Already a proud Corgi owner? Maybe you are looking to add a second dog to the mix or get your first corgi puppy? However, a Corgi has come into your life, these Corgi puppies are more than a pair of cute ears and short legs. Although those are pretty great features too.
Corgi dogs are one of the oldest breeds. Just like with any breed, as a dog owner it is helpful to understand where your dog comes from. Especially for these pups with personalities! Understanding the history of your Corgi allows you to provide them with the best life.
This includes understanding everything from what they were bred to do to whether they like to swim. This understanding will make sure you are able to give your fur babies the best quality of life.
History of the Corgi
The Corgi has become quite popular in recent years. As the Queen of England’s dog of choice, these dogs have a rich history of proving themselves worthy of a queen.
Historically, the Corgi breed originated in Wales around the 11th century. The breed was first popularized at this time as herding dogs. Their small and agile bodies made it easy for them to nip at the heels of cattle to get them moving. These smart dogs were also able to quickly escape moving cattle to keep their paws from getting trampled.
Beyond herding the cattle, these small dogs were also seen as protectors of the family farm. These smart dogs would chase wild animals away from the cattle and sheep. These valuable members of the family were even known for protecting children.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs The Pembroke Welsh Corgi
There are technically two types of Corgis: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. These two breeds originated in Wales, hence the Welsh in their names. The Pembroke was historically from Pembrokeshire, Wales and the Cardigan from Cardiganshire, Wales.
While these two breeds have become popular around the world in the 21st century, they were actually not well known outside their respective areas of Wales until almost the 20th century.
Both the Cardigan Welsh and the Pembroke Welsh are commonly referred to as Corgis and are popular pets. Queen Elizabeth has been known to adopt over 20 Corgis during her lifetime!
Corgis as Pets
While Queen Elizabeth may have popularized the Corgi over her reign, social media has made the corgi royal with the younger generation. It is easy to see why. Corgis are adorable!
The combination of their short legs and big ears makes them the perfect drool-worthy social media puppies. However, if you want to be a Corgi owner, or already are one, remember that the Corgi was bred as a herding dog. Therefore, they have a lot of energy!
This is especially important to keep in mind if you are looking to get a new dog, and if a Corgi is your number one choice.
Due to their small stature, some may think Corgis are the perfect pet dogs for small homes or apartments. However, while this is true in the nature of size, these small dogs come with a large personality.
While you may not need to herd any cattle in your neighborhood, your corgi still has the energy to do it. Therefore, they need plenty of opportunities to get their energy out. Corgi owners need to plan a lot of exercise for their dogs. This may include outings to the dog park, hiking, long walks, or other outdoor activities to provide the best life for their furry friend.
Tips for Getting a Corgi Enough Exercise
The main tip when it comes to owning a Corgi is that they need to get outside every day! A lot of energy builds up in that small body. If you want to keep that energy at bay and provide your furry friend with the best life possible, aim to get them outside once a day for some exercise.
If you have a dog park near your home, that is a great option. Dog parks are great if you are a Corgi owner because it gives your dog opportunities to make friends! Corgi pups love to socialize. Giving them time to meet and play with other dogs is a perfect way to get their energy out and let them interact with others.
Tips for Preparing for the Dog Park
Dog parks are a great place to let your corgi get their energy out. However, remember that these are public places and there will be other dogs and other humans. Therefore, before you head out make sure you take time to properly prepare.
Train Corgi Puppies Before Taking Them to the Dog Park
Training your puppy helps to create a positive relationship between you and your dog. Having a positive relationship with your dog helps you to feel confident knowing your corgi will follow commands at the park.
Socialize Corgi Puppies Ahead of Time
While the Corgi has a social and playful personality, they can be wary of strangers. Therefore, even though parks are great places for socialization, it shouldn’t be your Corgi’s first time interacting with other dogs and humans. Before letting your dog play at the park, take them on a playdate with a dog and a person you already know. This will help them acclimate to meeting new dogs and owners, as well as help you to see how they behave in those situations.
