Welsh Corgi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Welsh Corgi vs German Shepherd - Breed ComparisonWelsh Corgi is originated from United Kingdom but German Shepherd is originated from Germany. Welsh Corgi may grow 37 cm / 14 inches shorter than German Shepherd. Welsh Corgi may weigh 29 kg / 63 pounds lesser than German Shepherd. Welsh Corgi may live 3 years more than German Shepherd. Welsh Corgi may have less litter size than German Shepherd. Welsh Corgi requires High maintenance. But German Shepherd requires Low maintenance

History

welsh corgi - historyThe Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi were once considered to be two types of the same breed. Today they are recognized as very different breeds, but cousins of sorts.. They are alike in many ways and very different in others. The general information in terms of height and weight above applies to the more popular and better known Pembroke Welsh Corgi, developed as a herding dog from the spitz line in Pembroke shire, Wales. The Pembroke is famous for being the breed favored since childhood by Queen Elizabeth, the current queen of England. It’s believed that the Pembroke came to the country around the 10th century with Flemish weavers. The Cardigan is thought to have come with the Norse people and be a relative of the Sedish Vallhund.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, also a herding dog has their ancestry in ancient Celtic dogs. They are older than the Pembroke and hail from Cardiganshire, Wales.

Both breeds are friendly, smart and independent. Both dogs herd cattle and sheep. About the end of the 19th century, farmers in Cardiganshire began to raising sheep rather than cattle. The corgis were herding dogs for cattle. “Heelers” who avoid the cattle kicking them by nipping at the cattle’s heel. Pembrokeshore and Cardiganshire are counties in South West Wales that adjoin each other.

Then the move was made from cattle to sheep in Cardiganshire they bred their corgis with the Welsh Sheepdog where the merle color is said to come from, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. This caused the similarities between the two dwarf breeds. At the same time the distance grew between the two breeds and they grew into very distinct and different looking dogs. There are also some differences in their personalities.

The first corgi to appear at Crufts came in 1927 and in 1928 a Pembroke won a championship at Cardiff for the first ever corgi win. It was not until 1934 that the kennel club recognized them as separate breeds rather than a Pembroke shire type and a Cardiganshire type. From this point on the two are separate breeds with tremendous similarities. A Pem won the Reserve Best in Show at Crufts in 1955.

The first corgi came to the United States in 1933 by a breeder of Old English Sheepdogs. In 1934 the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized Corgis as one breed with 2 types. The Pembroke has always been the more popular of the two.

​​

german shepherd - historyIn 1882 german shepherd was introduced in a show at Hanover. They were created by the cross breeding of the rural sheep dogs by a man named Max. In 1906 they were first exported to America. After that the breed became very popular in UK.

Description

welsh corgi puppy - descriptionThey used to differentiate between the Cardigan and the Pembroke by saying the Cardigan was the one with the bigger ears and the Pembroke had no tail. In many parts of the world where tail docking has been banned, most Pembrokes now have tails. Only those born without don’t have them. Both dogs are long and low to the ground with big chests and short legs. This is because they are dwarfs. They are not little dogs.

Cardigan

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is heavier boned than the Pembroke, has large rounded ears and a flowing, fox like tail. The Cardigan comes in a variety of colors but never predominately white. He is double coated with a dense, harsh outer and a soft, short and thick undercoat.

Pembroke

Pembroke is smaller and longer than the Cardigan with pointed ears. They are intelligent, sturdy and strong with tremendous stamina. The tail is docked in the United States or the pups are bred not to have a tail. This was originally so that the cattle could not step on their tails and injure the dogs. The double coat on the Pembroke is short and weather resistant inner coat with a longer and rougher outercoat. He has the same deep dropped chest as the Cardigan. Both corgis shed voraciously.

german shepherd puppy - descriptionThe GSD is very good for being a watchdog and hence it do not welcome guests to home. But when trained from a puppy it will suit itself for making new friends. GSD like to be always with somebody and they can be its master or his family members or else its partner. The GSD is very intelligent and active hence they should be always kept busy, exercised and playing. Nowadays many of them are trained well and made as four legged stars.

When we see all around the world many of them are involved in helping the physically challenged people. Also they are very important personnels in working with police and military for finding the criminals. Their excellent sniffing power works very good when given proper training for finding illegal smuggling. But basically the breed was set in to herd the sheep and protect them from predators.

Based on the popularity they are ranked 2nd in US and 4th in UK.

Characteristics

Characteristics

welsh corgi dog - characteristics1Children friendliness For the most part they are good but can be grumpy and bossy. They are bossy personalities

2.Special talents – heelers, will herd anything, he needs a job

3.Adaptability – Very. Can live anywhere but they do need to run and they bark a lot.

