When considering getting a new corgi puppy from a breeder, you will need to decide whether to get a male or female. This is harder said than done!
As with all breeds, there are some essential differences to be aware of.
This article highlights these differences and helps you make the best decision between getting a male or female corgi.
Table of Contents
Physical Differences Between Male & Female Corgis
Before getting to the personality differences, let’s run through some basic, yet important physical differences to be aware of.
Pembroke Corgi Size
Pembroke corgis, both male and female are typically a little smaller than Cardigan corgis. But let’s run through each separately:
Male Averages
● Height: 10-12 Inches
● Weight: 26-30 Pounds
Female Averages:
● Height: 10 Inches
● Weight: 24-28 Pounds
Cardigan Corgi Size
Most female and male Cardigan corgis are a little bigger in height and weight than Pembrokes.
Male Averages:
● Height: 13 Inches
● Weight: 30-38 Pounds
Female Averages:
● Height: 10-12 Inches
● Weight: 25-34 Pounds
The most important takeaway from this is that males are usually bigger than females, and Cardigans are practically always bigger than Pembrokes.
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Male vs Female Corgi Price Differences
Both male and female corgis vary in price dramatically.
- $800 to $2000 is a typical range for a corgi puppy.
The price depends more on their blood lineage and the breeder you are purchasing from rather than whether the corgi is female or male.
Some breeders will try to charge more for females, due to the fact they can produce offspring. But this isn’t always the case.
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The KEY Differences Between Male and Female Corgis
Let’s run through the key personality differences between male and female corgis. Not only am I taking from my own experience meeting and looking after corgis, but also from speaking to many corgi owners over the years.
1. Affection
Nearly all corgis grow to be very affectionate with their owners, but there is sometimes a noticeable difference between male and female corgis.
Despite both sexes being capable of affection, it seems that males just about take the lead over females with owners often citing how their male corgi is more affectionate than the female.
Of course, this isn’t the case in every situation, but quite a large percentage of owners have cited this as one of the main differences that they have noticed.
2. Trainability
Training is always important, and I have many owners specifically ask me whether males or females are easier to train. And the answer isn’t so clear…
While males seem to hold their attention better throughout training, it’s often cited that their desire to “challenge your authority” gets in the way of their progress…
Due to this, many believe females, on the whole, are easier to train than males. Honestly, with trainability, it’s swings and roundabouts and so this shouldn’t hold too much weight in choosing which gender to go for.
3. Playfulness and energy
Both male and female corgis are little balls of energy and playfulness, despite being considered lapdogs.
Usually, the male will have slightly more energy and willingness to play, but in the grand scheme of things, the difference is negligible.
Whether you finally opt for a male or a female, you’ll need to be ready to provide a good exercise routine and have time to play!
4. Maturity
In nearly all cases, female corgis will mature and mellow out sooner than males.
Females nearly always mature earlier physically, sexually, and mentally which can lead to them becoming calmer and more sensible dogs earlier on.
Of course, males mature too, it just happens at a slower pace than the females. What this means for you is that there will likely be a little more hyperactivity and goofiness coming from a male than a female, at least in the first few years.
5. Territorial behavior
Males tend to be more territorial than females, that is, if they aren’t neutered.
Neutered males have a natural drop in testosterone and become a little mellower in general. This has been known to reduce displays of dominance, as well as territorial behavior.
This doesn’t mean females aren’t territorial though. In fact, females can sometimes be just as territorial as males and this won’t change whether they get spayed or not. Females will remain somewhat territorial forever.
6. Friendliness and sociability
Something that’s very important for most owners, is the friendliness of their corgi. Every owner wants their dog to be naturally friendly, sociable, and approachable.
Fortunately, both male and female corgis are naturally friendly providing you facilitate a lot of socializing early on.
There’s no real difference between males or females here, apart from the fact they can both either be friendly or aloof. This mostly comes down to early socialization, with gender having little effect on it.
7. Attention
While it’s necessary to give your corgi adequate attention regardless of their gender, it’s the males that seem to demand more attention than females.
Many owners cited that their female corgi is happier lying down by herself and minding her own business, compared to males that want to know where you and what you’re doing most of the time.
If you prefer a dog that’s more able to relax and chill out by themselves, a female could be a better option for you.
Differences That Owners Often Agree On
Alright, let’s go over the main differences that most folks who own corgis agree on. I’ve got this info by running polls in forums and chatting with a whole bunch of corgi owners about this over the years.
What corgi owners agree on:
MALES:
● Males are slightly more affectionate than females
● Males can come across as needier than females
● Males will tend to be more territorial/dominant than females if unneutered
● Males take a little longer to train
● Males will try to challenge your authority more (at least in the beginning)
FEMALES:
● Females mature quicker than males
● Females mellow out sooner than males
● Females are generally easier to train
● Females tend to remain territorial through old age
These are main differences to consider before getting your corgi pup!
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Should You Get a Male or Female Corgi?
Are male corgis better than females? Are the females better than the males?
The simple answer is that there’s no such thing as “better”. A male corgi is not better or worse than a female corgi, just different. And even then, the differences in many instances are negligible.
At the end of the day, whether you should get a male or female corgi, usually comes down to your natural preference. Before reading this article, you might have already had a preference in mind… If you gel more with male dogs, then get a male, and vice versa!
The only time I would say that it’s important not to simply go with your gut, is if you already have an existing dog at home. If you already have a dog at home, and a corgi will be your second, then it’s safer to go with the opposite sex of what you already have.
The reason being is because a male and female usually get along better and find a quick hierarchy that they will stick by.
The issue with two males together, or two females together is that they typically fight for years on end battling to see who claims the alpha spot. Of course, countless owners have made this work before, but it does require a lot more supervision and diligence on the owner’s part.
If this is your first, go with whatever you feel is right, if this is your second it’s best to go with the opposite sex.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Male vs Female Corgis
Aside from the main differences highlighted above, there are many additional questions owners have. I’ve covered some of the popular ones below.
Do female corgis shed more than male corgis?
Both male and female corgis shed moderately year-round, but there is some evidence to support that females do in fact shed more than males. This is said to be caused by the differences in hormones. The difference in hair loss is likely minimal, though.
Are male corgis more aggressive than female corgis?
Both male and female corgis can potentially show aggression when aggravated or feeling threatened. Unneutered males are more likely to act on their aggression compared to females or neutered males.
Do male corgis bark more than female corgis?
Many corgi owners have cited for years that male corgis bark more than females. How much your corgi barks often comes down to their environment, the way they were raised, trained, and their levels of socialization.
Do male or female corgis live longer?
Corgis that don’t have any early on health problems usually go on to live until 12-15 years old with females typically living one or two years longer than males. Lifespan depends on their genes, quality of lifestyle, and health issues.