A Detailed Comparison of the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

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Harrier Versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Introduction

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

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

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

Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, 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.

Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Factor Harrier Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds Up to 30 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 16

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 85 out of 125.

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

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

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

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

  • Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Harriers are not easy to train. However, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.
  • Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Pembroke Welsh Corgis weigh Up to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

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

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis live longer than Harriers.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Pembroke Welsh Corgis are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Harrier named Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Bailey on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Harriers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are also available for adoption. For example, Lucky – Awesome Corgi Mix Man! is a Male Pembroke Welsh Corgi that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pembroke Welsh Corgis like Lucky – Awesome Corgi Mix Man! that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Pilot is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Jack is an adorable Male Pembroke Welsh Corgi on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Harriers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Harriers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    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 Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank
    2013 173 24
    2014 181 22
    2015 183 20
    2016 186 18
    2017 183 15
    2018 189 13
    2019 186 10
    2020 190 11

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    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 Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Harrier.

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

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

    Harrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.

    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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis

    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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 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 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
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

    Disease Harrier Rank Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 41 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 2 out of 70 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 5 out of 15 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 79 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 85 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 109 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: Harrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Harriers shed more than Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

    Harriers shed moderately.

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

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

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to groom.

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

    Harriers 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.

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

    Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

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

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

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

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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

    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.

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

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

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

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

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

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

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

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi:

  • Keeshond (79 percent match with Pembroke Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Keeshond.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (82 percent match with Pembroke Welsh Corgi). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Pembroke Welsh Corgi compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Harrier versus Belgian Malinois     Harrier versus Briard     Harrier versus Bichon Frise     Harrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Harrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Harrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Harrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Harrier versus Kooikerhondje     Harrier versus Papillon     Harrier versus Mastiff     Harrier versus Pekingese     Harrier versus Akita     Harrier versus Mal Shi     Harrier versus Afghan Hound     Harrier versus Cavapoo     Harrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Harrier versus Havanese     Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Harrier versus Beaglier     Harrier versus Chi-Poo     Harrier versus Saluki     Harrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Harrier versus Boston Terrier     Harrier versus Basenji     

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dachshund     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sheepadoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sussex Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Shiloh Shepherd     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Valley Bulldog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Papipoo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dogo Argentino     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Miniature Poodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus American Eskimo Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Sloughi     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Affenpinscher     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Boxerdoodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Pug     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Airedale Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Chi-Poo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Saint Bernard     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Komondor     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Akita Chow     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Affenpinscher     

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