Lexi the bird dog?!

[jamierene79]

Ok, I knew Corgi's were herding dogs but, no one said anything about them being bird dogs. This all took place yesterday when I got home from work. As usual, I let the girls out. Lexi -pwc, Daisy-Rat Terrier, Zero-JRT. Daisy leaped off the deck chasing a squirrel (her every time we go out ritual), or at least I thought it was a squirrel. By this time Lexi is trailing her, both barking. I did not think much of it because this is normal. Then I hear the awful squaking of the bird. I turn around to see Lexi and Daisy jumping around on the ground around this bird. I started yelling (our back yard is really big) at them to come and was on my way to the scene. The next thing I know, Lexi has it in her mouth and started jumping in circles, feathers flying everywhere and dogs barking frantically. She finally looks at me (with the bird in her mouth) and takes off running! How dare she!! She finally stopped at the fence. She layed the bird down on the leaves and took off running to the house. I examined the bird, which flew away shortly after, not hurt. What a miracle! I did get a good laugh from the whole event though. I will never forget the scene in my back yard that day. I think curiosity is what caused the whole event. Anyone have any similar experiences with their corgi? This was a first for me.

[fogebotom]

They are supposed to be multi purpose dogs-guardians, herders, ratters and yes hunters.

Our "Farmer Fred"- aka the retired show dog who thinks his new job as a farm dog rocks, will flush, point, honor a point and well, sometimes retrieves. You can even shoot over him. It's fun to take him out to the field and see what he does. Mostly quail, but some pheasants and one or two turkeys.

Cindy and the crew at Foggy Bottom

[MyPemCharlie]

Charlie is a great bug hunting puppy. When we go out to the patio for his evening meal, he stalks, pounces and plays with any crickets, rolly-polly bugs, and spiders who dare to crawl on his concrete. Then he eats them....yuck.

So far, no experience with birds or squirrels.

[Cardiguy]

We have a African Gray parrot at home and Ruby is totally intimidated by the bird. She will not make eye contact. This has been the case for the 5yrs. they have been together. The bird was here before we got Ruby.

I had an old feeble cockatiel that my senior citizen mom could no longer care for who lived with us for about a yr. During that time, the bird got out of the cage and fell on the floor. Ruby ran over to the bird and stood guard til we were able to pick up the bird and put it back in the cage.

Anyhow last month a small finch like wild bird got into our sun room and was banging into the windows trying to get out. I was trying to get it up off the floor as the poor bird was totally exhausted and frozen with fear. Well Ruby comes into the room and gives the bird a little nip as if to say get lost. We got the bird outside and eventually it flew away.

I guess these stories of Ruby and different birds illustrate that if the bird is part of the family, Ruby will protect it or be intimidated by it. if it is a bird who doesn't belong, Ruby will treat it as an intruder.

[Michael Romanos]

Taylor is good with all birds. ducks, geese etc unless they are flying over HIS property.
He herds the budgies when they are running around the floor and he regards them as part of his crew.
Alice for sure and maybe Taffy (both Pem Corgis whom I looked after for periods of time) would chase and eat up anything that is not a dog and is small enough.

[pmavrich]

Molsen & Miller stayed with my friend Michele this summer while I was on vacation. She has 4 birds ... 2 cockatiels, 1 parrot, & 1 cockatoo (and 3 cats). Miller and Molsen payed no attention to the smaller birds, but were facinated with the cockatoo. They would go over to his cage and just sit and hang out with Gus. If Gus squacked, Molsen would bark with him. They formed a bond ... It took Molsen and Gus a couple weeks after their stay to get back to normal. We think they were missing each others company.