I'm a non Corgi owner but.....

[picnic]

am seriously interested in learning about Corgis. I am a long time dog owner--up until the past 2 years always with 2-4 (we didn't add a second when we lost our male to bone cancer 2 years ago). What you will find surprising is that I'm a Standard Poodle person interested in a Corgi. So---I should explain why.

I know our next dog will go into my 80's with me (with luck LOL). We are very active (still working as free lancers which we've always been), live on 20 acres but know we won't always. I'll soon be 68, am a photographer, spend time outdoors and will until I can't. We've had Standards for a number of years (Kate is our 5th)--we refer to them as 'farm poodles' LOL. We've had other breeds too. But--what we are looking for in the next dog is a smaller dog with no clipping (grooming is fine--but I've always clipped my own and its a chore even with well behaved dogs) but one that thinks its a big dog. I am used to a dog that bonds and is responsive to their 'human'--is a constant companion with no barking issues, relatively quiet in the house but loves being outdoors and taking long leashed walks on the property or elsewhere though we have several acres fenced.

Temperament/intelligence is all for me (well, almost--soundness/health are strong issues)--we always have chosen dogs that have strong breed characteristics but we neuter and spay. The Corgi seems to fit most of the above--though I have not had the opportunity to spend time with one--no one we know has a Corgi.

So--what I am asking and why I am here is to find out if this is the breed I should be leaning toward. Are they a breed that wants to be with their owner (as in following even into the bathroom LOL) but is not neurotic about it, smart and and responsive, not a barker (generally as a breed--I realize that there are always problem dogs within a breed), generally healthy (they appear not to be a popular dog so less inclined to overbreeding and more problems) and a dog that one would just say about then---delightful (what a question to ask here LOL).

Knowing they are herders do they need 'work' to keep them happy? What else do I need to know about them?

Thanks for any information--Kate is getting up there though still very healthy but I figure we have 2-4 years to choose though we may add the new dog sooner. I really do miss 2 dogs in the house.

Thanks,
Diane

[Bayoucorgi]

Diane, I just made the jump 8 months ago after my last two old Goldens died with 5 months of each other. I had Goldens for 28 years. My reasons to change breeds were very similar to yours. I lived on acreage (actually raised sheep) and don't anymore because I married a city guy and we live in town now. We're in our late 40's and have 3 teens so and wanted a more portable dog. I absolutely had to have a Big dog in a Little dog body - no yappies for me. Goldens have so many health problems and Corgis seemed to have fewer. And I wanted less grooming and ear cleaning.

We adopted 8 month old Liam from the Corgi rescue. I just adore this dog. He's quick and quick-witted and has a genuine sense of humor. He loves my kids and even my non-doggy husband has been converted. It is so fun to see them play their games. I am training him in obedience and dabbling in agility, and we're learning to herd sheep. He loves having a job, but when I'm home weaving or knitting or watching tv, he just 'hangs out' with me lying at my feet (Bonnie is right about the corgi at your feet thing). He's only a little more than a year old so it's amazing that such a wild thing can be so mellow. My cats HATE him and they play cougar chases the fox games that makes us all laugh.

He does shed, but doesn't have the "glamour" coat, so after having Goldens this quick brushing seems like a piece of cake. Despite a rainy winter, he's so easy to towel off and rinse his feet. I haven't had to clean his ears at all (hurray). And he eats so much less and backyard pickup is so easy.

Okay, so if you're not looking for a loud dog, maybe a Corgi isn't the right breed. Liam barks. My husband travels and Liam will check the house periodically when we're alone. He will bark at any sound or disturbance (not necessarily a bad thing). Even in the car he is always watchful and has scared me to death when he jumps up and barks. We have a routine now and he goes out when he wakes up and comes back in for breakfast while the kids walk by for school. He barks like a big dog - it's deep and reasonant and not yippy. But, I've also taught him to be "quiet", and he will not bark and will instead stand at attention and make soft rooorrooo growly alert noises.

And yes, this dog is my companion and shadow. If I get up to go to the kitchen he goes, if I go outside he goes, if I go in the car he wants to go. But we don't let him go upstairs (he liked to go up and steal the kids' stuffed animals) and after telling him to go down and stay down on the bottom floor only twice he learned to stop at the stairs and he'll wait on the mat by the door til I come down again.

