The fun-loving Welsh Corgi Pembroke: the care
The Welsh corgi Pembroke is a very old dogbreed. It’s a Nordic breed with pointed ears, a sharp muzzle and a heavy coat. This breed is low set, sturdy and active with lots of stamina. It has been used throughout time to herd livestock, as well as chickens. This highly intelligent dog breed is often used in competitions for obedience, herding, agility and tracking. With proper care and training, these dogs can live a long life as a part of your family.
So you take home a Corgi puppy. That means striving to become an English monarch or adding one to the family. These pups have a rich history and are a famously loyal breed. Like any herding dog, Corgis have a stubborn and independent nature that takes a lot of work to keep in check and stay happy. Here are a few tips so you can be ready for a Corgi.
Make time to play
Corgs are a high-energy pet, and you will need to accommodate that energy. Develop a routine with lots of playtime and walks, otherwise you may have a very restless puppy on your hands. Dogs tend to get loud and disruptive when bored, and Corgis have a reputation for being persistent barkers. But don’t treat playtime with your dog as a chore. Despite their short legs and small stature, Corgis are deceptively fast and can be great at fetching or chasing. If you don’t have a yard big enough to play in, look for dog parks or other parks nearby to spend your pet’s time.
Invest in all kinds of toys to keep your puppy entertained. Corgis are intelligent dogs that can become restless with a simple chew toy, so use puzzle toys so your pet has a greater challenge.
This has an added benefit: healthy teeth from your puppy, although it is not a complete benefit. Corgis were bred to bite into the heels of cattle while herding, so you should be prepared for a small amount of bites from your growing Corgi.
Make sure to indicate that it is unwanted behavior to prevent your Corgi from learning to herd you.
Create a routine
There are two types of Corgi: Cardigan and Pembroke. Depending on the breed of Corgi you have, you will experience different levels of independence and stubbornness from your Corgi. Regardless of the type, establishing a routine and strictly following the rules is the best way to keep your new pet under control. Without structure, Corgis often quickly set their own rules and are unwilling to change.
Arrange feeding times with them at specific times and be sure to keep that time, providing their food bowl only as long as the dog needs to eat. Allowing your pup to graze throughout the day makes them complacent and bored with food, and establishes when they have had a hard time eating.
Do the same with playtime and and walks, but don’t start with more than you are willing to do. If you have walked your new Corgi every day of the week for a month, he will expect it next month as well when you begin to decrease the frequency. Choose the consistency that suits your puppy, you and future you.
Give your puppy a save place
As with all puppies, your new Corgi will want his own space. Provide him with a crate spacious enough for him to stand upright and turn around as an adult. Corgis don’t get very big. But what may seem roomy in his little puppy days will be a tight fit as an adult.
Keep the crate in your bedroom where you are in sight, and allow the puppy access at his convenience. Keep your puppy in there when you are doing other things, to establish that it is not a punishment, and let it become a familiar space. The goal of crate training is to make the crate look like your puppy’s room, not his prison cell.
The same goes for boundaries. Corgis are independent by nature, but your constant presence can cause the puppy to develop separation anxiety. Leave the puppy alone in a room for short periods of time and let him entertain himself with toys. Establish that being alone is not a reason for your puppy to panic.
Veterinary care plan and the unexpected
Keep your new puppy up-to-date on vaccines and preventive care. Make trips to the vet fun and familiarize your Corgi with handling by gently playing with his paws and picking him up so that the sensations experienced during checkups will not be an unpleasant surprise.
You need to plan for the worst, even if you hope for the very best for your dog. Consider microchipping your puppy in case he escapes, and invest in puppy insurance to prepare for unforeseen medical bills.
Corgis are small dogs with a big canine heart that are a great addition to any family, regardless of size. Incredibly loyal and friendly, they will be lifelong companions in your heart. As with all dogs, the amount of time, effort and love you put into them increases tenfold. Hopefully you’ll cherish fond memories of raising your new puppy with a little help from these tips.
Tips
- Take care not to overweight your dog. Extra weight can cause back problems in this elongated breed.
- Remove hair knots before bathing. Wet hair makes knots harder to remove.
- Spay or neuter your dog. It does not affect the dog’s personality or ability to participate in activities.
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