Corgis

I know someone on here owns one, don't remember who right now.. But what are they like? Energy, prey drive, coat, etc. I'm thinking of maybe getting one in the future, probably won't, since each time I say that I end up with a mutt of a waaaay different breed(s). I've always been interested in them, just have never seen one in person. I like doxies to, just have nightmares about the back/spine problems. So what is your opinion of them?

There's a few of us on here that have corgis. Some have pemmies, some have cardis. I have pemmies. My opinion? They're the best breed EVAR.

You worry about doxie spine issues. That is also a worry with corgis, although it's my understanding that it's more of an issue in doxies than in corgis.

As for what they're like? There's a pretty wide range. Many pemmies are working/sport quality and therefore are fairly high energy and high drive. They're an extremely intelligent breed. They learn fast, but often learn bad things. They're very clever and mischievous. Absolute clowns. There's never a dull moment with a corgi around. Don't underestimate their short legs either. They can and do get on tables and counters.

Dog aggression and resource guarding aren't at all uncommon in the breed and some corgis can be quite scrappy about that. I suspect there's common ancestry with terriers somewhere.

Some corgis are very vocal, others not so much. Be prepared for a barker and if you don't get one that barks a lot, be grateful. Pemmies are very outgoing with strangers.

The coat is a short double coat and there's usually a lot of seasonal shedding. Exercise requirements are medium to high. They typically do have a good off switch as long as they are kept sufficiently stimulated - mentally even more important then physically. Most have a very high food drive.

And if you do get a corgi, pictures are required.

Like with any breed, it depends a lot on if you get a working bred dog or a pet/companion/show bred one.

Corgis are pretty darn nifty though and I keep thinking I'd like to have one some day.

True, but less so with pemmies than some other breeds. Ares is puppy mill and has everything that a true working corgi should have in drives. Morgan is both show and working lines - some of the herding lines -- yet she has far less drive. A lot of show line corgis do have good working qualities and many do both show and herding. Structurally they're being bred down, but as far as working drives and temperament, that's still very strong even in pet quality and poorly bred corgis.

Ooooooooo you should!!

I have Shippo, my fluffy pem. And +1 to everything CP said lol.

I'm getting a cardigan welsh corgi, they're the "other" corgi. The corgi with the tail.

They're more german shepherd like in temperament then the pembrokes, and a little less hyper and in-your-face.

As for energy level, that depends per corgi. My mentor has one corgi that would chase his ball all day long if you let him. She has another corgi who is a prima donna who would love to sit in your lap and have you pet her all day long.

All of her cardis have some type of working ability. And the herding instinct is fairly strong in the ones I've seen.

I don't know too many pemmies, so what I've said on them is information I've gotten from other people.

Shippo's actually pretty laid back and quiet for a pem. He's my first one so I dunno if this is typical or not, but when I go to the corgi meetup, most of the 30-something other pembrokes running around are pretty wound up and vocal. Shippo's probably one of the calmest, quietest ones there. Not sure if this is due to training, breeding, or both lmao.

I personally know a grand total of 6 pems. Out of them, Muffin is the most laid back & calm... however, I also do the most training with him. He's got terrible breeding (rescue who was originally bought from a pet store). He's not really an "in your face" dog, but that's prob because he's afraid of his own shadow. Poor guy.


I'm going to have to say "ditto" to corgipower's post. They're awesome dogs, but they are a med-high energy dog. So be sure you have the time to do stuff with them.

If I do it will probably be the cardigan, dogs without tails are sorta weird to me:lol-sign:. Are they rare in Texas or something? I have never seen one.

Another +1 to CP's post.

My only complaint about Frodo thus far is that he's lazy I signed up for a herding breed dammit! :lol-sign:
One of the best things about corgis is that they are so food motivated and intelligent that training is usually quite easy and fast. Though at the same time this can work against you.

Awesome little dogs, but from the wrong place they can be nasty nasty little creatures. To be honest, a lot of ill-bred corgis I've met scare me.

+2 on dog aggression potential as well. From what I understand you see less DA in Cardis than in Pemmies.

One thing I heard on here (not sure who originally said it, CP maybe?) that always makes me laugh when I think about it was "Look at my poor starving face, not my chubby little body" or something to that affect. They are convinced they are always starving

The hair is really the biggest thing I warn people about. I have a husky who seems hairless compared to my corgis shedding!

My pembroke gizmo is a strange one. I was going to say same sex aggressive but she just picks and chooses who she likes really If she can dominate the dog she is usually fine,but if not she will start fights. For some reason its like smaller dogs are under her radar though. I have never understood it. My cousins yorkie would jump on her back like she was a float swimming and gizzy would not even acknowledge her. Same with a yappy smaller rat terrier that would run by her and bark. My husky and her have been in some serious fights. All it takes is one slip up with the gates and gizzy will go after her.

Males seem to be more laid back in corgis where most breeds the male is the more dominant/assertive(don't know what to call it).

Gizzy is ten or eleven now(OMG!) and it has always been hard to keep weight off her. Swimming really helps in the summer but this time of year I really have to keep a close eye on what she eats.

I like cardis,seem like a more relaxed version of the corgi. We are lucky there is a huge show here in the summer that has a lot of corgis and we see a lot of great breeders. I think I really like cardis because they have the merle coloring