The Complete Guide To Owning A Welsh Corgi

Everything You Need to Know about Welsh Corgis

To conclude my first section of breeds with a personal favorite. I don’t like playing favorites when it comes to animals because all breeds need a home. But when I look at Corgis, my heart just melts. For me their bodies and their fluffy booties just make me smile, so I am a little biased in this review of them.

But I want to talk today about the history behind the corgis, the physical appearances of corgis, some of their known health concerns, personalities and maybe some fun facts along the way.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the corgi pics at the very least while we talk all about Welsh Corgis.

To start out, there are actually TWO different breeds of corgis: The Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The biggest distinction between these two breeds is that the Pembroke does not have a tail.

This topic of corgis is going to focus mostly on the Pembroke Welsh corgis, this time at least.

Are Corgi’s Purebred?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are actually descendants of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. They were bread by Vikings and Weavers when they brought them to Pembroke, Wales and mixed them Spitz-type dog breeds.

They were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, even horses; though now they are used for mostly for family pets. Some say that the corgi is an “enchanted dog” favored by fairies and elves.

At night the magical creatures would use the dogs to pull their carriages and be their steeds in battle. According to legend, the markings on a corgi’s coat suggest the faint outline of a saddle and harness.

Though the legend is probably unlikely, it is a cute tale and fun to believe such things. One thing that was true, the corgis came from Pembroke Wales and have since traveled all around the world.

>>> LIKE THIS?! CHECK OUT: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YORKSHIRE TERRIERS

What Are Corgis Known For?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have four distinct color coats. They are also known for their double coats. The Corgi breeds have a thick undercoat and a longer topcoat, which is part of the reason they are so fluffy, cute and just overall adorable.

Their four colors are red, sable, black and tri-colored (though tri-colored is also known as Fawn sometimes).

Corgis are usually up to around 30 lbs, though the chunky ones are range a little more. Just be careful not to let them get too big. Obesity can lead to an unhappy life in a dog, no matter how ‘cute’ you think they are when they are “thick”.

A healthy Corgi usually lives from between 12 to 14 years, which is a pretty decent age for a middle-sized dog.

This breed is known for over-eating and having a little extra junk in their trunk. It is important to ensure that they do not overeat and can receive minimal table scraps to prevent obesity.

They don’t have the social pressures of being ‘thin’ or ‘fit’ but for their own health, happiness, and overall well-being, it’s best to help them stay at a normal weight.

As I have mentioned before, Corgis are known for having no tail, short legs, and fluffy bottoms. Their fur makes their shed constant. Luckily, they are pretty easy to groom and most actually enjoy being brushed but their shedding can get out of hand if they are not kept up with grooming.

In terms of grooming, it is also important to brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove any tartar and germs that can buildup on dogs teeth.

This helps keep them healthy and prevents them from needing their teeth taken out later in life because of decay. (We didn’t know this about our first dog and he lost so many teeth! He was still happy and healthy but it made us sad that we didn’t know about the teeth portion of dog care!).

 In addition, it is important to trim their nails once a month and bathe them as needed. I usually like to tell people, bathe them depending on the dog’s lifestyle. If your Corgi absolutely loves to run in the mud or adventure into the wild, then bathes may be more in your routine that a dog who just like to chill and hang out with the fam. (Can I say fam? Family? Corgi fam?).

Finally, it is important to keep an eye on their paws. Their paws are like your feet, except they run outside without shoes on in the snow or heat so make sure you don’t let your pup outside in that weather for too long and just keep an eye on their paws.

Some people swear by paw balms, I have not tried any so I cannot speak to that, but hey! Why not try it! (Just make sure to do your research first. Maybe I’ll do a section on that soon, so be on the lookout!).

Health Information on Corgis

Corgis are known to be fairly healthy dogs if they are kept at a normal weight. But there are some health issues that are more prevalent in Corgis than other breeds.

First is hip dysplasia, this is common because their legs are short and bodies are longer which puts more pressure on their hips.

The other health trouble with corgis Is intervertebral disk disease. What is that? Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst (herniate) into the spinal cord space. These discs then press on the nerves running through the spinal cord causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis..

It is important that you watch and do not let the corgi’s jump too often. Couches and usually okay for full grown dogs but excessive jumping and trying to jump too high can cause them to have worse IVDD and/or hip dysplasia.

Why You Should Not Get a Corgi?

This breed is known for being a very active and intelligent dog breed. They are easy to train and eager to learn which makes obedience train fairly simple for most people. So long as people are okay with putting the effort in to train them. If you are looking for a dog you don’t have to train, a corgi is not for you.

