Are Corgis Good with Kids? Vet Approved Facts & Care Guide

Corgis, especially popular with Queen Elizabeth II, are herding dogs. They are surprisingly energetic, given their somewhat squat stature, and they enjoy having a task to perform. They are also playful, loving, and loyal.

However, the herding instinct in Corgis can lead to accidents and injuries, which means that while Corgis can make an excellent family pet, owners should always take care when keeping Corgis around children. The same is true of any dog breed.

To some extent, you will need to train a Corgi who lives with small children to go against their natural instincts.  You’ll also have to educate your children on how to play and interact with your dog.

About Corgis

There are two breeds of Corgis: Pembroke Welsh and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The two are similar, but not the same breed. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a long tail, whereas the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a short tail. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the breed that has spread throughout the world and regularly features as one of the most popular breeds in countries across the globe, including in the U.S. This may have something to do with their popularity amongst the royal family.

Corgis were bred to herd cattle as well as hunt rats and other vermin. They would also perform other tasks around farms and would even help protect the family. Today’s Corgi is rarely used for herding, but it still has the herding instinct, and it still needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to ensure it is happy and content.

Herding Behavior

Corgis are herding dogs and they do exhibit herding traits, even though they are more likely to be seen as pets. This means they are high-energy dogs, so they will run around and will enjoy playing. This can be a positive and a negative trait for a family dog. Children will want to play with their pet dogs, so the fact that the Corgi is willing to join in is a positive. However, the high-energy playfulness of the breed means that it can jump on children and cause accidental injuries.

And, because the Corgi is hardwired to chase animals and herd them up, nipping at their heels to encourage them, this can come out during playtime. It isn’t unusual for herding dogs to nip at the heels of children not only when they’re playing, but just when they’re walking.

Childish Behavior

Corgis want to be Corgis, and children want to be children. This means kids want to play and they want to chase dogs that are running around. If your Corgi has had enough or feels threatened by the running and chasing, it might react. Children also tend to grab at hair, ears, and tails. If the grabbing causes pain, you can expect the Corgi to react.

Top 5 Tips to Ensure Your Corgi and Your Child Get Along

While Corgis and kids can get along very well, potentially forming strong bonds, there are some steps you can take to help ensure a good relationship between them.  Due to their herding nature, there may be other breeds that are more appropriate for families with children under the age of 8.

1. Socialization

Young dogs need socialization. This means meeting new people and other dogs, new environments, sights and smells. If well socialized, a puppy will have the best chance of learning how to react to new situations and to be comfortable in whatever surroundings they find themselves in. Not only will this benefit your child, but it will prove useful when your child’s friends come around or if you want to take your child and your dog out together.

2. Train Your Corgi

All dogs also need training, and this is especially true of intelligent breeds like the Corgi. If you don’t train your Corgi, it will pick up bad habits and make its own rules. Initially, you will want to prevent the heel nipping that is common in the breed.

You will also want to teach a “quiet” command because the Corgi can be quite a vocal breed that makes a lot of noise. Teach basic commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “leave”. Most problem behaviors can be corrected using these commands.

3. Teach Your Children to Be Respectful

Just as your Corgi needs training to be better around children, your child needs training to be around your dog. Teach them not to grab at the dog as a means of standing up and not to aggressively chase the dog. Even a friendly Corgi can react if it feels threatened.

Your child should know not to startle your dog and to give it space if it wants to chill out of the way.

4. Provide Plenty of Exercise

If your dog and your child are both filled with pent-up energy, this will come out as more rambunctious behavior. This is what leads to a lot of problems between dogs and kids.

Ensure your Corgi is getting its required 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day, and if your son or daughter is tearing around the house after your dog, look for other ways to burn off that excess energy.

5. Give Them Time Apart

Children and dogs need some time alone and you need to be able to provide that. Teach your dog when to back off and let your child play alone and teach your child to leave the dog alone when it is in the crate or its bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Corgis Bark a Lot?

Corgis were bred to herd cattle, and they used barking as a means of controlling cattle. The modern Corgi, although more of a companion dog than a working dog, is still prone to being vocal which means it can bark and make noise.

This can be upsetting for children, and it may cause them distress to be woken up by a barking dog. Teach the “quiet” command to help reduce the length of barking.

Are Corgis Low Maintenance?

Corgis are relatively low-maintenance house dogs. They are intelligent enough to be well trained and while they are energetic, their short legs don’t need excessively long walks or intensive forms of exercise. The coat does require some maintenance but brushing a few times a week should be more than enough.

The most difficult aspect of owning a Corgi is finding ways to keep it mentally stimulated throughout the day.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Corgi?

Corgis are intelligent and easy to train because they enjoy the training experience. They can be taught to do tricks as well as basic commands. However, this intelligence means that an untrained Corgi will develop its own behaviors and habits, which may not align with your ideals. They can also be quite stubborn, which is why some experts do not recommend Corgis for first-time owners.

They are loving and affectionate, which makes them great family dogs, but it also means they require human interaction because they can suffer separation anxiety if left alone too long.

Conclusion

The Corgis are a popular breed of dog, and while they were originally bred for herding and working on farms, the modern Corgi is a house pet.

It will usually get along well with children because it is always up for some energetic fun, but it does have herding instincts which means it can chase kids and even nip at their heels and bark loudly at them. You will need to train the dog and teach your son or daughter how to behave respectfully around dogs.

See also: 

• Why is My Corgi So Small? 5 Likely Reasons

• Do Corgis Like Cold Weather or Snow? Facts & FAQ

Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock