how early can corgis jump?

It's been a while, but I remember that our breeder told us that corgis should not jump off furniture or use stairs until 2 years old due to possible back problems.
Shiro is 8 months old and has no problems with stairs, but we try not to use them when possible. He is very active and agile and loves to go on hikes and jump over roots and branches. I think he will make an excellent agility dog, but how early can he start doing jumps? If it's not advised to jump now, what elements can he do?
He also jumps in and out the bathtub daily to get some water. Is that OK?
Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on October 8, 2009 at 8:12pm

I'm a pretty bad Corgi Mom too! I've heard dogs should do agility or start running before a year, so I leave Lyla at home when I go jogging with Sky, but she has been jumping on and off the bed since she was about 6 months. I don't even know how I would stop her.. she's just so quick about it!

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Permalink Reply by Beth on October 8, 2009 at 8:32pm

Honestly I wouldn't worry about the couch, though others might disagree. I know two breeders who have had Corgis for decades, and they both let their dogs jump on the couch.

Going up and down stairs is ok too, but I wouldn't let him race or play, as he might slip. Corgis do agility and are perfectly capable of doing the A-frame.

Now, if the dog is tearing around leaping on and off the couch in play, I would probably correct that. But hopping up to lie on it? I think there are other ways they are more likely to hurt themselves, like just frapping around or running full-speed after a ball.

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Permalink Reply by Beauty and the Beast on October 9, 2009 at 10:18am

I agree. Shiro hit his head on furniture so many times when he was frapping!

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Permalink Reply by Avyon on October 9, 2009 at 12:44pm

We call Roxi lumpy head because of this!

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Permalink Reply by Alice on October 9, 2009 at 12:10pm

The jumping up part isn't so bad, it's the impact from jumping down that you need to watch for. Same with stairs, up isn't as hard on the joints as down.

Even things like letting them stand in the upright "beg" position are bad, especially at a young age as it can cause injury to the back. You have to be careful with any growing puppy but even more so with Corgis and other dwarf breeds.