Keep Your Dog’s Vaccinations Up to Date
While outings at the park are meant to be fun, there is always the possibility of the unexpected. Keepings your dog’s vaccinations current is a way to protect your dog and other dogs. This way if your dog gets in a tussle with another dog, you know they are protected.
Use Flea and Tick Preventatives
Other dogs aren’t the only potential safety concerns. Depending on where you live, fleas and ticks can pose a risk to your corgi. To prevent fleas and ticks from getting in your dog’s hair, make flea and tick preventatives a regular part of their care so that you are always ready for a safe day in the sun.
Provide Proper Identification
It is always important to have proper dog tags for your Corgi in case you ever get separated. This includes the dog park. Most dog parks offer an off-leash area for the pups to play with one another. With proper training, your Corgi will listen to your commands and not run too far. However, it is always best to be prepared with proper tags in case your Corgi runs too far.
Pay Attention While at the Dog Park
All of the steps above will help you prepare to have a fun day with your Corgi at the dog park. However, the most important part of attending the dog park is to pay attention. This includes paying attention to your surroundings, your dog, and the rules.
Following the rules of the park, as well as being mindful of where your dog is and how they are behaving shows respect for the other owners and dogs. Remember, socializing is part of the fun of the dog park. Therefore, you want to show that you and your Corgi are safe to play with!
5 Items To Bring and 1 Item To Leave Home
In addition to preparing your dog for the park, you also want to be prepared as their owner. This includes taking the necessary items in your doggy day bag.
Poop Bags
While most dog parks provide poop bags, there is no guarantee that they will have them or that they won’t run out. Therefore, always have your own poop bags on hand when you head to the park. You don’t want to ruin the fun for other dog owners by not cleaning up after your pup goes potty. Furthermore, cleaning up after your pup keeps other dogs safe from parvo.
Water
Regardless of the weather, always have plenty of water for your Corgi when you head to the park. This guarantees that your dog will stay hydrated; furthermore, you won’t have to use the communal water bowls which can be unsafe for your dog.
Sunscreen
Don’t ruin a day of fun in the sun by getting burned! Keep sunscreen for you and special dog sunscreen for your Corgi on hand for those hot days outside. On particularly hot days, it is also a good idea to give your pup some time in the shade to keep them from overheating.
Wipes or Towels
Sometimes a day of fun includes a bit of dirt and mud. Therefore, keeping wipes or towels on hand will help clean up your pup’s paws before getting in the car.
Pet-Friendly First Aid Kit
Anytime your dog is playing outside there is the possibility of an injury from a sharp object or a run-in with another dog. Keeping a special first aid kit on hand will help you be prepared for these unexpected events. You can buy a first aid kit or make your own!
Don’t Bring Dog Toys to the Park
The territorial nature of all breeds, including the Corgi, makes bringing toys to the park a bad idea. Best to stick to a good old-fashioned stick to play fetch with at the park and leave the toys at home for when it’s just you and your Corgi.
Many of these things are things you already do as a dog owner, like keeping vaccinations and identification tags up to date. This makes it easy to keep them ready to go to the park.
The other items are important to keep in mind and keep on hand. Make it easy and keep a doggy diaper bag that has all the things you need to go to the park! This way you can easily head to the park anytime you want and know you are prepared. Don’t forget to toss some treats in there for the car ride home.
Corgis Can Swim, but May Not Want to Swim
If you are a water-loving person and looking for a water-loving dog, a corgi may be a good option. While the proportions of their body may not seem like a good fit for swimming, their strong legs can help propel their bodies through the water. All that energy they have can also be great for swimming.
Just because a Corgi can swim, does not mean they like to swim! Their desire to swim will vary from one corgi puppy to the next. Therefore, don’t assume that every corgi you get will love the water as much as you do.
