Hi from Houston

[dkatten]

Howdy, I wanted to say hi, brag a little about my adorable Ruby, and ask a quick question.

I have a few friends that I'm trying to get to buy corgis, but they're both runners and think a corgi either couldn't keep up or would injure their joints. I walk with Ruby an average of 2 miles a day, plus play time, but I have no idea about sustained running. Does anyone run multiple miles with their corgi? And what about their nails wearing down, do they bleed?

As for me, I'm out there spreading the corgi gospel. Best. Dog. Ever.

Take care,
dave

[Jane Austen]

As wonderful as corgis are they are not for everyone. I have seen on this website that corgis are not good at sustained running. Correct me friends if I am wrong. They are good with walkers, even fast walkers, not runners.
Duchess is whining to go out now so I will leave you to more expert advisors.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by dkatten

I have a few friends that I'm trying to get to buy corgis, but they're both runners and think a corgi either couldn't keep up or would injure their joints. I walk with Ruby an average of 2 miles a day, plus play time, but I have no idea about sustained running. Does anyone run multiple miles with their corgi? And what about their nails wearing down, do they bleed?

I agree with Jane, I think they're great dogs, but not for everyone.

IMO, if they want a dog to go jogging with or to run long distances I'd recommend a dog that could do that better than a corgi.

A corgi can go the distance but not sure at a run and it would depend on exactly how fast they can go and how far they want to go.

Corgis do have more weight in the front end than other dogs, so that would need to be considered for lots of running. And would depend on the surface that they were running on.

IMO, if they are hesitant to get a corgi, let it go. Corgis are not for everyone and they need to be with people who really want them. Sounds like these friends really don't.

Peggy

[Dillydoodle]

Corgi's are not dogs for jogging in my opinion...running takes long term endurance, and while the corgi can run pretty fast, certainly fast enough to keep up with a human runner easily, they cannot maintain the speed...not comfortably. If your friends are looking for dogs to run with tell them to look for a Viszla, golden retriever, a lab or one of the other super energetic /athletic sporting breeds. I think running is hard on the joints, and if you run on pavement, hard on the toenails too. Just my opinion.
Emilie

[milosmom]

Corgis are agile and quick for short distance....long distance, not so much. My sister has an Australian cattle dog (blue heeler) that is an excellent jogging companion. They jog 1 to 3 miles several times a week, and he has no trouble keeping up. Her dog is a high energy dog and she is a high energy person, so it is a match made in heaven.

[dkatten]

Wow, that was really fast. Thanks for all your responses.

As for my "pushing", my friends were already very pro-corgi, but wanted to know if they could go jogging too. I was more interested in getting them to get a dog in the first place, only because they seemed like they wanted to, but then they didn't, etc. But I think they were overestimating how much attention they need; I asked them if they would be willing to do a few walks a day plus some playtime and their response was "of course! But could I leave the dog home for 8-9 hours when I went to work?" My view on this (and I'm curious what you guys think) is that in general dogs are fine being home alone provided they're crate trained, and that corgis are especially adaptable. I'm sure this is elsewhere in the forums, but I'll raise the question here.

I thought that the corgi endurance would be enough, but I wanted to check. Good to know beforehand that it's not.

Thanks again,
dave

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by dkatten

As for my "pushing", my friends were already very pro-corgi, but wanted to know if they could go jogging too.

Ok, it sounded like you were trying to talk them into getting a corgi. Personally I don't try to sell people on corgis. I'm more comfortable with them not being so popular. Now, I do answer questions and talk with people about them, but I make sure I give the cons as well as the pros.

But could I leave the dog home for 8-9 hours when I went to work?"

Lots of dogs not just corgis have to stay home while their people work. This isn't a corgi issue, it's a dog issue. And yes, most are ok home alone while people work.

I do suggest crate training or confining the dog someplace safe, an exercise pen or one room that is dog proofed. I think a dog needs to be a couple years old and earn the right to have the run of the house while home alone. And even then it depends on the dog.

