Are These Herding Dogs?

[ColColt]

I don't think some Corgis have caught on to the fact they're suppose to be herding dogs. I've tried for several weeks now to get Bubba interested in a yellow soccer ball I've kicked around outside and he just watches me. Maybe I need to offer him some water and popcorn while I act a fool.

He has no interest in tennis balls either or the other one I keep inside for him. I roll it, bounce it and he still hasn't caught on. It would be good exercise for him if I could get him to herd or fetch, or something outside. I have seen videos of Corgis that would chase a ball a mile or herd a large beach ball all over the back yard but, others don't seem interested for some reason...sort of like couch potatoes. I think that's what I may have on my hands. He's never played ball before so I understand that but, it seems by now, he'd have caught on. Well, in time I suppose.

[glencorgi]

David,

Some never get into chasing balls and FWIW, a ball chasing fool of a corgi might not be interested in or have any talent for herding at all. Chasing after a ball or puppies nipping at ankles really has nothing to do with herding instinct.

I agree chasing after the soccer ball would be great exercise for Bubba, but in many ways he is having to learn how to play with toys and with people. In our talks and from what you've said on C2BC, he's warming up to toys and enjoying several of his toys. Maybe not for long periods, but he's coming along. He's just going to be a slow, late bloomer.

Debbie

[jakobandbrandonsmom]

I'm new to corgis, but I had an Old English sheepdog up until about a year ago (he passed away )...he was never a ball chaser either. He loved herding my boys in the yard though.

[Michael Romanos]

Ball and fetching skills have nothing to do with herding instincts or abilities. Some dogs bred and raised for herding are no good at it - and many farmers get rid of the young dogs (puppies usually) they consider will not be up to it - and most farmers don't hesitate to shoot or drown these unfortunate dogs.

[Jane Austen]

I got Duchess when she was seven and she did not have any interest with balls or toys for the first year I had her. Then she started to pick up and shake her "Lamby" toy. she would shake it like she was killing it then lick it back to health.
A ball would be another good exercise but she doesn't run after them as much as I would like.
Maybe it will take time for Bubba to develop an interest with balls. The important thing is to keep his weight down, easier said than done.

[ColColt]

I suppose I'm just looking for an exercise outlet for him since the only exercise he gets in short bouts of running in the yard and our walks. I thought surely he'd love the tennis/soccer ball but, maybe sometime. You can't make them exercise, just nudge them onward with what you know they may like-in the instance, various balls I got him. He's not overweight at 36# by looks alone. Perhaps by standards he is a few pounds over but, he looks good and you can see a waistline and it's easy to feel the ribs. I don't want him gaining anymore, however and he seems to be maintaining that weight (plus or minus .5 pound).

Michael-Where are these farmers that would shoot their dogs over not being good at herding? They're not here in the US to my knowledge. Perhaps a few of those farmers need shooting when they get old for not being able to gather crops as fast as they use to. That's insane to do that.

He has made great strides since I've gotten him, Debbie, and continues to do so. He played with and gnawed a Red Barn cheese/bacon bone I got him a few days back, for about thirty minutes, carrying it around and tossing it. That is a major advancement for Bubba.

[kassie]

I got Maeve at 7 months, and she had to learn to play with toys. She was much more people/animal focused. I was amazed at her natural herding as she herded our 16 year old dogs through their doggie dimentia days till they passed. After they were gone she started playing with toys more...sometines the cat toys as they seem more her size. "Fetch" is beneath her, but she has found a couple of small balls she will run around with and throw to herself.

[glencorgi]

What Michael is speaking of is called culling and used to be more widely practiced than encountered today. That isn't saying that it isn't practiced today though. One should keep in perspective the practice was more common among those who's existence and survival depended/depends upon a dog pulling its weight. These aren't "recreational" herders, livestock lost to them means the difference between whether their children have shoes to wear and a meal on the table sometimes. Also to take into account here is the breeding on these type dogs does not usually make them most suited for just "pet" life either.

As far as Cesar's methods, regardless of what one's opinion of them, the basic principles are effective regardless of size of dog.

Debbie

[Chip's Mom]

I used to separate Lady from Chip when they ate and I would always put Lady in the bathroom. Once Chip realized where I wanted lady to go when I called her to eat, he would leave his dish of food and bark at her and direct her into the bathroom and then go back to eating. Poor Lady didn't like getting herded and Chip would not stop doing it so now I feed all three together in the kitchen and it has solved the herding problem. Now they all three rotate dishes to see if anyone has left a crumb for them. Too funny

[Michael Romanos]

There is no doubt that 'walking' a dog and letting a dog unleashed for running and chasing around a large tract of land (such as a large park) and on a forest/bush trek, are quite totally different in the kind of quality level of exercise a Corgi will get. Thirty minutes of fetching and chasing is probably worth two hours of walking.

I'm talking professional farmers here who very largely consider dogs as workers and if they can't work they aint no good and are worthless.

[ColColt]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

There is no doubt that 'walking' a dog and letting a dog unleashed for running and chasing around a large tract of land and on a forest/bush trek, are quite totally different in the kind of quality level of exercise a Corgi will get. Thirty minutes of fetching and chasing is probably worth two hours of walking.

I'm talking professional farmers here who very largely consider dogs as workers and if they can't work they aint no good and are worthless.

Agreed-Now, if I could just get him interested in fetching for the exercise of it but, he's not use to that and really doesn't know what it's all about but, I'll work on it as I see that as being great exercise for him.

Any "worthless" dogs are welcome at my place.

[Michael Romanos]

One of my neighbours rescued a 'worthless' destined-to-be-killed puppy from a farmer nearly 17 years ago and last year the dog (Judy) was acclaimed as New Zealand Pet of the Year.

[nrhareiner]

My Corgi will not play ball either not even to follow my Golden who loves to play ball. Now if my Golden did not want to play fetch then I would think there was something wrong but not when my Corgi dose not wan to play as that is now what they are bred to do. They are hurding dogs not retrievers. However my corgi does love to hurd my golden the cats any birds she think need to be in anouther place butter flys and anything easly that moves. Balls are ment to be retreived not hurded. At least that is Libbys take on it.

Heidi

[Michael Romanos]

Fetching a ball or stick or any other fun thing is a skill that most Corgis can learn and perform brilliantly irrespective if the breed is not notable for retrieving game (ducks etc)

[nrhareiner]

Libby prefers to play football really. She things she is a linebacker. Boy what a good linebacker she is. She can takle a Golden 2 times her size and send them both flying. Quite funny really.

Heidi