Is a corgi the right dog for us?
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.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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1) If you are able to take the charge role (be the alpha dog) in the relationship, then possibly. Corgis are bred to workindependantly of their owners as herding dogs, thus they tend not to listen when they don't want to. You have to be able to be the boss. I recommend obedience classes...lots of them. The females tend to be more bossy and dominating than the males--but it can differ by dog. I as a rule recommend a rescue, as they tend to know that you've saved them, and tend to be more thankful and easy to get along with.
2) Corgi's will get in mischief if left alone for long periods. You must crate train them as puppies, or be prepared to have chaos. I would worry more if you were leaving them alone every day, all day long. I don't see an issue with 1-2 days a week. I find it's better to have two dogs, as they don't seem to get in as much trouble then when you're gone....but I find at my house having a shepherd that the corgi still gets into trouble...she talks the other dog into counter surfing for her.
3) My female will come to snuggle if she's cold, you're upset, or you have food. Other than that, forget it. There is too much going on for her to pay attention to members of the family. She is very independant. My male corgi is a love-bug. Loves to snuggle all the time--but he is a rescue, and knows he has it good now. Over-all, most corgi people will tell you the males are usually more laid back.
4) There are tons of rescue organizations that have corgis available for one reason or another, usually not the fault of the dog. Lots of people here can give you names/numbers. Or just do an internet search. Petfinder is great. Just be patient though, usually it is a demanding, time involved process as they want to make sure the dog is a good fit for you.
Research the corgi breed. They are high-energy dogs, and require lots of attention and exercise. If you can handle the hair, the barking, and the craziness, then a corgi is for you. You will fall in love with the breed. They are very comical, and I absolutely love mine. They make my days so much more sunnier. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Lisa B on
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Wow Jennifer you are spot on what a perfect analogy I agree with all of it!!! Excellant advice!
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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1) In totally general terms, no, probably not. Corgis can be very high energy, very strong willed dogs that can make an owner miserable if they aren't committed to being the boss. Remember this is a 30 lb dog that was bred to push around 1000+ lb animals. That being said, my pem was my first dog. He taught me a lot, and it definitely wasn't easy at times, but I wouldn't have a different breed now. I highly recommend obedience classes. If you're looking for a little more low key dog I would check out the cardigan. They are less popular than the pembrokes but they are really lovely dogs, and they come in purdy colors too. :)
2) Both of my dogs are fine when we're gone. Henry definitely didn't enjoy being alone before we got Luke, but he did okay. I personally think two dogs are waaay more fun than one, but definitely don't get two puppies at once. If you think you want two dogs, get the first, socialize and train the heck out of it, and THEN get the second puppy. It is so much easier!
3) Neither of mine are lap dogs. Henry will snuggle if he's really tired, but other than that he's pretty independent. Luke is more cuddly but still not what I would consider a lap dog. They will both sit next to me on the couch though.
4) Look for a responsible breeder! Look for someone who is actively doing something with their dogs, be it showing, herding, agility, etc. Even if you aren't interested in showing, the serious show people generally are some of the most reputable breeders and produce very nice puppies. They will also be able to help you choose a puppy with a personality that fits your household. You could also contact the rescues near you and see if they have any dogs available if you were interested in an older dog.
I would start looking here if you're interested in a puppy:
http://pwcca.org/memberlist.cfm pems
http://www.cardigancorgis.com/BreederDirectory.asp cardis
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Graham,
1. Corgis are tough herding dogs, they bark, nip and boss around cattle that weight 2000lbs (see video). They are very smart, rated #11 on the dog intelligence scale. Corgis are independent thinkers, they will not blindly follow commands like labs do. I think corgis requires strong, calm leaders to set a well structured lifestyle for them.
A dog is a 15 years + family member commitment, you will walk him 45-60 mins daily rain or shine, your first year of dog ownership will run you around 2K, up to 4K for emergency vet visits. Your social life will always revolve around your dog's pooping schedule and you will travel less. It takes 9 months for a dog's bladder to mature, 1-1.5 yrs. to be fully potty trained with zero accidents in the last 3 months straight.
My wife was a first time dog / corgi owner 8 years ago, I on the other hand grew up with 2 Dobermans and 2 Rottweilers since the age of 4. I'll say the first two years are the most challenging. Other breeds that we've considered: Shetland Sheepdog.
