How to Distinguish Between a Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Co-authored by Rendy Schuchat

Last Updated: July 3, 2024 References

When someone hears the word "corgi", most people immediately think of the Pembroke breed. Some may even believe that a Cardigan is a Pembroke mix when in fact it is a separate breed of dog. Corgi breeds are easily confused despite their many noticeable differences. If you wish to identify the breed of that long-bodied herding dog, we'll help you do just that.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Inspecting the Dog's Structure

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Pembrokes and Cardigans are roughly the same height, though a Cardigan may be 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) taller. ^{[1]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} However, when it comes to weight, a male Pembroke may weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kg) while a male Cardigan may weigh up to 38 pounds (17 kg). ^{[3]
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The typical tell-tale way to distinguish between the two breeds of corgi is to check for a tail. The Pembroke breed is known for having very short bobtails, while the tail of a Cardigan breed is kept long and fox-like. ^{[4]
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Though their eyes may sometimes be similar, they are slightly different in variety. A Pembroke's eyes are medium in size and can be seen in several different shades of brown, ^{[5]
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Go to source} while a Cardigan's may be medium to large in size and dark, though Cardigans with blue merle coats may have blue or partially blue eyes, ^{[6]
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Go to source} a trait not seen in the Pembroke breed.
Both the Pembroke and Cardigan breeds have perked ears that stand upright. However, a Cardigan's ears are larger and more rounded than a Pembroke's. ^{[7]
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A Pembroke's muzzle is not dish-faced (being slightly concaved in foreface) or Roman-nosed (with a high nose that forms a convex line from the forehead to nose tip). ^{[8]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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American Kennel Club
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Go to source} The muzzle of a Cardigan is rounded and tapered but not blunt or pointed. Most Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a black nose, but a blue merle Cardigan breed may have a butterfly (partially unpigmented) nose. ^{[10]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Both breeds are short and long-bodied with short, thick legs. Yet, structurally, the Pembroke and Cardigan breeds are quite different. Pembrokes are oval-boned, and their squared-off rear gives them more of a linear and rectangular appearance. ^{[12]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Cardigans are round-boned with a sloping rear, so they appear more curvy. ^{[13]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Did you know? With their short legs and long bodies, many people believe that corgis are related to Dachshunds . Cardigans do come from the same line of dogs as Dachshunds, ^{[14]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} but Pembrokes are believed to have descended from spitz-type breeds instead, including the Keeshond, Chow Chow, and Pomeranian . ^{[15]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Checking the Coat

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Both the Cardigan and Pembroke breeds have double coats that don't require much grooming other than regular baths and brushing. ^{[16]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Both have coats that are typically medium in length and weather-resistant. ^{[17]
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Though their coats are similar, one way to distinguish the different breeds is by checking the color. Pembrokes are usually only seen in red, sable, and tricolor, while Cardigans have more variety in coat color and may be brindle, black, red and sable, or blue merle and may have brindle or tan points. ^{[19]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Both the Pembroke and Cardigan breeds are likely be seen with white markings on the coat. Cardigans are less restricted when it comes to white markings than Pembrokes, however. ^{[20]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Assessing Temperament

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Cardigans and Pembrokes were bred to be herding dogs and may display these instincts around the household. They are both natural herders, so refrain from trying to distinguish them based on herding instincts alone. ^{[21]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Compared to the Pembroke breed, the Cardigan breed is known to be a bit quieter. The Pembroke breed may be more prone to barking. Cardigans are also very even-tempered and more likely to be homebodies. ^{[22]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Cardigans are rather laid-back, while Pembrokes may exhibit more energy. Pembrokes are very outgoing, energetic, and affectionate. While the Cardigan breed loves to exercise, they are more willing to do whatever their owner would like, including sitting back at home. ^{[23]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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One trait seen in the Cardigan breed is adaptability. The Cardigan breed is known to be loving yet independent, can be funny or serious, and is willing to go on adventures or settle. They are described as being a dog that you can do anything with. As herders, they're willing to hike, yet they're fine with sitting back, while the Pembroke breed isn't as adaptable. ^{[24]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Both the Pembroke and Cardigan breeds were bred to herd, so it's not surprising how intelligent they both are. It's important to train them, and they are quick to learn. Because both are smart breeds, it can be hard to distinguish them from just their intelligence levels. ^{[25]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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Cardigan bred dogs are not as outgoing as Pembroke bred dogs and are more reserved in new situations. They may assess a situation before taking part, though they warm up quickly. The Pembroke breed is much less reserved and is very friendly. ^{[26]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}

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If you wish to know the breed of your dog, consider using a DNA test. DNA testing will confirm if your dog is a corgi breed.

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How to Distinguish Between a Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Steps

Inspecting the Dog's Structure

Checking the Coat

Assessing Temperament

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Tips

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