Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and for the English Toy Spaniel. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview

Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are similar in size. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the English Toy Spaniel based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiEnglish Toy Spaniel
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 14 years10 to 12 years
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds8 to 14 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
General Health3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Kid-Friendly4/51/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/51/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1700$2980
Price Range$1200 – $2000$2550 – $3500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16135

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the English Toy Spaniel. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you should get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size Comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs 22 to 31 pounds when fully grown. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the English Toy Spaniel weighs 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The English Toy Spaniel is 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of English Toy Spaniel

    Lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    The lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is 11.0 years.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi live longer than the English Toy Spaniel.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    Price of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Price of English Toy Spaniel

    The average price of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy is $1700. The price of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1329 Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2980. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2550 – $3500. However, the price of the English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi English Toy Spaniel
    Average Price $1700 $2980
    Price Range $1200 to $2000 $2550 to $3500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy or the English Toy Spaniel puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 16 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the English Toy Spaniel is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 24 135
    2014 22 138
    2015 20 129
    2016 18 130
    2017 15 134
    2018 13 135
    2019 10 139
    2020 11 138
    2021 11 137

    Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the English Toy Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Toy Spaniel than for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    2 health tests are recommended for Pembroke Welsh Corgi while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and in English Toy Spaniels.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Problems

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Pembroke Welsh Corgis for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgis here.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

    English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Toy Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and English Toy Spaniels

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranks 2 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4428 Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 2360 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and how common these diseases are in Pembroke Welsh Corgis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 5 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 41 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 79 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 85 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 109 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgi and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel:

    Disease Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank English Toy Spaniel Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 2 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 5 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 41 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 79 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 85 out of 182 dog breeds 4 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 109 out of 145 dog breeds 4 out of 145 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 2 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than English Toy Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and English Toy Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. English Toy Spaniel

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    English Toy Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Pembroke Welsh Corgi compares to other breeds aside from the English Toy Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Skye Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sheepadoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Japanese Spitz     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Cocker Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Beaglier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Beagle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Japanese Chin     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus King Shepherd     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Setter     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Whippet     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Miniature Pinscher     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bolognese     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Water Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Biewer Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Kishu Ken     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyredoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier     

    Conclusion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.