While you won’t know if your dog likes the water until you have them near it, there are some steps you can take to make them a water loving best friend. One of the best things is to introduce Corgi puppies to water as early as possible.
Even if your Corgi ends up loving the water, there are some safety precautions to take to keep your puppy safe.
Give Them a Life Jacket.
Even with their strong legs, Corgi pups have a strong body to uphold. This can be hard on their joints. Getting a life jacket ensures they can have fun in the water without too much strain on their bodies.
10-Minute Swimming Time Limit.
Even with a life jacket, it is recommended that you limit your Corgi to only 10 minutes of swimming at a time. This helps keep their joints from being strained and also from getting water sick.
Pay Attention to How They Act After Swimming
Small dogs can get sick in the water easier than large dogs. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of if there are any abnormal behaviors after they are in the water. If you notice anything, take them to the vet immediately.
Dog-Friendly Beaches
If you have trained your corgi to love the water, then you may want to take a trip to the beach!
Before heading to the beach, double-check if dogs are allowed. Many public beaches do not allow dogs or they only allow them between certain hours. To be sure, check with your local beaches. You can often find the information on state park websites or private sites if private beaches.
Another option? Find a dog-friendly beach! There are plenty of beaches around the world that cater to dogs and their canine loving owners.
There is one clear winner when it comes to dog-friendly beaches – Florida! In the United States, Florida has more dog-friendly beaches than other states. Some of these are even called Dog Beach! Therefore, if you are looking for a real dog-friendly experience and live near Florida, consider adding it to your adventure.
The Most Popular Beaches in Florida for Dog Lovers:
- Dog Beach: Fort Myers Beach, Florida
- Dog Beach: Jupiter, Florida
- Dog Beach: Panama City Beach, Florida
- Fort De Soto Park: Saint Petersburg, Florida
- Haulover Beach Park: Miami, Florida
- Keewaydin Island: Naples, Florida
Dog-Friendly Beaches Worldwide
If you don’t live near Florida, there are still plenty of dog-friendly beaches to explore in the United States and around the world. Here are some of the best dog friendly beaches around the world to explore with your Corgi:
- Carmel Beach: Carmel by the Sea, California
- Del Mar Dog Beach: Del Mar, California
- Huntington Dog Beach: Huntington, California
- Jekyll Island Beach: Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Montrose Dog Beach: Chicago, Illinois
- Willard Beach: Portland, Maine
- Cape Cod National Seashore: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Surfside Beach: Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Island Beach State Park: Seaside Park, New Jersey
- Wildwood Dog Beach: Wildwood, New Jersey
- Cannon Beach: Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Block Island Beaches: Block Island, Rhode Island
- Llevant Beach: Barcelona, Spain
- Burrow Beach: Dublin, Ireland
- Skateholm Beach: Skateholm, Sweden
Beyond Dog Parks and Beaches
Depending on where you live, you may not have a dog park or beach nearby. Even if you do live near a park or beach, you may not be able to go every week. Therefore, it is important to think of other ways you can help your Corgi get their energy out.
Long walks are always great for Corgis! You may just become the favorite neighbor when you walk through the neighborhood with your adorable puppy! In fact, you may even consider making friends with the kids in the neighborhood to help with your energetic pup.
With the same energy levels, Corgi dogs and small children can be a good pair. Especially Corgi puppies with their extra puppy energy! However, remember to train your Corgi ahead of time and be mindful of how they interact.
Hiking is also a great way to exercise your Corgi. Just like in any public area, make sure you review rules, especially for letting your dog off-leash. In addition, consider how well your pup is trained before letting them off-leash in the mountains.
Perfect Pets for a Day in the Sun
If you love the outdoors, then a Corgi may be the perfect pet for you. While there is no guarantee that they will love to play in the water, these dogs have been bred to run around in the grass. Therefore, if you can keep up these little bundles of energy you may have found your favorite friend for a day of fun in the sun.
