Hi, my name is Su

[su554]

I am new to forums, so I hope you will bear with me! I am trying to decide what kind of dog is right for me and my husband! Jim has never been much of a dog person! Recently, we aquired a Boston Bull Terrior, and he did like the dog, but the dog was out of control! We got him as a one year old and he was never trained properly, and we just could not handle this poor dog! We did find him a good home with a girl who is much younger and stronger than either of us! LOL His name was Brutus, and it fit! He was 35 lb. of solid muscle. He dragged us around the lot like we were ragdolls! So I am interested in any info I can find on the Corgis. This sounds like a pretty cool dog! Am I right?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by su554

So I am interested in any info I can find on the Corgis. This sounds like a pretty cool dog! Am I right?

Yes you are right corgis (either breed) are very cool dogs for the right people and for the wrong people; an ending just like your Brutus or worse. Your Boston Terrier was one big boy and what you'll find that breed has in common with corgis is a bit of boisterousness, strong will, intelligence and a good nature (or at least should be). What you need to keep in mind about corgis is one has an approximately 25 pound dog (more the original weight range for the breed(s) ) that was bred to move cattle and the dog won. That does take a stubborn, willful, spirited, intelligent, independent thinking animal. They are usually people oriented, highly trainable (but not always the best students, especially if they're not in the mood ), food motivated, bossy, sometimes very vocal wee beasties that shed like wooly mammoths twice a year (Jan thru June and July thru Dec). My favorite description of them was a gentleman's response after talking with a Breeder about Pembrokes. He wasn't sure he could live with one of those "stubby little tyrants" and didn't mean it in any kind of flattering way. It has become my most favorite term of endearment. They are charming enchanters, great personalities that will wrap you around their paw and quickly take over if an owner isn't on their toes and keyed into being a good leader. They are both a challenge and a delight to live with.

You should check out general breed information at the parent clubs' websites:
http://www.pwcca.org
http://www.cardigancorgis.com

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Corgis will not drag you around but they will often ask noisily to be taken out for a walk - and not a short one either. They are not toy dogs and they require similar quality exercise as much bigger dogs. Unlike your Boston (Terror), Corgis are exceedingly cuddly. They are easily cared for, crave human company, and exist far happier inside a home rather than outside in the yard. They are a people dog and with other dogs they very much care for their own kind. I organise a Corgi club and if you exclude two of the Cardis who belong to one of the members and who don't like any dog but each other, the other 25 assorted Corgis revel in each other's company and act like a well loved extended family. Corgis are intelligent enough to sometimes be self-trained and can be very anticipatory. Most can get along with and alongside any non-canine animal. Corgis are not clumsy nor silly but can be very funny and what's more, can laugh at their own jokes - that's another thing, the expressionistic skills of a Corgi are almost, second to none among pure bred dogs.

[ZdogZ]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

shed like wooly mammoths twice a year (Jan thru June and July thru Dec). Debbie

ROFL! Too funny.

[glencorgi]

I'll have to differ some from my esteemed colleague, yes corgis can pull you around when on leash as badly as your Boston Terrier did, if they are not properly leash trained. And as a breed I don't find corgis exceedingly cuddly - some are, some aren't. IF you are looking for cute little lap type dog, then corgis are not for you. They are cute, short (they are true dwarf breeds) working dogs (they are the smallest breeds in the herding group) and often need some kind of "job" within the household in order to prevent boredom which can lead to undesired behaviors. Some of them do get along grand with other corgis and dogs, and then there are some like the rescue call I got yesterday that will try to eat their way through fences and crates to get to another dog. Genetics, temperament, socialization, and training are all very important factors to a sound corgi. I will agree with the observation "Corgis are intelligent enough to sometimes be self-trained and can be very anticipatory" however, I will caution that what they might train themselves to do, might not be something you want. One mistake I see from way too many owners is that just because the dog does have a high intelligence level, they expect the dog to automatically know it is supposed to be good with children or supposed to walk nicely on a leash or not jump up on people, or ... just like any other dog, corgis require training, time and effort and in some ways, smart dogs take more of this. We had someone take offense when I remarked in a thread most people are better off with dumb dogs because they aren't as demanding or challenging, are much more biddable, eager to please just for the sake of pleasing their people. Corgis have a high level of "what's in it for me?" ; don't do well with repetition and put their own twist on things. That her corgi was constantly challenging her on basics and pretty much called the shots in spite of her protests of she was the alpha, well pretty much proved my point.

IF you decide to go with a corgi and IF I were placing with you, my recommendation would be to go with an adult dog with a known temperament and personality. A reputable, responsible Breeder and/or rescue group could help match the right corgi to your home. If Pembrokes are what you are looking for then the link to http://www.pwcca.org will provide you with the information you need to find both. There is a link to rescue, a link to PWCCA member/Breeders and a link to regional clubs which can bring your search for a breeder closer to home. For Cardigans, http://www.cardigancorgis.com will offer a link to a breeder referral page. http://www.cardiganrescue.org will take you to the rescue page.

Debbie

[Jespah]

I have to agree with Debbie's descriptions - I will always bow to her expertise, and having had three Corgis, I can see all of what she has said in mine. They have all been very different in personality and temperment, but they have all defintely been Corgis!
My male Rupert is 36 pounds, and although well leash trained, if he decides he wants to go somewhere, he'll put all of his energy into attempting to drag me to whatever it is.
Jemma, my most recent, is the most cuddly, lovey-dovey dog I have ever met, but her breeder is known for the temperment of her dogs.

I agree with Debbie's advice on meeting some in person, both Cardis and Pems, and certainly there are lots of folks here that can tell you about their dogs.

[tandemgal]

deleted by T-Gal

[su554]

WOW! I didn't expect all this attention! Thanks! You guys rock! Obviously, I have some more research to do, and I think meeting some dogs in person (ahem, in canine?) would be the best bet. You are all so knowledgable, and I really appreciate all the help! I did not realize they shed like "wooly mammoths"! Good one! That would be another thing to consider, as I already have a long haired cat who sheds so much I could knit 2 new cats a week out of her fur balls! But what good is a pet if you can't take a little of him or her wherever you go, eh? I will check back in with you guys as I keep up the search for the one true blue pet! Thanks again! Su

[Michael Romanos]

Corgis shedding is no big deal - what it requires is a bit of planning - vis what furniture you allow your Corgi onto, a daily routine of grooming for three to five minutes, a monthly bath. Then it depends of whether you get a short coated Corgi or one of the more regular longer coated. In our household I vacuum my carpet and lounge chairs and cars no more often than anyone would with no animals.

I stand by my generalisations (what else can they be) that (trained) Corgis do not drag their handlers around and if I wanted to go further, that an untrained Corgi is not going to be as 'dragful' as an untrained larger, heavier dog; that Corgis are cuddly; that Corgis get on well with other Corgis.

[corgimom]

Su,

Good luck with your search for a dog that will fit into your family and lifestyle; it is a big decision to make since you will be responsible for them for possibly 12 to 15 or more years.

I am sure that some Corgis are cuddly, but Michael is making a general statement saying they all are, and I am not sure to what degree he is talking about.

My Cody doesn't mind being hugged and kissed or having us pet him and he will sit right up close to us when we are on the sofa or floor, but not always, and to call him a cuddly lap dog; I would not put him in that category. He will come up to us and offer us kisses, but he is not one to plop himself down on our laps and be content to lay there. He does, however, like to be in the same room that we are in. I also have 3 cats and he is very respectful of them, although in the beginning, he thought their tails were the most amusing thing.

My dog also gets along well with other dogs, but I started early with socializing him with well mannered dogs.

[Dillydoodle]

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