Why you Should Get the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Instead of the Irish Terrier.

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier? 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier.

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 Irish Terrier.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.

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 Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiIrish Terrier
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 16 years
Does NOT chew on things4/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds25 to 27 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Dog Friendly3/51/5
General Health3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/52/5
Easy To Train5/51/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$1700$1110
Price Range$1200 – $2000$900 – $1500
Temperament Score79.6 percent80.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16118
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1153

    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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.

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

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are most different:

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train. However, Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

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

  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size Comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier.

    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 Irish Terrier weighs 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Terrier is 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of Irish Terrier

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Colors

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Merle (Red)
    • Bicolor

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    Irish Terrier Colors

    The Irish Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The Irish Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate

    Lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    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 Irish Terrier is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Terrier is 14.0 years.

    The Irish Terrier live longer than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

    Temperament of the Irish Terrier Versus the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 percent while the temperament score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 79.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 216 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and 10 Irish Terriers.

    Price of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Price of Irish Terrier

    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 Irish Terrier puppy is $1110. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 36 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier
    Average Price $1700 $1110
    Price Range $1200 to $2000 $900 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies or how many Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy or the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 11 out of 130 dog breeds 53 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an obedience intelligence rank of 11 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of Irish Terrier

    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 Irish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Popularity of Irish Terrier

    Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Irish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 24 123
    2014 22 125
    2015 20 113
    2016 18 115
    2017 15 114
    2018 13 116
    2019 10 119
    2020 11 120
    2021 11 124

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier

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

    Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Irish Terriers?

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

    Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

    Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?

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

    Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Irish Terriers are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier

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

    Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Irish Terriers?

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

    Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?

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

    Irish Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?

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

    Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Irish Terrier

    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.

    Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Irish Terrier?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Irish Terriers are not the best dogs 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 Irish Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Valley Bulldog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Canaan Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Great Dane     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Field Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dutch Shepherd     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Mudi     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dalmatian     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Cairn Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Giant Schnauzer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Scottish Deerhound     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Border Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Yorkshire Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Carolina Dog     

    Conclusion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.