Welsh Corgi Breed Information

Welsh Corgis are a member of the ‘Pastoral’ breed group. Dogs in the Pastoral group are made up of breeds of herding dogs used with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Welsh Corgis are friendly, happy, fun-loving dogs. They are willing to please, so training should be fairly easy. They may nip at the heels of running children – socialisation with children and training at a young age can help to overcome these possible problems. For more tips on how to socialise your Welsh Corgi, take a look at our dog behaviour page.

Coat care is fairly minimal, with grooming two-three times per week usually enough to remove any dead hair.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Welsh Corgis are prone to include:

• Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Intervertebral disc disease – abnormality of the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae (back bones).
• Epilepsy – a brain disorder which can lead to seizures.
• Von Willebrand's disease – deficiency in blood platelet function resulting in excessive bleeding.
• Bladder stones – a collection of minerals that form in the bladder.
• Cataracts – opacity of the lens of the eye – giving a ‘cloudy’ appearance.
• Lens luxation – dislocation of the lens of the eye.

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise requirements:

Welsh Corgis will need around an hour of exercise per day.

Estimated lifetime cost:

The likely lifetime costs for a Welsh Corgi are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Welsh Corgi with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Welsh Corgis that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Welsh Corgi with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section. 

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Welsh Corgi is the right pet for you?