Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi - View Single Post

Michael Romanos · 10-14-2006, 08:14 PM

I probably have a different viewpoint to others with regard to Corgis in agility. So here goes:

1/ From info I received in 2005, Pembroke Corgis were dominant in agility among mini dogs in the USA in at least three of the four national organisations in the USA. At the 2006 world agility champs held in Europe, several Pem Corgis competed with distinction among the elite entrants.

2/ I would recommend that to assist in ensuring that you get a Pem Corgi suitable for agility, that you get a pup from known agility perforned parents (or at least one of the parents). There are no guarantees but this will help in obtaining a Corgi that might have enthusiasm for such a sport as agility, that has a 100 percent awareness level with their handler, can perform and be controlled off-lead well away from the handler.

3/ It is vitally important to get a pup which has excellent and strong bone structure and has the potential to be well muscled. The rigours of agility calls for this.

4/ It is important not to start a Corgi too early in their life in serious agility and to always treat them with some caution during their career in the sport, as Corgis have long backs and short legs which means that their centre of gravity is different than almost every other breed ( apart from breeds such as the Dachsies and Bassetts) and there is the danger of them getting back injuries and damage, which may not become apparant until much later in their lives.

5/ It is extra important for Corgis that are earmarked for agility as pups are given a complementary diet with an emphasis on vitaimns and calcuim so that bone growth is good and strong etc. Corgis in agility will need two-three small sessions a week in actual training with one lengthy ( one hour to 90 minutes) intensive training session per week and extra exercising and a more carefully monitored food intake.

6/ At some agility meetings a Corgi may be asked to compete in upwards of six events in a day and the meeting may be a two day affair. So both the handler and the Corgi need to be fit.

7/ It is very omportant to treat agility as a fun thing for both the handler and the Corgi otherwise Corgis in particular will quickly lose their enthusiasm or they will show displeasure in other ways. No matter how my Taylor performs I give him the 'full works' immediately after an event is completed. Agility has the bonus of being a great vehicle for bringing a Corgi and their owner, closer together - a greater bond - but the opposite could happen if the owner/handler allows it.

8/ Agility is a very social sport - much more so than conformation and obedience - for both Corgi and owner/family.

9/ Taking into account the article I researched and wrote on female versus male dogs in agility ability at the very top level ie champion status, a female will be a better choice than a male if a handler has designs on going that far.

10-14-2006, 08:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Michael Romanos Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Silverstream (near Wellington, the capital of NZ) Posts: 5,061	I probably have a different viewpoint to others with regard to Corgis in agility. So here goes: 1/ From info I received in 2005, Pembroke Corgis were dominant in agility among mini dogs in the USA in at least three of the four national organisations in the USA. At the 2006 world agility champs held in Europe, several Pem Corgis competed with distinction among the elite entrants. 2/ I would recommend that to assist in ensuring that you get a Pem Corgi suitable for agility, that you get a pup from known agility perforned parents (or at least one of the parents). There are no guarantees but this will help in obtaining a Corgi that might have enthusiasm for such a sport as agility, that has a 100 percent awareness level with their handler, can perform and be controlled off-lead well away from the handler. 3/ It is vitally important to get a pup which has excellent and strong bone structure and has the potential to be well muscled. The rigours of agility calls for this. 4/ It is important not to start a Corgi too early in their life in serious agility and to always treat them with some caution during their career in the sport, as Corgis have long backs and short legs which means that their centre of gravity is different than almost every other breed ( apart from breeds such as the Dachsies and Bassetts) and there is the danger of them getting back injuries and damage, which may not become apparant until much later in their lives. 5/ It is extra important for Corgis that are earmarked for agility as pups are given a complementary diet with an emphasis on vitaimns and calcuim so that bone growth is good and strong etc. Corgis in agility will need two-three small sessions a week in actual training with one lengthy ( one hour to 90 minutes) intensive training session per week and extra exercising and a more carefully monitored food intake. 6/ At some agility meetings a Corgi may be asked to compete in upwards of six events in a day and the meeting may be a two day affair. So both the handler and the Corgi need to be fit. 7/ It is very omportant to treat agility as a fun thing for both the handler and the Corgi otherwise Corgis in particular will quickly lose their enthusiasm or they will show displeasure in other ways. No matter how my Taylor performs I give him the 'full works' immediately after an event is completed. Agility has the bonus of being a great vehicle for bringing a Corgi and their owner, closer together - a greater bond - but the opposite could happen if the owner/handler allows it. 8/ Agility is a very social sport - much more so than conformation and obedience - for both Corgi and owner/family. 9/ Taking into account the article I researched and wrote on female versus male dogs in agility ability at the very top level ie champion status, a female will be a better choice than a male if a handler has designs on going that far. Last edited by Michael Romanos; 10-14-2006 at 09:58 PM.