Personality Characteristics of Corgis

Welsh Corgis are compact herding dogs recognized by their long, athletic bodies, upright, foxlike ears and short, stubby legs. The American Kennel Club recognizes two breeds of Welsh Corgi: the Pembroke Corgi and the Cardigan Corgi. Though the two breeds have slight variations in build, coat color and tail size, both have similar personality traits.

  1. Loyalty

    • Corgis are loyal to their owners and will follow them around everywhere. The dogs' eagerness to please, in combination with their high intelligence, makes them especially receptive to obedience training. Dogs living in the country will protect the family and their farm animals against vermin, and even in the city will alert owners of any intruders or dangers.

    Attention-Seeking

    • The affectionate, even-tempered nature of Corgis makes them ideal for family life. The dogs love attention and spending time with the people young and old. Corgi puppies may border on obnoxious in their attention-seeking behavior, but will typically grow out of it, especially with obedience training. Barking is not a concern, however; Corgis tend to be quiet due to their herding instincts. Excessive noise would upset their flock.

    Alertness

    • Bred to protect and control sheep, Corgis are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. Their alertness helps them to predict human and animal behavior, such as a flock member's attempts to escape or a strange animal's attempt to hurt a flock member. In many respects, they will come to treat their family as their flock, and will look for consistency in patterns and routines.

    Boldness

    • Corgis are excellent herders due to their ability to silently control their flock. They can round up and correct undesired behaviors in farm animals ranging from fowl to pigs and cattle, and will confidently chase predators, sometimes following them into their dens. In domestic situations, these same skills come across as strong personality traits. Corgis have an independent spirit, and do not fear danger when they are focused on a task.