Corgis and other dogs?

Hello,
My husband and I love corgis and are considering getting one. We are not experienced with the breed, but they seem like great dogs with lots of personality. I have been reading a lot about corgis, but one question that remains. Do corgis get along well with other dogs? It is very important to me and my husband that our dog can generally get along with other dogs, understanding that there is a chance that specific dogs might not get along. Do they have any aggressive tendencies? We have friends who have dogs, there are lots of dogs in the neighborhood, and we would love to take our pup to the dog park.
Any advice you could give would be great!
Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Kristin, Honey, and Hooch on November 10, 2009 at 2:59pm

In my experience, like any other breed, if corgis are properly socialized with other dogs, they tend to get along with them just fine! One of my corgis was properly socialized with other dogs when he was younger (he was raised by a women who rescues and fosters dogs and there were always quite a few dogs living in the house with him) and he gets along great with all the dogs at the dog park regardless of their size. My other corgi seems to have been properly socialized with people, but she gets nervous around larger dogs. She still enjoys herself at the dog park generally, but if a bigger dog comes too close she does exhibit some fearful behavior. I'm working to try to make her more comfortable around larger dogs she she doesn't need to have this response to them. She also lives with a border collie, though, and while they're not best of friends they also share the living space without any serious issues. My other corgi and the border collie get along great and even play together, and the corgis play together as well.

There was another corgi at the dog park once when I went there, and he was having a great time wrestling with the larger dogs! Most corgis seem to do just fine with other breeds. Also, I was at the Corgi Faire in Dixon this weekend, and there were tons of corgis running around on the field outside the building where it was held, and they were having a grand time playing with one another.

I think you'll be just fine as long as your puppy is socialized with other dogs and made to feel comfortable with breeds even if they're larger. Corgis tend to be just fine with other dogs, although they may sometimes try to herd the other dogs. :)

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Permalink Reply by Beth on November 10, 2009 at 3:02pm

As part of their original job, Corgis would chase strange dogs off the property, so they can be a bit suspicious if not properly socialized when pups.

Most Corgis that are socialized with other dogs when young are great with other dogs, and will get along with big dogs just fine.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on November 10, 2009 at 6:36pm

Seems to me that most breeds get along with other dogs, and that problems are individual matters, dogs with unfortunate past experiences or poorly socialized. I have met 2 or 3 nasty corgis; all were rescues with abusive pasts.
I've had ALMOST zero problems. None with Gwynnie; she's 110% mellow.
AL, very rarely, has unpredictably snapped at another dog -- 6 times, I think -- and a coupla times with Gwynnie. No damage done. In each case with Gwynnie, it was something like resource-guarding (food). Once, he was on his back while I checked his pads and another dog approached while he was in that vulnerable position. Once, another dog was sniffing him, which he usually tolerates, but this time I guess it was too up-close and personal (the other, larger dog was sniffing his penis). Twice, it was a fastmoving play situation and I don't know what started it. 3 instances were with the same dog, a very beta, submissive-type dog.
He hasn't actually bitten anybody yet, but this happens very fast and it's dismaying to see my baby turn into a miniature monster so suddenly. Mercurial. Quick. Brief.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on November 11, 2009 at 8:27pm

Sadly, you just don't see the word "mercurial" often anymore - really rolls off the tongue.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on November 10, 2009 at 10:21pm

Yes, my corgis love other dogs BUT you need to socialize them from young on...that is the key to not only dogs but also kids and adults! The more socialization the better! When small you will want to do this but maybe with more gentle dogs that you know but both big and small. Once in awhile my male will growl( I now work on this) but I think that is when he knows I'm not as comfortable and he also loves the big dogs! I We have doggie/coffee parties around here and BBQ's...yes dogs are included!