I still remember the day we brought home our adorable Corgi mix, and it's been a wild ride ever since. Who wouldn't fall in love with those charming little faces and wagging tails?
One of the last commands I taught our Corgi - 'nose'
We initially wanted a German Shepherd, but after some research, we discovered the Welsh Corgi Cardigan - essentially the same breed in a smaller package. They're similar in temperament, and we thought, why not? We decided to get a Cardigan, but fate had other plans. The puppy we had reserved passed away at the breeder's, and I was heartbroken. I had already started imagining our life with a new furry family member, and then this happened. That same evening, I stumbled upon an adorable little Corgi mix in an ad, and I was like, 'We're getting this dog, no matter what.'
This is how I saw our little Corgi in the ad
Fast forward to the next day, and we're bringing home this charming little Corgi Pembroke, who immediately snuggled up to me and licked my face. I was smitten. We got her from a reputable breeder with all the necessary documents, and she was just 4 months old at the time.
And that's when our fun journey began. First things first, our little Corgi wasn't house-trained, and she'd do her business anywhere but on her potty pad. It took us about two weeks to get her used to going outside, and after that, it was a breeze. Within two more weeks, our little Corgi was basically potty-trained, and life was good.
Living with a Corgi is no cakewalk - they need regular, long walks, and we're talking 40 minutes to an hour in the mornings, five days a week. On weekends, our morning walks can easily last two hours. And we're not done yet - we usually take them out again in the evenings, for another hour or two.
Corgis are super social dogs, so the best walks for us are the ones where we get to play with friends. And no, I'm not exaggerating - our Corgi has friends, including a Sheltie from next door and a few other Corgis in the neighborhood. When they meet up, it's pure joy - they run around, play-fight, and generally have the time of their lives.
Happy games
Not all Corgis are as friendly, though. Male Corgis can be real alpha males and get aggressive towards other males, sometimes even leading to bloody fights. And some females aren't too fond of other females either, and may get aggressive towards them.
I've had the pleasure of owning a Corgi for a while now, and one thing that's really stood out to me is how much they thrive on attention from their owners. If left alone for too long, they can get a bit destructive, so it's essential to keep them engaged and entertained. We're remote workers, so our Corgi is rarely left alone, and when she is, we make sure to spend quality time with her, whether it's belly rubs or playtime. As a result, she's never caused any damage in the 2.5 years we've had her. There was one incident where she tried to nibble on a baseboard, but after a gentle reminder, she hasn't done it again. However, I've seen firsthand how neglecting a Corgi's needs can lead to behavioral issues. A friend of ours has a Corgi that doesn't get the attention it deserves, and it's clear that the dog is struggling. Corgis hate being left alone, and I'm not talking about temporary solitude - I mean when they're left to their own devices for extended periods. If you're considering getting a Corgi but aren't prepared to commit to regular walks and training, it's probably best to reconsider. They need mental and physical stimulation, and if they don't get it, they'll find ways to entertain themselves, trust me, you won't be happy with the results.
As I mentioned earlier, our Corgi is extremely attached to us, and she's gotten used to going on walks with both my husband and me. This can be a bit of a challenge, as if one of us goes for a walk alone, she'll refuse to budge. She'll stand by the door, looking up at us with this 'you're forgetting me' expression, and she'll dig in her heels, literally. It's quite comical, but also a bit frustrating.
Another thing that's struck me about Corgis is how sensitive they are. We've even given her a nickname - 'sensitive Sally' - because she's so easily upset. If we do something that displeases her, she'll sulk and retreat to a corner of the room (usually under the table) and give us the cold shoulder. And in those moments, nothing can coax her out from under there.
I have to say, it's incredibly easy to get on her bad side - just take away something she wants, scold her, or force her to do something, and the 'pleaser' mode is activated. But honestly, this is an incredibly smart dog who understands us in half a sentence. Sometimes she pretends not to understand what we want her to do if she doesn't feel like it. She's amazing at understanding when I tell her to 'go wash your paws' - she'll head straight to the bathroom and jump into the shower stall, waiting for me to wash them. Afterward, she'll start by presenting one front paw for me to dry, then step onto the mat and offer her back paw, and after the command 'turn around', she'll spin around so I can dry the other one. I'm always amazed by this.
On the other hand, the phrase 'go get washed' fills her with universal dread because she absolutely hates getting fully washed. It's not just the washing itself, but the fact that she needs to be blow-dried afterward (if I don't blow-dry her thick coat, she'll start smelling like a skunk, so I always blow-dry her). As soon as she hears this phrase, she'll freeze under the table, pretend to be furniture, and hope I'll forget about her in that moment.
We all know that bathing is a special kind of torture for Corgi owners, and it's especially challenging for us since our low-to-the-ground dog has a tendency to collect dirt and grime on her belly. After a rainstorm, I often have to wash her almost from head to paw.
This is what a happy pup looks like after a walk
The main issue with this breed is that they're so low to the ground, their mouth is too close to the ground, and it's a nightmare - everything that's on the ground ends up in their mouth before you can even react. It's super dangerous, you never know what's on the ground. And some Corgis aren't picky, they'll even eat garbage if they can get to it. Just don't expect me to stick my face in there to give them a kiss.
And the worst part about this breed? It's not the fact that they shed - although, oh boy, do they shed. They shed constantly, it feels like 24/7, 365 days a year. I mean, they're supposed to shed only twice a year, but it feels like it's more like six months. If you don't brush them regularly (we use a silicone brush a few times a week), your whole house becomes a dog hair explosion. Even your nose hairs get clogged with dog hair. The only thing that doesn't get covered in dog hair is the cat, but she's happy to snuggle up and add her own fur to the mix.
This is what brushing looks like when they're shedding. And it's a regular thing.
And to make matters worse, Corgis have super sensitive stomachs, and they're prone to allergies, digestive issues, and food sensitivities. So, we have to be super careful about what we feed them, because it's not uncommon for them to get diarrhea, vomit, or constipated. And to make it even more fun, they can just decide they don't want to eat at all. They'll eat, eat, eat, and then suddenly they just won't. It's like they have a mind of their own. We've had to try out a bunch of different foods to find one that they won't refuse to eat. It took us over a year to find a food that they like.
We travel a lot, and our little girl has been on more than a few thousand miles of car rides and train rides with us. She's been to the beach, the mountains, the south, and the north. As long as we're with her, she's happy to go wherever we go.
I could go on and on about Corgis - I'm absolutely obsessed with my little bundle of joy. She's the most loving, intelligent, and loyal dog I've ever met. But if you're thinking of getting one, you've got to be prepared to put in the time and money for food, vet bills, and endless walks. You've also got to be willing to give her the attention and love she deserves. When a Corgi feels like a valued member of the family, they're happy, well-behaved, and bring endless joy to their owners. It's all about finding that balance and making time for them in your busy life.
All love ❤️