UPDATE: What are things you wish you had known about Corgis before you got one?

 

I am wanting to start a blog about responsible dog ownership.  I talk a lot about responsible dog ownership on Reddit and I find myself writing the same things over and over.  It will be easier and more thorough for me to write a blog that I can reference!  

 

For one of my posts, I want to write an overview on owning Corgis for those thinking about adopting.  Our midget pals are growing more popular with the Royal Wedding and all that, and as you know, Corgis really aren't for everyone.  If I can prepare future owners for the task they face, I can go to sleep a happy owner.

 

So, what are things you wish you knew about Corgis before bringing one home?  Anything.  Temperament issues, health issues... whatever! 


UPDATE: Since this thread was resurrected, thought I would put a link to the finished product: Own Responsibly: The Comprehensive Corgi Guide- A Resource for New ...

 

 

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On the mycorgi forums lol

I am not sure I would want to know the down sides of having a corgi before I got one because I may have denied myself one (two) of my greatest pleasures. I doget a lot of questions since we travel with ours and offer the following:

 They shed profusely! They bark. You have to measure their food. They love to learn but definitely make a  decision about whether they want to do what your asking. Do not get a corgi if you are not looking for a family member...you can not just ignore them for days at a time. In return you get an incredibly fun companion.

I like that at LOT-- "Do not get a corgi if you are not looking for a family member..."  Very true.
yes they are so much a part of the family....in every sense of the word ~~

I feel I am hearing too many down sides! I am ALMOST being scared away... almost.

I wasn't prepared for me needing her more than she seems to need me. Twinkie is fiercely independent and if I want to love on her, I have to catch her first!

Corgis, along with all the other herding dogs, *need* to be independent thinkers - it's a job requirement. As opposed to the sporting breeds which are more of a "servant" type dog. They get an assignment (get that bird) & they complete it. Whereas herd dogs get a job: ok. see that herd over there? I need them in this pen. figure it out & get it done. See that flock over there? Guard it all day long. Then come home & play with the kids & get the mice out of the barn & bring the ducks in for the night...

We bred them to be those stubborn, independent thinkers. The hard part is asserting ourselves as job boss ;-)

The issue I had with my Corgi puppy was the chewing.   I'd forget, leave a pair of shoes on the floor when I went out and come home to one of them destroyed.  Not two, just one.  I had several 'pairs' of odd shoes.  My own fault of course, but then maybe she'd have chewed the couch instead if there were no available shoes.  She also destroyed a pretty nice outdoor chaise.  She was very remorseful after these chewing sprees.  When I said "who did this???"  She'd slink up to me, head down, climbing up my leg asking for forgiveness, which of course, I couldn't deny.  How can you not forgive those big brown eyes?

The other problem she had was bad knees.  I didn't think the breed had knee issues but mine does.  After the surgery I looked for documentation that said it was common but didn't see anything.  I hear more about their backs and spines.

 

Now let me tell you what I LOVE about my dog.  :)  I could go on for hours.  Maybe it's how I raised her, in a quiet, single person's house but she rarely barks.  I took her everywhere to socialize her when she was a pup and she loves every dog and cats too.  She walks right up to the neighbor's cat and says hello.  And just like the books say, she's a clown.   She runs after a squeaky toy and slides like she's on ice, letting her full weight hit the wall and comes up grinning. She chases the cat just for laughs, she nose-nudges me when I'm not paying enough attention to her, she follows me into the bathroom and bounces into my knees when I'd just like a moment's peace.  Hello?  can you say privacy?   

 

I love that people point her out or shout 'CORGI' and rush over to see her when we're out.  I don't see people yelling 'Beagle' or 'Poodle'...no offense to those breeds. :)   I love her smile and big soft ears.  I love coming home to my dog.   She's not a fussy eater.  haha.  She's a great travel companion, she barked maybe 3 times on a road trip from Phoenix to Toronto.  She's good in a hotel.  She's just an awesome little dog!  But yes, she is a family member, not just a dog, so not to be adopted lightly.  

I think the good far out weighs any negative, these two dogs  have really brightened my life up!  Im not a sad person to begin with i had a wonderful life, i just wanted to have a expereince with dog before i got to old to walk and enjoy one, so i decided on this breed, mainly because my son has one and we feel in  love with him.. As the story goes one is never enough... twice the trouble...double triple the joy!
I wish i knew how addicting they where, otherwise i would of bought a house with a big enough yard for more dogs. My House is big enough for 3 but the yard could only handle 2 and even that is pushing it (well the grass is barly surviving with 2). (we brought our girl at 8 weeks home, the first corgi, while we where still looking for a new home), six months later we brought home her brother, and at least once a month we are temped again.

The potential tripping hazard, lol  Tucker is so good at it!!  Also, I believe it is also good for owners to get comfortable with grooming their pups from the start, especially nails, so important.  We got lucky and haven't had any issues, even with our rescue, phew! 

Socialize, socialize, socialize, especially the girls.  I'd had several dogs who loved everyone and every dog and when I got my first corgi, I thought she would also love all dogs.  I was really busy with school and didn't spend any time socializing her with other dogs.  She adored every human she ever met, never met a bit of food she didn't love, but thought every dog other than our other dog was evil incarnate and it was her job to destroy them.  It made walks less fun and was always a worry.  I did not make the same mistake with my other two and they're great with other dogs. 

 

Despite this, I cannot imagine having any other breed of dog.  As someone said, they believe they're family and it doesn't take long before you believe it too.  I've never had smarter dogs with a greater sense of fun.  I've never had more affectionate dogs.  I'll take a bit of dog hair and barking anyday because they're a joy to have in my life. 

 

 

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