help reduce feelings of loneliness in your corgi.

Are Welsh corgis good with strangers?

As long as they’ve been properly socialized with people, your Pembroke Welsh corgi should be fine with strangers. In fact, they’ll quite possibly be indifferent about them.

Never forget, however, that the Pembroke Welsh corgi is an extremely loyal dog, so it may not initially welcome a stranger whom it perceives as a threat to its family.

Are Welsh corgis vocal?

The short answer is, “yes.” Welsh corgis do tend to bark a lot. They were bred as herding dogs to keep cattle and sheep in line, so they developed a distinctive yap to help them do that.

Never ignore a dog when it’s barking, as barking generally indicates it’s trying to tell you something. Perhaps it sees what it thinks is a threat, is annoyed at someone or something, or is hungry or thirsty. Or maybe it’s telling you it’s lonely or bored.

For some, putting up with some vocalizations is a small price to pay for the companionship of such a loyal and intelligent dog. But if you find your corgi’s vocalizations less than ideal, one solution is to take it to obedience training. The instructor can show you how to train your Pembroke Welsh corgi to bark less.

Are Welsh corgis easy to train?

Obedience training — whether you do it yourself or with professional help — is a must for any responsible dog owner.

And luckily, Pembroke Welsh corgis are relatively easy to train as long as it’s done correctly.

Exercise

The Welsh corgi needs at least an hour of exercise each day. Although small, corgis are extremely energetic due to their herding background. The saying goes that you should perceive your Pembroke Welsh corgi as “a large dog on small legs.”

Diet

Pembroke Welsh corgis should be given a regular balanced canine diet. Consult your vet for advice on what that’ll mean for your particular pet.

A word of warning: Pembroke Welsh corgis tend to eat a lot and may become obese if given a chance, so you may need to restrain yourself in the amount of food and treats you dole out. If you’re not sure how much is too much, check with your vet.

Preferred climate

Corgis have a thick double coat, so they typically don’t do well in extreme heat. Try to keep them indoors and cool on hotter days. As part of this, make sure you groom your Pembroke Welsh corgi regularly during the spring and summer months to remove loose hair.

Your vet will have more information and advice on how to keep your Pembroke Welsh corgi cool in hot weather.

What is the Welsh corgi’s life expectancy?

A Welsh corgi can be expected to live for 12–15 years.

If you like what you’ve seen in this article, a Welsh corgi might be right for you. Corgis are typically a healthy breed and make excellent family pets. Welsh corgis typically make excellent pets, including for families with young children.

As with all our furry friends, Corgis need attention, including regular exercise and grooming. But other than that, they aren’t what most would consider “high-maintenance” pets.

No matter what breed you choose, ensuring your new furry friend has a loving, caring, and healthy home is one of (if not the most) important parts of your decision.