It seems there is a Corgi on every commercial these days! Dog food, health insurance you name it, seems like a Corgi's should be voted Best Dog For Families With Kids with all that good PR. Well-known children's author Tasha Tudor illustrated her timeless classics with Corgi cartoons & there is even a toy company named Corgi that makes matchbox cars.
Our family's Corgi Leonard has taught me a lot since adopting his fuzzy butts. Corgis are funny to me because a lot of different aspects from other animals have been smooshed together to make them. When I look at Leonard I see rabbit, bear & fox in one. Corgis colors can vary. Ours is tri-color which is brown, black & white. Our tri-color Leonard looks like he's wearing eyeliner like an Egyptian. I think this is fairly common.
Leonard's legs are short & sort of resemble a bunny. When he runs, it looks like he's hopping. Corgis have powerful haunches in the rear like a rabbit, too. Their ears are velvety soft like a bunny but are shaped like a fox. When Corgis are pups they look like a bear cub. Their fur is wiry and soft at the same time due to their fabulous coats. Leonard is actually a sub-classification of the breed called "Fluffy". This means his undercoat is more substantial than most and it is as soft as angora. During his summer shed we really lament it but it makes for a soft and very stroke-worthy canine companion.
Legends surrounding the Corgis origins state that they were a gift from the fairies to man. Their white harness of fur is said to have some from the fairy carriages they were made to pull. Corgis were adapted for shepherding in the cold, wet climate of Britannia. Queen Elizabeth of England loves Corgis. Corgis are shepherds but not for round-ups rather, they are developed to keep the animals away from the farmer. Corgis use their short, powerful legs to jump on the chest of the animals and push them away from the farmer or shepherd so they don't get crushed. I think Corgis they must speak the same language as other shepherding dogs like Australian shepherds because you can be out at a park or on a walk and if these breeds meet they will be INSTANT fast buddies! Come to think of it, our Corgi Leonard never met a stranger, man or beast.
Corgis love children. Leonard kept our baby from running around near our backyard pool by gently knocking her down until we come near. The baby and the Corgi are good friends. Perhaps the only thing they like better than attention is a delicious treat, to say the least! A set feeding time once a day and light, smallish treats for rewarding good behavior are good rules of thumb when you own Corgis.
Most importantly don't feed these little gremlins people food. It's hard on their digestive tracts and gives them terribly messy poop that is a horror to clean and may require the special touch of a professional if not taken care of immediately. Furthermore, a haphazard diet may contribute to obesity which may cause their long backs to go out on them in their later years like when they jump on a couch or go up stairs. Corgis are also prone to diabetes because of their appetite. Take care to closely curate their diet if you wish for a lean & sporty pup that truly shines.
One thing to note if you are considering Corgis is how furry they can become in cooler months. They actually shed twice a year. A thick, wiry top coat conceals an angora-like soft, dense undercoat. When shedding starts the soft downy undercoat starts coming out in clumps. It's more like molting than shedding if you don't comb it out. Our dog does not groom himself like cats so hairballs are not a problem. I would also suggest investing in a better-than-average vacuum for your home. A groomer can get expensive and shaving this breed is NOT recommended. Unfortunately, the only solution is a good bath with de-shedding shampoo and a solid brushing.
I can't stress this enough: Make sure to invest in a GREAT comb like the Furminator which, keeps them from getting comb burn on their skin. Comb Burn is sort of like razor burn to us people and animals can get it if you try to comb them when they are wet. Wash them outside when you bathe them as their hair WILL clog your drains. Wait to comb them until they have dried a little, too. Also, good to note that when you are grooming them Corgis don't like to have their feet touched. I don't know why. I have not come across a reason for this yet. Thankfully or dog does enjoy a good bath & the extra attention so, grooming is little more than time consuming. Drying Leonard is easy if you just take him for a good walk after his bath. He will shake it off.
Corgis are very, very intelligent. Pair this with a strong desire to gain your approval and you've got a dog that is very easy to train. Simple obedience training for harmony in the home is a snap. If you start when the Corgi is young, the lessons they learn will be with them forever. A beginner's obedience class will yield big success when you try to teach them simple lessons like sit, heel, stay, fetch & shake. As I mentioned before, their desire to please you is not as big of a motivator as their appetite and low calorie or small portioned treats will be a winning way to get your Corgi to listen & obey. Kids will be especially thrilled at the small victories an easy obedience class will yield.
For More Great Family Pet Ideas Check Out My FireBellied Toads Article!
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