DogMatchUp

Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs English Cocker Spaniel

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Small

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Herding Group

English Cocker Spaniel
Small

English Cocker Spaniel

Sporting Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Small
English Cocker Spaniel Small

Lifespan

Cardigan Welsh Corgi 12-15 years
English Cocker Spaniel 12-14 years

Exercise Needs

Cardigan Welsh Corgi 4/5
English Cocker Spaniel 3/5

Grooming Needs

Cardigan Welsh Corgi 3/5
English Cocker Spaniel 4/5

Breed Overview

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Overview

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are distinctive herding dogs with long bodies, short legs, and fox-like faces. Their double coat comes in various colors including red, sable, and brindle, often with white markings. Alert and confident, these intelligent dogs combine a strong work ethic with affectionate companionship, making them excellent family pets while maintaining their herding instincts.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Affectionate, Loyal, Smart

English Cocker Spaniel Overview

English Cocker Spaniels showcase a graceful, compact build with their distinctive long, silky coat and expressive eyes. Their well-proportioned body features a deep chest, strong legs, and a characteristic merry tail action. Distinguished by their soft, melting expression and low-set ears, these dogs embody elegance in motion with their fluid gait and balanced structure.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Energetic, Merry, Responsive

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Cardigan Welsh Corgis are more energetic than English Cocker Spaniels, requiring more daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Cardigan Welsh Corgis require less grooming attention compared to English Cocker Spaniels.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Cardigan Welsh Corgis tend to be more reserved with strangers than English Cocker Spaniels.
  • Trainability: Cardigan Welsh Corgis may be slightly easier to train due to their Cardigan Welsh Corgi's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: English Cocker Spaniels adapt better to apartment living, while Cardigan Welsh Corgis typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and English Cocker Spaniel, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Cocker Spaniel
Size Small Small
Life Expectancy 12-15 years 12-14 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Herding Group Sporting Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Cocker Spaniel
Height
11-13 inches
27-32 cm
15-17 inches
38-43 cm
Weight
25-38 lbs
11-17 kg
26-34 lbs
12-15 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Seasonal Occasional

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Cocker Spaniel
Temperament Affectionate, Loyal, Smart Energetic, Merry, Responsive
Energy Level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
2/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Cocker Spaniel
Good with Children
4/5
5/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
5/5
Apartment Friendly
2/5
3/5

Temperament & Personality

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Temperament

Affectionate Loyal Smart

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is known for being affectionate, loyal, smart, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They're typically friendly with strangers, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. With their high energy levels, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

English Cocker Spaniel Temperament

Energetic Merry Responsive

The English Cocker Spaniel is characterized by being energetic, merry, responsive, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and English Cocker Spaniel, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
4/5
English Cocker Spaniel
4/5

Good with Children

Cardigan Welsh Corgi
4/5
English Cocker Spaniel
5/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 4/5

English Cocker Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

English Cocker Spaniel

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 5/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Low High

Rating: 4/5

English Cocker Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 3/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

English Cocker Spaniel

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Low High

Rating: 3/5

English Cocker Spaniel

Low High

Rating: 4/5

Care & Maintenance

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

4/5

Cardigan Welsh Corgis require significant daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and more vigorous activities like running, swimming, or fetch.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Cardigan Welsh Corgis require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

English Cocker Spaniel Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

English Cocker Spaniels need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

4/5

With their short, dense coat coat, English Cocker Spaniels require significant grooming attention. This includes brushing several times per week to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks is typically necessary.

Health & Lifespan

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PRA
  • DM
  • IVDD
  • CHD

English Cocker Spaniel Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-14 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PRA
  • Glaucoma
  • PSOM
  • Kidney Disease

Pros & Cons

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Pros

  • Intelligent and trainable
  • Loyal family companion
  • Good watchdog
  • Adaptable to different living situations

Cons

  • Prone to back problems
  • Heavy shedder
  • Can be stubborn
  • Requires regular exercise

English Cocker Spaniel

Pros

  • Affectionate family companion
  • Excellent with children
  • Highly trainable
  • Moderate size
  • Good sporting abilities

Cons

  • Regular grooming required
  • Can be vocal
  • Needs consistent exercise
  • Potential health issues
  • Separation anxiety prone

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and English Cocker Spaniel, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.