Last Updated on March 16, 2022 by Dogs Vets
What do you need to know if you want to get a Welsh Corgi?
The Welsh Corgi is a member of the sheepdog family and is considered the oldest herding dog. It was bred in England to follow herds of cows.
Today, it is one of the most popular dogs in the world. They are smart and cute. These make them the heroes of millions of videos on Youtube and Instagram.
Their ability to be the center of attention will not leave anyone indifferent!
The Welsh Corgi ideally grows from 25 to 30 centimeters at the withers and weighs from 12 to 15 kilograms. Their thick and soft coat may have a red, sable, pale, or black-and-white color with white stripes characteristic of this breed.
Welsh Corgis can be of two types: Cardigan and Pembroke. The differences are in the shape of the head, ears, color variation, and temperament. Cardigans and Pembroke are two independent breeds.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more active and playful than the Cardigan.
I am a paper writer, but what I really wanted was to get more physical activity. So, I bought the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to help me with this goal. Regardless of the breed, you choose(Pembroke or Cardigan), you need to be committed to giving it an hour and a half of walking exercise every day.
About the character of the Welsh Corgi:
They are dogs of great intelligence and intuition, so they will never bother their owners when they are in a bad mood.
The corgi themselves are not inclined to get depressed or be offended by their owner’s remarks. They love to be the center of attention and will never miss an opportunity to cheer you up with a smile or a song. And their slyness has no negative connotations.
Corgi is insanely curious. It shows in rapid socialization and adaptation. By the way, the corgi is easy to train, so in a few months, they’ll easily bring you slippers and run after the ball on walks.
The dog will not allow to bring up little couch dogs, especially the vicious guard dogs, so they will proudly defend their dignity. Show these dogs more respect and friendship, and then they’ll be true companions for you!
Corgi to a family:
Welsh Corgis are sociable with everyone, whether animals or people. Their special energy has a positive effect even on aggressive animals. Absolutely conflict-free corgis are suitable for a family with children of all ages.
In addition, children can learn from the corgi’s kindness and affection. In turn, the dogs will never bite or show aggression, but will patiently wait until your children stop pulling their ears and short legs.
They will always try to protect their “charges” from trouble, although they seem to be very optimistic dogs.
They consider it their duty to make as many friends as possible in the street they will gladly play with cats, not afraid of big dogs.
Welsh Corgi training:
Once again, the Welsh Corgi is very smart and intelligent. Owners speak of them as being easy to train, saying that they learn every command the first time. They can do many circus tricks or agility routines.
But it’s important to remember that corgis don’t like to get hung up on one thing, they need a variety of activities, commands, and discipline. They get tired of monotony, so the owner’s creativity is the key to success in training the corgi.
Corgis are herding dogs by nature, so they tend to group everything that moves. At a young age, they can even bite the owner’s heels to make him walk in the right direction, but this problem is solved with a wise education. Corgis can be trained when they’re two to three months old.
Corgis are not vindictive, they do not resent their owners, but they do not tolerate being raised. Or rather, they will ignore it.
It is important to be tactful and kind with this dog because the corgi will understand your request, said in a soft voice. These dogs, by the way, love human laughter, especially if it serves as a reward for doing a humorous number correctly.
About exercise for the Welsh Corgi:
Some people may be misled by the compact size of this dog. But since the dog is a sheepdog, vigorous exercise is essential. Then the corgi will not only not suffer from various diseases but can boast of easy-going nature and a healthy mind.
Long walks are for them. The optimal regimen for walking is 2-3 hour sessions a day. It is essential to allow your dog to run in vast wooded lawns or fields to recall his shepherding past and awaken his instincts.
Train Pembroke and Cardigan dogs to trot at different paces. This method strengthens ligaments and intensely develops muscles.
Or you can take them out for a jog, a bike ride, a hike, or a car ride. And they won’t mind a swim, either – water “fitness” will strengthen their muscles and vestibular system.
Welsh Corgi Grooming:
Miniature dogs are unpretentious in their care. However, it is worth noting the main thing: they molt quite a lot. Seasonal shedding occurs in the spring and summer. Therefore, cardigans and Pembroke in this period should be brushed daily.
For the rest of the time, you can limit the combing to two times a week.
Be careful in choosing brushes for grooming: a steel comb with rounded teeth, a coarse brush with short teeth, and a glove massager are your helpers.
Corgis love to be gently stroked on their back, belly, and sides, so be gentle with them.
Wash corgis infrequently, only when necessary, because their coat provides for itself in its natural lubrication as well as in its ability to self-clean.
Regularly, pay close attention to all four of the following areas: ears, eyes, nose, and oral cavity.
With care and attention, you can avoid many dental diseases, including the formation of tartar or bad breath.
When trimming a corgi’s claws, simply use a sharp claw trimmer and trim only by a few millimetres at a time. The best approach is to never cut off more than one-third of the entire claw at once.
The Welsh Corgi in your apartment:
Corgis live well in apartments. They require little space, are easy-going, and like to run around, but they’ll wait patiently for their walks without damaging the furniture or going crazy.
Take care of the right personal space for your pet: the place should be open, with a wide view to observe family members, and the bedding should be moderately firm and wide. This is important for proper posture – especially important in the case of this breed’s specific build.
Covering the personal nook should not be made of light fabric, as corgis love to chew on it. Look for a covering that is difficult to peel off or remove, as well as not wet.
Needless to say, the place should always be dry, far from air conditioners and air fresheners, as the dog may catch a cold or suffer from allergies.
It is also important to choose the right bowl for food: metal, stable, deep, and high. But the corgi should not bend over too much when eating.
What to feed your Welsh Corgi dog:
These little dogs have developed an excellent appetite, so they are often prone to overeating and even obesity. This is how dogs develop chronic back problems, which sag under the excess weight.
To prevent any of this from happening, follow a strict feeding regimen. It is contraindicated to feed your dog from the table, especially fatty foods.
The food should be balanced. Dogs of this breed can be given broth, vegetables, and fruits. Boiled fish should be allowed, but chicken is taboo. 30-40% of the diet should be meat. As a side dish to meat and fish, you can add such vegetables as zucchinis, carrots, peppers, beets, and cereals – rice and buckwheat.
About health and diseases of the Welsh Corgi:
The life span of a Corgi is 12 to 15 years. Health problems may manifest themselves as:
- Epilepsy;
- Degenerative myelopathy;
- Obesity;
- Eczema;
- Difficult childbirth;
- Glaucoma;
- Corneal ulceration of the eye;
- Dislocation of the lens (partial or complete displacement);
- Progressive retinal atrophy;
- Ehlersome-Danlos syndrome (cutaneous asthenia);
- Hip dysplasia;
- Degenerative intervertebral disc problems;
- Cataracts;
- Renal telangiectasia;
- Diseases of the urinary tract.
It is recommended that corgis be taken to an ophthalmologist as often as possible. Young Pembroke Welsh Corgis often suffer from narcolepsy. That is, your Welsh Corgi can suddenly fall into a sweet sleep in a completely unintended place.
If your pet is suddenly attacked by sleep, try to shield him from noise and just let the animal rest.
Pregnancy and birth of the corgi should be treated with special attention. Due to physiological characteristics, the birth of offspring in the Welsh Corgi can go with complications. About half of all puppies are born by Caesarean section.
So make sure you have a veterinarian to supervise the birthing process beforehand.
Vigorous corgis, due to the peculiarities of their body can get hurt while jumping up or down. Often dogs with elongated bodies and short legs can easily injure their backs. Don’t forget to control your dog in this!
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