Do Corgis Make Good Lap Dogs? The Truth About Cuddly Corgis
Three years, one corgi and countless cuddles later, I’m here to reveal whether corgis make good lap dogs.
Most corgis don’t make good lap dogs because of their size and the fact that they don’t like cuddles. Not to mention the fact that they shed (a lot!).
However, as with all breeds, some corgis are more cuddly than others.
My corgi Winston is quite picky with his cuddles. He enjoys a stroke, but isn’t such a fan of my desire to cuddle him every half an hour (I can’t help it).
Is corgi cuddliness one of the reasons why you want to get a corgi?
Let’s take a closer look at the definition of a ‘lap dog’, why some corgis aren’t cuddly, and 3 ways to improve your bond if that’s the case.
What is a lap dog?
According to Wikipedia, a lap dog is “a dog that is both small enough to be held in the arms or lie comfortably on a person’s lap and temperamentally predisposed to doing so.”
At 12-13 kg on average, corgis aren’t technically ‘small enough’ to be a lap dog. Despite this, you’ll find that some are definitely predisposed to laying across their human or curling up beside them.
Breeds that you’d consider small enough include many of the ‘P’s’: Pugs, Pomeranians, Pekingese, Papillon and Miniature Pinscher. Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas are also well-known lap dogs, as well as most dogs in the ‘toy’ breed group. However, if you’re not fussed about a chonky corgi flopping down on your lap for a snooze, they won’t be either…
They’re certainly not going to let size get in the way of their love for you!
Are all corgis clingy?
It would be a sweeping generalization to say that all corgis are clingy. However, it’s certainly true that most corgis love human companionship.
Originally bred to be a herding dog, corgis would spend lots of one-on-one time with their farmer owner, keeping watch over the animals and rounding up cattle by nipping their heels.
This tight bond with humans is hard-wired into corgis today and means that they can be quite clingy. They prefer to spend as much time as possible with their owner. That’s why they make a great dog for people that work from home or those who can take their corgi to work with them.
If, however, you work full-time from an office that doesn’t allow dogs, you must consider hiring a dog sitter or dropping your corgi off to doggy day care.
Leaving your corgi alone frequently for long periods of time (4-5 hours) can lead to behavioral issues like separation anxiety and excessive barking.
Do corgis like being left alone?
While not every corgi makes a good lap dog, almost all corgis absolutely hate being left alone.
It’s okay to leave your corgi home alone occasionally. You may need to run errands or visit a location that isn’t pet-friendly or spend a few hours with a friend without your corgi by your side.
That’s ok! But don’t make it a habit. Corgis really do crave human companionship and lots of one-on-one time with their owner due to their origins as herding dogs.
Do corgis like to cuddle?
Many corgis don’t like to cuddle because by nature, corgis are strong-willed, curious, and highly intelligent dogs.
It may be that those traits are stronger in your corgi than their tendency to be a lap dog.
Again, this is partly due to their heritage as herding dogs who were required to be on high alert and watch over the farm while their owner was busy with other tasks.
How to make your corgi more cuddly
Disappointed that your corgi isn’t more of a lap dog?
Want to improve the bond you two have together?
Try these 3 tips to make your corgi more cuddly.
1. Spend time together each day
This time doesn’t include your corgi’s daily walks. This is special one-on-one time during which you groom your corgi, play a puzzle game with them or teach them a new trick.
Doing daily stress-free activities like this will strengthen your bond and increase trust between the two of you. That’s the first step to making your corgi more cuddly.
2. Make sure they get enough mental and physical stimulation
It’s really important that your corgi is getting enough stimulation each day.
That’s because corgis are very energetic, highly intelligent dogs that require at least 60 minutes of exercise each day and regular mental stimulation via puzzle toys or obedience training.
Not only will this make your corgi happier, but it will also tire them out—and your corgi is much more likely to want to cuddle if they’ve burnt off lots of energy!
3. Follow their lead
Unfortunately, some corgis aren’t cuddly and no amount of patience will change that. Take their lead and don’t push them if cuddles aren’t their love language.
Because even if your corgi isn’t a lap dog, there are other ways that you can show them affection. Pick them up for a cuddle, kiss their head, and play with them to tighten the connection between the two of you.
Related questions
What do corgis love the most?
Corgis love food, walks in the park, and spending time with humans. They’re very intelligent dogs that require lots of physical and mental stimulation each day to stay happy! Besides that, as much one-on-one time with their owner is what they love the most.
Are corgis good for first time owners?
As long as you’re able to walk your corgi for at least 60 minutes each day and work from home (or can take your corgi with you to the office), then corgis are great for first time owners. They are easy to train and the perfect size to bring with you almost anywhere.
Why does my corgi follow me everywhere?
Corgis were originally bred as herding dogs. They would spend a huge amount of time with their farmer owner, keeping watch over the farm and rounding up cattle. To this day, corgis still crave human companionship and may try to round you up like they used to do to cattle!
