For many families, deciding on what kind of dog to get can be a difficult decision. This is because every breed has its own pros and cons, and it’s hard to know which are the best for your family.
Some people worry that large dogs will hurt their children or small dogs are too fragile for roughhousing with kids.
So, are Corgis good family dogs?
Corgis are a great family dog for many reasons. They are great with children, they are very playful and energetic, and they are known to be one of the friendliest breeds there is!
However, not all families are the same, and some may not be suited for Corgi ownership.
It is essential to know the characteristics and needs of the breed before making a decision. Having a dog is a long-term commitment that requires effort and dedication.
Corgi Personality Traits
There are two types of Corgis: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. They mainly differ in their tail shape and ears.
- Some Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known as “troublemakers” because they are very energetic, stubborn, and intelligent. These dogs have been bred to herd cattle, so that is understandable! They also love to chew on things like furniture legs or baseboards around the house, which can be pretty annoying.
- The Cardigan Welsh Corgi was bred as a herding dog, but it tends to be a bit more laid back than the other type of Corgi breed (the Pembroke Corgi). It’s still intelligent, though! This dog will often want to play with its human family members by shaking water from his coat onto them or trying to jump up into their laps even when they are sitting on the ground!
In general, Corgis are a loyal dog breed that can be aggressive when defending their territory.
However, they are also intelligent and obedient, making them easy to train and good for first-time owners.
They are also easy to groom and require minimal bathing.
Corgis have a natural herding instinct, making them excellent with children who want to play or interact with animals.
The downside of this is that they can be overly protective of the child in their care and sometimes become aggressive towards unfamiliar people.
Parents need to train Corgis as pets and as watchdogs so these issues do not occur when an adult can’t supervise the dog at all times.
Corgis are also very social and will enjoy the company of other animals in their household.
This is especially true if they are introduced to them as puppies, making it easier for a Corgi owner who has multiple pets or non-pet housemates.
These dogs are quite small and don’t take up much space, so this may not be an issue for some families.
Benefits of Owning a Corgi as a Family Dog
They Are Easy To Train
Corgis are easy to train. They are intelligent, independent thinkers that can be trained with a positive approach.
Corgis are also stubborn and have minds of their own.
If you want to train a Corgi, you need to be patient with them because they are clever enough that if they don’t want to do or learn something, it won’t happen no matter what tools you use.
Positive reinforcement can go a long way in these cases, though- so positive reinforcements such as praise for doing good work is always encouraged!
If your family wants a dog who will listen without question, then this might not be the dog for you.
Children must know how to handle a dog. It will be easier once the dog knows basic commands like stay, come, and sit.
They Are Loyal Dogs
Corgis are incredibly loyal to their family, which is one of the many reasons they make such a great addition!
They are always eager to please, and they’ll follow you wherever you go.
Corgis are not just a one-person dog. They are the perfect companion for all members of your family!
They Are Great With Children
Their short stature makes them a perfect choice for kids.
They’re also very trainable, so it won’t be difficult teaching your Corgi the rules of the house!
As long as there is an adult around, these dogs will never misbehave or cause trouble.
Kids are naturally drawn to Corgis and will grow up seeing these dogs as their best friends.
They Are Great With Other Animals
Corgi’s size makes them a good choice for families with cats or other small pets in the home!
They’ll get along well with whatever animal you already live with, but be cautious about introducing any new ones.
If they’re raised together from an early age, then it should be fine though, make sure all of your pets are spayed/neutered if possible too!
Corgis Love to Cuddle
This breed enjoys affection from their humans which means that everyone in the family can get all that snuggle time they desire without feeling like someone’s left out!
The corgis are going to make sure everyone gets some lovin’ at least once a day!
Corgis Need Minimal Grooming Needs
If you are someone who is either too busy or just not a fan of pet grooming, the Corgis are going to be your best friend!
They don’t need much more than their nails trimmed and teeth brushed.
A family pet doesn’t get much easier than that! Grooming is such a huge time commitment for many people, and it’s especially difficult when you have many pets.
Corgis Can Live in Apartments
The corgis are a small dog breed which means that they can live in apartments. For a family who might not have a lot of space, this is great!
The downside to the corgis being small is that they can be more challenging for some people with back problems or who are elderly.
If you’re someone who has trouble lifting heavy things and also lives in an apartment- then maybe consider something else like a labradoodle.
Corgis Are Not Aggressive or Vicious
They have a reputation as herding dogs, so they’re used to having more than one dog in the family and are less likely to dominate other animals, including cats.
This is perfect for a family with children because they are less likely to hurt or scare the children.
Corgis Are Gentle and Loving
Corgis are known for being really gentle and loving, and they’re great with kids!
This is good for families with children who might be afraid of other dogs that may bark at them or even bite them.
They Are Excellent Watchdogs
The corgis are also excellent watchdogs because they’re not aggressive and alert enough for someone who might need that.
A family with children often needs an alarm system or something else like the police department to come if there’s an intruder, so having a guard dog can be crucial in those situations.
