Written by Dr. Marcelle Landestoy, DVM
Are you looking to adopt a corgi as a new canine member of your family?
Well, before you bring that beautiful dog home, it’s advisable to conduct thorough research on their suitability as family dogs.
Different dog breeds pose as good pets, but few of them qualify as perfect family dogs.
Corgis make great family dogs due to their friendly nature. They take good care of babies because of their herding instinct; however, their chaser nature may trigger them to run after young kids and nip their feet. Families with seniors should be aware that Corgis are fond of walking between peoples’ feet, increasing the risk of falls.
If you’re worried about whether the corgi you have been dreaming of adopting will create a perfect family dog, you’re in the right place.
With my background as a veterinary doctor, I’ll look into everything about corgis and your quest for the ideal family dog. Read on.
Are They Good With Kids?
As a parent, you can agree with me that any time you think of getting a pup, your kids’ safety is among the first things you think of.
As a result, you’re probably wondering, is that pup good with kids?
Different families have kids that are at various stages of development.
Some have babies, others have toddlers, while others have older kids.
The pup you adopt should relate well with kids of different ages to qualify as a perfect family dog.
So, let’s look at how corgis relate to different kids.
Babies
Corgis aren’t ideally the best canine breed for babies.
Adult corgis are vocal and often tend to let out loud barks that could startle an otherwise calm baby or abruptly wake babies from a deep slumber, making them cranky.
However, with good training, you can control the loud barking.
For puppy corgis, if they are well-trained, they can learn to be gentle around babies.
However, training doesn’t guarantee you to leave your baby alone with a puppy.
A corgi puppy should interact with your baby only under your supervision or any other adult member of your family.
Adult corgis have strong herding instincts derived from their ancestry lineage, and they can take excellent care of babies.
Additionally, their intelligence makes them good at learning non-verbal cues from humans.
Therefore if they see you protecting a baby and treating them calmly, they too will practice the same around babies.
However, when aggressive, they can bite or nip different parts of your baby’s body.
Remember that puppies will bite until they are properly trained and should not be left close to the baby without supervision.
Helping Your Corgi Adjust to a New Baby
Corgis are by no means wallflowers; they love attention and are possessive of their owners.
Therefore, they are likely to get jealous if the attention they’ve been receiving is suddenly shifted.
However, you can do a few things to help your corgi adjust to a new baby in the family.
Once your baby is home, help your pup associate him with good things.
For example, you can take used baby blankets or burp cloths and place them where your corgi eats or sleeps.
This way, your pup will learn that the baby isn’t an intruder or an enemy, and the two will co-exist peacefully.
Additionally, you can let your canine friend sniff the baby under your supervision. This helps in familiarizing and creating a bond.
You can also allow your corgi to sit or lie next to your baby again under your supervision.
This way, these two attention-seeking creatures will grow fond of each other.
Toddlers
A toddler may refer to a child between one to four years of age.
Since corgi’s energy and lively nature match that of toddlers, the two may easily get along. However, it’s not always a smooth ride.
While playful around toddlers, sometimes corgis lose control of themselves, and if their energy exceeds that of toddlers, they can send your beloved toddler sprawling on the floor.
Additionally, given that toddlers are fond of running around while playing, corgi’s herding instincts and their chaser nature may trigger them to run after the toddler.
Here they may end up nipping or biting the innocent toddlers.
Older Kids
Corgis are good with older kids because they are energetic and intelligent.
With the proper training for both your dog and your kid, don’t be surprised if the duo ends up becoming all-time play buddies.
However, when their herding instincts are triggered or become aggressive, they may bite or nip even the older kids.
Is the Corgi the Right Size for Your Family?
Did you know that the word ‘Corgi’ means ‘dwarf dog’ in Welsh? Well, now you know.
And true to their name, most corgis range between 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall and weigh between 27-30 lb (12-14 kg).
Their short stature makes them an ideal size for kids.
As puppies, most young kids can walk them (with supervision, of course), and as they age, the older kids can help with walking, bathing, and carrying the fluffball around.
How Much Living Space Does the Corgi Need?
Given their miniature size, corgis don’t require ample living space.
Therefore, they can comfortably live in apartments and quickly adapt to your family’s way of life.
However, since they were originally herding dogs, they may need a larger space to play and run around.
And while you can’t leave your favorite corgi to the harsh outdoor life, it’s advisable to take them out for frequent walks.
Additionally, you can take your pup to the dog park, where they can enjoy running and playing with other dogs.
