Questions

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by BareFoot

If I decide to get a Corgi, I need to know about their compatibility as far as ignoring/accepting the birds. I have/will continue to have a bird room where all my Lovebirds are housed and where the puppy/dog would not be allowed, so I am not too worried about that. But the other birds are not housed in the same room. The small parrots are the only ones that get to come out of their cage and they are very well behaved around dogs so far (no experience with them and puppies).

Will the birds be loose in the house? If so, I can't answer your question. We have a parrot but he's not loose. Although he has been allowed to come out and wander around on top of his cage.

My dog for the most part ignore him. The cats, well that's a different story.

A puppy is naturally curious. A puppy is going to investigate and yes, a puppy will chase and try to catch anything that moves. However, they can be taught to not do that. My puppies learn not to chase my cats.

I know that Corgis are a herding breed, but do they tend to be hunters at all? Or is that more of an individual trait?

Herding is directed prey drive. All dogs have prey drive. Prey drive is what keeps wild dogs alive.

If it runs or tries to get away, it's a dogs instinct to chase and catch it. So yes, a dog, even a corgi just might try to hunt a bird.

Like I said, you can teach a puppy otherwise, but I'd not ever leave the dog and the bird alone without human supervision.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Jane Austen

Welcome and congradulations on owning your own home. Yes, I think a puppy would be a good choice in your case. The pup could learn to coexist with birds. Have you ever seen that guy on TV, Mark, something or other? He has every kind of animal and bird loose in a small room, mostly on a table. None of them seem to be in danger from any other animal.

I would recommend the average owner or person try what he does. IMO, he is giving a false sense of security in having all those animals together and loose at one time.

And notice he usually has kittens and puppies with the birds, rabbits and rodents, not adult dogs.

Trust me, I have dogs and cats that would go after those birds, rodents and yes, even the rabbits. (And I have some that would not.)

You cannot assume they are all going to get along without much work and training to get them to do so.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by rme147

From what I have read and learned, Corgis are not considered "hunters", but if a small rodant (like a hamster or mouse) were to be loose in the house, they probably wouldn't last very long... so needless to say, I have to tripple check my hamster cage every night, but as far as birds, I have never heard of a Corgi being aggressive towards a bird.

Remember that corgis were used as all around farm dogs and that included ratting. They did get rid of rats and mice on a farm. So yes, the do have a hunting ability.

Peggy

[BareFoot]

Thank you for the advice Peggy. Here is my bird situation: Most of my small birds (my Lovebirds) are out 24/7, but they are in their own room that will be off-limits to the puppy/dog. My other pair of small birds (Pacific Parrotlets) do not leave their cage unless I take them out with a towel (they are breeders and not tame). My larger birds (Caiques) do come out of their cage for at least a few hours a day, and they would be in a room where the puppy can be. I may also be rescuing a Maxi Pionus in the next few weeks, so that is another bird that will be out at least a few hours a day. I also have babies that I handfeed and they are in the main part of the house to get the most exposure to family life, so they come out quite often as well, especially when they are learning to fly. The Caiques and Pionus are full flighted and do/will have play stands in many places of the house in which to fly back and forth. I think this may be the real problem since I know dogs can get excited over the flapping of wings. My last dog (who was a German Shepard/Siberian Husky/ Doberman Pinscher mix) was great around the birds, though I think she had a very "motherly" instinct and thought they were all her babies. Deep down I hope the puppy I get has similar traits, but I know that is only wishful thinking. I have no problem separating the pup from the birds with a gate if I need to though, but is this "right?"

All this info is going to be really helpful in my decision to actually get a Corgi. I really want one, but I have to keep my current situation (or my situation when the time finally comes to get a puppy/dog) in mind. I would love to rescue another puppy/dog, but I would really like to know the background of a puppy I get (like his parents' disposition, family health problems, etc), though I know a mixed breed tends to have less health problems. This is why I am really torn about getting a Corgi. I just love everything about these little dogs, but I don't quite know if one would be good for our family.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by BareFoot

T I would love to rescue another puppy/dog, but I would really like to know the background of a puppy I get (like his parents' disposition, family health problems, etc), though I know a mixed breed tends to have less health problems.

That's bogus propaganda. Mixed breeds have the same health issues that purebred dogs do.

This is why I am really torn about getting a Corgi. I just love everything about these little dogs, but I don't quite know if one would be good for our family.

Well Chris' Charlie has just discovered baby birds - you can read her post and dilemma on that. I have several corgis that believe it is their job to clear the yard of intruding birds, and they have caught one or two. It isn't that a corgi couldn't work, but it will take A LOT of intensive training and diligence on everyone's part.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

I recall having Charlie take the Volhard Puppy Personality Test, and he was "medium" on all categories except for Prey Drive where he tested "high". After the "bird incidents" yesterday, I recalled his breeder telling me "Most of my dogs will even go to ground." It was interesting that the terrier dog who was visiting us yesterday had absolutely no interest in the (first) baby bird that Charlie caught. My point is that any dog, mixed or pure-bred, can have a high or low prey drive. The Volhard test might help you choose a puppy, but would not be an absolute guarantee that a stronger prey drive won't develop. Training can help encourage or suppress drives, but the instincts won't totally go away.

I also know that a lot of dogs will see other animals living in the house as pack members, but unknown animals or wildlife are not considered pack members. Charlie won't chase or harm my three cats, but it wouldn't surprise me much if he went after a "strange" cat that might happen into our yard.

Whatever puppy you choose will be easier to train with the birds if the pup has a high-pack drive and low-prey drive personality. The breeder would probably be the best one to tell you.

[BareFoot]

Thank you Debbie and Chris. All of you guys have been so helpful! I guess I will just have to wait and see, visit some pups when the time comes and talk to some breeders about my concerns as well. I don't want to make any rash decisions about adding a puppy.

[Michael Romanos]

I would say with certainty that the vast majority of Corgis will not attack pet-kept birds after an introduction and induction on the part of the owner.

[BareFoot]

Well, I thought I would update everyone here, though I know I didn't post much when I joined. I have found a breeder and will be getting my new pup in about 8-10 weeks! He is 2 weeks old right now, a beautiful red and white guy, just what I was looking to get! I visited another breeder as well but unfortunately, she would not have puppies until next year (which I guess is actually a good thing, but I didn't really know if I could wait a whole year for my new addition to the family).

My main concern about getting this pup was getting my boyfriend to agree, but thankfully, the boyfriend is no longer in the picture

So here is the pic of my new pup at 2 weeks old!

[LaRogue]

So cute! Congratulations! Have any ideas for names yet?

[BareFoot]

Oh yeah, I think I had a name picked out long before I found a breeder! I guess the name is used quite often for red/white Pems, but I don't care! His new name is Ein! LOL I can't help myself! Ein was the reason I started to like Corgis. For those who don't know the name, Ein is a Corgi from the Japanese adult cartoon called Cowboy Bebop. An awesome little dog that inspired my Corgi love!

[MyPemCharlie]

Little Ein is sure a cutie. I bet you're counting the days. Congratulations!