2. Just like Human, every corgi's personality is different, some do well on their own, some do suffer from separation anxiety. When Corgis are not at work, they power down and take naps, usually at a vantage point where they can oversee the house. I do not recommend first time dog owner getting a pair of dogs, especially with a human baby on the roadmap. Corgis are happy to be the only dog in the house and the centre of your family's attention. When you've mastered training one and you feel like taking on a challenge, we'll talk more about it then :)
3. It really depends on the dog's personality, some corgis are velcro dogs, most corgis would sit / sleep next to you within an arm's length.
4. I'll say go and meet with REAL LIFE owners and pick their brains, observe their dogs, their interaction with other dogs, other people and their owners, if you like what you see (temperament), ask them for a referral. Don't get caught up by their cuteness, it's important to ask all the tough questions.
The perfect dog is out there, even years from now, so don't rush in, especially when you have baby plans. Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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You have some good things going for you in the Corgi department. Corgis love to hike, and a fenced in yard is a plus (I wish we had one). It sounds like you've done a lot of research, which tells me you will take your dog-owning seriously (a good thing). Corgis definitely have a medium- or large-dog personality, though they are much more intense than many large breeds and while most are not bred to work, their working-dog background is still very evident in their personality. Now for your specifics:
1) A Corgi CAN be fine for a first-time dog owner if you are willing to do a lot of reading on dog psychology and positive training and take your puppy through several levels of positive obedience classes. I grew up with working (hunting) dogs and had my "own" dog when I was about 13. I knew a lot about training; my dad used to field-trial pointers and trained his own bird dogs and taught me a lot of what he knew. While Jack was "my first dog" as an adult, I don't consider myself a novice dog handler. I want to be up-front though: my husband is a typical casual dog owner; he loves them, plays with them, and walks them, but is not serious about learning how to train them. My female, Maddie, is ok with him but my male Corgi does not listen to my husband AT ALL. Shawn has to bribe the dog with a treat to get him to go out for the last potty of the night. Jack begs to be fed by him, barks at him to demand attention or play-time, drags him hither and yon on a walk, and basically walks all over him. This dog is a therapy dog and trained through CGC, as well as some basic agility. This is a dog who will move away when I say "excuse me" or back up at a subtle hand signal, yet for my husband he won't do the most basic thing without a bribe.
I can assure you that a Corgi can walk all over a casual owner. That said, Maddie would be just fine with a novice. She is a much softer, more submissive dog. If you go through a good breeder, she can pick a pup that will suit YOU. When Jack was picked for us she knew I would do most of the training and handling and that I wanted a bold, outgoing pup to match our lifestyle. More on that when I talk about where to get a dog.
2) Corgis are better than many dogs at being left alone. They are independent and not as prone to separation anxiety as some of the gun dogs, say. That said, they bark. They bark a lot. They think that watching the house is their job, and they take that job seriously. If you have very close and/or finicky neighbors who don't like barking dogs, a Corgi alone all day my cause problems. One can be fine. I prefer two but agree with Sam's assessment that now might not be the best time for you to have two dogs. You may try a Corgi and a cat; mine both play with my cat.
3) I have two Corgis and one is a first-class snuggler; she will bury herself under you if you give her a chance and loves petting and even hugs (something most dogs don't like). She'll turn herself inside out for a belly rub. She can be VERY pushy about being cuddled, though, and if you gave in to her nudges she would be obnoxious about it. My other Corgi does not like to be pet much at all and is not really a cuddler. He will sometimes sit on your lap but if you lean over the top of him or otherwise try to cuddle he will hop down. However, he does like to keep you in sight.
4) Personally, I recommend going through a quality breeder (which usually will mean a show breeder). Expect to pay over $1000. Corgis may be common in rescue in some places, but here they are very very rare in rescue, and most that I see are from puppy mills. A puppy mill rescue is absolutely not a dog for a first-time owner who wants to have children. If you go through a breeder, you can tell her exactly what your lifestyle is and what you are looking for. You can explain that you plan on having children soon and be honest about your lack of dog experience. Your breeder can then match you up with a happy-go-lucky pup who is not very dominant. As I said, I have two and one would be fine with a novice owner, while the other would be an absolute disaster.
