Are Corgis Good Guard Dogs? (Answered)

Corgis are becoming more and more popular all over the world, as they are a beautiful and small breed.

They are ideal for those who have little space.  

They are known for their attractive appearance. Even, Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness for the breed has taken these dogs from humble shepherds to canine royalty. 

They are noted for being excellent sheepdogs and invaluable farm guard dogs. Thanks to its playful character, it is also a good family companion.

But, are corgis good guard dogs?

Here we explain the characteristics of the breed. And, how it would perform as a guard dog.

Are Corgis Good Guard Dogs?

Corgis are good guard dogs despite their size. These dogs have a strong guardian instinct thanks to their ancestors. But, they would definitely need more strength and aggressiveness, compared to other guard dog breeds.

In the old days, these dogs were used as farm dogs. Especially, with livestock. And, due to their small size, they were not that difficult and expensive to keep.

According to the AKC Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a strong protective instinct towards their family members.

They are always, alert and ready to help. And, their good sense of hearing allows them to stay alert in any situation.

As guard dogs, you can train them using many of their abilities.

For example, these dogs often suffer from “small dog syndrome” and use this small disadvantage to their advantage.

They will not hesitate, to bark at any people who they are suspicious of, Or consider a threat. And, just as they will not be afraid to bark at any animals larger than themselves.

They are quite brave. They will go to investigate if they see something suspicious.

They are also quite fast. And, because of their body shape, they fit everywhere.

Will A Corgi Attack An Intruder?

Yes, corgis as good guard dogs may attack an intruder. In fact, they tend to be very reserved with strangers. And, aggressive with unfamiliar dogs. 

Because of their natural herding instincts, they will defend the family as if they were their flock.

As general farm dogs, corgis undoubtedly hunted vermin as well as herding livestock. 

However, this also depends on the training and personality of your corgi.

They are generally more of a barking and alerting dog. But they are reckless dogs. 

Are Corgis Aggressive?

Being reckless dogs does not mean that corgis are aggressive. And, should not be trained to be so.

However, they are a breed with a somewhat complicated character, that often presents some behavioral problems. 

But, they suffer from the “small dog syndrome” that makes them act like big dogs in spite of their size.

So, in front of animals bigger than them, they will act in a defensive way. Which, can be interpreted as aggressiveness. 

For this reason, you should not delay in socializing with your Corgi or showing him who is the boss.

These dogs are gentle, sociable, and easy to train. And, as long as they are socialized from an early age they will learn to obey their owners.

They will need, not only canine training.

But also, a lot of mental stimulation. Otherwise, they will develop bad behaviors such as those mentioned above.

Will A Corgi Protect Its Owner?

Corgis can protect their owners and their entire family. And, that makes corgis good guard dogs.

They are intelligent dogs. And, aware of their environment.

They can pick up their owners’ body language. And also, can sense when something is not right and alert about it.

If your dog notices that you are in danger, he will not hesitate to go to his owner’s aid. And, for this it is not necessary to be trained, it is something the dog will do instinctively.

So, you can reinforce this protective instinct through training.

Can Corgis Be Police Dogs?

Of course, their protective instinct can go beyond protecting their owner. 

With training and discipline, any dog can work as a police dog.

Although corgis are not among the most famous breeds for this job, they could also perform well in it.

In fact, in Russia, a corgi managed to work as a police dog for 7 years1, during which he helped catch criminals thanks to his work as a tracker of explosive objects, weapons, and drugs.

After a year and a half, he started his training and after two years, he started his labor. During his years of work, he demonstrated obedience, agility, and dexterity.

Are Corgis Known For Biting?

Interestingly, when it comes to biting, Corgis have a peculiar characteristic of biting ankles and feet. But, this has an explanation.

Apart from the puppy stage, where all dogs tend to bite due to the teething process, most herding dogs, like Corgis, sometimes nip at a person’s feet or heels, in imitation of the livestock breeding behavior they were originally bred for.

Also, due to their small size, they needed to command respect in this way.

But, despite its origin, this is now a behavior that needs to be corrected, since as a family dog Corgis may bite family members to “herd” them. 

However, redirecting this behavior could be an advantage to make corgis good guard dogs.

Are Corgis Good For First-time Owners?

In general, corgis need as much care as any other breed of similar size. But, the corgi will be a good dog for first-time owners if they are willing to accept the responsibility of a dog that needs to be trained and stimulated.

Corgis are easy to care for, have short hair, and do not shed as much as many other breeds, nor are they high maintenance.

They are excellent at adapting to different living conditions, they adapt well to life in apartments or small homes as long as they receive sufficient walks and stimulation.

The hardy nature of the animal implies a lot of energy expenditure; otherwise, your pet will have health problems in the end.

They will ask for long walks, regular field trips, and small children to play with, like any good sheepdog.

They do not have many health problems. It is a robust and very healthy breed that can only be affected by congenital problems due to its size.

Are Corgis Good With Kids?

Corgis are intelligent, gentle, and calm, making them an ideal dog for families, especially the elderly and children.

They are also full of energy and enthusiasm and will be very stimulating to play with children, and with good obedience training, you can be confident that they will play safely with the little ones. 

They also like to be part of family activities as they are quite sociable and love to be the center of attention.

Corgis will develop a very strong bond with their family and will have a protective instinct towards them; however, as with any other breed of dog, it is best to always watch out for play between children and dogs.

Are Corgis Good With Other Dogs?

In the case of family pets, the sociability of Corgis is still a great advantage. 

Most corgis do well with other pets depending on their personality, and if both are well socialized and raised together or if they have a good introduction when they come home.

Corgi Temperament & Lifespan

They are very active dogs that do not tire easily despite their small size. They are very intelligent which leads them to be a bit stubborn and independent.

Even so, they are always in the company of their owners and feel very attached to them. Your corgi will become attached to you from the moment you pet it or feed it for the first time.

They are quite strong and energetic, perfect for those who are looking for a playful, faithful companion who likes to go for long walks.

Corgis usually have an average lifespan of 11-13 years.

What Is Bad About A Corgi?

• Due to its enormous popularity, this breed has become very expensive.
• They need a lot of training, socialization, and stimulation, so it is a dog that needs time from their owners, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is not for everyone.
• Their diet must be very careful or they may suffer from obesity.
• They do not have many health problems but because of their size, they can be affected by congenital problems such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, epilepsy, pinched vertebral discs. So you should avoid dangerous jumps and going up and downstairs with high steps.

Final Thoughts

According to expert dog trainers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis score 3 out of 5 in terms of their watchdog ability2

Therefore, corgis can be good guard dogs, for some situations perhaps more as a watchdog than as a guard dog. 

Depending on the level of aggressiveness and strength that the more famous breeds use for this job, but it is definitely a task they can perform.

Their natural instinct can help corgis to be good guard dogs because they can recognize intruders, they will bark when they sense a threat, and alert the family. 

Also, their small size does not prevent them from dealing with intruders or larger animals, plus they can be agile, and bite if necessary.

It has been shown that with good training they can even become police dogs, so it is all about training and discipline.

Looking For Watch Dog Guides?

If you’re looking for more guard dogs resources, consider checking out our other post on guard dogs.

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