How do you know if a Pembroke Welsh Corgi IS Right For You or Your Family?

Think about why you want a dog. NOT JUST A CORGI, BUT ANY DOG AND WHAT KIND OF DEMANDS IT WILL BE ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Corgis live 12 to 15 years and over that time span you will invest a fair amount of time, energy, and expense. If you are not prepared to make this commitment, would another less demanding animal be more suitable?

    Puppy buying should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision. A lot of thought, consideration and research should be undertaken before a new pup is brought into a home. Owning a dog is a  choice for life.  Consider the care, obligation and responsibility that is attached for the life of that pet.

  Choosing the breed that's right for you requires some work. There is no substitute for making a careful study of each breed's characteristics and narrowing down the field until you are left with the one that best suits your temperament, lifestyle, accommodations and taste. You can find information about a variety of breeds at   www.akc.org  

Size: An adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs between 20 and 28 pounds. The responsible Pembroke breeder tries to breed for a dog that is between 10 and 12 inches at the wither (right behind the neck where it joins the back) and falls within the weight range called for in the Standard of the breed which is 25 pounds for a female (not larger than 28 pounds) and 27 pounds for a dog (not larger than 30 pounds). It is not unusual for even the most responsible breeder to have dogs that fall outside of that range, so you should be able to find a size to suit you. A Corgi doesn't need a large outdoor area in which to exercise. 

Grooming: A Corgi is not a high maintenance dog (as far as grooming goes). However,  they do have a double coat consisting of a harsher outer coat and a thick, dense undercoat and THEY DO SHED. They seasonally shed the undercoat, usually fairly heavily in the Spring and not quite as heavily in the Fall, and they often shed a little bit of the outer coat year round. Shedding is kept under control simply by routine grooming sessions with a brush or comb. You can do it yourself and it should not take longer than 15 minutes. Groom on a regular basis of at least once a week, (twice weekly or more is better). Toenail care is very important and your dog should be taught from an early age to have its nails trimmed either with toenail cutters or with a toenail grinder. This should be done at least monthly. If you find it difficult to trim the toenails yourself, make an appointment with your local vet. Tooth care is also an important consideration. There are several kits on the market with doggie toothpaste (a must!) that will enable you to quickly clean your dog's teeth once a week. The Corgi doesn't require a lot of grooming other than the occasional bath and the routine grooming described above.  Pembrokes come in three basic coat colors (red, sable, and tri-color)

Exercise: The Corgi does not require a lot of exercise, but if he is allowed to become a couch potato he will easily gain too much weight. As with children, the Corgi should be taken outside to play, whether you teach them to retrieve a ball or take them on routine walks around the neighborhood. Corgis excel in the performance arenas of herding and agility, but are not so full of excess energy that they must have a way to burn it off. They are perfectly content to sit at your feet while you read a book or go with you as you walk or jog or participate in any number of outdoor activities.  Corgis accompany their owners on walks, hikes and thoroughly enjoy  walking on the beach.  A typical Corgi temperament is outgoing, alert, active, and very people-oriented. They need to be involved with your family or in some kind of work. They are intelligent and easily trained, but they are also easily bored and do not do well if confined in the back yard with little human contact. They love to be where you are!

Children: Pembroke Welsh Corgis are usually excellent dogs with children, though we do not advise getting a puppy for a child under the age of five. As with people, there are those Corgis who have more dominant personalities that would not be the best choice for a family situation unless the parents have had a good deal of experience with this type of personality. This is one of the major reasons to purchase a Corgi puppy from a breeder who can make sure that the family with active children will get the correct puppy for their situation. The well-bred Corgi should never have a tendency to bite, but, unfortunately, there are Corgis who do, so be careful of your choice if the breeder is not an experienced one.

Male or Female Pup? In many breeds there is a decided difference in size or temperament between the sexes. In Pembroke Welsh Corgis there really is little difference between a male and a female. So much depends upon the individual pup in the litter that you should place more emphasis on the temperament of the puppy than on its sex. An unaltered female will come in season on average, twice yearly. They will be in season for approximately three weeks, at which time you must take measures to isolate her from males and prevent staining in your home. All reputable, responsible breeders sell their pet quality puppies on a spay-neuter contract on limited registration. If you do not expect to breed or exhibit your dog at shows, we recommend having it spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. These procedures do not change a dog's personality, but they can help preserve its health and curb the pet population.

Do All Family Members Want a Dog? Before you go further, be sure you are able to take care of a Corgi. Be sure you have the time, interest and ability to meet its requirements and needs for its lifetime. And be sure that the puppy (and ultimate grown-up dog) is going to be accepted by the rest of your family as a part of the family unit.

What Kind of Temperament Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have? Much as children from one family differ in personality, so do puppies differ within a litter. While the Corgi as a breed is a bright, outgoing, happy dog with a droll sense of humor, they can also be either very soft and submissive or quite dominant and bossy. The trick is to make sure the puppy you select out of the litter matches your personality and lifestyle. An overly soft or very bossy Corgi would not be a good choice for an active family with children. A Corgi that attempts to bite should never be tolerated. Pembrokes are usually very clean dogs that housebreak easily. They do not have any special dietary needs other than a good brand name puppy food up to six to nine months of age. After that, a good, brand-name, balanced adult food is all they will need.

Are There Any Health Concerns in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi? The Pembroke is well known as a sturdy, healthy breed of dog with few inherited problems. All breeding stock should have the following health clearances: 

    Once you've decided on the right breed, you should make every attempt to find the right breeder, someone you can communicate with and trust.  Do not buy a dog from a pet shop or a retailer who purchased the animal from a wholesaler. Instead seek out a legitimate breeder, preferably one who specializes in the breed you have in mind. When visiting that breeder, ask to see the parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and/or grandparents. Look for healthy, happy dogs raised in a clean home or kennel. Ask questions. A breeder is there to help you and a good breeder will be at your side, no farther away than the telephone or computer email, throughout the life of your dog. 

    A Corgi puppy must be a minimum of 8 weeks of age before a breeder should allow it to go into a new home situation. Your puppy should be fully weaned, appear healthy and alert and be clearly ready for independence from its mother. Do not select a puppy that appears ill (signs include nasal discharge and/or watery eyes) or one whose littermates seem unhealthy. A cowering, trembling, shy puppy, or one that seems snappy and bad tempered should be avoided. As soon as possible, bring the new puppy to your own veterinarian for a complete physical examination and any necessary shots or dewormings.

    Bringing a new puppy home requires a lot of forethought. You need to be sure you have a bedding area, proper water and food, toys and grooming supplies. A breeder can help you in determining what you need and guide you during the pup's first days in its new home and often sends a supply of food with the puppy.

    It is important that you bring a new pup home at a time when the household is quiet and peaceful, when everyone has time to spend with the newcomer. A new pup needs to be carefully and thoughtfully introduced to its new home.

    A dog can bring a lifetime of joy and happiness to any home when care and thought is given to its needs and requirements. The time and money spent will be returned many times over in the form of companionship, devotion and unquestioning love.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU TO CHECKOUT:    www.picosearch.com/cgi-bin/ts.pl 

Here are some sites which have even more information about getting a dog:

American Kennel Club: Buying a Puppy
AVMA: Buying a Pet
Your Purebred Puppy

Rescue Organizations/Contacts

National Breed Club Rescue Network (AKC)