Corgi Puppy Buyer’s Guide

 

Corgis are great little dogs for someone who wants a big personality in a small body, and you get an all-around dog that is always up for new adventures, and that won’t ever get tired before you do.

They are ideal for a reduced living space, like an apartment, but Welsh Corgis also need plenty of exercise daily, or they could easily become hyperactive or depressed.

Before you decide that the adorable red sable Corgi you saw an ad for is the dog for you – there are a few things to know, and some details you will want to take into consideration when making your decision.

A new furry family member is a big responsibility and should be treated as such.

About Corgi Puppies

There is something absolutely irresistible about the Welsh Corgi! You have two varieties to choose from – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, where the main difference is that one is born without a tail and that the ear shape is slightly differentiating, but where both breeds (because yes, the AKC considers them two separate breeds) have that same body shape with erect ears, a barrel-shaped chest, long back and short and stubby legs.

Some joke that the Corgi looks like a big dog that has had its legs shorten, and there is some truth to such statements.

A Welsh Corgi puppy looks very similar to an adult Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dog, as Corgi puppies already have that characteristic look already from that they are small. It is one of those dog breeds that are born irresistibly cute, and that stays irresistibly cute, all the way through puppyhood, adulthood, and the senior years.

Giving Welsh Corgis or Welsh Corgi mixes their forever homes is basically like signing up for years of cuteness overload.

What to Look Out for When Buying a Corgi Puppy

When you set out to look for a Cardigan- or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, you should make sure to be patient and to do your research before you decide. It is a dog breed that has become increasingly popular, and unfortunately, this has led to people trying to take advantage of eager puppy buyers, by being either dishonest about what they are selling or selling puppies that are unhealthy or that fail to live up to the breed standards.

There are also scammers out there, so be extra careful if you are considering puppy shipping from another location, and if possible – avoid paying anything until you have met the puppy you are planning to buy.

Arrange to go meet your new puppy, see if you can get to pick it out yourself from the litter, and see if it is possible to read testimonials for the person or dog breeder who is selling the puppy.

Corgi Life Stages

The playful Welsh Corgi usually lives between 12 and 15 years, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy it together with your furry companion!

While they are adorable as puppies, the fun starts when they can come out with you and start exploring their surroundings, as Corgis are very comical to be around most of the time.

They reach their full adult size before they are even a year old, but won’t be considered an adult until they are at least a couple of years old, as this is how long it takes for the breed to mature mentally.

A senior Corgi might require some nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin, as the production in their bodies slows down as they age. The shape of their bodies with the long back and short legs can come to cause back pain in the last few years of their lives, but this can possibly be prevented by providing quality dog food, enough exercise, and by switching to senior dog food for Corgis that are 7 years old or older.

Corgi Health Concerns

Let’s talk about Corgis and health. It may not come as a surprise that there are some health issues associated with the Welsh Corgi, as this tends to be the case with all purebred dogs.

Corgis are prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease, Degenerative Myelopathy, epilepsy, eye conditions, Cutaneous Asthenia, and obesity, so these are all things to discuss with your vet if you notice anything off with your dog.

Their long back may make them prone to certain injuries, and it is important to always listen to your dog when exercising and to pay attention to any signs of pain or discomfort. Such incidents should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.

Corgi Breeder Information

There is one main thing you want your Corgi breeder to be, and that is AKC registered. While being registered with the American Kennel Club (or the equivalent in your country of residence) is not a health guarantee for your puppy, it does make it more likely that you will be walking home with a puppy coming from a healthy genetic background.

The AKC website can give you tips and ideas for what breeder is- and isn’t associated with them, and buying from a reputable breeder is the most responsible thing you can do when buying a Corgi puppy.

Coming from a champion bloodline might not automatically mean that your Corgi won’t ever fall ill, but it could at least indicate that its parents are being kept in good living conditions, and not in a dirty cage at a puppy mill.

Corgi Puppy Diet

When Corgis are young, they are very small, and they may have a hard time chewing regular-sized kibble. Consider feeding a small breed puppy dog food, as these will almost always have a kibble size adapted to small and sensitive jaws.

This will make chewing easier for your Corgi puppy, and also help keep their sharp puppy teeth and gum massaged and clean. The best Corgi dog food for a puppy will be a kibble containing sufficient levels of protein, which you can see by making sure that the first listed ingredient is real meat, and it should also have balanced nutrients suitable for a young puppy.

Your Corgi puppy should continue eating puppy dog food for the first 8 months and up to a year before you can switch them over to high-quality adult dog food. If you have several dogs and want to avoid having to buy different products, you could consider kibble or wet food for all life stages.

Is a Corgi Right for You?

This is a dog breed that does well when living in families with rambunctious kids and plenty of things going on; they are robust enough to safely be able to play with children (always under adult supervision), and tend to appreciate the energy level of younger human beings.

This makes the Corgi a great family dog, also for families with younger children, but it can also live a perfectly happy life together with one sole person or a couple without kids.

A great thing about the Corgi is that it doesn’t require a large living space, but this does not mean it won’t need to be exercised.

Welsh Corgis can be somewhat excessive barkers, which is sometimes caused by boredom and a lack of exercise, but it could also be an indicator that you need to work harder on your training.

Easily put – the Welsh Corgi can be stubborn and will need to be trained, but if you want a happy and enthusiastic family dog that won’t take up your whole house – the Corgi might be the right breed for you!

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