Making the jump into dog ownership

[BeReet]

We are thinking about getting a puppy, a corgi to be exact. We've always liked the breed so when we've mulled over owning a dog, corgis have always been in the running.

I grew up with plenty pets, including dogs, my husband was never allowed any pets but as an adult I have only ever owned cats. We currently have 2 middle-aged cats. Is a corgi a bad idea with cats? We've discounted a greyhound because of this.

Can any corgi owners give me an idea of any negatives and positives about the breed - walking, breed specific health issues etc etc. If I google I just get caught up in images of how bloody cute they are 🤦‍♀️ I have only ever owned Heinz 57 breeds in the past.

No idea but I really want a corgi after losing my terrier so blatantly following.

Which sort of Corgi? In terms of personality the two types can be a bit different...

Either way, they're far more active than many realise and they are razor sharp IMO - if you don't train them, they will train you. They're also VERY vocal (so big no no if you live in a flat).

In terms of health, they're not one of the healthiest breeds - as with Dachshunds, the way they have been bred (short with long backs) makes for serious (and expensive) health conditions including IVDD and DM. IVDD can cost upwards of £7K. So you will need good insurance.

They're lovely dogs, but as with many smaller breeds - small does not mean low maintenance or low energy. Just to re-stress, they are vocal little buggers. And I mean vocal. They bark. They howl. They cry. They make every noise under the sun. I like corgis, but the constant noise that comes with one just isn't for me...

I'm on a few FB groups for the breed DDog we have, not a Corgi. I'd suggest joining at least a couple as it will give you an idea of the common problems they may have.

Iv got a cardigan corgi cross so not quite what your looking for but she's all corgi in attitude, behaviours and size.

Iv had gsd's and bsd's previosly but she's got way more attitude and will talk back at you in this wierd howly growly not quite barking grumble.

Shes so smart she can out think every other dog and some people, can't find a treat or ball if she dosent see where it falls.
Chasing birds is her passion even if they fly over the garden, and if one lands on the fence well that's going to get barked at till I tell her to stop.

She molts alot and I have to trim her nails regularly, I'm not sure if this is a corgi thing or just her as my big dogs never needed nail trims.

For her she only needs one big walk a day or two smaller 1/2 hour walks. If you pick up the lead when she's not interested she gives you the eye

With our cats she gets on with them amazingly, one she playfights with and he always wins the other older boy she snuggles up with on the sofa but if they are on the move in the garden she does try and heard them so they don't leave and gets upset when they climb the fence and almost tells them off when they come back from an adventure.

Pic of her the second day home with the old boy

@LoveIsleOfWight gorgeous picture 😍 See, their cuteness overwhelms me and all thoughts of insurance and health and training just deserts me.

Also, I hadn't considered the shedding issue, I am a devoted wearer of black.

And the issue of yapping has already ruled out a sausage dog as every one of those I've seen has been a noughty wee thing!

I really want to make a head decision not a heart one here.

Honestly she's the best little thing ever and I am not a lover of small dogs,
I'm constantly stopped by people to talk about her, she has the most wonderful temprimant.
The kids at the school gate love her and she's been ridiculously easy to train compared to my previous boys.

Take precautions if you do decide on a corgi and get a ramp/steps if they'll be allowed on the sofa to save jumping
I keep a very close eye on her weight incase of back problems

My DD and I dogsat for a corgi this summer. I'm totally a cat person but we completely fell in love with the corgi!

He wasn't yappy at all and only barked when he needed something - generally attention or another walk.

He was really well behaved and so cuddly and adorable. I totally want one now - apologies if this isn't helpful 😆

I own a cardigan corgi he’s my 3 rd one and I personally now wouldn’t own anything else (I’ve had other breeds).
Positves; they are easy going, happy go lucky dogs, they are not overly needy (I’ve owned needy breeds) they just go with the flow.
I walk mine a lot 2+ hours a day but that’s my choice they will quite happily settle for much much less.
Personally I don’t think they are overly bright this makes them easy to live with (I’ve had what are considered very bright dogs) mine just smooches around the house sits near me goes walking chills out, he’s very happy to be left.
They are clowns at times.
Good with children my children were 7 and 8 when I had the first one he accepted all their friends and clearly enjoyed being around them.
Easyish to train mine have been very food orientated.
They are not overly friendly when out walking with strangers/unknown dogs so tend to ignore both so they are unlikely to run up to people and jump up with muddy paws or chat to other dogs.
My previous 2 lived happily with cats.
They are not whimps no need for doggy coats etc in fact they don’t like a house that’s too hot.
Cons; they shed like nothing on this earth they have double coats and it falls out all the year round and then twice a year its everywhere I can see it falling off him as he walks around I’m amazed he’s not bald the amount that falls out so not for the obsessively house proud you’ll also need a good clothes brush!
They are originally herding dogs it may be many generations ago but they are not reliable around livestock mine will actively look for cows and sheep e.g. if given a chance go under a gate on the off chance there’s livestock in a field or the next field or the next field and would chase. I’m surrounded by livestock so I’m super vigilant.
They can put on weight easily which is a risk for a long back dog they love their food, I’m very strict and run them up on the low end of normal weight. I also keep mine very fit to strengthen back muscles.
Being low to the ground they attract mud very badly.
When excited they can nip heals/backs of legs they were bred to nip cows heals there is nothing malicious about this but you need to be careful especially around children.
Mine don’t bark badly at all they would is someone came to the door and if very excited but I recently met a lady with 2 and hers barked all the time.
They are big dogs both physically and personality wise on short legs, they are awkward to pick up and because of short legs will need lifting in and out of the car they are surprisingly heavy.
I get constantly asked “what sort of dog is that?” “Is it a boarder collie crossed with a jack russell etc” we were recently sitting outside a cafe and every 2 minutes someone stopped and asked me my non doggy friend began to find it irritating.
My last 2 lived to 14 neither had a days illness until the 2 weeks before they died they were still walking 2 hours a day right up until the end of their lives.
Cardigans are a rare breed go through the breed club they have a list of available puppies choose a reputable dedicated breeder who’s got a proven success in the show ring and knows a lot about the breed.
I have owned a Pembroke he sadly died of cancer at a young age in my limited experience he seemed much more nervy and more prone to heal nipping.

