New with questions?????

[kristiekenzie]

I do not currently own a corgi but am seriously considering it.I just don't know much about them.Other then my sil had one for 15 years and it was the best family dog she has ever had the pleasure of having."Corky" was awesome with her children.That is a big factor for us.My dh and I have three children ranging in age from 7 to 9 months.So a family dog is very important to us.Also we are not looking to show the dog but I would definately like some information on them.As I was reading some of the forums I seen that they sometimes have issues with there eyes and elbows and hips.What are these and what do I look for in a good breeder and bloodline?? Can these things be found out early?Over all, what kind of pets do the corgi's make?What is the difference between the two different kinds?One more question, which has the better temperment the female or male??
Thanks for reading all of these questions.I just really want our new friend to be perfect for us.My dh really wants a corgi so I told him I would read up on it.
Thank you so much in advance for your replies.
Christina

[glencorgi]

Corgis and children "can" be a wonderful combination or it can be a disaster. As for my background, I've lived with both breeds for close to 15 years now, been involved in breeding, conformation and right now am the the rescue chair for my regional Pembroke club and also volunteer for Cardigan rescue. I get to hear and see a lot of corgis and children stories.

One of the top reasons we have corgis turned over to rescue is incidents with children. I just had a call today about a 3 year old male growling at the 17 month old daughter who has just discovered the family dogs. Of the three, this corgi is the one they are having problems with. It is for this reason that many Breeders (that is breeders w/a capital B and the ones you would want to purchase a pet from) as well as rescues do not adopt to homes with children under five or six. Having said that, I also know of a number of homes from another corgi list where the corgis assign themselves the job of nanny to babies and children. I recently had a young corgi boy, just turned a year that was originally bought as a 12 week puppy by grandparents as a gift for their six week old grandson. Life changes, baby demands left not enough time for training and devoting to the corgi. He is one that is great with children and needs them in his life. His new home has three from 12 to 5 in age range, their assorted friends and he is in bliss. So a lot just depends and with the 9 month old baby, you may be advised to wait until the baby is older before getting a corgi for your home.

My recommendation would be to go with a young dog/older puppy instead of with a baby puppy. They will be more settled, have some training in place and not so time consuming considering you also have one that will be toddling soon - two babies at the same time is a lot to handle. Another one I had come through rescue was 18 months old when she was turned over to us and her background was much like the scenario I just described. Breeders will sometimes have younger dogs or older puppies that may not have turned out for the show ring like they hoped and that can be something like - the dog just preferred being a homebody and hated to show. You will want to deal with someone who can and will give you an honest evaluation of the corgi and will match the corgi to the needs and dynamic of your home. Reputable Breeders and or rescues can and will do this.

Health concerns are primarily eye problems and hip dysplasia. Parents of puppies should have their eyes cleared by a CERF exam and a breeder will be able to show you this documentation. An additional eye concern in Cardigans is PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) for which there is now a DNA marker. Documentation as to the dog being cleared should also be provided by a breeder. Hips are x-rayed and evaluated by either OFA or PennHip and a breeder can provide documentation of the results. Even though parents may pass all tests with flying colors, there are still no guarantees as Mother Nature always has the last word. What makes a difference in Breeders is if something should happen, they will be there for you throughout whatever.

Male or female? A lot depends on the individual corgi, however I find, as do a large number of breeders across all breeds, the boys have just a little more element of sweetness to them than do the girls. They aren't quite as aloof, that you/the human might have an opinion matters to them. Corgi girls are not necessarily sugar and spice and everything nice.

Differences between the breeds - this is a new explanation a friend and I came up with this weekend. Pembrokes are more like fighter pilots/flying aces - they are a little more by the seat of their britches, on the edge thinking on the fly. Cardigans are more like bomber pilots - they figure out a course, set it, and follow through. Pembrokes rarely meet a stranger and introduce themselves; Cardigans are a little more reserved (this does NOT mean shy) and will wait to be introduced. For some more differences and research for both breeds I suggest the information which can be found at <http://www.corg-l.org> This is another good article, which parts of which could also be applied to searching for a Cardigan.
<http://ohiovalleycorgi.org/FindingaPembrokePuppy.htm>

I would also recommend your DH become involved in the research as well so if you decide a corgi is a breed for you, then you can both decide as to what might be the best timing to add one to your family.

Good luck!

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

It is true that you never get a dog for kids but you get one that the kids can play with, treat well and respect under the supervision of the adult in the family. All my Pem Corgis have never harmed a baby or a kid and my present Pem, Taylor loves babies and kids of all ages and he knows which age bracket play best with him - those aged between six and 10 and he feels he is the equal of all kids aged 0 through to 12.

