Are Corgis Good Herding Dogs? Breed Facts & History

Corgis are a delightful dog breed that’s affectionate, intelligent, and friendly, as well as being unmistakable, thanks to their oddly short legs but medium-sized bodies. Corgis are surprisingly strong-willed, easy to train, and love competing in an assortment of dog-based sports. They make excellent family dogs, too, as Corgis are loyal, loving, and remarkably willing to please their pet parents.

A question you might have if you’re considering adopting one of these fine canines and have sheep or other animals (or you’re just curious) is whether Corgis make good herding dogs. If so, you’ll be pleased to know that Corgis are one of the most popular dog breeds for herding in the world. Corgis have been herding sheep, goats, cattle, and even ducks for thousands of years and are incredibly good at their job. Not only are Corgis excellent herders, but you barely need to train them to herd as it’s something they do instinctively.

Now that you know that Corgis are excellent herding dogs, you might have other questions about this amazing dog. For example, do Corgis herd other animals naturally, what animals do Corgis herd, and do Corgis like being carried? Below are the answers to those vital questions and several others, plus facts, tips, and real-world info about Corgis that will be very useful as you plan to adopt one of your own.

Do Corgis Herd Naturally?

Corgis have been herding cattle, sheep, and other animals since around 800 AD. During that time, their herding instinct has only gotten stronger, to the point where, when adopted into a non-farming family, they often herd children and other pets. Herding comes naturally to Corgis, and, in some cases, it’s a trait that needs to be trained out of them.

Remember that their herding instinct won’t go away completely, but you can reduce the dog’s tendency to herd with proper training. You should also note that, without training to reduce their herding behavior, a Corgi will often nip at children or other pets as it tries to herd them.

What Animals Can Corgis Herd?

Corgis were initially bred to herd sheep and cows but can easily herd any species of animal that sticks together in large groups. That includes goats, ducks, geese, llamas, deer, buffalo, and several others. Aside from a handful of unique differences between species, Corgis don’t need any special training to herd any of the animals on the list above. Thanks to their thousands of years of training, the breed takes to herding as a duckling takes to water. They will even herd children, cats, and other dogs if they get bored, so keeping your Corgi occupied is a good idea.

Do Corgis Only Bond With One Person?

While Corgis are undoubtedly affectionate, they tend to choose one person in a family unit to be their favorite. This trait can sometimes cause issues between family members but can often be circumvented with lots of love, patience, and socializing. The truth is, even if they choose one person in your family they like best, your Corgi will still have plenty of love and affection left over for everyone else.

What Health Issues Do Corgis Suffer From?

Although relatively long-lived, the Corgi breed suffers from several health issues you should know about before adopting a Corgi puppy. Some of the most common include the following:

Cataracts

Cataracts affect older Corgis, and you usually won’t see them in a Corgi pup or young adult dog. If cataracts develop, which is difficult to prevent, you’ll see cloudiness on the surface of their eye and pupil. Chronic cataracts can, in time, also cause your Corgi to go blind, but usually not until they’re quite old.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Unfortunately, this condition will affect your Corgi’s spinal cord and is usually serious and deadly. It can develop around 8 years of age and is caused by a mutation in the breed’s genes. If it happens, you’ll see your Corgi walking unsteadily, showing weakness in their legs, and, with time, becoming completely paralyzed. Most Corgis are euthanized before this occurs due to the pain.

Patent Ductus Arteriosis

This condition is congenital; if your Corgi has it, they will get it at birth. It’s when the ductus arteriosis, a body part Corgis have in the womb attached to their heart, doesn’t close all the way as it should after birth. The problem is that if it doesn’t close, your Corgi’s heart won’t be able to send enough blood to the rest of its body, which can cause several other health conditions like coughing, foot pads turning blue, and an inability to perform strenuous exercise.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

While many larger dogs get hip dysplasia, it’s uncommon in small dogs, but not the Corgi. Many Corgis are born with abnormal hip, elbow, and other joints due to this condition, affecting their hard (bones) and soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments). Many cases of hip and elbow dysplasia in Corgis can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but some are so severe that surgery is warranted.

Why Do Corgis Sleep in Such Weird Positions?

One thing you’ll notice right away after adopting a Corgi is that they tend to sleep in some rather odd positions. The two oddest are on their backs, which is unusual for most breeds, and in the “flying squirrel” position, with their belly flat on the floor and their legs splayed out in front and behind them. Why do Corgis sleep in these unusual positions? Below are a few reasons.

Do Corgis Like to Be Carried?

Although small compared to many other breeds, Corgis aren’t huge fans of being carried. To get yours to enjoy being carried means taking a lot of time and effort to socialize them and getting them used to being carried around. The thing is, Corgis like to feel they’re in charge and have been trained to be “in charge” for centuries so that they can carry out their job as herders.

Being carried around takes this feeling away, and some won’t like it. Corgis aren’t big on sitting in your lap and are more content to sit at your feet. Again, though, if trained and socialized well, carrying them and turning your Corgi into a lap dog might be possible.

Are Corgis Nervous or Anxious Dogs?

Generally speaking, Corgis are relativelycalm dogs, especially when they get all the activity and attention they demand. On the other hand, as with any breed, a Corgi that feels ignored or is left alone for hours on end might respond with anxiety. That can include separation anxiety, which can cause them to bark more than usual and be somewhat destructive. If your Corgi is getting plenty of attention from you and other family members, plus plenty of activity to keep its mind and body active, they’re not known for being nervous and anxious dogs.

Do Corgis Bark a Lot?

Corgis do tend to bark a lot because, as herding dogs, they have acute hearing and keen protective instincts. If they hear or feel something unusual, your Corgi will bark. Much to your chagrin, depending on where you live, that might be more often than you like. A well-trained Corgi will stop barking when you command them, but it’s rare to find one that doesn’t bark at all or only barks occasionally. Also, they seem to bark even more as they get older and start losing their sense of hearing, sight, and smell.

What Is a Group of Corgis Called?

There are many names around for groups of animals, including a “murder” of crows, a “pod” of dolphins, and a “gaggle” of geese. Groups of Corgis have more than one interesting name, including a “pocket” of Corgis, a “rowdy” of corgis, and a “wiggle” of Corgis. Of course, unless you own more than two, you’ll probably never refer to your Corgi using one of these names.

Final Thoughts

Are Corgis good herding dogs? Corgis are phenomenal herding dogs and some of the best in the world. Corgis have been herding animals for thousands of years, starting in Pembrokeshire, Wales, where they needed a reliable, intelligent, compassionate dog to herd their sheep. Corgis still are used for herding today, although far less than they were in the past. Today you’re much more likely to find one of these diminutive but darling dogs sitting at their owners’ feet, begging them to play or go for a walk.

Did you find the answers you were searching for in today’s article? Hopefully, you did and now have all the data you need to adopt one of these fine canines.

See also:

• Are Corgis Good Apartment Dogs? Considerations & Breed Needs
• Are Corgis Hunting Dogs? The Interesting Answer!

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Featured Image Credit: Inessa Melikova, Shutterstock