We had a Pembroke Corgi, female, for about 12 years. She had charming points and some real issues that were hard to live with. She loved ALL children, would squirm her way over to them for pets and hugs. Started that as a tiny puppy. She liked pretty much everyone human, excellent on a leash, accepting pets from everyone. She was a bit of a coward around unfamiliar dogs, so not a good Obedience competitor during long sits and downs when they looked at her. Have to say she could do mileage with no issues! Very speedy on a leash beside the bicycle on vacation, which is how we exercised our dogs.
On the bad side, she barked at EVERY noise! No correction would fix it beyond a moment. Sorry, I hate barking dogs, they set my last nerve going. So we resorted to a bark collar, and it worked well. She got 2 barks before collar reacted, so both of us were happy. She hated our other dogs and would attack them for no apparent reason! The big dogs were rather tolerant about that until she started biting harder with age. Corgi have serious teeth, it can hurt! She fought to win but they only fought defensively, keeping her back, so she usually was not damaged. Though a couple times they lost patience and she needed to go to the Vet for repairs. And she would go at them AGAIN once healed! She never went at anyone else’s dog, just ours. We learned from other Corgi owners that they will fight and can be deadly in groups of 2 or more. A pair went after a roaming Rottwieler that tried attacking their owner and killed him! Dog was over 5 miles from home and owner tried to sue Corgi owner for “damages!” Judge threw the case out over his ridiculous claim. Said he was considering fining Rottwieler owner for not controlling a dangerous animal!
We controlled the hair with a weekly combing and vacuuming her. Otherwise she shed worse than a German Shepherd, daily. The spring and fall shed lasted about a week of bath, then daily grooming, then done. We started the vacuuming as a little puppy, both blowing and suction, which was a huge help with any shedding and drying her much faster after a bath. As mentioned, they are pretty weather resistant to dirt, rain or snow. A shake and they look good.
Our Corgi was small, from working stock dogs. The breeder had parents, grandparents to view. The eye thing doesn’t show until dog is older, 4 and up. All the dogs had good eyes and hips, moving well even as older dogs. They were all smaller dogs, 25 pounds or less, no fatties among them. Many people thought she was a puppy even as an old dog. I never cared for the “big” Corgi of 30-40 pounds on huge bone. Not fitting the breed standard, not very active and had a lot of health issues. We kept our dog weight at 18-19 pounds, no-fat treats lIke cheerios. They can accumulate fat in their liver eating human food. She was much more active at a lighter weight. We never let her “jump up or down” into cars or trucks or on furniture. We lifted her up or down. House has few stairs so she did not have to manage them. I firmly believe that helped prevent spinal issues over her life.
I probably would not have another Corgi unless it was my only dog. Corgsi I know do not “speak” regular dog talk, react like regular dogs to situations. They are butt-biters for fun, which regular dogs react badly to! Guess I am not a Corgi person at heart. We enjoyed many things about her, but not enough to get another.
But I’m married to a guy who enjoys life away from the the barn (there is one! sometimes :lol:) We also enjoy going hiking and camping, which was great with the lab. I just wonder about going hiking with a corgi? With short legs I would imagine their distances are more limited? And given a choice, would you get a male or female corgi and why?
