Are Corgis Good With Kids? The Truth + 11 Dangers & 3 Tips

Wondering if Corgis are good with kids?

Great! You’ve come to the right place!

Keep reading to learn:

• 5 reasons why Corgis are good with kids.
• 11 dangers which you should look out for when your kid and Corgi are together.
• 3 tips to make the interactions between your kid and Corgi safe and enjoyable (plus a bonus).
• And more…

Are Corgis good with kids?

Corgis are good with older kids but not kids younger than eight years old. Because of their strong herding instinct, a Corgi will herd kids. They do this by chasing, barking, or nipping at kids’ ankles. Nipping can lead to wounds and make kids scared of the dog.

Are Corgis good with babies?

Corgis are not good with babies because of their loud barks. If a Corgi has no proper training, they tend to bark at anything. This could startle an otherwise calm baby, or abruptly wake them up from deep slumber.

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5 reasons why Corgis are good for kids

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#1: Corgis are full of energy

What do kids and Corgis have in common? They have an unlimited supply of energy.

Corgis may be small dogs, but they are active. They love having something to do.

AKC lists Corgis as one of the 15 most active dogs. They also belong in the herding dog group.

No wonder these little furballs are energetic. Which means constantly running or barking.

Corgis are fast runners

They may not run as fast as Greyhounds. But don’t let a Corgi’s small size fool you.

These pint-sized dogs are actually fast runners. They need to run faster than the sheep or cattle that they herd. 

And they need to move fast!

Corgis actually have their own Corgi Cup. Just check out these pooches going for the finish line during the 2019 Corgi Cup:

Corgis are naturally playful as well. With the right training, you can teach them to direct their energy to play with kids.

Kids, on the other hand, are as energetic as Corgis. They can play all day and still have boundless energy.

What’s more, your Corgi can interact with your kids for hours on end. This makes Corgis and kids the perfect playmates.

Note: Keep an eye on your child and Corgi when they are playing.

#2: Corgis are lovable

With their naturally affectionate personalities, Corgis are great with kids.

This can be further improved with proper training. It includes early socialization so that they are exposed to a lot of people, from infants to elders.

In addition, a pet owner should provide a Corgi’s needs, from exercise to quality time. A safe environment where they can grow is also a vital necessity.

All these, and more, lead to a Corgi that’s friendly and great with kids. They can also be loyal and loving.

A Corgi owner shares on a forum that her Corgi loves kids. In fact, he rolls over and asks for belly rubs from them.

Kids and dogs share a special bond. And because they spend a lot of time together, they form strong connections.

Not only that. Keeping a dog actually has a lot of benefits for children.

This study proves that kids who grow up with a pet are less likely to get sick. That’s compared to children who have no pets at home.

Another study finds out that kids growing up with a dog are less likely to develop allergies to the dog. 

Reading tip: Are Corgis Hypoallergenic? Facts About Dog Allergy + 7 Tips

The researchers believe that this is due to the kids’ early exposure to pet allergens. Early exposure strengthens the immune system.

Note: A Corgi and a child growing up side by side can be the best thing you’ll see. Your Corgi can grow up to love your children.

#3: Corgis are the center of attention

If there’s a celebration, Corgis are the party animals (pun intended).

They love attention. Or rather, they love to be the center of attention.

They’ll get attention from you until you get sick of it. A pat on the head. A scratch here and there. Belly rubs. Anything from you.

Because for them, there’s no such thing as too much attention.

These dogs may be small in body. But their personalities are bigger than their famous butts.

They can be vocal about what they want or don’t want. They can disagree with you at times. They’ll give you different facial expressions depending on their mood.

Some Corgis have big personalities that they’ve got their own social media channels. Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, you name it.

Take Geordi La Corgi for instance. He’s got 481,000 followers as of this writing.

This makes them good for kids because both desire attention. 

It’s actually a give-and-take relationship. Kids can have the dog’s attention all to themselves. And the Corgi can have all the attention they want from their young owners.

And since they play together all the time, it helps strengthen their relationship.

#4: A Corgi’s size is just right for a kid

Did you know that ‘Corgi’ means ‘dwarf dog’ in Welsh?

That’s a fitting description for a Corgi’s miniature size.

It’s true that most dogs won’t hurt their people without reason. But a big dog can accidentally and easily knock over a small child.

Thank goodness Corgis are a small breed of dog. Corgis are between 10 and 12 inches (25.4 – 30.48 cm) tall and weigh between 27 and 30 pounds (12-14 kilos).

This is just the right size for kids. So even if they unintentionally knock over kids, it won’t hurt as much compared to a big dog. 

Note: Training your Corgi to be gentle around kids can help avoid accidents.

#5: Corgis are great watchdogs/bodyguards

What makes a Corgi a great watchdog?

Let me count the ways:

• Alert.
• Attentive.
• Fearless.
• Protective.
• Barks a lot.
• Independent.
• With really loud barks.
• Aware of their surroundings.

Aside from all these characteristics, a Corgi is tenacious. That’s one of the things they need in order to move a cow. 