Circling back to the sighthound thing - they're not actual too bad with cats as a rule. Maybe ex racers. I have a lurcher so move in those circles and know lots who have sighthounds and cats. Maybe a whippet from a puppy? Quiet dogs, very minimal shedding. Or even an Italian greyhound?

I have collies and had a corgi. The corgi had more energy than the collies and was an excellent herder and basically a collie with short legs.

They are intelligent dogs who need to be doing things. Ours would walk miles on the moors, herd our sheep and then be a happy contented dog. Without the exercise and brain work he would be very hard work.

Ours looked cute and cuddly but was the least cuddly dog we have had. Affectionate and loyal but would not hang around for a cuddle on the sofa

Great dogs but not for the faint hearted.

Corgis are absolutely adorable but please don't underestimate how smart they are and how much exercise they need.

They need good quality exercise and training everyday - and they will quickly then out ways to train you if you don't put the boundaries in.

I see a lot of people buying dogs based on looks and they end up really struggling. I know I sound boring but please make sure you can offer a corgi everything it needs before getting one.

@Corgiowner the ones we are looking at are Pembrokes, I must admit I didn't think there would be big differences between the breeds. Perhaps we should consider the Cardigans more closely.

I definitely don't want to be choosing a dog purely on looks, hence asking in here, a section of Mumsnet that I have never ventured into before 🙈 and I do want to be prepared. My kids are older, I have four aged 14-20 so there is no longer a house full of excitable toddlers.

It is SUCH a big decision compared to getting the cats. I'm already ruled by 2 furry little menaces, should I add another? 🤣

Dogs are a lot more work than cats, especially puppies - if you've not owned one as an adult before, consider how much they will impact your lifestyle, especially for the 6-12 months when they're still being trained and can't be left for long periods or at all in some cases.

I adore my dog but when we got him, we'd only ever owned cats and I don't think I really appreciated how much he would turn our lives upside down. Don't get me wrong, I adore him and I'd never change him for anything, but it was a big adjustment and we did struggle for a while at the loss of freedom and the huge amount of responsibility.

Regarding cats, if you bring a dog up from puppyhood, it should be fine with the household cats (other cats, not so much).

We have managed it successfully with a JRT and a succession of high-drive hunting dogs. Our last cat used to climb in amongst the dogs piled in front of the fire on a cold evening to find a warm spot, and the dogs were fine with it.

The current one doesn’t hang around for a cuddle and is not a cuddly dog he currently lying next to me on the floor. The other 2 were a bit more cuddly but not desperate to sit on your lap/next to you on the sofa. I do think they get hot as they have a very thick coat, the current one does occasionally get on the sofa he starts off next to me then quickly moves to the other end of the sofa then gets down and sits at my feet. At night he moves between his bed and the stone floor in the hall.
i don’t do “things” with mine I never have and I definitely don’t train them everyday there’s absolutely no need. I was brought up with working border collies and gun dogs and slightly bizarrely poodles, cardigan corgis are so easy to live with in comparison no neuroses, no hang ups, just nice easy dogs who go with the flow. In fact it’s because I no longer work outside all day that I got my first one place I just don’t have time for high maintenance high energy dogs. Everyone comments on how easy going the current one is; the dog walker the vet, other friends with dogs, doggy day care. I just don’t recognise they “need daily training” or “need to be doing things” but that maybe cardigan corgis they are a rare breed and few people even know what they are let alone anything about them.

Don’t be ruled by anything. You can make dog owning as complicated or as easy as you like. Obviously all dogs need training but my advise don’t overthink it dogs are exceedingly adaptable if you don’t stress over ownership 99% of the time they won’t get stressed.
People on here bang on about “sniffy walk” (god knows what that is) “brain games” “daily training”, most of my friends own dogs we all live rurally none do any of that we enjoy our dogs we walk them regularly and expect them to adapt and fit in with our lives. If we have to leave then we leave them sometimes if life gets in the way and they don’t get a proper walk one day they are fine none are “training” there dogs every day, nearly everyone I know has a well adjusted happy easy going dog.