Welsh Corgis can be irresistibly cute and goofy, but are they the right dog for you? Check out this handy list of 9 things you must know before getting a corgi to determine whether you’d be a good match.
AUTHOR
Editorial Team
CATEGORY
Corgi Facts
POSTED ON
29 December 2024
Love corgis? Can’t resist those stubby legs and big loving eyes? Who’s to blame you, neither can we. Corgis aren’t just cute, though. They are cuddly, affectionate and highly intelligent, and when properly trained, they can be very obedient and loyal family companions. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Well, yes, corgis can be amazing, but just like all dog breeds, they have quirks and characteristics that you must be aware of. So, please, don’t rush into getting a corgi pup unless you know what you’re getting into. To help you determine whether a corgi is the right dog for you, we prepared this list of things you need to know before you adopt.
- Corgis Get Bossy
Corgis are shepherd dogs… with herding instincts.
Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi originated in Wales as shepherd dogs whose purpose was to herd sheep, cattle and even horses. Due to their small size, they were capable of easily nipping at the heels of livestock without getting kicked, and even though nowadays many are pets, they have preserved their genetic memory and herding instinct.
Keep in mind that your corgi will need proper training to learn obedience. And since corgis love to herd small animals, when they are young and untrained they might show an inclination to nip at your feet and herd your kids, and even you. Given the right training, adult corgis can become highly loyal to and protective of their owners and can be very well-behaved around children.
- Corgis Can be Sensitive
Corgis are complex dogs. They can be temperamental and bossy – that herding gene again – and sensitive at the same time.
Given their bossiness, it might not be easy to notice at first, but corgis are sensitive souls. While they might look strong and sturdy on the outside, on the inside they are gentle souls that need love and kindness. Bear this in mind when raising and training your corgi because these furballs react very well to positive reinforcement – give them tiny rewards and show them warmth and they will behave well and return your love multiplied.
Now all of the above brings us to the next two points, which are quite important…
- Corgis Need a Lot Of Exercise
First things first. The Corgi is a shepherd breed of dogs!
Despite their looks, corgis are not a low-energy breed. In fact, like all shepherd dogs, they are highly athletic. Corgis are used to running after livestock for hours every day – and even though your corgi might never have done that, its instinct and predisposition to vigorous exercise runs in its genes. If you lock your dog up without enough stimulation it might act out and show destructive behaviour.
Due to all the above, corgis are full of energy and verve – and they need regular physical exercise and mental stimulation. Be it a walk in the park or time spent playing fetch in the garden – you should be fit and ready to take your corgi out at least twice a day for a minimum of an hour.
- Corgis Need Mental Stimulation
Corgis are among the 10 most intelligent breeds in the world, and as you can imagine that’s both good and… tricky. You don’t want to leave your corgi bored because that will raise its anxiety levels and proneness to mischief.
If you want to make your corgi extra happy and keep it healthy, give it a challenge – corgis love things like obstacles, agility games and the like. This is the only way you can develop their natural intelligence, adaptability and ability to learn quickly. And believe me, corgis are quick studies!
That being said corgis are not needy dogs. They won’t demand your attention all the time and if you train them properly and exercise them regularly, you can rely on them to be calm and composed when you need them to act cool.
- Get Ready to Live with a Lot of Fur
If you have allergies or are allergic to pet hair in particular, living with a corgi might not affect your health very well. If that’s not the case, however, you still have to take into consideration that you will have to get used to living with a LOT of fur.
Corgis shed crazy a lot almost all the time, but even more so seasonally when they change their fur. Daily brushing will be the order of the day to keep your corgi’s coat looking nice, and to avoid having to clean your floors non-stop.
- Corgis can overheat easily
This dog originates in cold and rainy Wales, which might explain why the breed has evolved a thick coat. While their thick coat protects corgis from harsh and cold weather, it can be a downside when the mercury shoots up. If you live in a hot climate or get hot weather seasonally, you have to be careful not to allow your corgi to overheat.
You should be mindful when taking your corgi out for a walk on hot days and it’s best to avoid strenuous activities at noon in summer. If left indoors on hot days, make sure your corgi is in a well-ventilated room. And of course, never leave your little herder in your car in hot weather.
- Corgis are LOUD
Due to their herding background, corgis can be highly protective of their humans. While they might not be associated with the stereotypical idea of a guard dog (pit bulls and Cane Corso’s, we are looking at you), corgis can be fiercely protective.
Stranger at the door or intruder in the property – expect your corgi to leap into action and bark fiercely at anyone he or she deems suspicious. On top of that corgis can also bark when hungry or thirsty – especially after a long walk outside on a hot day.
While that’s great for your safety, keep in mind that their vocal cords can produce a very high volume of bark. Keep this in mind if you don’t like getting startled out of your zen meditations or for some reason you hate loud noise.
- Corgis are food-driven
That’s usually great news, right? After all food driven dogs are very easy to train. If they crave a yummy incentive madly, they will be malleable and prone to learning commands and behaviours quickly. That’s exactly right, but there are also some downsides.
You will have to be careful not to overfeed your corgi because the breed is prone to obesity. Even more so if you keep a corgi as a domestic pet and not as a shepherd dog that runs all day long and burns calories.
And last but not least, you will also have to train your corgi not to get pesky around temptation – stealing food or barking at you when you’re in a restaurant are behaviours you’d want to avoid. Worst case scenario, you will have to put up with a cute furball sitting by your side at dinnertime, watching you with big hungry eyes – even when you have just fed her. Yep, that manipulative cuteness will be a challenge – you’ve been warned.
- Corgis are susceptible to hip and spinal problems
All breeds are prone to one ailment or another, but some are at a risk of very unpleasant issues. Corgis can develop serious hip and back problems like hip dysplasia and hip disease. Their stubby legs may be cute, but they can also be a curse. Sadly, the combination of a long spine and short legs can put excessive pressure on their backbone and their hips especially if they get jumpy.
Ideally, you will have to deter your corgi from jumping too high. We are not talking about small jumps while playing with your or other dogs. What we mean are high jumps, such as regularly jumping on a bed that might be too high for the corgi or jumping up in the air to catch toys or food.
Do NOT encourage such behaviour and try to aid the corgi if you notice it likes to climb on high beds by jumping. You can provide a stool, ramp or another piece of furniture and train your pup early on to use it to avoid high jumps. This will keep your corgi healthy for a long time to come.
Do you think you could handle a corgi? If none of the above fazes you out, then the corgi might be the right pet for you. before you adopt, though, find out more about the corgi temperament and instincts over here.
