Is a Corgi Right for You?
Is a Corgi Right for You?

Corgis are so cute! So sweet! Nothing could go wrong...
Corgis are so cute! So sweet! Nothing could go wrong...
Unfortunately, many things can go wrong.
In the last few years, corgis have been an internet sensation, quickly catapulting the breed to the top categories of the most popular dogs in the world. With the fame came the glamourization of the breed... fluffy butts, short legs, big ears. People fawned over the traits that made corgis appealing while they glossed over the traits that made them negative. Corgis were stereotyped as adorable and faultless. This image is determential to the breed. Head over heels, many people acquired corgis without doing proper research or considered what goes into raising a well rounded dog. Because at the end of the day, a corgi is still a dog, not a stuffed animal.
Reasons not to get a corgi:
- BARKING. Yes, all dogs bark, it’s how they communicate. But what some people fail to understand is that corgis can bark, a lot. Like, A LOT! They are a herding breed, developed to use their voice. Just because they live inside a nice plushy home doesn’t mean they won’t bark. Corgis can bark at anything and everything.
- SHEDDING. Corgis are double coated, and shed throughout the year. There are periods where they shed more then others, but hair loss occurs constantly. Furthermore, it’s not just a little or some hair, but can be a lot of hair! We sweep everyday, and yet You would never notice, as the hair accumulates again within the hour. Since corgis are so low to the ground, they also tend of get dirty easily. I can’t count the number of times when we had to wipe off the corgis but not the golden retriever.
- AGGRESSION. I’ve been bitten by a corgi and had to get stitches. The staff in the ER couldn’t believe my bite was from a corgi. They were all shocked and astounded. Well, you better believe it, corgis can be aggressive. Any dog can be aggressive. Any dog can develop aggressive tendencies such as resource guarding or inter-dog conflict.
- HERDING. Nipping, ankle bitting, chasing - all of these actions come from the breed's origin as working dogs, bred to herd farm animals. These actions have the potential to be directed towards children or other pets such as cats, causing a lot of issues within a household.
- ATTITUDE. Corgis are very strong willed, can be stubborn, and have a mind of their own. While the sassiness can be entertaining, if not in check, a corgi can dominate the household.
- HIGH ENERGY. Because the breed originated as working dog, some corgis maybe have a lot of energy. They might need constant stimulation or can become destructive when bored.
Sadly, corgis have been surrendered to the shelter and euthanized for one or more of these reasons. Some might be lucky enough to end up in rescue and rehabilitation.
I cannot stress enough how early and consistent training, socialization, and strong leadership is key to shaping behavior and temperament.
Every corgi is inherently different; your corgi might not possess any of the traits above, your corgi might possess one or two traits. This post is not meant to discourage potential owners from getting corgis, but to give realistic expectations of what it could entail.
At the end of the day, corgis are wonderful dogs. They're funny, lovable, and loyal. Not only do they have big ears, but also big hearts.