Corgi

“Looking for a small dog we can train as a therapy dog for my wife to bring in to work (social worker at a nursing home). The corgi has grown on me since we started looking. From what I have read they respond well to training - ranked 11th most intelligent dog. Any fans/owners out there? Sounds like they are athletic enough to enjoy a walk in the woods. Good companion for a german shepherd?
last edited: 7/30/09 11:14:21 AM”

“i found them to be a wonderful breed. as for enjoying outdoors, all dogs do. but little legs mean shorter walks.

they are know to get along pretty much with all other breeds. but will defend themselves when needed.

they are wonderful with children.

i have never owned one but took part in finding homes for two of them.


i think you should start by looking for a puppy to raise and then bring into the home

older dogs have backgrounds that you may not know all of it.

hope this helps..”

“Thanks dutchess. I agree a puppy is the way to go. The short legs were a concern, but everything I can find to read on them claims they are actually reasonably high endurance herders and long walks / hikes are fair game. Have you found this to not be the case?”

“well i was unable to find out that. they were from our shelter. they were just happy to be out of the cage for five mins.one did break it's little leg rough housing with his new doggie brother. family had no idea how it happened but i swear the dog had no idea it was broke LOL he was just a happy pooch

great bread!!”

“but little legs mean shorter walks.

lol! tell that to gizmeaux...”

“I was thinking of the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger.”

“SO they were trying this recovery program in prison. Where they were getting the prisoners to admit (like in AA and NA) their crimes (it is very hard to do).

The offer was that if the prisoners were able to address and admit to their crimes they would get a chance at early release.

So the first guy stands up and says, "My name is Dave and I committed Armed Robbery."

Everyone claps

The next guy stands up and says,"My Name is Ted and I murdered a woman."

Everyone claps

The third guy kinda grey haired freaky looking stands up and says, "My Name is Bubba and...hell I don't wanna say what I did."

Well the moderators and the other prisoners encourage him. So he starts again, "My name is Bubba and I used to rape dogs."

From the back of the now HUSHED room comes a comment,"Jeeze how low can you get?"

Bubba spins around and says,"Corgis but ya gotta hold their little legs up."”

“rottweiler”

“my neighbors have three corgis (corgies?) that we watch for about a week every month (they like to travel)... they're extremely pleasant dogs to have around. They can get a little excited and playful (which I like in dogs, but as a therapy animal, it might not be the best) and they seem to be quick to bark at things (and they're LOUD). Then again, any dog can be trained to stop the bad stuff...”

“the only way a corgi could hurt my rottie is if my rottie choked while trying to swallow it”

“Yogi - Actually the wife and I are both big rottweiler fans, but we want something small to medium size for her to bop around the nursing home with that wouldn't intimidate any of the inmates...errr...patients...err...residents.

The rottweiler option will be on the table when our shepherd starts turning grey, but for now one big german herding dog in the house does the trick.

pepsi - thanks for the info on their energy level. A little playfullness would probably be desirable and engaging once the dog is trained - but you are right it sounds like they are most likely a breed that will need to be fully mature and trained before heading in to work.
last edited: 7/31/09 4:29:55 AM”

“I had to face dowwn a number of dogs pitts, german shepards...but Rotties scared the hell out of me...not a fav of that breed..”

“I hear ya DORK, but from a selective breeder they are a he11 of a smart, hard working dog. The barn my wife's college equestrian team rode out of had one hanging around, and this thing had dozens of strange kids climbing all over it every time there was a horse show and loved every minute of it. Getting to know that one and looking into reputable rottie breeders before we got our shepherd a couple years ago really changed my opinion of them. Not that I'd want my kids climbing all over one or strange kids climbing all over mine if I had one...but the breed standard temperament is much more controlled than I would have thought.

Personally, I grew up with and will always have an East German Shepherd around...after that it's up to my wife. I never seem to have any trouble falling for whatever she decides will be a good fit, which is sounding more and more like a corgi.”

“sorry but Omen ruined it for me :)~

I have a cock-a-pooh

total lap dog but will kick your butt if need be......”

“Labs, smart, loyal, playful, teachable, friendly and not too big.”

“The only dog that ever bit me was a Weimaraner.

Yeah, OK Nimblefoot.............it was a shjt-eating dog.

I was 13 and delivering newspapers.

When I was a 20 year-old letter carrier I was cornered by a Weimaraner in a carport. I kept the horse hide flat mail bag between us and tried not to show fear as I eased my way to freedom.
He turned out to be friendly but for a moment I thought I was lunch.”

“just mount the dog and show him who is boss”

“ended up going with a corgi. She's a 6.5lb terror. So far, she has spent most of her time chewing on whatever part of my German Shepherd she can get her mouth on. Thankfully for her, the shepherd so far loves the attention and lays down to let her climb on him and chew on his face. I would imagine at some point here he'll have to tell her to knock it off - but for now all is peacefull and she's about as cute as it gets. Let the housebreaking begin.”

“All puppies chew everything in sight.”

“yeah we keep the house pretty well puppyproofed - her options are chewtoys and german shepherd leg. I haven't seen her pick a chewtoy yet.”

“why whould she? German Shepard legs taste like meat. Post up pics!!!”

“All I have for now are cell phone pics, digital camera was recently stolen. I'll try to bring home a work camera this week to get some shots.”