Corgis are adorable dogs with big personalities, which is why so many families consider them when they’re choosing a family pet.
In general, Corgis will do much better with older children. These dogs have strong herding instincts, so they may try to herd younger kids like they would other animals!
You may think that sounds cute, but your kid won’t enjoy being chased or nipped at as they play in the backyard. It could end up making your child or other kids scared of your dog.
Of course, Corgis are smart dogs, and they will respond well to training. So a lot of your decision, if you have younger kids, should have to do with how much time and discipline you will be able to dedicate to training.
These are active dogs who love playing games and going for walks. Done right, they are a wonderful family pet that will create strong bonds with whoever’s home.
Here are some things you should know about Corgis if you’ve got kids and are thinking about getting a new dog.
Older Kids Are Generally Better for Corgis
We’ve already mentioned that most Corgi dogs have a strong herding instinct. It’s in their blood.
You can temper the inclination to herd younger kids a bit, but no matter what you do, your dog will probably chase younger kids when they try to run and may jump on them, etc.
If you’ve got older kids above or around the age of 10, then it’s not so much of a concern. Bigger kids will be able to fend for themselves and, soon enough, your Corgi will take the hint.
In addition to herding instincts, Corgis love to make a lot of noise. They can bark a lot, which can be alarming for younger children. You can train them not to bark so much, but again, that takes dedicated training.
Corgis Are Always Up for Games
These are some of the smartest dogs in the world. Combine that with Corgis’ high energy levels, and they need to be engaged regularly to stay happy and avoid mess-ups at home.
If you have older kids who can take your dog for a walk or go out in the yard and play fetch with them, then your dog will form a strong bond with your children.
One of the best things about Corgis is that they respond incredibly to obedience training and other forms of training.
They want to learn and view the training as an interesting game or challenge. They also eagerly want approval and can learn commands quickly.
A key point, though, is that Corgis are very smart, and hence don’t want to do tricks just for the sake of it. They tend to be strong-willed and may refuse to listen to commands when they don’t know what the point is.
Make things fun by keeping treats on hand or making a game out of the training and they will likely respond very well.
Corgis Are Fast!
A lot of people hesitate to own Corgis because they take one look at them and think that there is no way that they will be able to keep up on walks, runs, or trips to the park.
Don’t let those short legs fool you. Corgis are actually very fast runners, bred to keep up with cattle and other animals they traditionally herded.
They move surprisingly fast and will spend hours running around with your children at the park or on the lawn.
Corgis Will Form Strong Bonds with Your Children
Perhaps most important of all, Corgis are very social animals. They love to be around people and always want to be in the mix. That’s why they are so great for families with older children who will want to spend a lot of time with the family pet.
They can always be counted on for some cuddling time on the couch and will always want to go wherever your kids go. After some belly rubs and pets, your Corgi will be loyal and loving to your kids for years.
That love for attention and desire to be in the mix is a major advantage for parents who want a good family dog.
Some dogs need their alone time more than others, and can only put up with so much hugging and playing with kids. If they get pushed too far, a dog could snap or growl at a child to let them know that they would like to be left alone.
For Corgis, there is usually no limit to the amount of attention you give them. They love to be scratched and given encouraging words.
It’s Easy to Read a Corgi’s Mood
Successful dog ownership has a lot to do with getting to know your dog and allowing them to get to know you and your family.
A great thing about Corgis is that it’s fairly easy to read their moods. They will either tell you with clear expressions on their face or bark and do other things to make you get the hint.
That’s a big deal, especially for families with children who want a dog. In addition to training the dog, small kids must learn how to read cues from their pet.
It’s the best way to have a good relationship and set clear boundaries that everyone understands.
Growing up with a dog is a quintessential part of the childhood experience. Most children who have dogs in the home form incredibly strong bonds with their pet and the relationship becomes something that they will remember most as they grow older.
Many children become so close to their dogs that they go everywhere with them and sleep together.
Corgis are excellent dogs for families with kids and are always up for a fun time. They are loyal, full of energy, and playful.
If they do nip at a shoe every once in a while, your kids should know it is because of their herding instinct and not out of any sort of malice they have.