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 John Wolff on
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1) Corgis are very smart. You have to be on your toes. It's a huge commitment with concomitant rewards. The investment pays off. But you can't be a stupid lazy dog owner. It's not a toy or appliance, it's a member of your family and a huge asset/expense. Do your homework, learn as much as you can about raising and training a puppy; that first year when you're a newbie is the most important and you need to have a plan and work your plan. Be organized, deliberate, and do it. It is rocket science -- but almost anybody can do rocket science if they do their homework.
I enjoy showing my dogs off to the neighbor kids and our honorary grandchildren. If the dogs are well-trained, it's more a matter of watching the children to make sure they don't hurt the dogs. Note the St. Bernard that killed a child; upon autopsy, a popsicle stick was found driven deep into its ear. Ours play well with strangers' children at the park, but I like to stay close and supervise the kids.
2) For awhile, our crate-trained corgis were crated while we were gone, seldom as long as 8 hrs. Eventually, we figured they were better watchdogs safe with the crates open, and the crate doors have seldom been locked since. Mostly they sleep on the sofa while we're gone. NOTE: helps to have a relatively dog-proofed house, garbage out-of-reach, etc. Ours bark only when people come to the door.
3) Either. They'll fall asleep on your face if you want, or on the floor, in the crate, in the yard. They're easy. Not pushy. They'll enter or exit lap on invitation/command. You'd better be dog-hair-tolerant. We kept ours crated at night for the first years, but Al has slept on the bed (at the foot) as long as I can remember, Gwynnie upon invitation, else she sleeps in an open 2nd crate in the bedroom. I took Al on a 9-day backpack in wet weather and he slept entirely inside my wet mummy bag for 6 nights (to keep me warm, not him). Al, our male, seems more cuddly than Gwynnie, our female; this may be a gender thing, I don't know. Gwynn sometimes sleeps between us.
4) Although some of the best dogs I see in the neighborhood are mutts from the pound, we got ours from a quite serious corgi breeder, and this may make a difference, I dunno. Our breeder is VP of the regional breed club, some of her dogs are bigtime show dogs, her studs are used by other breeders; she's definitely really into it and definitely not a casual hobbyist. Our two, age 4.5 and 8, have had no health troubles so far , and no major behavioral issues. She did not let us pick our puppy -- she did that for us and delivered Al personally to our door. I called her last night and she cheerfully let me bend her ear for an hour regarding dog stuff. So I think there are arguments for that route.
And then, you'll see corgi mixes and rescues on this site that look like the best dogs in the world. The dog that first got my wife interested was a pembroke/golden retriever mix. If you "rescue" an older, well-trained dog, you don't have to train a puppy; we got Gwynnie (purebred) at 6 months' age, housebroken and well-mannered.
ABOVE ALL: avoid pet stores (= puppy mills), backyard breeders, and 2nd-rate breeders, and learn how to spot them. If you're gonna settle for a 2nd-rate breeder, might as well do a rescue.
Tip: if the breeder makes YOU jump through all kinds of hoops, that's a good sign ("are you good enough for one of my dogs?"). Ask them for a copy of the contract they'll make you sign; if it REQUIRES that you relinquish the dog to nobody but them without their consent, and never to a 'shelter' under any circumstances, and if they agree to take the dog back if it doesn't work out, these are all good signs.
You might look at: http://www.mycorgi.com/profile/JoannaKimball (Cardigan breeder; she has an extensive blog, "Ruffly Speaking"). http://www.mycorgi.com/profile/WendyWendt (Pem breeder).
There are many other breeders on MyCorgi [promoting puppy sales, etc. is prohibited here].
Do your research. Figure out what you want, or else you'll end up with somebody else.
I like the Pembrokes because they're small and fit in a small house with a small yard in a city suburb (north Seattle), but they're strong enough to climb fairly serious mountains with me and do 20+ mile hikes and multiday backpacks in all kinds of weather. Their smaller size makes them less intimidating to children and generally less obtrusive.
DO NOTE THIS: Although ours spend most of their time inside our little house,they were bred to be outdoor farm dogs. I feel consumed with guilt when I come home and they're going berserk to see me because they've been cooped-up inside a small house all day with no cattle to herd http://www.mycorgi.com/profile/ScottWiley They love and need exercise and I've found they've taken over more of my life than I have time for. I spend more time than I can afford walking and playing soccer with them. I no longer hike in our 4 local National Parks because no dogs are allowed. Lucky for us, there's nothing I like as much as walking outdoors (never owned a TV). I'm a 58 y.o. empty-nester with some time for this stuff.
Get the puppy trained before you have a kid.
Do it right, and you'll find yourself trying to become the person they think you are.
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Permalink Reply by Potus on
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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.
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Permalink Reply by Kayla Rae and Rowdy on
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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!!!
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Permalink Reply by Graham Allen on
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I was looking on Golden Gate Corgis earlier and noticed that they have a event coming up in May, so my wife and I will probably check that out.
I would probably prefer a rescue corgi, just because that's how I've gotten all my pets in the past.
I'm very impressed with the feedback I've gotten so far. Everyone has had great comments.
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Permalink Reply by Stephanie L Masterson on
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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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Permalink Reply by Vee Luther on
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Did you come to any decision?
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Not a firm decision yet, but we're leaning towards. There's a local corgi event coming up in May, and so we're planning to attend that to talk with owners and breeders.
This past weekend we stayed at a B&B where the owner had a really friendly corgi!
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