Think You Want a Corgi? 17 Pros and Cons of Owning a Corgi
What better way to find out the pros and cons of owning a corgi than talking to someone who has lived with a corgi for the last three years?
That someone is me! The proud owner of Winston, a Pembroke Welsh corgi I rehomed in January 2020. He is the best thing that ever happened to me, but like all dog breeds (and humans, in fact!) corgis have lots of pros and a few less desirable character traits to watch out for.
The pros of owning a corgi include how affectionate they are, their intelligence (which makes them easier to train than many other breeds), and how adaptable they are to new situations. Some of the cons of corgi ownership include how much they shed and their tendency to bark. But do the pros outweigh the cons?
Let’s take a closer look at 17 pros and cons of owning a corgi to help you decide whether they’re the right breed for you.
Pros of owning a corgi
Being a corgi mom is a total joy. Here are 8 of the biggest pros of owning a corgi.
1. Corgis make great companions
Corgis are loyal dogs that love nothing more than spending all their time with you, their owner.
Their desire for human companionship means you’ll never be lonely. You’ll also have no problem introducing your corgi to friends and family—they love people as much as people love them! My corgi Winston has a close bond with my friends and gets extremely excited whenever we meet up in the park or at one of our houses.
A corgi’s compact size also makes them a fantastic travel companion. I live in London and take Winston with me all across the city, hopping on tubes and buses without any issue. He even traveled with me to Portugal for three months in 2022!
2. Corgis are fast learners
Corgis are highly intelligent, which makes them easier to train than many other breeds.
Of course, training any dog requires patience and commitment. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, it won’t be long before your corgi is house trained, understands commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ and comes back when called.
In fact, dog psychologist Stanley Coren found that corgis obey a known command on the first attempt with an 85% success rate. This makes corgis at least 65% faster at learning new tricks than other breeds.
3. Corgis are laid back
If corgis get the exercise they need (at least 60 minutes per day), they’re actually very laid back dogs.
Winston loves his morning and afternoon walks in the park but he also loves to nap. When we get home, he’ll usually have the zoomies for 10 minutes or we’ll play a game of fetch. Then he’ll curl up in bed and snooze on and off for the rest of the day.
4. They are extremely cuddly
Their size, their fur, and their extreme cuteness makes corgis excellent cuddlers.
Not to mention the fact that they love humans and so enjoy cuddle time as much as you do.
5. Corgis are low maintenance
As purebred dog breeds go, corgis are pretty healthy.
It’s true that they’re prone to back problems if they regularly jump down off high surfaces or run up and down stairs. But if you keep this to a minimum, your corgi should enjoy a long and healthy life.
Thanks to their history as herding dogs, corgis are hardy little dogs that can handle a range of temperatures and have lots of stamina (which makes them great hiking companions!).
6. They’re great family dogs
Their affectionate, playful, and loyal nature makes corgis great family dogs. They’re also very adaptable, unfazed by my most new environments and experiences, making them the perfect dog for chaotic family life.
If you’re considering bringing a corgi into your family, just make sure you are prepared to train them. If not properly trained from a young age, a corgi’s bossy and stubborn tendencies can make them dominant around young children.
7. You can bring your corgi on hikes
You might be surprised to learn that corgis make excellent hikers.
They may have little legs but their history as herding dogs means they’re very used to spending hours out on the farm rounding up cattle. This is also why they’re so hardy—able to handle a variety of weather conditions without fuss.
If you enjoy taking hikes, bring your corgi along with you! While they’re still young (12-18 months old), start off with a few 1-2 hour walks first and gradually increase the distance from there.
8. They’re adorable
Just look at that face!
Corgis are undeniably adorable, so be prepared to be stopped in the street a lot. Oh, and asked “Is that the Queen’s corgi?” about 349x per day.
Cons of owning a corgi
So, what are some of the less desirable corgi characteristics to watch out for?
Here are 9 cons of owning a corgi.
1. Corgis are prone to obesity
Here’s the thing: corgis are notorious pigs. They love food and will keep eating and eating until they’re sick. That’s why they’re prone to obesity.
When you own a corgi it’s really important to keep their food portions consistent, limit treats, and ensure they’re getting enough exercise.
This will keep them healthy and prevent them developing obesity-related complications like diabetes, heart disease or damage to joints and bones.
2. They need a lot of exercise
Despite what some people believe, corgis are not lazy.
They have heaps of energy and need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day to stay stimulated and not get bored and destructive around the home.
This might be a con if you’re looking for a more chilled out dog or don’t have the time to dedicate to daily walks.
3. Corgis can develop joint problems
Due to their short legs and long backs, corgis are more prone to issues with their hips and joints.
Hip dysplasia, which affects the development of the hip joint and causes loss of function over time, is a common health problem among corgis. Degenerative myelopathy is another common condition that can cause muscle atrophy.
These health issues sound scary but it’s important to remember that they don’t affect all corgis. Preventing corgis from jumping down off furniture and using stairs—as well as keeping their weight in check—all help to keep corgis happy and healthy.
4. They can be a bit antisocial towards other dogs
Corgis can be a little antisocial towards other dogs if they’re not socialized lots from a young age.
This is partly because, as herding dogs, corgis used to spend lots of time one-on-one with their owner rounding up cattle on the farm. That’s why they demonstrate certain instinctive herding tendencies like nipping at your heels—this is what they did to cows!
If not properly socialized, these bossy (slightly domineering) qualities can contribute to making your corgi a bit standoffish with other dogs.
5. They shed (a lot!)
Corgis have a double coat of hair—the undercoat that keeps them warm and the ‘guard coat’ that provides additional protection.
The undercoat is responsible for the huge amount of shedding that happens all year round. To keep on top of this, brush your corgi three times a week and vacuum or sweep your home once a week. A lint roller will also come in very handy!
But if all this shedding management sounds like too much effort, a corgi probably isn’t the right dog for you!
6. Corgis can have sensitive stomachs
This isn’t a common problem in corgis, but just something to bear in mind.
Particularly because many corgis enjoy eating anything and everything off the street, from chicken bones to other, much less desirable substances (poo)!
My corgi, Winston, is hypoallergenic. In other words, he is allergic to certain ingredients found in common dog food brands. I discovered this when he kept vomiting a few hours after eating and the vet suggested changing his food. I switched him over to Royal Canin Hypoallergenic kibble and he’s been fine ever since.
7. They can be stubborn
Corgis might be highly intelligent but they can also be very stubborn.
Without enough physical and mental stimulation, they will push boundaries until they get what they want. If you want your corgi to know who’s boss and not dominate your household, then consistent training and lots of exercise is essential.
8. Watch out for the barking
Corgis are known to bark a lot.
The first time you hear their bark, you might be surprised! For a small dog, it’s a very low, loud bark that sounds like it belongs to a much bigger dog.
Fortunately, my corgi Winston doesn’t actually bark that often. He only barks occasionally during playtime or when he stays with my parents and hangs out with their pugs.
If you’re thinking about getting a corgi, keep an eye on excessive barking when they’re a puppy and enlist the help of a professional if you’re finding training challenging.
9. Corgis can be clingy
Corgis are very affectionate and hate being left alone for long periods of time.
For some homebodies and people who work from home, this is great. For other people who work full-time outside the home or lead a busy social life, this may pose a problem.
Corgis shouldn’t be left home alone often and not for more than 3-4 hours at a time. Of course there will be occasions when you need to leave them alone for longer and if they’re older and house trained, this isn’t a huge issue.
Just remember that corgis love human companionship. Corgis left alone often are more likely to become depressed or develop destructive behaviors.