I might suggest you contact a corgi rescue and see if you can foster a corgi to take a test drive.

I added Liam in August after my Golden girl died in July at age 13. My husband did not want to add the second dog because my Golden boy was still healthy and turned 14 on Thanksgiving. We weren't sure if the old dog would like a young dog harassing him. Instead it seemed to give the old guy a new lease on life. He became ill suddenly and died December 9. I was so thankful I got Liam because it would have been such a sad and lonely Christmas with no dog at all. I don't think I will ever have another breed than a corgi.

[picnic]

What a lovely answer. And what similarities we have (other than age obviously--and we have no children). I raised sheep (and dairy goats) for many many years and was a spinner--then only a dyer/weaver/surface designer and did high end juried shows on the east coast for many years. I 'retired' 6 years ago when my recently widowed mother moved next door (we had a modular built for her). She is soon 91 but still drives, walks her dog every day, does her own housework--so you see why I have great hopes of living long and expecting my dogs will live with me for a long time LOL. I was lucky and found my photography grew and I now shoot parttime for the furniture and textile industry--and lots of shooting for my own personal work.

Goldens are so similar to Standards--both retrievers with that personality (I used to go to obedience with a friend that had Goldens--these big boys would sit in the back of our car together and were so much alike--both in advanced obedience). So--if you have found a Corgi to be really compatible for you---chances are I will also. I like your idea of finding a rescue Corge to foster. I'll have to see if there are Corgi rescue groups in my area (western NC). That might be a great idea--and Kate would welcome a buddy I'm sure. She's very social but not agressive (but loves activity and that would be good for both).

I'll have to research a 'glamour' coat--is it a double coat?? Shedding doesn't bother me--many years ago I had a Bulldog (English)--white with brindle, so boy---I know about shedding. The Standards don't at all---but then you have lots of grooming (I know about ears LOL) even for 'farm poodles'.

I'm delighted you replied--just exactly what I wanted to know. BTW--they don't have to be 'quiet'--Kate responds to noises, just not 'yippy'.

I can't tell for sure if yours is Cardigan or Pembroke but from his head I would guess a Cardigan. Any preferences?


I also understand about how great it is to have the second dog. None can replace the other--but when we had to have Ben put down (they actually were full sibs but a year apart) I was so thankful for Kate--and she has done well as an 'only dog' though she never knew anything different than being the 'beta' LOL.

Well before posting this I did a bit of research. The Palmetto Pembroke Corgi Club has an active rescue group. There appear to not be any Cardigans in this part of the country--though I bet if I look a bit more I'll find some.

Thanks for all the good info.

Diane

[Fluffypants]

Hi Diane & welcome to gocorgi. Another thing that you might want to know, being a poodle person . . . CORGIS SHED!!!!!! You don't have to clip them, which is good, but you will have corgi hair all over the place (do a SEARCH here for shedding and read some of the threads). You didn't mention it as a qualification, but just thought it mught be a bit of a shock after poodles. And most corgis do bark also, as was stated above. You don't necessarily have to herd with them, but they do like to be active and have something to do. A bored corgi is a naughty corgi! Good luck!

ETA: Oops - just read your 2nd post and saw you mentioned shedding. Sorry.

[Dillydoodle]

Welcome Diane, I am so glad that you got an answer from someone who had many years with another breed as you really do have quite a bit in common. For me , at age 36 I got my first dog...a red and white pembroke named Dillon and I am thrilled with him. He is my little shadow, follows me from room to room but is not neurotic about it ( thinking viszla -seen them, great dogs but wow, talk about having to be attached to their owners to be happy.) The corgi really is a big dog in a small package...not yippy and hyper at all. My boy is a mellow guy, loves to go for his walks, has energy but is also very happy with sleeping and quiet time too so when i have work to do , he naps. Corgis shed a bit...ok a lot! LOL you can search other threads that were started on GoCorgi about this topic! Corgis are very smart and learn quickly. I think my corgi is a delight... i am biased a bit but i would not change anything about him! I am so smitten with the breed, I am adopting a second red and white pembroke on saturday ( it is actually Dillon's uncle- Gus!) Welcome again!
EMilie

[tandemgal]

Diane,


deleted by T-Gal

[Peggy]

Hi Diane,

Originally Posted by picnic

-is a constant companion with no barking issues,

Well, many corgis are barkers, and are quite loud. So maybe, maybe not, it really depends on the dog.

