Corgis are among the most popular dog breeds for family pets - you can verify this with the Queen of England. They’re not big at all even as adults and they indeed are quite friendly, especially to young children. But, they’re not only top picks as family dogs, but many single folks also find corgis the perfect home companion. These dogs are cuddly, and despite their small size, they are quite fierce. They don’t back down from a stand-off with big and aggressive humans and animals, which shouldn’t be a surprise since corgis were meant to herd cattle.

All of that being said, if you’re thinking of adopting a dog to be your best friend, a corgi would make a fantastic one. However, there are a few other essential things to know about having this loaf of bread-looking canine as a pet.

1. Their short height makes a lot of things difficult for them.

Their incredibly short legs will not serve them well living in a house with a lot of stairs. Accidents are likely to happen, and these resilient pups can get seriously hurt. Climbing and falling off beds often lead to sprained legs for little four-legged ones.

Therefore, if you have tall seats and beds where you can see yourself cuddling your corgi, you may want to invest in helpful accessories such as little step ladders that it can use to climb up high places.

2. They shed so much.

One of the characteristics that so many people love about corgis is how fluffy they are. But, one particular thing about fluffy dogs is that they shed so much fur. There’s even a saying that goes, “Corgis only shed twice a hear, six months each time.”

This indicates that regular grooming is a must. You need to take the time to comb down your corgi every day to get rid of loose fur. For this, you will need a set of dog care products, including a brush and hair lift gloves to make clean up so much easier. You should also consider a handheld vacuum cleaner, especially if you’re highly allergic or you live with another person who has respiratory issues. You may also want to invest in an air purifier.

Suffice it to say, keeping the shedding under control for your household should be a commitment. Otherwise, your home will abound with tumbleweed-looking fur balls in just a matter of days.

3. They need a lot of exercise.

As mentioned earlier, corgis were meant to herd cattle. Therefore, they need to be able to run around often. Your little one will enjoy chasing and playing catch with you around your home, but it will be so much healthier for it to have a bigger yard to sprint across.

If your dog doesn’t get the exercise it needs, it can quickly pile on the pounds, which is terrible news for its heart and joints. It’s vital to note too that corgis are quite social. They get along easily with other dogs. Thus, if you want to make it happy, take it to the park or a dog run where it can expend its energy with other canines.

4.  They’re too rambunctious for their own good.

One of the most lovable qualities of Corgis is how they’re usually a big ball of energy. However, this can get them into trouble quite often, especially when they’re young. Thus, have dog training in mind before bringing home the furry little one. The Internet is rich with information on how to house-break a corgi, as well as manage its boundless energy. Read whatever you can find to avoid common errors in rearing this breed of dog.

If you can’t stay consistent, enroll the little canine in dog school where its destructive behaviors will be controlled, and coaches can also teach it useful tricks to make life at home a harmonious one.

5. They can get dirty quickly.

Due to their short legs, corgis can pick up ground dirt more than other dogs. Their belly can be a magnet for dirt off the floor. Also, after spending time outdoors after a rain shower, expect your corgi to require a bath because half of its body will be muddy (quite unlike big dogs that only need their legs washed and wiped clean).

It’s not just dirt that you have to be mindful of, corgis can get quite smelly faster as well, which means necessary baths may be more frequent for your pup.

6. The right food is incredibly essential.

Study the nutritional needs of your corgi and feed it the right formula of dog food. Puppy dog food is the best, instead of the DIY recipes recommended by other pet owners. Be on the safe side and opt for tried and tested brands whose food formula is enriched with all the essential nutrients to support your pet’s development.

It shouldn’t be too challenging to find the best brand of dog food to feed your pup, especially with online pet food stores providing a guide for specific breeds and canine sizes. You can use the comprehensive guides and purchase small packages from different brands first to determine which your pup loves the most. It’s worth adding too that you don’t even have to go to brick and mortar pet stores to stock up on dog food because the top pet supplies stores now offer pet food delivery service. If you ever notice your dog won't eat or drink and just lays around, a consultation to a vet is recommended.

7. There are common health woes for Corgis.

Vets say that Corgis are prone to specific health problems more than other canines. Therefore, you really need to pay attention to its diet and keeping up with physical activities to ensure its health. Some of Corgis’ most prevalent health concerns are arthritis (because of their often chubby body that their short, stump legs have to bear) cataracts, epilepsy, and intervertebral disc disease (due to their unique body length and size). To help with arthritis, cannabis for dogs has shown itself to be very effective at help those achy joints.

Now that you’re aware of these crucial facts about Corgis, you can better prepare for your life with one - care for it correctly so you can spend many years doing fun things together.

Author Bio

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet's Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.