Corgis have soared into most popular dog breed lists in recent years, scoring the 10th position
in the AKC’s popularity list in 2020.
This rise in popularity is largely attributed to growing fame on social media, especially
Instagram and TV.
Some even speculate that Queen Elizabeth has played no small role in the breed’s rise
to fame.
However, the unfortunate reality is that Corgis less than a perfect match for most families.
Here are the top 5 reasons you should not get a Corgi.
If you’ve watched my other videos on Corgis, you know that there are two breeds of Corgi:
the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
While the PWC is the more popular of the two breeds, they are alike enough that most “facts”
about the breeds are interchangeable.
Corgis are Prone to Expensive Health Problems.
Corgis are not cheap.
A Corgi pup can fetch upwards of $4000 depending on the quality of the breed.
However, that is just the beginning of the cash drain that a Corgi will present.
Corgis do not have a reputation for being a "healthy breed."
Corgis are prone to a number of health issues, ranging from spinal problems to skin allergies.
Although most of their frequent health issues are treatable and non-life-threatening, some
less financially secure corgi owners may find them difficult to afford.
To give you an example, hip dysplasia is a relatively prevalent ailment that affects
many corgis.
Complete hip surgeries in severe cases of hip dysplasia can cost upwards of $10,000.
All corgi owners should purchase pet health insurance as soon as possible.
Because of their genetic proclivity for bad backs, controlling your corgi's weight is
also crucial.
Corgis that are overweight are more likely to have chronic back, joint, and hip problems,
which are common in the breed.
To avoid harm, they should always keep an eye on their food consumption, and fed only
high-quality dog foods, formulated for their stage in life, which does add to the overall
cost of owning the breed.
Corgis are not couch potatoes.
If the last time your family spent time in the great outdoors was walking to the car,
a Corgi might not be the best match for you.
Corgis are not a companion breed like a Maltese or Chihuahua.
This is a full-blown herding dog.
Corgis were raised to work in fields and herd livestock all day.
As a result, they have a high degree of energy and can be nearly impossible to exhaust.
A dog with pent-up energy is more likely to become destructive, bark, and be disobedient.
A Corgi with pent-up energy is not a well-behaved Corgi.
Because Corgis demand a lot of mental and physical stimulation on a daily basis, it's
critical that their owners can meet their needs.
Hiking, long walks, and fetch are all activities that Corgis enjoy, and they excel at athletic
events such as herding, naturally, and agility.
Speaking of training, did you know that you can train YouTube to show you more videos
about dogs, simply by clicking the like button.
Go ahead and smash subscribe while you’re down there and ring the notification bell
for more.
A Corgi will Herd and Nip.
Yes, the Corgi is a Herding Dog.
You will not completely train this out of your dog.
Barking, chasing, and nipping are all part of the "herding" process.
Corgis' nipping instincts make them less than ideal companion dogs for small children, particularly
toddlers.
They'll nibble at the ankles of tiny children and "herd" them around.
This behavior is difficult to prevent, but with good obedience training and socialization,
it MAY be possible to inhibit this instinct to some degree.
Your Corgi may Outsmart you.
Because most Corgis pick up new habits quickly, teaching them to sit, stay, and come when
called won't be difficult.
Regrettably, they will pick up undesirable habits rapidly as well.
They'll quickly learn to walk on a leash, but they'll also learn that if they're not
on a leash, you can't catch them.
Corgis are self-assured canines who make their own decisions.
Just because they comprehend what you're asking of them doesn't imply they'll be inclined
to actually do it.
As a result, they require ongoing training and firm discipline from a knowledgeable owner.
Less knowledgable pet parents are well-advised to look for a more eager-to-please breed.
Corgis Shed A Lot.
The Corgi doesn’t look like a dog with a shedding problem.
Looks can be deceiving.
And, I always get the comments “But, all dogs shed.
If you don’t like dog hair don’t get a dog”, etc, etc.
Let’s throw the argument that all dogs shed out the window because sure… ok.
Shedding is not a binary state, it’s more of a spectrum with dogs like the Maltese shedding
almost no hair and dogs like Corgis coating everything you own with hair.
Most people have a threshold of how much hair they are willing to deal with.
Corgis, unlike some other dog breeds, shed all year.
Their shedding tends to increase as the seasons change, but they produce a significant volume
of hair year-round.
The best overall brush for your Corgi is a slicker brush (link in the description).
This is the type of brush you want to have for general purpose use because it can easily
get through both layers of their double coat but not into the skin.
This is a major issue for persons who wear uniforms to work as well as those who are
allergic to dogs.
Corgis are far from hypoallergenic.
Anyone who isn't ready to deal with the regular vacuuming, lint rolling, and brushing that
comes with keeping a Corgi, there are certainly other breeds.
You can check out non-shedding small dog breeds in the description.
Do you have what it takes to be a Corgi parent?
Here are more videos for you to enjoy.
Might as well smash that subscribe button while you’re at it.
And as always, catch ya next time.