Differences and Similarities between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Maremma Sheepdog.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-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 Maremma Sheepdog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiMaremma Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Life Span12 to 14 years11 to 13 years
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds65 to 100 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
General Health3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/51/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/51/5
Does NOT Shed1/51/5
Easy To Train5/51/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/54/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1700$1080
Price Range$1200 – $2000$495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • 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 Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are good for new dog owners. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

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

    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 Maremma Sheepdog weighs 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. The Maremma Sheepdog is 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of Maremma Sheepdog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Maremma Sheepdog

    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

    Maremma Sheepdog Colors

    The Maremma Sheepdog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream

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

      Lifespan of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog

      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 Maremma Sheepdog is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Maremma Sheepdog is 12.0 years.

      The Pembroke Welsh Corgi live longer than the Maremma Sheepdog.

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Maremma Sheepdog

      Price of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

      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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1080. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of the Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 58 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi Maremma Sheepdog
      Average Price $1700 $1080
      Price Range $1200 to $2000 $495 to $1500

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

      A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

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

      Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Health Problems of Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

      2 health tests are recommended for Pembroke Welsh Corgi while 5 tests are recommended for the Maremma Sheepdog.

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

      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.

      Maremma Sheepdog Health Problems

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

    • Elbow Dysplasia
    • Eye Examination
    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Patellar Luxation
    • Shoulders

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

      More Discussions on Health Problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Maremma Sheepdogs

      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 Maremma Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.

      This is because the Maremma Sheepdog ranks 59 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 159 Maremma Sheepdogs, 27 of them had Hips problems.

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

    • Hips problems: Rank 59 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

      Disease Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank Maremma Sheepdog 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 59 out of 198 dog breeds
      Elbow problems 79 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
      Eyes problems 85 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
      Patella problems 109 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

      *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 Maremma Sheepdog

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

      Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

      Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

      Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

      Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Maremma Sheepdog

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

      How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

      Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Maremma Sheepdog

      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.

      Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

      Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

      Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

      Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

      Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

      Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

      Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Siberian Husky     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Border Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Beaglier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sheepadoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Brittany     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Manchester Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Irish Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Schipperke     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Japanese Spitz     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norfolk Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Canaan Dog     

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