Male Pems are more inclined to age better tnan females and they are less likley to be over-the-top with devotion to any single person or in some cases, a family of people.

[QorquisDad]

Hi Christina,

Debbie's advice is spot on.

The only thing I'd like to add is on the topic of male/female. I've read that the female Pem tends more toward Alpha than females of other breeds. This may partially explain why the males tend to be a sweeter family pet.

Of course, all Corgis are smart. Really smart. So if you don't do a good job with training you'll find the Corgi is training you... and will eventually be the one that's "in charge" around the house.

[Kysthadiah]

Corgis are fantastic dogs!

That said, they are NOT the dog for everyone. They do not do well as a back-yard pet. They are very social and need a great deal of disopline and attention and things to do. Many are purchased each year because they are the cutest puppies, but when the become more work than the purchaser suspected, are surrendered or mistreated.

Agreeing with Debbie - do homework, visit, and one more thing...

Corgis tend to be top shedders. If you don't like a home filled with hair (and I do mean filled) don't get a corgi.

Personally, I couldn't live without one. Corgis Rawk!

[tandemgal]

Hi,

deleted by T-Gal

[Michael Romanos]

I must say there is a huge difference between a Golden Retriever and a Corgi - and I am not talking about size. Generally speaking, Retrievers are docile and not particularly quick witted or physically quick. Corgis are the opposite.

[tandemgal]

Michael,

I agree there is a difference between Goldens and Pems as I pointed out in my post. I don't claim to speak of all Pems or Goldens - only my own. I have to say my Golden was one of the smartest dogs I have ever been around. She was quick to pick up on all her training and she seem to understand a large vocabulary. An example comes to mind - one day the front door was open and she drug her bed outside in the yard. My husband was doing yard work for several hours and she was with him. When he was almost ready to come inside he just looked at Tawney and said "it looks like rain you need to bring that bed inside" and she walked over and pulled it back into the house. She would greet us everyday with a howl that sounded just like "yellow".

She was as you say docile and went out of her way not to pick a fight with other dogs. This I see as a plus when thinking of having a pet around small children. I have seen her on our porch turn her head away from a small dog in our yard as if to say "Nothing dangerous here" and let the other dog walk away unharmed. I don't need my animal to attact another dog to make me proud. I was much happier to see her restraint. If there was an animal threat she did take charge then but not when it wasn't called for.

The only time I remember seeing my Golden in an agressive position toward people was when a family of 8/10 people came onto my property looking for someone new who had moved near by. Tawney positioned herself between the strangers and my sons and brissled her hair. She didn't charge or growl - she was just protecting her boys. The saddest time in her life was when our sons went off to University and left her. We then let neighborhood children come play in our orchard with the warning not to hurt Tawney. They loved her and she brighten back up because she had children to play with again. She was a gentle soul with all and inturn was loved by all. The whole neighborhood was saddened when she passed away. I still miss her 5 years later.

If we could all have the same said of ourselves then the world would be much better off.

[fhp597@hotmail.com]

I have a Pembrook corgi named Miss Honey Shortlegs that we are looking for a mate for She is a brilliant honey color with a white saddle We have had her for two years she is a bright dog and she loves children We also have an Australian cattle herder that outweighs the Corgi by 50# The Corgi has a wonderful disposition At two she is very athletic and very active She will play with the grandchildren as long as we will let her but gets so tired that when she comes home she sleeps on her back with her feet up in the air

[fhp597@hotmail.com]

I want to find a daddy dog who would be interested in meeting Miss Honey Shortlegs I live near Indianapolis

[Michael Romanos]

Hi T-Gal
What a lovely story about your Tawney. Goldern Retrievers in NZ are the second most usilised breed of dog for blind people and I have yet to research deeply into dogs used for the deaf or for the disabled or for children who have reading difficulties (Reading Dogs) but GRs could figure prominently for those services as well. Golden Retrievers are not expressive dogs nor are they fleet footed but that is not to say they are not one of the more intelligent breeds of all and usually display their intelligence in a quiet, subtle and dignified manner.

[glencorgi]

I have a Pembrook corgi named Miss Honey Shortlegs that we are looking for a mate for She is a brilliant honey color with a white saddle

Originally Posted by fhp597@hotmail.com

I want to find a daddy dog who would be interested in meeting Miss Honey Shortlegs I live near Indianapolis

You say she has a white saddle? That would make her a mismark and not breeding quality. Other than that concern and perhaps more importantly has she passed all the health screenings? Hip x-rays read by OFA to make sure she does not have hip dysplasia? Have her eyes been tested and found clear of hereditary problems by a CERF exam?

Just some concerns to consider before even thinking about breeding.

Debbie