Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ross on February 3, 2009 at 12:22pm

Other's have posted good things. The nipping thing is definintely a concern around kids, but they can be taught to avoid this behavior if discouraged from a young age.
Atlas hasn't been around a ton of kids, but he does visit with my little cousins (aged 5 and 2) occasionally, and he is great with them.
They are a good dog for kids because they are incredibly sturdy.
I can't speak for every dog but from what I've heard on the boards they are very good with larger animals. Atlas especially prefers them, and plays like a total masochist with his big friends at the dog park. One thing to consider is that these dog's are bold! So watch their play carefully, if a dog starts something your little corgi probably isn't going to back down.
The only negative I can see for some (and this isn't a negative for me) is that they require LOTS of excercise. These dogs were bred to work and that means you need to give him/her at least 1 hour of really vigorous play every day (even more is better).

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Permalink Reply by Bonny on February 3, 2009 at 12:36pm

Second the exercise part! If mine don't get a decent walk in a day, they are pretty annoying in the house, more apt to chew on things or bark at noises.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on February 3, 2009 at 3:50pm

I'm sure you are aware since you owned a dog previously, but I'm going to say it. Each dog, no matter what breed, will have different personalities. My corgi likes to walk, but not much of an exerciser. She wouldn't stop walking or anything, but she acts perfectly fine when we can't squeeze a walk time in a day (which rarely happens, but happens.) She hates water. She will not fight if I need to bathe her, but she slowly moves away from the faucet in the tub. She does not herd people, other dogs, or toys. In that sense, very un-corgi like. She is very food motivated. I wouldn't dream of free feeding her. She loves people, but very picky on other dogs. That was probably our fault. I believe we socialized her too late. She plays with some dogs, but she does not like larger dogs, especially labs/golden. She seems to be fine with non-hyper dogs. Not sure why.

There are a few things I can say that she is just like other corgis. She sheds a lot. But she sheds year-around rather than twice a year. She is sturdy. We wanted a big dog too, but when we got Dee Dee, we were living in an apartment, and they did have a restriction as well. But we didn't want a tiny dog, so we got a corgi. They are medium/large dog with short legs. And one more time, she is very food-driven. Many corgis tend to be.

Good luck, but I'm pretty sure you will be happy with corgi if you are looking for a large, sturdy dog in smaller size. :) Oh, and one more thing. Corgis are sooooooooooooo cute!! Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Tracy on February 3, 2009 at 7:24pm

wow! if Corgis are as great as the people who own them, i'm even more excited now!!
Thank you everyone for taking the time to help us.
I've been cruising your site, this is NICE! So informative and fun.

I'm "hearing" the "yellow flags" about the nipping/herding. I've never been owned by a herding breed before so I definetly need to spend more time in that section. To my understandings, from GSD friends, a fenced in area and a basketball can help?!

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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on February 3, 2009 at 7:45pm

Tracy, there are some older threads about herding behavior on this site, also.
Here are a few, or you can click on discussions and do a search:

http://www.mycorgi.com/forum/topics/1150197:Topic:57427
http://www.mycorgi.com/forum/topics/1150197:Topic:117729

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Permalink Reply by Sam on February 3, 2009 at 9:17pm

Much will depend on the temperament of the parents and the good early care and socialization with his mom and littermates. Finding a knowledgeable breeder will help tremendously as they generally will have a knack of picking a pup to best fit your lifestyle. Generally if corgis are exposed to people, other dogs and environments early they do fine everywhere. Early training also is a huge plus as it will help your dog learn how to perform certain commands and teach you how to make them happen. Corgis are not the best choice to leave unsupervised with small children but will do fine with older kids. Yes, they do love to chase, bark and nip so training in this area early one will be helpful. Some corgis love water, others hate it and still others will sink like a stone. Yep, they are every bit as much as a "big" dog as a lab. They are not always quite as forgiving though. Best of luck finding your new pal.

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Permalink Reply by Juneaux and Maximus on February 3, 2009 at 10:06pm

I read most of the posts and everyones right, lol! I acutally used to have labs, and though they're a loyal and kind breed, I never "loved" a dog like I love our corgi:) She is NOT a velcro dog though, she'll chase anything, anywhere, and is immediately in her own world. She's a barker too, but not when inside. Juneaux's our first corgi, so I'm not sure how their personalities can differ. Oh, and she is a nipper--I agree with Aj about kids not running around them; our 2 yr old gets nipped ALL the time, but he's grown used to it, and they'll just chase eachother back and forth. We find she usually nips him when she wants him to chase her, lol! All that aside, corgis are the best dog out there--the whole package:)

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Permalink Reply by Jill and JOSIE on February 3, 2009 at 10:29pm

If you do get a corgi, I am in Valparaiso, IN (not far from you AT ALL!) We should arrange a play date should you find your dream dog (and they are that, indeed!!) We have had Josie for a month, we have 2 Great Pyrenees, a Boxer puppy, and a Mini Schnauzer, and I will say I do love the breed. Josie is a Cardi though, so we are + the tail. You want a Pem if you like the no tail thing! Good luck!!

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Permalink Reply by Lauren + Winston on February 4, 2009 at 12:53am

I've noticed that Winston tends to nip occasionally.. Usually he'll just get me or Justin (my boyfriend) but once he nipped my 10 year old brother, who didn't even care and hardly noticed. It just depends on how rough you play with your corgi. I've yet to see him herd some toddlers, although I think I might pee myself if it ever happens (obviously if he wasn't nipping them, maybe just nudging with his nose and barking).

Winston will always run away if he's not on his leash. I do live near some dog parks though that I can take him to. I know some people though who are able to walk with their corgi unleashed but I just don't feel safe. The only time I did that was when I first got him and his legs were too little to move that fast! Now he's a speeding bullet. My mom didn't believe me until she saw him get out one morning over summer. I carried Winston back - completely out of breath - and she was on the front porch crying she was laughing so hard.

Corgis shed - a lot. I read once that corgis shed twice a year... January through June and July through December! Haha. No but really, they shed all year round and profusely two times a year. So be prepared. I don't mind it though. Just get a Furminator (they're awesome).

I think what Josh said was pretty much it though. Corgis are not your typical dog. Yes, they do typical dog things, but the second you hear your corgi make the WEIRDEST noise while yawning or trying to get your attention, you'll realize how hilariously lovely these dogs are. I am corgi for life. Although I got Winston from a breeder, however, I plan on getting any future corgis from shelters for the rest of my life. They really are a wonderful breed. :D

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Permalink Reply by Trenton and Denise on February 4, 2009 at 3:41pm

Thanks Tracy for taking the time to check out a site like this one and doing the eduction needed before going out and getting the wrong type of dog for household. I agree with everyone that corgis are the best but do remember there are two types of corgis. For the most part everyone and yourself have been speaking about the pembroke welsh corgi (the one without the tail). Please don't leave out the cardigan welsh corgi ( the one with the tail). They are different. The cardi's tend to be a little more mellower and are happy with laying around for the day if needed. But also love to go on adventures too. Please go to the group section and you can find cardi party and the nub club for differences. Also try blue crew for the awesome blue merle of the cardigan. I personally have 2 cardigans and love them. They are normally a little bigger than the pembs but as you can see by going through the groups they do come in all shapes and sizes. Also try the akc.org site ans look at the 2 breed differences. Good luck and my a corgi be in your future.

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