If you want to be sure yours isn't a barker then consider getting an adult from rescue or an adult from a breeder. Maybe a retired show dog. Make sure the rescue person or breeder you're working with knows you don't want a barker. They can guide you towards a quieter corgi.

-though I have not had the opportunity to spend time with one--no one we know has a Corgi.

Go to some dog shows in your area, if you tell me where you are I can guide you to how to find them. Talk with the people there showing their dogs (prefrebly after they're done showing as many get nervous or are busy before and during), and spend some time with them and thier dogs.

Or I can recommend some breeders you can visit and get to know them and their dogs.

Are they a breed that wants to be with their owner (as in following even into the bathroom LOL) but is not neurotic about it,

Yes, they like to be with their people. Mine follow me to the kitchen but not the bathroom, which is ok because I don't care for a dog that follows every footstep. (And I have a whippet to trip over as it is.)

smart and and responsive, not a barker (generally as a breed--

They are smart, responsive, well, with some training. Corgis like to push the limits and see how much they can get away with. You have to be very consistant with them. Once you give in you've got a battle on your hands.

As for barking, well, as a breed it's a 50/50 thing. Some are and very much so and some aren't.

Knowing they are herders do they need 'work' to keep them happy?

IMO, no. My dogs don't herd or work. I show some of them, but that's not a daily thing.

Corgis can very well fit into yourlife style. They are active enough to go for walks, or hiking or whatever you want to do and calm enough to come inside and settle down.

What else do I need to know about them?

They are territorial. They will "protect" what they think is thiers. If a bigger dog comes on their property they will have no problem trying to take that dog on. They think they are every bit as big as a rottweiler or German Shepherd and I've yet to able to convince one otherwise.

Corgis love food, they get fat easily, so you have to watch their weight.

Any other questions, just ask!

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by picnic

I'll have to see if there are Corgi rescue groups in my area (western NC).

Try these links for rescue groups in your area:
http://www.mayflowercorgiclub.org/getting_corgi.php
http://www.pwcorgiclubgs.org/rescue.html

And for shows in your area go to http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/showCal.htm You can even search by state.

I'll have to research a 'glamour' coat--is it a double coat??

All corgis have a double coat. A "glamour" coat is a bit longer and/or plusher than the normal coat.

Shedding doesn't bother me--many years ago I had a Bulldog (English)--white with brindle, so boy---I know about shedding.

Excuse me for laughing a bit, but no you don't. Bulldogs have short coats, like my whippet does. They don't shed anywhere near what a corgi does. When a corgi blows coat it comes out in HANDFULS!! Look at this link: http://www.terenelf.com/SpockShedding/Shedding.html

BTW--they don't have to be 'quiet'--Kate responds to noises, just not 'yippy'.

Corgis as a rule are not "yippy". They have deep barks. Often the bark sounds like it comes from a bigger dog.

I can't tell for sure if yours is Cardigan or Pembroke but from his head I would guess a Cardigan. Any preferences?

Cardigans are a bit more reserved, more of a one family/one person type dog. They like sit back and watch and get to know someone first.

Pembrokes are more like the welcoming committee. Mine think a stranger is a friend they haven't met yet. They want to meet and greet right away.

They are not interchangeable, I suggest you get to meet some of both breeds before you decide which you like better.

Go to http://pwcca.org/ and http://cardigancorgis.com/ for more information on both breeds and to find breeders in your area. You should be able to find some willng to talk with you and let you meet their dogs.

There appear to not be any Cardigans in this part of the country--though I bet if I look a bit more I'll find some.

Sure there are! http://cardigancorgis.com/BreederDirectory.aspx

Peggy

[picnic]

Okay, you all have me convinced--I don't 'know' shedding LOL. however, being a dog person and not being put off by animal 'stuff' (remember, I bred/raised sheep, dairy goats with kids in the kitchen, angora rabbits, etc.) this isn't a deal breaker for me.