4.Learning ability – incredibly smart but stubborn. Respond well to training that is reward based.

Children friendliness

german shepherd dog - characteristicsThe GSD is a very good child friendly dog, they love to play with kids.

Adaptability

They adopts both hot and cold climates, but they like cold weather very much and also their body is suitable for cold than hot.

Learning ability

The GSD has high ability to learn tricks and also they are interested in learning. As they have very high intelligence they learn very easily and quickly.

Health Problems

Health Problems

The two breeds have many of the same health issues with the primary issue being

welsh corgi puppies - health problems• Degenerative Myelopathy – a muscular neurological disease very similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS. It is always fatal.

  • Cancer is prevalent in both breeds.
  • Most corgis die of old age.
  • Kidney Failure
  • More Pems have eye issues than the Cardis do.

• Some have cardiac issues while others may have hip dysplasia or Von Willebrand’s disease.

german shepherd puppies - health problemsThe GSD has the chances for getting orthopaedic diseases such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Other common orthopaedic problems which affects GSD are Panosteitis, Osteochondritis and cruciate ligament rupture.They also get some skin problems such as allergies and pyoderma. Digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea and colitis are also seen in GSD.

Hair fall

GSD is a continuous shedder. They are having a two layer coat. They should be brushed daily as it will remove the dead fur and thus prevents shedding.

Caring The Pet

welsh corgi dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy prone to overweight, the pem needs ½ to 1 cup of small breed high quality food in 3-4 meals per day. The Cardigan needs ¾ to 1 ¼ cups of high quality small breed food in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed them. The Pem need 1 cup per day of high quality small breed food in 2 meals per day. The Cardigan needs 1-1 ½ cups per day in one to two meals.

3.Points for Good Health stamina, longevity

4. Games and Exercises

They are fast, athletic dogs. Agility, CAT, Barnhunt. Herding trials, flyball and they just love backyard ball fetching. Confirmation and obedience, along with rally.

german shepherd dogs - caringThe GSD should be given an cool environment which they will enjoy a lot.

Feeding the puppy

The GSD puppy should be fed small quantities of food but several times per day as it needs to gain 2 gms weight per day. The preferred food for them is dry food along with raw liver pieces which would provide them excellent energy. The protein food given to puppy should contain 25 to 30% calories. Puppies consume more food when compared with adults.

Feeding the adult

The GSD needs a food which has a considerable amount of protein. They are carnivores in the nature. The protein can be given from cooked meat. The artificial food products will not be suitable for them. When are provided with protein food they will gain fat from itself. The recommended fat content for GSD is 5% to 8%.

Points for Good Health

The GSD should be provided with a nutritional food for their good health.

Games and Exercises

Physical exercises are very much needed for GSD since they are very energetic and power packed. It is highly recommended to make them play and run daily as they don't need to get bored. They can be made to climb in hilly areas as they want to explore their surroundings. They can be made to swim or play hide and seek and find the missing objects. Regular morning walk will be very good for them.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Germany
Height Male:
22 - 30 cm
8 - 12 inches
61 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
Height Female:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
55 - 61 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 15 kg
22 - 34 pounds
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
Weight Female:
8 - 13 kg
17 - 29 pounds
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
9 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
1 - 15
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
CWC, PWC, Pembroke, Cardigan
Alsatian, Alsatian wolf dog, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schaferhund, Schaferhund
Colors Available:
Pem is tricolor, red and white, fawn and white
Black and Tan, Sable, Bicolor, Black and White
Coat:
Double, water resistent undercoat and thick outcoat
dense and thick, short, medium thick, thick and fluffy, long, furry around their chest, ears, tail or backs of their legs
Shedding:
Constant
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Playful, Stubborn
Aggressive, Alert, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Quiet
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Welsh Corgi vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Welsh Corgi vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Welsh Corgi vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Welsh Corgi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  5. Welsh Corgi vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Welsh Corgi vs Toy Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Welsh Corgi vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  8. Welsh Corgi vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  9. Welsh Corgi vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  10. Welsh Corgi vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Welsh Corgi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Welsh Corgi vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Welsh Corgi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Welsh Corgi vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  15. Welsh Corgi vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  16. Welsh Corgi vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Welsh Corgi vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Welsh Corgi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Welsh Corgi vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Welsh Corgi vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  21. Welsh Corgi vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Corgi vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  23. Welsh Corgi vs Papillon - Breed Comparison
  24. Old English Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Akbash Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. Abruzzenhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Briard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Rough Collie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Bouvier des Flandres vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Saarlooswolfhond vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Huntaway vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. South Russian Ovcharka vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Mioritic Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Siberian Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. American Bully vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Boxer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Akita vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Doberman Pinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Samoyed vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Labradoodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Cane Corso vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Alaskan Malamute vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds