Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lucy & Ricky (Wendy/Jack ) on July 12, 2011 at 2:50pm

Ahh, Sam. Great advice, as always. Shedding is the least concern when taking on the responsibility of owning a Corgi. Re-homing Ricky-Rafa was a humbling experience to Jack and me, seasoned Corgi owners for more than 40 years. But, with lots of love and training, he has turned out to be a delightful and hilarious addition to our family. Initially he required all the patience we could muster and at times we wondered if we made a mistake. But, we and he have stayed the course and we couldn't love a dog more.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on July 9, 2011 at 9:07pm

1)  You're doomed.  Plan on vacuuming everyday unless you like hairballs.  :-)

2)  Yes.  Invest in a crate, and use it.  They learn to like it--and it saved my life later when Seanna tore her ACL.

3)  Yes.  Not only for obedience but for socialization.  Corgis are smart, and will take you for a ride if you let them.

4)  Be prepared to fall in love.  Madly, insanely in love.  They are like potato chips- you can't have just one. 

 

Good luck!  Can't wait to see pictures!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Betts on July 11, 2011 at 1:49am

Do I have the only corgis who don't shed that much?  Yes, if I wear black and they sit on my lap I have quite a few visible dog hairs.  But, I don't vacuum daily, nor do I brush my dogs daily and we just don't have that much dog hair around.  They blow their coats twice a year and their "breeches" lose a lot of hair then.  I pull the tufts (subject of a fair amount of discussion around here) and brush them quite a bit when they're blowing their coats.  Otherwise, it's just not that big of a deal.  There is a fair amount of variation in coat though, as I've had four corgis over the years and two have had a closer coat and barely shed at all and the other two have a fuller, softer coat and shed more, but I still don't consider it excessive. 

Ditto on the crate.  It's the best thing ever for potty training and for times when you need to leave them alone.  I've always worked and even with my littler puppies, I've just come home at lunchtime for a potty break and they've done great.  I try to take a couple of weeks off when I get a new pup, though, to establish crate training and give them a bit of time to get used to their new home before they're left alone.

Ditto on obedience training. Corgis are stubborn, and smart, as noted above.

But, I've had other breeds of dogs.  Once I got my first corgi, I've never considered any other breed.  They're completely different and completely addicting.  I cannot imagine living without one. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melvin Brock on July 9, 2011 at 9:11pm

You wear a Corgi.  Hardwood floors and leather furniture helps alot.  You will sweep up a good sized corgi every couple of days. I had a little corgi in my tea earlier. Hair/Fur is a big part of this breed, BUT they are the best all around breed/child we have EVER HAD.  You want fun, silly, loving, crazy, loyal companion/child this is your breed. I would be a hoarder if it wasn't for my wife.  Their like tater chips  once you start you can't quit.  Our two play like mad everywhere and anywhere they are.  They know about when my wife gets home from work.  They go to the den window and sit on their couch and wait for her to appear. Go get some ice and they are there waiting for theirs.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Wolff on July 10, 2011 at 12:56am

I suggest changing "sometime in the next few weeks" to "sometime in the next few months (or longer)". Don't rush it; this is a big decision for both of you, do your homework, get it right. Be an ambush hunter: take the time to figure out what you want, then lie in wait, and pounce when it appears.
1) You will eventually get used to the dog hair. It's like air: it's there. It will be something new, but it's not going to be the biggest impingement on your life -- the bond with this new member of your family, with all the joys and responsibilities and time commitments, will be much more important. Barking problems would be a much bigger deal, I'd think. I've always been a very fastidious person who recoiled at dog slobber and stuff; I don't even notice the hair anymore. We have hardwood floors, easy to vacuum with an el cheapo vacuum, and sometimes, we do.
2) Get a hard crate, crate the pup while you're gone for the first year or more (???). We did that, and eventually decided that the dogs are OK with the crate doors open, and they're better watchdogs that way, too. You will need to sort of childproof the house: keep all food, garbage, out-of-reach (really out of reach). Plenty of toys to chew on so pup doesn't chew on your shoes or electrical cords.
3) Puppy classes are probably worth it. A private trainer is for problems; but puppy and other classes are socialization opportunities. Take the training stuff VERY SERIOUSLY, be organized and disciplined. You're training yourself, mostly. Read books, set goals, plan your work, then work your plan. Keep a calendar and notebook. Write down all the commands you want to teach, keep a training log. Make sure all members of the family are with the program and on the same page. It's a lot of work and it will pay off handsomely. Do all this homework before you get your pup; once you get the puppy, you'll be too busy. A good recall is especially important; read up on this and how you'll teach it. Google "emergency recall" or "really reliable recall". Learn what the CGC requirements are, that might provide a good framework.
This is the one thing I'd do differently if I had it to do over again: I'd be much more disciplines about training. It's time, but it's fun and it pays off forever.
4) Fannypack, screw-cap can like prescription bottles for training treats, tennis balls, Nike Jr. 7" children's basketball, old soccer balls (thrift stores, yard sales). Fenced yard is nice. If you really, really like to walk and be outside, that's a huge plus. Good shoes and outdoor clothes. Carry a garbage bag and pick up litter as you walk the neighborhood; you'll make friends that way.
Enjoy. Keep it fun. You'll end up with dog hair and sand in your bed and it won't matter.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on July 10, 2011 at 2:35am

Lots of awesome replies in this thread already!  Let me throw in my 2 cents, mostly about general dog ownership stuffs.  

 

Should you adopt any dog, nonetheless a Corgi?

 

Where/why and how to adopt a dog in general and Identifying a reputable breeder, if you choose not to rescue.

 

Comprehensive Corgi Guide

 

(I'm so glad I started this blog of mine...makes these replies super easy!!)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Micaela on July 10, 2011 at 6:51pm

1. You should definitely buy a good wire brush & brush out the dog's fur every day. (I should be doing that too, actually... Korey sheds like crazy. D: ) Also try to bathe it regularly once per week/every other week.

 

2. Yes, but definitely crate-train the dog. Corgis always need something to do to keep them occupied, especially as puppies, and if you don't keep it in a crate with things it's allowed to chew on then you might come home to a mess. Eventually the dog will realize it's only allowed to chew on certain things and you may not need to keep it in its crate.

 

3. If you mean a personal obedience trainer, no way.

A characteristic of herding dogs (like Corgis) is that they are extremely intelligent and always eager to do whatever will make you happy. So if the dog finds out that if it makes you happy that he sits when you tell him to sit, he'll do it! I actually taught my corgi this within the first week I had her!

I took Korey to an obedience class at PetsMart. It's helpful to learn training methods and makes it easier on you to train your puppy, but with a corgi's IQ, probably not all that necessary. So it's up to you.

 

4. Be careful about what you can accidentally teach them. When someone would ring the doorbell I would ask Korey "Who's here?" in an excited voice. She would start barking and run to the door, then jump up on whoever came inside.

And that's just one of the things I didn't mean to teach her...

 

Also, be careful about how much you feed your corgi, because they put on weight really fast. I started feeding Korey a lot of table scraps from human food, and before long she was 10 pounds overweight! That's a lot for a human... Think of how bad that would be on a corgi!

I was able to get her weight down and now she's almost to the weight she's supposed to be...

 

Regardless of all the precautions you have to take, owning a corgi can be really rewarding. They're such fun, smart and comical little dogs that you'll never imagine wanting to own another breed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jane on July 10, 2011 at 8:24pm

I have to totally disagree on the bathing, corgis don't need to be bathed every week and doing so can really dry out their skin and make the shedding even worse. I wouldn't advise bathing more than monthly. I actually love it when mine manage not to roll in anything too disgusting for a few months and the natural oils in their coat really start to show, their coat looks amazingly shiny and healthy.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on July 10, 2011 at 8:34pm

I second that (Jane) on the bathing! Mine only get a bath if they roll in something also and then with a very mild shampoo. Mine normally get a bath at the most every 6 months but usually once a year:) Brushing is good but you don't want to brush too much especially if you get a furminator as this too will strip away good the good coat. I brush mine maybe once a week or less with a rubber mitt.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on July 11, 2011 at 2:57am

totally agree. I honestly can't remember the last time Franklin had a bath. He does swim daily though so maybe that's why he never needs a bath....hmmmm. Maybe I should give him one just because :-)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by G, Cierra & Munchkin on July 11, 2011 at 1:00am

I second that notion.....Munchkin has been out in the rain and snow (she is a city dog) and after 6 months she still has no doggy smell.  Corgis are ridiculously clean! The only smell you may get is "Frito Feet" LOL.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by G, Cierra & Munchkin on July 11, 2011 at 12:54am

You are about to enter into the wonderful world of Corgi.......

!st make sure that you have a good working relationship with your breeder.  They know their pups better than anyone and will help you get the pup that is just right for you. That is key.  I still contact my breeder and I have had Munchkin since Feb. She has been invaluable as well as this site.

Just like having a baby, you will get lots of info-some good and some bad- choose what works for you.  You will be overwhelmed but laughter will cure that. Shedding is a problem but I have a fluffy and for whatever reason she doesn't shed alot.  I still have dust bunnies, but I have learned to deal with them--a good vacuum and using grooming time as bonding time.  If done regularly it shouldn't take that much time.

I brought Munchkin home on a Friday night (4 mo) and on Sat left her alone (in sm play pen w/ cedar chip litter box)  for 4 hours while I went to do errands.  She was fine.  Monday I went to work at 7AM and came home at 3PM and she was fine.  Plan your routine and start immediately. For the first few weeks it is not a good idea to deviate from routine, this can cause confusion.  But praise will reinforce everything and anything!!!!   

Munchkin has not had obedience training but she follows my commands/instructions, training my daughter was alot tougher.  She thought anything/everything  Munchkin did was just sooo cute. LOL.

Read the FAQ and blogs on this site and then do what feels right for you and you will be fine. 

Good Luck 

 

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page