Is a Corgi the Right Dog for You?
In the USA, the corgis are quite popular and the Pembroke corgi in particular. Among the most popular dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club in 2015, the Pembroke was on place 20 (the Cardigan on place 76). But this popularity has also its negative sides. Besides the many responsible breeders who are members of The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America or The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America there are numerous backyard breeders and puppy mills where it's not the health, socialization and welfare of the dogs that count but only the money.And, as stated by The Lesser Corgi Society, Welsh Corgis are not for everyone. Many people choose a corgi for its gregarious personality. They are cute, even funny, and can be quite ingratiating, but the charming appearance can mask a less-appealing reality. What seemed so delightful at first can become a vexing nuisance to an owner who was not prepared for that eventuality.
The sad fact is that many corgis end up in rescue and as the Pembroke is far more popular than the Cardigan, it's mainly Pembrokes that are in need. Fortunately there are several corgi rescue organizations as well as CorgiAid, a nonprofit organization run by volunteers and founded to provide financial medical assistance to corgis and corgi mixes.
In Great Britain, the Welsh Corgi Rescue Service takes care of corgis in need, but as the Pembrokes are no longer as popular as they used to be, the Rescue Service has a long waiting list of people looking for a corgi in need.
Pembroke puppy Photo: F. Polasek |
Cardigan puppy Photo: M. Feenstra |
So, if you have fallen in love with a corgi make sure to visit http://mycorgi.com/ and read the following article found before you rush off to buy one. Although some of it may seem a little exaggerated, it should nevertheless give you food for thought. Of course, much of it also holds true for the Cardigan. Should you still feel that a corgi is the right breed for you, make sure to find a responsible breeder by contacting the breed club in your country.
Five Reasons NOT to Buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
By Cindy Lynn on Yahoo.com
Have you seen a Welsh Corgi on TV and thought, "How cute; that's the dog for me," and yet you're not entirely certain a Welsh Corgi is your best choice? There are two breeds of Corgi to choose from, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and for the purposes of this article, the Pembroke will be discussed.
If you've seen the Queen of England's Pembroke Welsh Corgis, you were probably smitten with their cute, pixie faces that seem to have a perpetual smile. That's one of the many things that make the breed so totally lovable. On the other hand, before you run out and buy a Welsh Corgi because his looks have stolen your heart, consider these 5 reasons why a Pembroke Welsh Corgi may not fit your lifestyle.
Bark, Bark, Bark (Welsh Corgis Love to Vocalize)
Yes, they like to bark. That little puppy "yap" might be cute when he's young, but when your Welsh Corgi is grown, his bark will be loud. A Pembroke is very vocal and feels it's necessary to bark when he's hungry, when he sees something that's amiss, when he wants to play ... as well as when a leaf falls from a tree, or when the stars come out at night. In other words, he knows he has a voice and he likes to use it. If you don't wish to spend time teaching him to control his voice or you simply don't like a barky dog, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Almost Enough Hair to Knit a Sweater (Welsh Corgis Shed)
Many people are unaware of the fact that Corgis are constant shedders, with the heaviest shedding happening in fall and spring. You'll have piles of hair everywhere and if vacuuming every day-or at least every other day-isn't to your liking, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The same goes if you're a fastidious person who detests having dog hair on his/her clothing.
Ooo, My Aching Back (Welsh Corgis Often Have Back Troubles)
Because of their long backs, spinal problems can happen in Welsh Corgis. As one veterinarian in Utah said about a Pembroke he was treating, "This dog needs a center post!" If you want a dog that jogs and jumps, and you don't want to be concerned with keeping him from hopping in and out of places, running with abandon over rough terrain, or zooming up and down stairs, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. And speaking of stairs-if your house has them, be prepared to carry your twenty-nine pound, aging Pembroke up and down them all day long.
Food, Glorious Food (Welsh Corgis Love to Eat)
Pembrokes are food-oriented, and treats work well as a training reward. On the other hand, they love food so much that they drool at the smell of it, bark at the sight of it, and will wheedle treats away from their owners at the drop of a hat. If you aren't interested in controlling his intake and keeping him slim, back and leg problems loom on the horizon. If you can't say no to giving treats/snacks, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Whatever... (Welsh Corgis Have a Stubborn Streak)
Because they have a humorous personality, it's often easy to overlook teaching a Pembroke good manners. And when you do try to teach him, you may discover he has a stubborn streak. Breeders often say, "A Corgi doesn't like to do the same command over and over." The truth of the matter is, to heck with doing it over and over, sometimes they don't even want to follow commands at all. They're bright and learn quickly, but Welsh Corgis often insist they're smarter than the rest of the world. If you can't give consistent training, or you want a dog that's willing to follow your every whim as soon as you utter it, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
What if All That Doesn't Matter?
Now that you've read 5 reasons not to buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, are you insisting you could overlook a Pembroke's flaws in favor of a personality filled with humor-laying upside down on his back, smiling at everyone he meets, playing with squeaky toys? Would a personality filled with love, including following you from room to room, giving you dog kisses, wanting to sit in your lap, and a host of other ways that say, "I love you" work in your life? If so, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi ... buy two!
20.03.2017
