Breed comparison
Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Shiba Inu
Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Shiba Inu? Both are small, fox-faced, double-coated dogs with big personalities and a lot of fur, so they show up on the same shortlists. The short answer: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the eager, trainable, chatty one, while the Shiba Inu is the independent, spirited one with a strong prey drive and a famous scream. Both shed heavily and need daily exercise. The Pembroke is easier for most first-time owners, and the Shiba usually lives a bit longer.
Photo: Dog breed facts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Takashiba at English Wikipedia · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | 13.5–16.5 in (34–42 cm) |
| Weight | 25–30 lb (11–14 kg) | 17–23 lb (8–10 kg) |
| Life span | 12–13 years | 13–16 years |
| Group | Herding | Non-Sporting |
| Coat | Medium-length weather-resistant double coat with a dense undercoat | Dense double coat with a stiff outer layer |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Pembroke is long and low, at 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) and 25 to 30 lb (11 to 14 kg). The Shiba is taller but lighter, standing 13.5 to 16.5 in (34 to 42 cm) and weighing 17 to 23 lb (8 to 10.5 kg). Both are small enough for apartments, with scores of 3 out of 5 for the Pembroke and 4 for the Shiba.
Energy and exercise
Both are lively. The Pembroke scores 4 out of 5 for energy and 3 for exercise, and PetMD says it needs regular exercise, multiple daily walks and mental stimulation. The Shiba scores 4 for both, and PetMD recommends daily walks, including scent walks. Both benefit from puzzle toys and scent games on days when the weather limits walks.
Coat and grooming
Both score 5 out of 5 for shedding and 3 for grooming. PetMD says Pembrokes shed a lot, especially in spring and fall, and need regular brushing. Shibas shed quite a bit too, with coat-blowing sessions once or twice a year. Expect fur on your clothes with either, and a good vacuum.
Temperament and training
This is the biggest difference. The Pembroke scores 5 out of 5 for trainability, and PetMD calls it smart and eager to please. The Shiba scores 2, and PetMD says it may ignore commands it is not interested in. Pembrokes bark more (4 versus 2) and may herd children, while Shibas have a much higher prey drive (5 versus 2) and a reputation for standoffishness with strangers.
Health and life span
Pembrokes typically live 12 to 13 years and Shibas 13 to 16. PetMD lists hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, a congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus, degenerative myelopathy and von Willebrand disease for the Pembroke, and notes that obesity worsens its joint problems. For the Shiba it lists environmental allergies, patellar luxation, dental disease and anxiety. Our health meter favors the Shiba (4 versus 3 out of 5).
Cost and care
Both are moderate-cost dogs. Budget for regular grooming tools, training classes and a secure fence or leash discipline. A Pembroke benefits from weight management and a lean waistline. A Shiba needs very secure containment because of its prey drive.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Pembroke Welsh Corgi if you want a trainable, people-oriented dog that is good with kids and a fair choice for first-time owners, and you can live with a lot of barking and shedding. Choose the Shiba Inu if you appreciate an independent, clean, long-lived dog, you are experienced and patient, and you can keep it on a leash or in a very secure fence. Both are good fits for active people in smaller homes, and both will keep you busy with a brush. Meet adult dogs of each breed first if you can, because their personalities differ more than their looks suggest.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi profile Shiba Inu profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to train, a Pembroke Corgi or a Shiba Inu?
The Pembroke, by a wide margin, at 5 out of 5 for trainability against 2 for the Shiba.
Which barks more, a Pembroke or a Shiba?
The Pembroke, at 4 out of 5 against 2. PetMD says Pembrokes can bark excessively when under-exercised, while Shibas are known for a loud scream when frustrated.
Do Corgis or Shibas shed more?
They tie at 5 out of 5. Both have double coats that shed year-round and heavily in spring and fall.