The right temperament/attitude and intelligence are the 2 things I really look for. I always do obedience and have even gone further with some of the dogs and love working with them.


I had already checked out the rescue page of the Palmetto Club--Greensboro and may contact them later. I also know that there is a specialty in Greenville, SC and 3 other shows later this week. Not sure if I'll get a chance to go or not---I've been to that show in the past and its a good sized one so there should be a good group of Corgis. More likely I'll try to get to the one in March in Raleigh and hope for a fair number of Corgis.

Thanks again for all the good information. The most important thing for me is to get to know some and spend a bit of time around them to see if we 'mesh'.

Diane

[Michael Romanos]

Don't be put off by this shedding thing. It is over emphasised by some Corgi people. Thers are ways to make it a small imposition and at the same time more rewarding one since it reuires more attention to grooming - about three to four minutes daily or every second day and more frequent baths, say once every four weeks. So you end up with a clean and nicely presented Corgi every day (apart from the muddy moments).

[Michael Romanos]

Don't be put off by this shedding thing. It is over emphasised by some Corgi people. Thers are ways to make it a small imposition and at the same time more rewarding one since it requires more attention to grooming - about three to four minutes daily or every second day and more frequent baths, say once every four weeks. So you end up with a clean and nicely presented Corgi every day (apart from the muddy moments).

[glencorgi]

Not sure how I missed this thread and since I've come up in the conversation.

Originally Posted by picnic

I can't tell for sure if yours is Cardigan or Pembroke but from his head I would guess a Cardigan. Any preferences?

Bayoucorgi's is a Pembroke. I have both breeds and enjoy them for their breed differences. The breeds are similar, but yet night and day in differences too.

Well before posting this I did a bit of research. The Palmetto Pembroke Corgi Club has an active rescue group.

And are you in luck, I'm the rescue chair for the Palmetto club.

There appear to not be any Cardigans in this part of the country--though I bet if I look a bit more I'll find some.

OHHHHH, there are Cardigans in your neck of the woods. There are a number of Cardigan breeders in the area, including coincidentally, my sister.

Diane, if you can make the Greenville shows this coming weekend that would be great. There is a LARGE Cardigan entry (Saturday they have an 8:00 AM ring time :YIKES and a very nice Pembroke entry as well. I'll be down for the Palmetto Specialty on Thursday, around on Friday, but leaving out after Cardis show on Saturday. Next shows with good size entries would be the Tarheel Circuit in Raleigh (March) and then shows in Charlotte (early April).

Debbie

[ColColt]

Next shows with good size entries would be the Tarheel Circuit in Raleigh (March) and then shows in Charlotte (early April).

Debbie-I'm headed to the Charlotte area in April sometime to see my sister. We'd love to go to the show there. Where is it going to be and when...if you know now. She's mostly in the Huntersville area but, Mecklenburg County has taken that over and it's now considered Charlotte as well. I've been telling her about this forum and she's gotten excited about coming to the picnic in Kingsport in May. It would be great to see the one in Charlotte with her while I'm down.

[tandemgal]

deleted by T-Gal

[MrsGrace]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Not sure how I missed this thread and since I've come up in the conversation.



Bayoucorgi's is a Pembroke. I have both breeds and enjoy them for their breed differences. The breeds are similar, but yet night and day in differences too.



And are you in luck, I'm the rescue chair for the Palmetto club.



OHHHHH, there are Cardigans in your neck of the woods. There are a number of Cardigan breeders in the area, including coincidentally, my sister.

Diane, if you can make the Greenville shows this coming weekend that would be great. There is a LARGE Cardigan entry (Saturday they have an 8:00 AM ring time :YIKES and a very nice Pembroke entry as well. I'll be down for the Palmetto Specialty on Thursday, around on Friday, but leaving out after Cardis show on Saturday. Next shows with good size entries would be the Tarheel Circuit in Raleigh (March) and then shows in Charlotte (early April).

Debbie

Couple of questions just in general. What kind of trait differences are we talking about between Cards and Pems?

And anyone on the board know much about WA State rescues/breeders of Corgis? I'm looking for more than just links, but more "Hey, I know this person and he/she is reputable".

Thanks!