I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to be as specific as possible
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My wife and I have been contemplating getting a dog. After doing some research, I think that a corgi might be just about perfect. Neither of us has ever owned a dog before. I grew up around cats, while my wife's didn't have pets growing up but now her parents and sister both have dogs.
We're both in our early 30s and active, usually hiking. We have a small but well-fenced backyard that's mostly grass where a dog could run around (~50'x30'). I work a standard 8-6 job, my wife works from home 3 days a week, the other two days she's out until relatively late. This means that a dog would be left alone from 10 until 5 or 6.
My wife wants a small dog, but in general, I find small dogs too hyperactive. The descriptions I've read of corgi seem like the personality is closer to medium sized dog than the typical small dog.
We're thinking of having a baby soon (1-2 yrs), so any dog would need to be good with small children.
So now for the questions:
1) Do you think a corgi is good for first time dog owners? Any suggestions for different breeds that might be better suited for us?
2) How are corgi's with being left alone? Most of the time there would be someone home, but we would need to leave the dog alone 1-2 days a week. Does it make sense to get a pair?
3) How are corgi's as a lap/lounge dog? Do they tend to sit on/next to you on the couch for example or are they more of a fall asleep at your feet?
4) How should we get a corgi? We don't have any interest in showing or breeding, we just want a healthy, well-mannered dog. Looking at the shelters near us there seem to be few corgi's, and most are chihuahua mixes, which neither of us want.
Tags:
Ok, I'm just going to give you advice from my own experience.
1) My Corgi, Potus, is my first dog. I live at home still, and my Mum had dogs growing up (her grandfather had a Corgi) but she hadn't had a dog for close to 30 years by the time we got Po. As my first dog I think we've gone ok. There have been tough times (Po was particularly nippy) but I love him, and he's mellowed out over the years (he's 2 and a half now). Be prepared for your puppy to chew EVERYTHING.
2) I am mostly home all week but for awhile, especially up until Po was almost 2 he would be left alone 2 days a week from about 9 to 3, with someone coming home to let him out at lunch for a potty break. He has done fine with being left alone, he is confined to the kitchen and the worst he has done has been to rip up some lino (Something he did even when we were at home, he was quite mischieveous, but he doesn't do that anymore,knock on wood) and escape from the kitchen for the sole purpose of needy to pee or poop (dogs don't like to do their business where they sleep, and his bed is in the kitchen) Most of the day he just sleeps.On this issue I don't see why you would need to have 2 dogs, 1 should be fine on his own for 1-2 days.
3) Po isn't much of a lap dog. He will curl up on the couch next to me, or on the floor. If you have food however, he wants to be RIGHT next to you, or ON you, in order to get any scraps he can.
4) Either a responsible breeder, or a rescue. I prefer the rescue route but I got my dog from a breeder as there aren't many Corgi's for adoption where I live in Australia. People here on MyCorgi.com are constantly finding Corgi's that need forever homes on petfinder.com and they break my heart. Definitley consider the rescue roue.
I hope all goes well, and keep us updated as to whether or not you get a Corgi!
Oh, and I should add: Be prepared for fur. Lots of it. But we all find ways to cope.
I noticed you're from Pleasanton, I would check out http://www.goldengatecorgis.org/home.html and browse around for a show or even just a get together. They do an annual corgi fair at some point in the year, I can't wait to go for the 1st time with my new little boy. I would spend as much time with corgis and corgi owners as you can to make a more educated decision. I'm a first time owner, and I grew up with corgis. My boy has tried my patience countless times, but has also been the greatest decision I have ever made. He's my world and he knows it! They are great with children, they'll help you round them up and keep a watchful eye (The one I grew up with was the best babysitter for me and my siblings and cousins). I am all for rescuing a corgi, this site is great as well as petfinder. I found my boy from puppyfind.com, and got lucky, he was in my hometown so I was able to go and meet him and his parents before committing. I worry that site could potentially have some puppy mills on it, I could not tell you for sure, but it's worth a look. They also post some "homeless" ones every now and again too.
I wish you all the best of luck in your decision making. Everyone on this site has the best advice!!!
1) I think that corgi's can be good for a first timer if you have the time and patience to work with him. They take a lot of your time but I think that they are worth it.
2) Scooter is home by himself roughly 3 times a week. We have crate trained him so we dont have to worry about him getting into things. As a special treat on those days when he is by himself, I put a stick treat into a kong and add some peanut butter on each side and freeze it over night. He loves these and it keeps him busy for a few hours. And he loves sleeping. As for getting 2, I personally am waiting till Scooter is atleast 1 1/2 years old (he's 8 months now) before we start looking at getting another one. I want Scooter to be potty trained and every thing before thinking about getting another one.
3) Scooter is pretty active. I try to take him running with me in the mornings when I can. Otherwise we go on walks or the kids take him out in the backyard and wear him out. When inside sometimes he runs around now that he has more freedom but when we are sitting there watching tv or something he wants to be right there in our laps getting petted and scratched. Also, I noticed that a lot of people say that their corgi barks a lot. I guess I am very fortunate. Scooter very rarely barks. Honestly I think the last time I heard him bark was about 2 weeks ago and that was cause he barked (once) at a bird. He doesnt even bark at other dogs. I love that about him.
Good Luck !
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