Corgis are adorable, loving companions. They love people and make great family pets. These canines are well known for being the favorite breed of the Queen of England. Yes, you know the one. They have short little legs and the adorable “Corgi butt.”
Whether it is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, both were bred for herding and have natural herding instincts and abilities. “They make a world-class herding dog,” according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Cardigan Corgi vs The Pembroke Corgi
The Cardigan Corgi is the original of the Corgi breed. Like the Pembroke, the Cardigan is loving and affectionate. Cardigans are the more serious of the two types. They have stronger guarding and herding instincts than the Pembroke Corgi. The Pembroke is a bouncy and social canine. Although, they have a strong herding instinct too.
Unlike the Pembroke, the Cardigan Corgi has a long tail and rounded ears. The AKC only recognizes five of the colors of the Cardigan Corgi. Opposite of the Cardigan Corgi, the Pembroke has a docked tail and pointed ears. The coat of the Pembroke only comes in four colors, while the Cardigans have 11 colors in all.
Do Corgis Make Good Herding Dogs?
Corgis have a natural instinct to herd livestock. They were bred to do so.
Herding dogs have a job to do. Farmers use them to circle, bark, and nip at the heels of cattle, sheep, and goats. In doing so, they keep the livestock together and moving.
Corgis are a protective and intelligent breed. Their small bodies make it easy to budge and nip at the ankles of sheep and cattle. They are small enough to avoid getting kicked in the head when doing their job.
Farmers would use Corgis to keep an eye on the herd at night. If the canine were alerted to an intruder or predator, his loud bark would warn his owner of possible trouble.
Do Corgis Make Good Pets?
The nipping, barking, and chasing instinct is great for herding, but what about for a house pet? Corgis are intelligent, loving, and playful pets. They are an excellent addition to active households. They do, however, require discipline.
The herding qualities may appear to be aggressive to someone that may not be familiar with the herding instincts of Corgis. This canine will try to herd children, other pets, and even their owners. It is important to familiarize yourself with the herding qualities of the breed. You may want to train your pup to minimize these behaviors.
Final Thoughts
Corgis are adorable little creatures. The loving and loyal breed makes an excellent pet for active households. They are also an excellent choice if you are looking for a natural herder. The Corgi will work hard for you and will not disappoint. As household pets, however, they do need proper and consistent training. Again, teaching your Corgi to curb the herding instincts is a good idea if you got it for a pet.
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