Peggy

[Sizzledog]

I too am very careful who I recommend my breeds to. Now, the cashier at the local outdoor sports store, who I've known for years... I happily told her about corgis, and she's planning on getting one next year. Some yahoo on the street, or someone who thinks Ada is cute at Petsmart... not likely.

[disraeli]

Hi Dave! My corgis and I live in Houston, too!

I definitely agree that I don't think my corgis would enjoy a run. They love a good walk and my male loves to run at the dog part, but he's a sprinter, not a marathoner.

[Michael Romanos]

Hi Dave - you ask good questions. I am afraid I am negative about both of them. Corgis running distances and leaving Corgis of an age below two years for eight or nine hours without arranging Corgi Help.
I jogged my Pem, Taylor for 30 minutes once when he was in a major national relay with the proceeds going to cancer research. But I would not otherwise deliberately run a Corgi in this way - they wouldn't enjoy it and like others have said, Corgis are not meant for distance running. However they can be virtually tireless for hours and walk and trot off leash or on leash for hours on hikes - up to a full day of hiking. Don't forget, Corgis were bred for farm work - and farm work can be very physically tough and requiring great endurance. Mind you farm working dogs usually have a much shorter life span than the more pampered town and city types. So I make sure Taylor fits somewhere in between a cozy, lazy lifestyle and hard out.
Puppies should not be left alone and require attention up to three times a day in the absence of the owner - so friends, relatives, neighbours and hired help can slot into the periods that they would need : tucker, touching talking, toileting and play-time.

[Bayoucorgi]

Hi Dave, Liam and I also live in Houston. Yesterday we walked 4 miles on the greenbelt and gravel paths by the Armand Bayou. It was a lot kinder than all concrete so travel surface is important. Neither of us had done it before but since I'm getting in shape, I needed an accomplice. Liam is a young dog but he was pretty tired at the end. He is starting herding training and I see that he needs the regular exercise to get his stamina up so the individual dog's age and conditioning is important. I saw a young longer-legged r&w male on Craig's List a month ago in Clear Lake. He probably would have been a better candidate than my crooked legged little Liam so individual confirmation is important. My walk is almost all shaded and it was a gorgeous day. You know this won't be the case in Houston in a couple of months. I see dogs running with their owners with their tongues hanging to the sidewalk when it's 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity and they don't look happy. And contrary to a previous opinion, I don't recommend a Golden Retriever for running. Too many joint issues in the breed and a horrible intolerance for heat and humidity. I won't even own a Golden in Houston and would NEVER
run with one. My old Champion died of heatstroke.

I have seen people running with whippets and greyhounds (and you know there is a greyhound rescue in Houston). And they seem too like it the best. But since I've never had these breeds I wouldn't recommend them without finding out more.

Good for you for asking tho!

[dkatten]

Wow, thanks again for all the great responses. I will be sure to pass them along. I generally steer people looking for dogs (especially first dogs) to rescue organizations, and usually breed rescue only because they tend to be run by people who know their stuff about the breed. Texas seems to have a fairly robust corgi rescue community, which is great. And since rescues are typically older, they would figure to be most adaptable to being left alone for a workday (obviously depending on the dog and what the foster family says). But I'm sure some people have different opinions about this.

Anyways, thanks again for the info!

[disraeli]

Wait a second, Dave - I think I know you! Check your private messages.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Puppies should not be left alone and require attention up to three times a day in the absence of the owner - so friends, relatives, neighbours and hired help can slot into the periods that they would need : tucker, touching talking, toileting and play-time.

Not necessarily. Lots and lots of owners have left puppies home alone for up to 8 hours. They either put them in exercise pens or in a puppy proofed bathroom, laundry room or kitchen.

It is "ideal" if you can get help, but well, when has life been "ideal"? Mine sure isn't.

Some people go home for lunch and exercise a puppy. Or have someone else come in once a day. But most don't have that luxury and make do and the puppies do just fine.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

I would not encourage owners to leave a Corgi puppy alone for 8-9 hours nor would I want to sell a puppy to a person who would do this. Refer to Go Corgi's Mission Statement.