Most people who adopt a dog only go by their looks. Many do not even research the breed’s behavior to realize later on they should have researched more. Getting a dog should not be a spur-of-moment decision just because the puppy looks cute. It is a big decision you should make along with your family. Taking quick decisions in adopting a pet is the reason why many end up back in the shelter. All dog breeds are not the same; hence, only a few of them match your personality.
Similarly, there are many factors to consider while adopting a pet. If you are an active person, you can get large active dog breeds or stick to small dogs. Therefore, if you are looking to adopt a Corgi, you should know more about knowing if they are the right dog breed for you.
Corgi is great as a pet, but they are not for everyone, so you need to know more about Corgi before getting one of your own.
1. Corgis Are Not Quiet Dogs:
If you are not ok to be around dogs that bark too much, Corgi may not be the right fit for you, They are small dogs but make a lot of noise. They bark louder than many large dogs also hence they are not a good choice if you live in an apartment as your neighbors might complain. They bark when they are hungry, bored, or upset; hence, you can reduce the barking habit if you can learn to communicate with them.
But, you cannot control their barking much as they can also be loud as they hear someone outside. Even the slightest noise will trigger their barks. No, there is nothing wrong with this breed. It is just that they bred these dogs to herd cattle that weighed so much more. Their loud barking is what helped them control the cattle.
So, you can suppress the barking but cannot get rid of it altogether. If you are looking for a quiet dog for apartment living, Corgi should not be on your list.
2. Corgis are Way Too Smart:
Corgis are smart dogs; there is no doubt about it. It is good to own an intelligent dog breed. It also means your smart dog needs more stimulation. If not given enough exercise, intelligent dogs can get into trouble more because they know how to get away with something.
They are always evaluating the reward of taking a risk, and if it is big enough, they will go ahead with it. So you will not know when they would dig through your trash or steal food from the counter.
Owning an intelligent dog means easy to train, but you need to keep them occupied. So, in addition to physical exercise, you need to mentally stimulate them using plenty of puzzles. Also, train them every day to work their mind. You can also hide their treats around the house and let them search for them.
All these mental exercises will keep your dog mentally and physically exhausted.
3. There’s No Need to Dock a Corgi’s Tail:
Docking corgi’s tail is a standard procedure you will see being followed for centuries, but honestly, it is not needed anymore. This was done only because they were herd dogs, and their long tails could get injured while working, causing pain. Cattles could step on it, which is why they had to dock it.
Another reason why docking existed was that in the 17th century, the parliament introduced a tax on companion dogs; hence to differentiate between working and companion dogs, the community decided to cut off tails of working dogs, including Corgis.
This trend continued and now is purely done for cosmetic purposes. In fact, keeping the tail intact makes Corgis look cuter, and it is easy to understand when your furry friend is wagging its tail. There are several reputable corgi breeders you can get in touch with for the same. Request your breeder to retain the tail of your new puppy.
4. Corgis Need More Exercise:
Corgis are small dogs, and people assume they do not need exercise, but honestly, that is a grave mistake. Corgis are not lap dogs though they fit perfectly onto your lap. The truth is that they are a high-energetic dog breed and need a lot of physical stimulation than one might think.
A full-grown adult Corgi needs 1-hour of exercise each day to stay fit. Remember, they are working dogs. Hence they need proper physical stimulation. Play catch with them, or take them for long walks, but make sure you take them out twice a day.
If you do not give them enough physical exercise, they will have all that pent-up energy that will come out in the form of destruction around the house. Also, if you have a backyard, let the dog out several times for it to run around the space.
5. Corgis Can Be Nippy:
Corgis were originally bred to herd livestock, and they did that by nipping the animals’ heels to push them in the right direction. Hence, nipping is instinctive, which means they may get the urge to nip you at your heels. This can get dangerous if you have kids around the home as they may mistake a small child for a sheep and herd the children by chasing and nipping their heels.
But this behavior is mainly seen in Corgi puppies, and as they grow older, they will learn not to follow this instinct if you train them well.
So, Should You Get a Corgi?
Well, every dog breed has certain positives and negatives. While they are all adorable, you need to decide if a breed is right for you based on your preferences. Corgis are an adorable breed, and it is tough to get mad at them looking at their adorable face.
But before you decide to get one, remember they are not the right choice for first-time dog owners because they need a good amount of time and patience to understand if they are happy or dissatisfied, and truly they will let you know if they are unhappy.
Having said that, if you are truly committed to raising one like a family member, then Corgis are amazing dogs to be around, and you will never have a dull moment hereby.