The questions listed below are those most frequently asked by people who have, or would like to have a Corgi as a pet. The questions (and answers) are general in nature; if you have specific questions or need assistance with topics not covered here, we suggest that you contact the breeder from whom you purchased your Corgi, or, if you are still in research mode, contact a breeder in your area.
Corgis are often described by the phrase "big dog in a small package" since they do tend to have a "big dog" outlook on life. Corgis are herding dogs, and were also bred as an "all-purpose farm dog". They tend to be loyal, sometimes protective (as is typical of the herding breeds) and most of all, live to be with their people!!
Personality styles range from the cuddly couch potato to the energizer bunny investigator. A good breeder will try to match your lifestyle to the puppy with the right temperament.
Corgis can be great dogs with children, as long as your children are good with them! Young children should never be left alone with any dog, for the safety of both dog and child.
There is little significant difference between the sexes in terms of temperament as they all generally share a loving nature. They are, of course, individuals and, like people, have their own personalities, regardless of gender. Generally though, if you have more than one Corgi, having one of each sex tends to be the recommended route.
Corgis come in Red and White, Sable (a darker reddish-brown with black ticking) and Tri-color (black, white and tan/red). See the colors
No, they are not!
YES!
The joke goes, "Yes, twice a year. From January to June and then from June to December." Actually the amount and timing of shedding varies greatly from Corgi to Corgi. Being double-coated, some shed copious amounts of undercoat twice a year; others shed at a slow steady rate all year long. Spaying or neutering can sometimes affect a Corgi's shedding pattern.
Corgis need their nails trimmed and their coat brushed weekly. Since they sport an "all-weather" coat, it does tend to repel dirt to a certain extent, and bathing is recommended occasionally, as needed.
Adult Corgis need to be walked at least twice a day (puppies more frequently) in addition to enjoying some form of playtime (ball toss, frisbee throw, etc) as well. A fit, well-built Corgi is a healthy, happy dog! One way to keep your Corgi fit, happy and focused is to learn more about and participate in perfomance events, such as agility, tracking, herding, obedience, flyball or rally.
Corgis are food efficient, and it is important to keep a Corgi in proper weight. You should consult your breeder for recommendations on what, how much and how often to feed your dog. Please read this excellant article concerning just this issue!
Corgis are not long-backed dogs - they are medium-sized dogs with short legs (they are true dwarfs), giving the illusion of a long back. Keeping your Corgi fit and in good weight will help avoid many health problems.
Corgis generally live 10-15 years. However, overfeeding and lack of exercise can significantly shorten your Corgi's lifespan.
Some Corgis do bark a lot, others are very quiet. Some barking is a form of warning and a function of the protective nature of the breed, however, excessive barking should be addressed with proper training, especially when the dog is young - just like teaching your kids!
Pembrokes and Cardigans are two separate and distinct breeds with many differences in physical and temperament characteristics. It is beyond the scope of this forum to address all of the individual traits which characterize the two breeds. Read more about the breed standards; similarities and differences of the two types of Corgis here.
Fortunately, the breed as a whole tends to be very healthy. Good breeders will test for genetic health issues to which the breed is predisposed, and will discuss those with any potential purchasers.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals - To do your own search for health certifications on Welsh Corgis, go to The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. Once you've gone to OFA's site, click on "Search Database" and follow instructions to determine if dog in question has OFA clearances for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disease or heart disease.
Information concerning health certification of the eyes can be found at The Canine Eye Registry Foundation
Learn about von Willebrand's Disease in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (vWD) (Thanks to University of Prince Edwards Island for this link)
Breeders occasionally have adult show dogs or retired breeding animals who are looking for their "forever" home. The advantage of these dogs is they are generally very well mannered and used to many different situations. Alternatively, various Corgi rescue groups may from time to time have adult dogs looking for a new family
A breeder can and will provide evidence of genetic health testing on the parents, and will be a source of information and support throughout the life of your dog. The breeder will also provide a resource should you, at any time, be unable to keep your dog.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) stipulates that registration papers must be supplied on all purebred dogs sold. This is also set out in the AKC and the GGPWCF Codes of Ethics - thus all members must adhere to that stipulation.
A dog without registration papers is NOT considered a purebred, regardless of its lineage.
It is customary to have a contract/guarantee which will document the responsibilities of both the breeder and the new owner with respect to the puppy.
General thought is that two puppies from the same litter will bond more closely with each other than with their person(s). It takes extra work to raise two puppies of a close age (rather like raising twins). Generally, raising one puppy to the point of them being housebroken and reliable before adding a second is the easiest course of action for all.
Generally, the puppy will receive its first set of shots while in the care of the breeder. Your vet should be consulted to determine the remaining vaccination schedule, and other issues such as parasite and pest control.
Puppies should be kept away from other dogs until at least their second set of shots. At that point they have partial immunity to some deadly diseases. Exposure to carefully selected playmates may be appropriate at that time. Trips to places where there may be many dogs are should be limited until 2 weeks after the 3 rd set of shots. At that point your puppy should have good immunity to a variety of communicable and deadly diseases.
This varies in direct proportion to the time and dedication put into the training. Generally, the puppy should be reliably trained by six months of age.
Portions of this article were borrowed from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association of Canada, with appreciation.