Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are one of the better choices for a family with children. Expect a medium-sized dog that is moderately active, sheds heavily and needs regular brushing. Fine alone for a few hours.

Source: American Kennel Club breed standard.

A Corgi is a full-sized herding dog that had its legs shortened on purpose. Welsh farmers wanted a cattle drover low enough to nip at heels and duck under the kick that followed, and the result is a dog with the drive and the bark of something three times its size. That mismatch explains most Corgi ownership: they are funny, bold and bossy, they herd children by instinct, and they are considerably more vocal than their size suggests. The long back and short legs also carry a real cost — spinal disc problems are common, so stairs and sofa-jumping matter more than they would for another breed. And the shedding is legendary; a Corgi is a small dog that produces a large dog's worth of hair.

Day to day. Moderately active — a proper daily walk plus some play in the garden or the hallway keeps this breed happy. On noise, it is very vocal, so thin walls and close neighbours are worth thinking about.

The coat, honestly. This breed sheds heavily and needs regular brushing. A brush a few times a week and the occasional tidy-up keeps it in good order.

Being left alone. Fine alone for a few hours. A few hours is fine; a full working day, every day, is asking a lot.

Training. Eager and easy to train. That makes it a forgiving choice for a family training their first dog, as long as everyone is consistent.

• You want a dog with a reputation for putting up with children
• This is your first dog and you want one that makes training feel possible

• You cannot live with hair on the sofa, the car and your clothes
• You share walls with neighbours who need quiet

Every animal is an individual, and plenty of Pembroke Welsh Corgis live long, healthy lives. This is here so nobody is surprised — ask a vet, and ask whoever you get the dog from what they have tested for.

Rough running cost: $$ (middle of the pack) — because the breed has known health issues that can mean extra vet visits.

Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.

Rescues do have Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Pembroke Welsh Corgi crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.