It’s not hard to be convinced to get a dog. If you’ve got the time, the cash, and the space, the decision is pretty much given.
Now when it comes to corgis, they’re the dog the internet has been telling you about. You’ve seen them hanging out with the royal family and strutting on your TV screen in Brooklyn 99.
But why – out of all the breeds in the world – should you get yourself a corgi.? And are they going to be the right dog for your home?
Yes. Corgis are good dogs. They make great pets because of they are good with kids, energetic, easy to groom, and can even improve your mental health.
1. Corgis are good with young kids and families
Every breed comes with its own unique temperament and behaviour.
Some were bred to be hunters and fighters – and some have maxed out on intelligence and emotion.
If you’ve got a family at home (or an open door policy on friends coming to visit), a corgi is going to be a great addition. They’ve got the smile and the smarts to not snap and bite whenever a fresh pair of feet appear at the dinner table.
I’ve found that my corgi loves kids a lot. He’s always so happy whenever the neighbour kids want to give him a pat while we are on our regular walk around the block.
Corgis have a high level of intelligence and personability, and are happy to get on with lots of different people.
Corgis integrate well into new situations, and will quickly become a big part of your family – and the neighbourhood as well.
That means that you can safely bring around grandma and your favourite niece and nephew (we won’t tell the others!) without having to fear for their safety.
I do recommend that very young children be careful though, as corgis will not react well to being smacked, chased, squeezed, or having their tail tugged on.
2. Corgis are good with other dogs, cats, and animals
You’ve heard the horror stories of pets that don’t get along. No one needs to spend all their time playing referee to judo fights between dogs who simply don’t like each other.
Corgis have a great personality when dealing with other animals, and are happy to go on walks, playdates and excursions with other dogs. You can also find them relaxing and playing together around the house.
If you have pets of totally different energy levels, say, a lazy dog and a corgi, you may have to spend some extra time in training your corgi to make sure that they are ok with each other.
I’ve found that my corgi gets on well with lots of different animals. But a friend of mine with a corgi had to try a little coaxing before their beautiful boy would play with the others.
There are thankfully and few strategies that they’ve passed on to me, which I want to pass onto you.
Give your corgi and your other animals their own space. Then slowly introduce them to one another. Once they’ve settled, they’re bound to be great friends.
Corgis will be curious of other animals, but will treat them gently and safely. While they can take a little bit of time to warm up to new companions, once they’re bonded, they’re bonded for life. It’s not unusual to see corgis and cats hanging out together – once they’ve had some time to acclimatise to each other.
You do have to be careful of very small animals like rats and rabbits. A corgi’s bite – however uncommon – can still cause some damage at that size.
3. Corgis are good watch dogs
Let’s be straight up, there’s a difference between watch dogs and guard dogs.
A guard dog is a dog used to guard property against unwanted or unexpected human or animal intruders. The dog is discerning so that it does not annoy or attack the resident humans of the house. In the event of a problem, it is trained to protect you and the home.
A watch dog will keep a watch over the household. Typically, they will bark whenever they sense that someone is around that isn’t usually there. A good watchdog should be able to discern between what is usual and unusual. This is why sometimes you get dogs barking a neighbours who are walking down the street.
That’s certainly the case for me. My little furry boy is definitely aware of when their is someone at the front door – and sometimes, even down the block. The loud bark can be a lot though, so I definitely suggest training.
Because of its smaller size, the corgi is not recommended as a guard dog. They can however, make effective watch dogs. Yes, they’re not your typical attack-anything-that-moves Doberman, but they are acutely aware of their surroundings, and know when things aren’t right.
You can’t leave them to guard the house all by themselves, but they can alert you to potential dangers around you.
So while you should still keep grandma’s diamond ring in that safe behind a painting in a locked room every night – you can rest easy knowing that your corgi is out there keeping an eye over you.
4. Corgis have lots of energy
As any interior designer will tell you, rooms need to be filled with life. Some people like wildflowers and house plants. Some gravitate towards antique furniture and sports memorabilia. Andd some, with taste, get themselves a pet that’s brimming with energy.
