Dog Breeds (Welsh Corgi): 5 Reasons NOT to Buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Have you seen a Welsh Corgi on TV and thought, "How cute; that's the dog for me," and yet you're not entirely certain a Welsh Corgi is your best choice? There are two breeds of Corgi to choose from, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and for the purposes of this article, the Pembroke will be discussed.

If you've seen the Queen of England's Pembroke Welsh Corgis, you were probably smitten with their cute, pixie faces that seem to have a perpetual smile. That's one of the many things that make the breed so totally lovable. On the other hand, before you run out and buy a Welsh Corgi because his looks have stolen your heart, consider these 5 reasons why a Pembroke Welsh Corgi may not fit your lifestyle.

Bark, Bark, Bark (Welsh Corgis Love to Vocalize)
Yes, they like to bark. That little puppy "yap" might be cute when he's young, but when your Welsh Corgi is grown, his bark will be loud. A Pembroke is very vocal and feels it's necessary to bark when he's hungry, when he sees something that's amiss, when he wants to play ... as well as when a leaf falls from a tree, or when the stars come out at night. In other words, he knows he has a voice and he likes to use it. If you don't wish to spend time teaching him to control his voice or you simply don't like a barky dog, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Almost Enough Hair to Knit a Sweater (Welsh Corgis Shed)
Many people are unaware of the fact that Corgis are constant shedders, with the heaviest shedding happening in fall and spring. You'll have piles of hair everywhere and if vacuuming every day-or at least every other day-isn't to your liking, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The same goes if you're a fastidious person who detests having dog hair on his/her clothing.

Ooo, My Aching Back (Welsh Corgis Often Have Back Troubles)
Because of their long backs, spinal problems can happen in Welsh Corgis. As one veterinarian in Utah said about a Pembroke he was treating, "This dog needs a center post!" If you want a dog that jogs and jumps, and you don't want to be concerned with keeping him from hopping in and out of places, running with abandon over rough terrain, or zooming up and down stairs, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. And speaking of stairs-if your house has them, be prepared to carry your twenty-nine pound, aging Pembroke up and down them all day long.

Food, Glorious Food (Welsh Corgis Love to Eat)
Pembrokes are food-oriented, and treats work well as a training reward. On the other hand, they love food so much that they drool at the smell of it, bark at the sight of it, and will wheedle treats away from their owners at the drop of a hat. If you aren't interested in controlling his intake and keeping him slim, back and leg problems loom on the horizon. If you can't say no to giving treats/snacks, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Whatever... (Welsh Corgis Have a Stubborn Streak)
Because they have a humorous personality, it's often easy to overlook teaching a Pembroke good manners. And when you do try to teach him, you may discover he has a stubborn streak. Breeders often say, "A Corgi doesn't like to do the same command over and over." The truth of the matter is, to heck with doing it over and over, sometimes they don't even want to follow commands at all. They're bright and learn quickly, but Welsh Corgis often insist they're smarter than the rest of the world. If you can't give consistent training, or you want a dog that's willing to follow your every whim as soon as you utter it, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

What if All That Doesn't Matter?
Now that you've read 5 reasons not to buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, are you insisting you could overlook a Pembroke's flaws in favor of a personality filled with humor-laying upside down on his back, smiling at everyone he meets, playing with squeaky toys? Would a personality filled with love, including following you from room to room, giving you dog kisses, wanting to sit in your lap, and a host of other ways that say, "I love you" work in your life? If so, don't buy a Pembroke Welsh Corgi ... buy two!

Sources:
Embedded links as listed above.
Harper, Deborah S. The New Complete Pembroke Welsh Corgi. New York: Howell Book House, 1994. Print.
Personal experience with Pembroke Welsh Corgis.