May I take your goat?

[MrsGrace]

Originally Posted by corgimom

Hello MrsGrace,

Do you have a Corgi; if so, would love to know more about him/her.

I used to have a favorite teacher in 4th grade named Miss Grace;however, she was a nun

About me: I currently have 2 cats. That's it. Okay, and an almost 2 yr old toddler. But would like to get a dog. We rescued a Siberian Husky last spring, got him altered, clicker trained and found a good home for him. Made me realize how much I'd missed having dogs, but his breed was just too big for me, my family and lifestyle. I LOVe big dogs, but with a then infant, didn't have the time to dedicate, nor the space then to try to maintain a happy home between big dog and little baby.

In my "doggie wants" list, I've found so far that Corgi's have the most desirable traits, best personalities and are just so darned CUTE! Looking to get a male puppy maybe this summer. My daughter will be 2 and a half by then, and as all signs are pointing to her being great with animals (she is FABULOUS with my 2 cats), and I'm a stay-at-home mom, I would be comfortable in my decision to get a dog companion.

I'm sure I'll have questions, but so far just searching the current posts/forums have answered a lot of them.

An afternote about the intro topic: It's a long standing joke from college days past, my friends and I used to say that to one another when arriving at one anothers places. Fun to say to newcomers as they do a double take, then proceed to take off their coats.... That and it distinguishes me from all of the "Hello, I'm new, Introduction" thread titles....

[Michael Romanos]

You would be perfect for a Corgi. Nothing like a stay at home mum and someone who has already experienced training a dog who would have required a lot of patience and understanding.
There is a saying that "you get on my goat" - not true with you.

[red headed stranger]

Hello MrsGrace,

Glad you are enjoying the GoCorgi forum. Neat Corgi pictures posted recently on the bicycle forum. See ya.

[Jespah]

I believe the saying is "You get my goat", Michael - you may get on a high horse though!

See Mrs. Grace - you've already had a great start here!!! Seriously, we are more than happy to give you tons of info about both Pems and Cardis - we are all happily addicted to the breeds! Welcome!

[MrsGrace]

Originally Posted by Jespah

I believe the saying is "You get my goat", Michael - you may get on a high horse though!

See Mrs. Grace - you've already had a great start here!!! Seriously, we are more than happy to give you tons of info about both Pems and Cardis - we are all happily addicted to the breeds! Welcome!

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. Yes, I was referred by a fellow member from another forum I paruse. (now I have TWO I paruse daily! I'd better slow down some! )

I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions eventually, however, I'm one of those that researches first, THEN asks questions. Instead of asking people on forums to do my research for me! ie. not read the archived threads for info first.

And the worst thing about having a "high horse" is the fall....

[MrsGrace]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Nothing like a stay at home mum and someone who has already experienced training a dog who would have required a lot of patience and understanding.
There is a saying that "you get on my goat" - not true with you.

Well, my husband might object if you get on my goat.

Yes, the husky was a bad digger, very obstinate and stubborn, and even with food/praise reward system, he was difficult to get trained. Plus they are a LOT of energy and big... he loved to pull and would pull me, my daughter and my soon to be detached arm down the street behind him. *smile* I miss Corona a lot though, even though he was obstinate! (note: I did NOT name the dog)

Please tell me Corgi's aren't so stubborn, and easier to train! I like that Corgi's are a "big" dog personality in a smaller body. I do walk/jog a lot, and while I ADORE pugs, I can not fit that fragile and small of a dog in my lifestyle. I want to be able to have a dog I can occasionally jog with (note: not run), one that I can raise from a puppy with my cats and one that is tolerant of children.

I don't mind barking as I am home alone with my daughter all day and would appreciate a loyal watchdog. NOT that I will train the dog to watch, but a mindful animal is appreciated. Pugs just love everyone whereas I've heard that Corgi's are a little more owner focused and loyal.

Am I on the right track?

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by MrsGrace

Please tell me Corgi's aren't so stubborn, and easier to train!

I'll put it this way - corgis are HIGHLY trainable, the ease of trainability might bring a few chortles and guffaws in some circles. They tend to like to put their twist on things. As for being stubborn (willful, headstrong <g>), think of it this way ... here's a 25-30 pound dog on average that was bred to move cattle, and the dog won. Don't get caught up in the cute, that could be your downfall. The heart of a tough short working dog lives under the "cute."

I like that Corgi's are a "big" dog personality in a smaller body. I do walk/jog a lot, and while I ADORE pugs, I can not fit that fragile and small of a dog in my lifestyle.

Pugs aren't that small and much like corgis in being a lot of dog in a small package. In fact the Pug standard makes reference to this. Size wise, I had my oldest Pem boy (he's a smaller male, 25 pounds at most) at a Pug rescue picnic some years back. Many of the Pugs were larger than he is. Fragile is not an adjective I'd use to describe Pugs, they are pretty sturdy guys. Because they are brachycephalic, jogging is not an exercise I'd think recommended for them. They do participate in agility though.

I want to be able to have a dog I can occasionally jog with (note: not run), one that I can raise from a puppy with my cats and one that is tolerant of children.

Except for the jogging, you've pretty much described a Pug as well. With a 2 1/2 year old, it is imperative you work with a reputable, responsible Breeder. One of the top reason corgis end up in rescue is due to incidents with children in your daughter's age range and many Breeders will not place dogs in homes with children under age 5 or 6. Corgis "can" be wonderful with children but it takes the right temperament, plus training, structure and discipline with both the dog and the children.

I don't mind barking as I am home alone with my daughter all day and would appreciate a loyal watchdog. NOT that I will train the dog to watch, but a mindful animal is appreciated.

Corgis are generally alarm barkers - they let you know when something is up. However, sometimes you need to know leaves just fell in your neighbor's yard two streets over or that the trash guy is "stealing" your garbage, those kind of things.

Pugs just love everyone whereas I've heard that Corgi's are a little more owner focused and loyal.

That describes the Cardigan more so than the Pembroke. Pembroke's will go with whomever has the cookies.

Am I on the right track?

Getting there and welcome!

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Some Corgi owners on Go Corgi seem to think Corgis can be tough at pulling until they get into the groove with their handler. Well Corgis at 30-odd pounds (when fully grown) are pretty tame pullers and Siberian Huskies would be very nearly at the opposite end of the pulling scale. If you haven't lost an arm with a sled dog, you aint going to lose one with a Corgi.
Usually Corgis will tell youi when strange smells and noises come into their property - so they are good watch dogs in that respect. And their sight and hearing is above average.
Corgis are easily trainable but are inclined to have a mind of their own on occasions. However they are very people aware unlike Huskies and Malamutes and the like and thus are usually very responsive. They are very aware of their family circle and act to reign in and look after and look out for, all these people.

[Jane Austen]

I think it would be confusing reading all these posts that are describing corgi traits. I got Duchess as a seven year old, fully trained, well behaved pet. I agree with Michael, that you would be an excellent owner of a corgi. With a child, possibly a no tailed Pembroke would be best. But then Cardis are a bit more laid-back. I am sure you would love either one. Welcome

[tandemgal]

Welcome to Go Corgi,

deleted by T-Gal

[MrsGrace]

Thank you all for the great info! Just read the thread about Pems vs Cards... very interesting.

It sounds to me like Pems may still lean towards owner loyalty in the end. And I don't necessarily need to have a mellow dog, just a portable one.

As for the Pug comments... Pugs act like they are tough dogs, but as much as I camp and travel in the summer, I need a dog that isn't so suceptible to heat stroke and all the Pug boards seem inclined to agree that as I can't jog, hike or camp as easily with a pug, that they might not be the best fit. Which is ideally what I'm looking for. I am super active and I want a dog (big dog in a smaller body) that can keep up! But not be more active than I am (like the Husky was).

Now I'm just not sure about the card vs. pem thing. My good friend has a pem and I LOVE her dog. She is willful, but in a good way, quick learner etc. But it seems the same could be said about Cards too. They are just different in a few temperment ways, but they are still both similar? It seems no one quite agrees... lol... which happens.

Still leaning towards Pems. Just love the wiggly buns and no tail!!

[Bayoucorgi]

Welcome!!!

I love my Pem boy Liam. I loved big dogs too and this is my first small dog. Even my non-dog husband says this little guy is big dog in a small dog body. He barks big (and often) and herds cats and sheep and is a wonderful pet to my 3 kids. He's a little more "bitey" than I like for a young child. Not mean, just more oral than my Goldens were.

Good luck finding your little big guy.

[milosmom]

"That describes the Cardigan more so than the Pembroke. Pembroke's will go with whomever has the cookies."

LOL, how true!! To Milo, there is no such thing as a stranger if they have a cookie! Milo is wonderful with kids, loves them. If we are walking in a park and he hears kids playing, he pulls me in their direction. To him they are fun playmates. I had to work with him as a puppy to not nip their heels and ankles and was successful, although I catch him poking with his nose. I don't mind poking, no one ever got hurt by a cold wet nose!

Corgis are awesome dogs, and I think they are very trainable, keeping in mind they have a mind of their own. Milo is a good watch dog, and has a big dog bark that fools people. (They have no idea the size of the dog on the other side of the door). I don't jog or run, but do walk and he loves to do that and can keep up. That is one of the best traits of Corgis: they are energetic but can be just as happy to be lazy couch potatoes too.
Milo is protective of kids too. He will stand between himself and the baby (nephew) and counter your moves if you try to get close to the baby but he never barks, growls, or shows teeth, just blocks your move to make it hard for you get near the baby. Then I have to say, "Milo, knock it off." and he does. Corgis rule!

[Checkers]

Hi Mrs Grace. You've already gotten some great advice and tips. The only thing I can touch on is in regards to the toddler. I have a young son (he'll turn one on March 5th) who has just been walking for a month or so. I also have a 1 1/2 year old Pem, and a 6 month old Pem. So far... I have had no problems (well, unless you count the amount of baby toys that have been shredded!). My son and my dogs get along very well.... especially the younger dog who will seemingly put up with anything from my son! The biggest thing I have to watch for it to make sure my son is not in the path during FRAP fests as the dogs sometimes don't know where they are going and could run him over! Anyhow... corgi's and kids can mix...at least some of them. Definitely would need the right temperment though... as you would with any breed, and a good breeder could help you out with that significantly. Best of luck!