If you’re after a little excitement in your life, the corgi makes an excellent companion. My boy and I are always hanging out on the weekend, hitting up the local park and hanging out with other dog owners.
Corgis have what many call the perfect level of energy for a dog. They are very active and you can take them out for the entire day without worrying about them needing a snooze at lunchtime. They love a good stroll and are always up for lots of adventures with the family.
But, they aren’t hyperactive and don’t need to be walked for miles and miles like some of those bigger breeds. And if you need to cut a trip short, corgis are adaptable and can happily burn off the energy themselves. If you’re prepare to watch them enjoy zoomies around the house again and again, then a corgi is bound to spice up your life.
Plus, they’re always ready with a happy face and a big smile for those long days when all you need is a hug. Just holding their fluffy bodies is bound to transfer that smile of theirs to you.
5. Corgis are easy to groom
A trip to the hairdresser can be a complicated process – the stress of whether to wash before a session, what photo are you going to bring in as a reference, is it really gonna cost THAT much for a simple blowout…
And while grooming a dog might not come with the same stress and precision of a trip to the salon, for big hairy dogs like Samoyeds and Malamutes, it can be an involved process.
There’s none of that with a corgi. Corgis have a a medium-dense double coat, that’s easy to get through with a simple brush each day. For me, the grooming is something I’ve had to grow accustom to doing, as if I leave it too long, the hair starts to mat.
You only need to do a full groom once every month or two in summer and winter, and only a little more frequently in autumn and spring. That saves you money and saves you in trips to the groomer.
And don’t even get me started about how thankful we are to not have to struggle with a huge pool of water for bathing. The corgis small size makes cleaning and bathing a simple process, with just a bathtub and a bucket – you’re all set. And the quicker the process, the more time you can spend playing and having fun.
The ease of grooming also makes corgis a great pet for kids to learn responsibility in how to take care of a pet. This is an essential skill for them to have as they grow.
6. Corgis are good for your mental health
Did you know that patting a dog activates serotonin and oxytocin in your body? These are the hormones responsible for those warm fuzzy feelings, like when you fall in love.
Dogs have been known to have positive benefits for humans for a long time. While all pet dogs can make us feel better, corgis have the unique skillset tied to their nature that makes them particularly good.
As a happy docile breed of dog, the energy that your corgi brings to its life has a rub-off effect onto you. This is much in the same way that being around happy people helps make you feel happy. It gives you a more positive outlook to start your day – after all, how can you be sad or mad when you look into those big beautiful eyes.
When feeling down, we often pull away from friends, family, and your community. Having a corgi as a pet means that you will still need to take it out for walks and exercise. This means getting out into society and (most likely) being in proximity of people.
It’s also very likely that a stranger will strike up a conversation, or you’ll have the opportunity to converse if you want to. This can help improve your mood and make you feel better. I’ve certainly noticed that whenever I’m in a bad mood, if I’m walking with my corgi, strangers are much more likely to want to talk to me. And honestly, that’s true for when I’m in a good mood too.
Having a corgi that sets itself to a regular schedule (as corgis tend to do) means that you need to be scheduled as well. Having set times to eat, walk, and sleep are good for corgis, but they’re also good for us humans. Giving yourself a schedule can help pull you out of your funk and give you some structure to improve your day.
An important factor that often gets overlooked is the unconditional love that your corgi gives you. Our human relationships can be so messy and complicated. There are fights, arguments, jealousy and envy. There are expectations that are met and not met.
You corgi doesn’t get mixed up in any of that human stuff. They love you. You love them. It’s underconditioned and unwavering. It is everything. It is enough.
Final thoughts on whether corgis are good dogs?
The world is full of lots of great dog breeds, but the corgi stands on its short legs above the rest!
From its docile nature to its energy and ease of grooming, these are all the reasons you need to take the plunge into buying a corgi.
Let us know on Instagram or Facebook when you get your new corgi and what finally tipped you into making the best decision of your life.