Just remember to properly socialize your dog before any dog park adventures, and ensure that your corgi knows how to recall before ever allowing them off-leash.
Can Corgis Cause Allergies?
No, the corgi isn’t hypoallergenic. Therefore, if you or any member of your family are allergic to dog fur, getting a corgi may not be a good idea.
They shed a lot all year long, but their rate is highest in early summer or late fall.
During this time, you’ll see excessive shedding to account for the changes in the weather.
If you get a corgi, dog fur is likely to spread all over your house, causing allergic reactions to those affected.
Do They Bark a Lot?
Yes, corgis are incredibly vocal, and without proper training, they can bark at anything.
Their loud barks are not good for babies as they may suddenly wake sleeping babies or scare them, making them fussy.
They can also be too loud for young children who are more sensitive.
If you don’t think you’ll have the time to commit to properly training your corgi, it’s good to wait till the baby gets older before you adopt one.
Are Corgis Aggressive?
Given that corgis are by nature herding dogs, they can exhibit some aggressiveness.
Unfortunately, certain behaviors by family members can trigger them to be more aggressive.
Such behaviors include:
- Being chased (they are chasers but hate being chased, funny, right?)
- Children pulling their tail or ears
- Being treated badly
- Being frightened
The same can be said of many dogs, and aggression is often a sign of fear.
If you have a loud, busy household with young children who are not used to dogs and don’t know how to act around them appropriately, a corgi may not be the right choice for you.
What About Families With Seniors?
Since corgis are an affectionate breed of dogs, they are fond of walking between peoples’ feet.
If seniors aren’t careful enough, they may trip and fall, causing injury to both themselves and the pup.
Additionally, this breed of canines is fond of jumping on people when excited.
Though small, it may be too much for a senior who is unstable on their feet.
That being said, a well-trained corgi would make good company for a senior.
The best option would be to adopt an older dog rather than a puppy that needs far more time and attention.
Do They Get Along With Other Dogs?
Yes, corgis get along with other dogs for the most part, but they tend to be wary of other dogs and animals a little more than other dog breeds.
The good news is that if you safely expose your pup to early socialization, they’re likely to get along with any other dog breed they may find in your family.
You can do this through puppy socialization classes with a trained expert.
Although they might withdraw at first, they will eventually get along with any dog.
Corgis do well in pairs, especially with other canines of the same breed.
Are They Good With Cats?
Yes, corgis are generally good with felines. Although the relationship can be strained at first depending on your corgi’s temperament, their bond should grow stronger over time.
Given that they are both playful, lively, and adventurous, they easily get along.
If you don’t mind excited, loud barks, and high-speed chases, then you’re likely to enjoy a cat-corgi combo.
If you already have a cat, it’s advisable to make any introductions slowly, giving each animal ample time to adjust to the other.
Also, do not leave them alone until you are 100% sure that they are friendly.
You can do this by setting up a phone or camera and monitoring your pets while you leave the house.
Stay close so that you can get back inside should a fight break out. Take it slowly, and they should both adjust well.
Conclusion
Generally, corgis are intelligent, friendly, lively, energetic, and easily get along with humans and other animals.
Though they can be pretty vocal, focused training will leave you with a wonderful family pet.
Just remember that corgis, like all puppies, will be mouthy when teething and should be monitored when around children to avoid any accidents.
If you were debating whether to get a corgi or not, I believe the points explained in this guide will help you make a sound decision.
Sources
- Very Well Family: Differences Between a Baby, Newborn, Infant, & Toddler
- Dogs and Clogs: Are Corgis Good With Kids? The Truth + 11 Dangers & 3 Tips
- Peteducate: Do Corgis Get Along With Other Dogs? [& What You Can Do]
- The Nest: Do Corgis Like Cats?
- Best Life Online: 55 Corgi Facts That Make Them The Best Pets
- Canna Pet: Are Corgis Good Family Dogs?
- Country Living: Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Why Corgis make the best family pet
- Corgi Adoption: 9 Reasons Why Corgis Are the Best Dogs (Ever!)
- The Smart Canine: Are Corgis Good With Kids? – Parents’ Guide to Raising Corgis
- Insta Corgi: Are Corgis Aggressive? The Long-Standing Stereotype
Click here to read my one-page Corgi parent’s guide
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| Marcelle Landestoy Veterinary Hospital Director at UCE Dr. Marcelle is a general veterinarian with a Small Animal Medicine Specialty | Director of the UCE School of Veterinary Medicine | Certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society |