One other thing: Corgi puppies can be very difficult. They are in constant motion when awake. They nip, and many nip HARD. Unlike retrieving breeds who have been selected for many generations to have "soft" mouths, Corgi pups often will bite hard enough to hurt quite a lot and need to be trained not to chase and nip at heels. They require persistence, patience, a quiet hand and consistent training and lots and lots of play and activity. They also require extensive socialization; Corgis can be very territorial and it's important to socialize them so they learn to get along with strangers and especially strange dogs.
One other option for you might be a retired show dog. They tend to already be well-mannered and well-socialized (though often not trained to do much except walk nicely and stand for the judge). They are past the puppy crazies but usually still pretty young. And you'll already know the personality. We got our male as a pup and the female was retired. It is a lot less work.
If you want a dog with similar energy and a softer temperament, you might look at Shelties. They do require more grooming and it's vital to go to a good breeder, as a badly bred Sheltie can be a neurotic little mess. The good ones have lovely personalities, though.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth, Hermione and Luna on
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I agree with the other folks who have posted....I would just add that when you get a corgi, you aslo get a major shedding machine. If someone in the house has allergies, or would be highly upset about "hairdrifts"' in the corners, they probably aren't a great choice. (Brushing is important, but even still, twice a year when they "blow their coats" and all the fur seems to come off at once, the corgi fur is a challenge.
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Permalink Reply by Graham Allen on
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How does the shedding compare to say a cat or two? Neither of us have allergies so some hair isn't a big deal. We're trying to avoid dogs that need massive grooming though.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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It really depends on the corgi and your ability to groom. Sparty sheds heavy twice a year for aout a week but a bath and good comb out takes care of it. Izzy sheds a little all year round with the major ones twice a year. We had a Standard Poodle for 18 years and he did not shed at all but required professional grooming every 6/7 weeks or he would mat. A walk in the woods with him would require extensive brushing to get sticks and burrs out. The corgis run through the woods, mud etc and it all wipes off easily and they occasionally come in the shower with me. Our doberman requires very little grooming but gets that hound dog smell in between baths and is susceptible to the cold. People also do not smile when they see her and she requires a lot of exercise. I guess you just pick your poison...
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I grew up with usually two dogs in the house at one time, one of which was always a hunting dog, and I never realized dogs could lose this much hair and not be bald til I got my Corgis! There is hair everywhere. Of course I have two.
One blows coat once a year, mainly, and in between only sheds lightly. The other sheds fairly heavily year-round and doesn't blow coat as completely as the first.
I have hardwood floors. When I use the portable vac and go down my stairs, I can see visible hairs on them by the next day. If I wait a week between vacuuming, there are large clumps on most of the stairs.
So basically, if you are comfy vacuuming/sweeping the floors twice a week, it's ok. If you are comfortable with a dirty house, it's ok. If you like a very neat house and don't want to clean on most days, then a Corgi might bother you.
As Bev says, you pick what suits you. Most of the non-shedders require extensive, often professional grooming. Most hunting dogs have very oily coats and tend to stink. The short-coated dogs need protection from cold and sun and frequently won't like to potty outside in the rain because the rain bothers them with their lack of skin protection. All dogs have coat issues and it's a matter of picking the one that suits your lifestyle the most.
Coat is important enough that many "find the best breed for you" checklists/quizzes include weather tolerance and grooming requirements, and weight them both fairly heavily.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer evans on
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Corgi's are great but they require alot of patience and you need to make yourself the leader. I adore my pem, he is extremely active and barks a ton. He watches the house like its his job.He is extremely affectionate and loves sleeping on the bed. He My other dog is a lab and I would also highly recommend them. Both breeds require exercise so plan on fitting that in, without it they are unhappy and can get destructive. I would also recommend crate training ( I didn't do it with my corgi- lots of chewing, my fault). I would say that both are extremely intelligent but my lab was much easier to train. My lab was extremely hyper until about 3 ( he still has a crazy streak) and would pull a lot during walks. Hes 95 lbs, it would have been a lot easier to deal with if he was smaller ( ive seen labs 55-60 lbs). Both dogs shed ( corgi sheds more) but i just brush them both regularly. Anyway both are amazing dogs and now that i have both of them i couldnt imagine anything else. They love each other and are adorable together.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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Our "dog alarms" do bark when strangers/visitors arrive, when I arrive, when they see passersby passing by, but they do not yap incessantly at nothing. Mostly, they are silent.
A useful but complicated skill to teach might be to stop barking on command, or when they know you've heard the alarm.
I do not think ours bark when they are crated, one of the main reasons we've left the crate doors open when we're gone.
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