Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, short.
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
- You want a tidy house: shedding is 4 of 5
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was the number 16 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 11.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Norwegian Elkhound · Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Dalmatian · Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Toy Fox Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good with kids?
The AKC rates the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 4 out of 5 (high), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Pembroke Welsh Corgi have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgi page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.