The Corgi doesn’t always bark at strangers but will warn you of them by barking intermittently, which isn’t as bad as it could be!
So while these small herding breeds may not sound perfect for every family, they do make some sense when considering all their pros and cons!
Corgis May Be Good For First-Time Owners
If you know someone new at owning pets, then this might be a great choice! Corgis require very little care beyond their nails getting trimmed, and teeth brushed, which means that it’s easy for those families just starting out with taking care of an animal.
They Have a Lot of Personality and Are Very Playful
Corgis are known for being extremely playful, which means they will keep you entertained and laughing.
They also have a lot of personality to them that’s hard not to love!
A family with kids will be perfect because they are so playful and love to have a good time.
Drawbacks of Owning a Corgi as a Family Dog
They Are a Lot of Work
A family owning a Corgi will have a lot of responsibility.
Corgis are not for people looking to spend less time with their dog and more time at work or any other commitment.
They need exercise, food, water, and walks around the neighborhood every day – they’re an active breed!
They Are Expensive
Corgis are not a low-cost dog breed.
They require an investment in the first place with either a pet store purchase or adoption from a shelter, and then they need food, toys, grooming supplies, and vet care on top of that.
This makes them expensive to keep for any length of time – just like any other purebred animal you may have considered owning.
They Are Easily Injured
Corgis are fragile dogs.
They have short legs, making them unsteady on their feet and susceptible to injury when they jump off of furniture or run around outside.
Children are sometimes too rough with this breed, and they are at risk of being accidentally kicked or stepped on.
They Have a Lot of Energy and Need Lots of Exercise
You don’t have to go out running or biking every day if you own a corgi – any form of activity will do!
But these dogs require more than just five minutes outside each day.
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise, he’ll develop behavioral problems like chewing furniture or barking incessantly.
Plus, long periods of inactivity can lead to joint stiffness later in life from arthritis, making it difficult for him to maintain his daily exercise.
Corgis Can’t Be Left Unattended For Long Periods
This is mainly because they’re so excitable and because their short legs make it difficult for them to jump off couches or climb stairs.
A dog that isn’t used to being alone will suffer when he’s left by himself all day with no stimulation.
They Can Be Territorial and a Little on the Jealous Side
Corgis are known to be territorial and can sometimes get very protective of their family.
This is especially true for other dogs, so if you have another dog at home who might not like sharing his space with a new one (or someone in your house may want Corgi-one), this could be an issue for him!
If he’s used to being the only pup around or he has been raised as part of the pack – that won’t matter much.
But make sure there isn’t any jealousy going on before bringing home a second household member.
They Are Stubborn
Corgis are known to be stubborn, and most of the time, it’s an endearing quality! If they don’t want something or think you’re trying to push them in a direction that isn’t what they want – like going outside when he doesn’t feel like it, for example- then there is no budging him.
Their Bodies Are Built for Speed, Not Necessarily Strength
This is an important thing to keep in mind when comparing any dog breed with a Corgi.
They are fast but not strong, so if you have any other large dogs or aggressive breeds of dogs – it may be wise to stay away from this mix for the sake of your pup’s safety!
They Can Be Aggressive With Other Dogs or Strangers
Corgis are friendly and social creatures with humans, but that isn’t always the case with other dogs or strangers. They need a lot of obedience training in order to ensure they’re not aggressive around others who may come into contact with them- so if you have any serious reason for concern about aggression (or even just fear), then it’s best to stay away from this breed!
They Bark a Lot
Corgis are known for being a very vocal breed of dogs and will bark at anything.
This can be great if you want an extra line of defense, but it may not be the best choice for families who have to live in apartments or other places where barking is frowned upon!
They’re Prone to Anxiety
One last thing that many people don’t think about when comparing Corgis with family life is their tendency towards anxiety.
This could lead to excessive crying, whining, and even biting during stressful situations such as thunderstorms or strangers coming into your home.
The Best Way To Introduce Your Children to a Corgi
When you introduce a Corgi to your children for the first time, it’s important to remember that they are an unknown entity for a child with no prior experience of Corgis.
As such, your kids should be given plenty of personal space and allowed to get used to their new housemates on their own terms.
It is also advisable not to try too hard to get them acquainted with each other by using food or toys as bribes.
Instead, allow a natural friendship to form between both parties over time naturally, especially if you’re bringing home more than one dog at once.
Corgis are dogs that need lots of walks, so if your children want a pet that doesn’t require much exercise, this might not be the best choice for them unless they plan to walk their dog themselves.
Cute: yes! But without having had previous experience with them, it is best to start slow and let your child come to terms with this new situation which may or may not work out in the end.
You have to make your Corgi feel comfortable and loved in your house. It is a good idea to have them spend some time alone with you when they first arrive.
Final Thoughts
Corgis are considered family dogs due to their small size. However, owning a Corgi is not for everyone.
It would take patience from everyone involved, including adults, because of its high energy level, leading to nipping if not exercised enough.
One should ask themselves whether or not there will be frequent guests coming over who may get disturbed by these.
