Tell me about Corgis

[StayGoldPonyBoy]

DH really wants us to get one, I think they're cute and I like that they're cheeky and high energy but I haven't met very many and don't know loads about them and neither does he. His grandparents had one growing up that he loved but it's not the same really!

I'm aware of the health problems they can have and we have a registered breeder in mind if we do decide to get a corgi.
We are experienced dog owners, and someone is always in the house so the new addition would rarely be left alone and never for long. We have a 2yo DD, I hear they're good family dogs but have herding tendencies if they play with small children, is this true? Just any first hand info would be great!

[StayGoldPonyBoy]

It's the Cardigan Welsh ones we are looking at btw.

[muttynutty]

Personally I would not have a corgi with young children. I hate sweeping statements but....

Corgis are herding dogs and children are fab for herding, corgis will nip when they herd and children can be at corgi level.

Saying this hundreds of people have corgis with children but I would not be one of them.


Your own DC may learn how to live around a corgi but you will also have other kids around to play etc and this could be hard for the corgi to cope with.


Cardigans also need a lot more exercise than people imagine.

[muttynutty]

Some can bark .....a lot

[StayGoldPonyBoy]

The barking I can live with, we've got no close neighbours either so would be okay but I thought as much wrt children. That's the main reason I'm not keen. We can do lots of exercise and time but I don't want a stressed out dog or to banish it when DD is a bit bigger and has play dates as I know they like being with their family at all times and not shut in other rooms.

Thank you!

[insanityscratching]

My Gran had corgis all her life, the one I remember best was devoted to her but didn't particularly like anybody else. He wasn't a dog that you would trust with children tbh as he was quite snappy. He was quiet in the home but had boundless energy outside of it and was good with other dogs.

[Buttholelane]

Regarding kids, I have a collie who herd in a totally different way.
Corgis technically are cattle droving dogs and work by nipping the heels.
I totally see where mutty is coming from.

BUT

As I said earlier, I have a collie and she is highly driven and working bred.
But fabulous with kids!
As a puppy we were VERY strict about herding people being a serious no no with consistent, stern ah ah and time out at the merest thought of herding I.e if we noticed her starting to stare, creep etc.
we also absolutely banned her from running after kids (in play) and if they were running we would play fetch instead, we had her on a long line in the house and if she ever tried to run after the kids instead of the ball she would be whisked off to solitary confinement immediately.

As an adult, she doesn't think about herding people. Ever. As she knows she will be put on timeout immediately.

So don't immediately discount the idea just on account of herding instinct.

[fatbottomgirl67]

I have had two and they were both gorgeous . Great with kids , rarely barked and just the best fun big little dogs. I've known a few and never encountered a snappy one . Tons of energy , but quirky . My old ones only fault was he got upset when he saw dogs on TV! Lived with kids, chickens and cats with no problems . Would love another one when not working full time

[StayGoldPonyBoy]

Thanks everyone! It's really only the herding that's bothering me now... We are going to see the breeder and have a chat to her and meet the parent dogs. Avoiding the pups as I'll just take one home there and then if we see them this time!

[orangeyellowgreen]

They used to be notorious for snapping and being bad tempered. Maybe that's been bred out of them but they've been unpopular for so long that there can't be many to choose from.

[LouiseBrooks]

Funny, feisty and very intelligent. They tend to be bossy though so need proper training. As with many dogs, they need a good owner but you sound as though you'd be excellent.

We had one from when i was 5, she never snapped and was the perfect family dog. I'd love another one. Best of luck, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time if you choose one,

[MummyBtothree]

My mum in law has had several Pembrokeshire Corgis over the years and they can be quite feisty. Non of hers particularly liked children at all.

[WasWildatHeart]

I grew up with one. He was a wonderful, intelligent, loyal family dog but nipped all visitors on the ankles and was obsessed with riding in things. He would bite at he wheelbarrow wheel till we let him jump in, he would bark at us in the pool (lived abroad then) till we let him into a tub and floated him round like a little lord and would jump into any car with an open door! That said I suspect we didn't train him very well! He was strangely obedient as if you just said quietly 'Mummy call Rusty' he would toddle off to find her - even when barking by the pool! Great character.

[adogcalledbuster]

We have a cardigan corgi he's our fourth dog we've always had gun dogs before. My children were 6 and 7 when he arrived. I can honestly say he has been the best dog we've ever owned. Everyone adores him including my non doggy husband. He's been fantastic with children if all ages, never had a days illness, he's just been given a clean bill of health by the vet who commented on how good he looks for his age. He would given half a chance chase both sheep and heard cattle but I constant vigilant for about this.
He's ten this year average life expectancy is 11.7 months we all be devastated when we loose him.
The only word of warning I would give you is that as long backed dogs they are prone to back problems we lost a Pembroke to this at only 3, I've noticed that some breeders are breeding very long backed ones ours isn't very long backed, also you need to keep their weight down (not always easy because they're dustbins) and keep them well exercised. Avoiding stairs is also I'm told very important we never let ours up stairs or jump in and out of the car but they are big dogs on short legs mine weighs 17 kg so not easy to lift. Having said all of this out Pembroke was very thin, very fit and short in the back, his back literally went out of the blue and he was put down 10 hours later it was a terrible loss for the cardigan and us.