Breed Comparison: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Lowchen

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

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

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 Lowchen.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lowchen

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lowchen: Overview

A very important difference between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog while the Lowchen is a tiny-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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiLowchen
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 14 years13 to 15 years
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds9 to 18 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
General Health3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Easy To Train5/55/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$1700$3000
Price Range$1200 – $2000$2868 – $4200
Temperament Score79.6 percent75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16162

    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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

    Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen, we still think that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a better pet than the Lowchen.

    This is because Pembroke Welsh Corgis are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Pembroke Welsh Corgi will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi :-). We are for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. So get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lowchen

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen

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

  • 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. However, Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen

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

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

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

    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 Lowchen weighs 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Lowchen is 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of Lowchen

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen

    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

    Lowchen Colors

    The Lowchen comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Apricot / Beige

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

      Lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lowchen

      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 Lowchen is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Lowchen is 14.0 years.

      The Lowchen live longer than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Lowchen

      Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

      The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

      This is because the temperament score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 79.6 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 216 Pembroke Welsh Corgis and 12 Lowchens.

      Price of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Price of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen puppy is $3000. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $2868 – $4200. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Lowchen is more expensive than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lowchen
      Average Price $1700 $3000
      Price Range $1200 to $2000 $2868 to $4200

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

      A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

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

      The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Popularity of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

      Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

      Popularity of Lowchen

      Popularity of Lowchen

      Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
      2013 24 154
      2014 22 165
      2015 20 161
      2016 18 171
      2017 15 169
      2018 13 168
      2019 10 158
      2020 11 161
      2021 11 157

      Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Health Problems of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

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

      2 health tests are recommended for Pembroke Welsh Corgi while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

      Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and in Lowchens.

      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.

      Lowchen Health Problems

      Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen 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 Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen 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 Lowchens for:

    • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

      More Discussions on Health Problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Lowchens

      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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

      This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

    • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
    • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
    • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

      Disease Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank Lowchen 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 163 out of 198 dog breeds
      Elbow problems 79 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
      Eyes problems 85 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
      Patella problems 109 out of 145 dog breeds 19 out of 145 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 Lowchen

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

      Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

      Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Lowchens?

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

      Lowchens shed moderately.

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

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

      Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

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

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

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

      Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

      Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

      Lowchens are very easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Lowchen

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

      Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

      How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Lowchens?

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

      Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

      Lowchens 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 Lowchens?

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

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

      Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Lowchen

      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.

      Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

      Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

      Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

      Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

      Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

      Lowchens 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 Lowchen. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Basenji     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Manchester Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Great Pyrenees     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Field Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Chihuahua     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Xoloitzcuintli     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Whoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Finnish Lapphund     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Toy Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus English Springer Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Boston Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     

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