How Much Exercise Do Corgis Need? Breed Requirements & Care Tips
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The Corgi is a cute little dog with a big personality. There are two types of Corgis in existence: the Pembroke and the Cardigan. Both breeds are similar and were developed to herd cattle for farmers and ranchers. Today, many enjoy their lives as pets in houses and apartments throughout the United States. Although they come in a small package, they are athletic and energetic dogs that require at least 1 hour of exercise each day to maintain happy and healthy lives.
This might come as a surprise, since their little legs don’t look like they can keep up with a brisk walk outside or a game of fetch in the park. However, the average Corgi (either the Pembroke or the Cardigan) is likely to surprise you! Here are a few things that you should know about the exercise needs of the Corgi.
Why Corgis Need At Least an Hour of Exercise Each Day
Corgis needed plenty of energy and agility to herd cattle. They had to be outside herding cattle for hours at a time without getting too tired. Nowadays, they don’t typically have the opportunity to work on farms and ranches. Therefore, owners must find ways to give them the exercise that their bodies were built for. An hour of exercise is not that much time for these dogs, but it is sufficient to help them get rid of their pent-up energy so they don’t get bored or destructive while spending time inside.
Effective Ways to Exercise Your Pet Corgi
There are several ways to make sure your pet Corgi gets the exercise that they need every day, even when the weather is bad outside or when you are short on time. First and foremost, walks should play a major role in your dog’s daily life. They may not be up for an hour-long walk at once, but they will be happy to participate in two 20- to 30-minute walks throughout the day.
- Head to the dog park for a 30-minute session of running and playing.
- Play fetch in your fenced yard.
- Engage in agility training.
- Go swimming in a swimming pool, lake, or ocean.
- Go on a hike through the forest desert.
- Turn climbing the stairs into a game.
Switch things up so your pooch has new experiences regularly and doesn’t get bored with their daily activities. Once you get to know your pet well, you can focus on the activities that they seem to like the most and add different activities into the mix as time goes on.
How to Know If Your Corgi Is Getting Too Little or Too Much Exercise
It’s important to know when your pet Corgi is getting too little or too much exercise so you can make adjustments when necessary. Both can be harmful to your pet’s health overall.
- They are rowdy and/or destructive when left home alone.
- They are gaining weight for no other apparent reason.
- They seem restless when spending time inside the house.
- They have become depressed or removed from household members.
All you have to do to fix the problem is start going on more walks and spending more time playing games and running at the park during the week. As important as it is to identify when your Corgi isn’t getting enough exercise, it is just as important to know when they are getting too much.
- They pant excessively and/or slow down during longer walks.
- Their paw pads are worn and look damaged.
- They show signs of sore muscles when they move.
- They show less interest in their favorite games and activities.
- They are losing weight even though their diet hasn’t changed.
If your Corgi shows signs of getting too much exercise, it is just a matter of reducing the amount of time that you walk with them and the amount of playtime that you engage in at home and at the park. Decrease exercise sessions by about 10 minutes at a time until you find a good balance.
Final Thoughts
Corgis are fun-loving, active dogs that require daily exercise to thrive. Fortunately, they enjoy a variety of different activities, so exercising them should never get boring for you. Keeping up with Corgi’s exercise needs can help keep you moving too!
Featured Image Credit: Elena Rogulina, Pixabay