Corgis are known for being stubborn as well. While they are easy to train, they also like to think for themselves so training needs to beneficial for THEM as well.

While training them is crucial in order to have the most well-behaved dog, it is also extremely important to socialize them at a young age.

Socializing them allows them to be friendly with other dogs and children rather than trying to instinctually herd everything they see. (Though they still may try to herd people and other animals, they just may do it in a more friendly, loving manner).

Are Welsh Corgis Good Pets?

Corgis are known for being a great first pet.

They are very loving, and excellent with children. They also get along great with other pets, so multi-family homes should be no problem with this breed.

My one warning would be that since these dogs like to lead and herd, they are probably best to either be first dogs or with calmer dogs who wouldn’t mind a ‘leader’.

Welsh Corgis sometimes could nip at the heels of children if they are trying to lovingly ‘herd’ them when they are misbehaving or if they are trying to play.

Do Corgi’s Bark A Lot?

However, proper training could help eliminate or at least lessen their tendencies to “herd” your children.

As I said, this is an excellent family dog, they make amazing watch dogs so you know they will help keep the home feel safe and secure.

This breed is also known to be vocal with a large tendency to bark. (Part of their excellent watchdog abilities).

Do Corgis Like To Cuddle?

Welsh Corgis are extremely loyal, and people oriented. They require a lot of attention from their owners and have a tendency to attach themselves to one person who becomes ‘their’ person.

They will most likely follow their owners or ‘person’ around where they go, so privacy may become scarce if you have an extra loving and affectionate corgi.

I personally love when my animals attach themselves to me but everyone is different so this is something important to consider before getting a corgi.

The other thing to take into consideration before getting a Corgi is that they require a lot of exercises. They are athletic and fast and great with agility courses.

Their desire to train and learn along with their athleticism makes them perfect candidates to compete in agility courses, obedience shows, showmanship, tracking, and any event involving herding. Check it out, this dog is more than just a cute face and fluffy booty.

Fun Facts about Corgis

Now onto the really fun part! Let’s go over nine fun facts about Corgis that are guaranteed to make you smile.

If you get nothing else from this post, hopefully, these nine fun facts at the very least put a smile on your face.

1.    Corgis are the 11th smartest dog breed as ranked by psychology professor Stanley Coren. They are able to learn commands in quickly and a majority of the time, they obey the command the first time they are taught!

2.    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the smallest of the herding breeds.

3.    Corgis have been part of the British Royal Family for nearly 70 years. The Queen has owned more than 30 Corgis since she was a girl.

4.    The Corgi name originated from the Welshmen who developed the breed and called them “dwarf dog” due to their stature. In Welsh, “cor” means dwarf and “gi” means dog.

5.    Corgis were used to predict Princess Charlotte’s name. A gambling company once had 10 corgis wearing sweaters with names on the sweaters race to “predict” the name of the unborn princess. The winner of the race was a Corgi with the name “Alexandra”, obviously, that was not the name that was given to the now Princess Charlotte.

6.    Corgis swing their big booties left and right like they are constantly taking the runway, it’s too cute to bear. They are the very definition thicc.”

7.    They “sploot”. The “sploot” is when they splay their little paws out and their butts look like two chicken wings that you have the unbearable urge to squeeze. It’s the trademark move of the corgi.

8.    Corgis are a cheerful bunch, and they are so excited about everything happening around them.

9.    Their butts are known to apparently float! Yep, you’re welcome! Saved the best for last. *Insert Mic Drop and walk away* Nothing beats a floating Corgi butt.

>>> Have you seen?! : What Size Dog is Best for Your Family

Should I Adopt A Corgi?

To contradict myself, as I always love to do. Each dog is different.

All of this information above is what typically is found in the Corgi breed and is something to take into consideration when getting a puppy. This breed is so sweet, fun and can bring great joys to the lives of others.

Corgis are known for being stubborn as well. While they are easy to train, they also like to think for themselves so training needs to beneficial for THEM as well.

If you are looking for a beyond adorable pet who you can train, play with and perhaps even lead your children around.

If you are willing to put in the effort to train and build a solid fountain, you can end up with years of happiness, joy, and laughter with the Corgis.

And if you are looking for a chunky dancing partner who can dress up, “sploot”, and make funny faces with, then the Corgi’s are the right breed for you. Need proof, simple Google ‘Corgi dancing’, I guarantee you will find easily ten videos that will make you laugh.

I hope you go something out of this, whether it be laughter, or Corgi videos, or actually helpful information for those who are debating adding a Corgi to their families. They are an overall excellent pet who help you bring out the best parts of life.

‘Corgi lovers! What is your favorite thing about this breed? Tell me below!’