And even if they’re no longer herding cattle, this attitude is inherent to them.

Further, Corgis are in tune with children. This makes them protective of their young owners. 

A Corgi owner shares on a forum that her Corgi would definitely defend the family if it comes to that. 

The dog also manifests its being a herder. When the family is out, the dog would wait for the stragglers. He also keeps an eye for the members who walk ahead.

The dog, she says, is vigilant. He also knows who belongs to the family and who doesn’t.

Some pet owners would say that a Corgi’s protectiveness depends on a lot of things. It depends on the temperament of the individual dog and how they were raised.

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11 dangers of leaving your kid and Corgi together

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#1: Corgis may nip at kids

One of the bad things about having a herding dog for a family dog:

They nip at kids’ ankles. 

Corgis have strong herding instincts. To do their job, they have to nip at cows’ heels to direct them.

However, most Corgis don’t work on a farm anymore. They are in households being family dogs. 

But the herding instinct is always there.

Without cattle to herd, Corgis see members of the family as a herd. So don’t wonder if Corgis sometimes keep the family together in one room.

Also, kids running, flailing their arms, and shrieking – it’s an irresistible target for a Corgi. 

For them, there’s no difference between a running cow or a running kid. 

As long as the kid is moving, they’re targets for a Corgi.

In response, a Corgi would run after the kids to herd them. And they would nip at the ankles of children to get them to go somewhere.

Whether the nip hurts or not, it could scare a child. In some cases, it might cause them to fall forward or sustain wounds.

And when a kid is scared, their response is to run faster. Or scream some more. This could excite a Corgi, causing them to chase the kid again.

Because of this, Corgis are not recommended for families with young children or infants. 

It might be a good idea to have a Corgi when children are older than 8 years.

Unfortunately, one can’t train herding out of these dogs. This had been bred into the breed to help them do their job. 

Note: When a Corgi nips at the ankles, it doesn’t mean they’re aggressive. They’re only responding to a herding instinct.

#2: Corgis are loud barkers

Have you heard a Corgi’s bark?

It’s loud and deep. You can even use it as a burglar deterrent.

You may be wondering as I do how such loud bark can come from a small body.

But why do Corgis bark loudly?

First, it helps them do their job. How do you suppose a cow would know that the Corgi is by their feet? That’s right, through a loud bark.

So a 20-pound Corgi herds a 2,000-pound cow by nipping at the cow’s heels and by barking.

Second, they bark to send stray animals away from the farm.

These days, Corgis can use loud barking to discourage thieves and burglars. Or to drive away foxes and other animals from your property.

Third, it’s a Corgi’s way of communicating with you. They bark to tell you they’re happy. Or annoyed. Or they disapprove of your yellow shirt.

Lastly, they bark to get your attention. 

A pet owner shares that her Corgi, Pippa, barks to get their attention. And then she would lead them to what she wants.

For example, after barking, she would take them to the food bowl. Meaning she’s hungry.

If you’re getting a Corgi, I suggest you familiarize yourself with their bark. It could be annoying if you’re not used to it.

Barking and babies

Barking and babies don’t go well together. 

Corgis bark loudly. Without proper training, they will bark at almost anything. 

This is not good if you’ve got a baby. The sudden loud barks can startle the baby. Or barks could wake them up from their nap or sleep.

And when babies’ sleep is disrupted, they can become cranky.

I know babies who cry a lot when their sleep is disturbed. Or when there are loud noises.

In addition, Corgis are not ideal if you have sensitive kids. 

Some children are easily startled by loud noises. In some cases, loud barks can scare them.

#3: Corgis can turn destructive when left alone for a long time

Corgis are social animals. They are also herding dogs. 

That means they love to always be around their owner.

They don’t like it when you have to leave them alone. 

As herding dogs, Corgi works with the shepherd for guidance all the time. Thus, they form strong bonds with their owners or family.

If you’re not around for most of the day, your Corgi could become destructive or stressed. And you know the things a dog can do when in this state.

After all, who wants to come home to chewed furniture or torn curtains?

Worse, your Corgi could develop separation anxiety. And that’s another big problem on its own.

Separation anxiety is a disorder. A dog is afraid of being separated from their favorite person. Dogs with separation anxiety engage in undesirable behaviors. 

Such as excessive barking and destruction of property.

This can be bad for young kids because Corgis develop bad behaviors. 

They could be jumping at everyone because of the lack of mental stimulation. They could be ill-behaved as well. 

Which makes it not ideal for them to be around kids.

Note: Does your lifestyle allow time for your Corgi’s adequate exercise and attention? If not, then consider getting another breed of dog that’s okay with being left alone.

#4: When Corgis get defensive

All dogs bite. 

But that’s to defend themselves or when provoked.

Did you know that more than 95% of dog bites involve kids under 5? And the majority of these bites are to the kids’ faces.

The thing is, dog bites can be avoided. But it not only involves training the dog for proper behavior. It’s also educating kids about how to behave around dogs.

Here’s the thing – it’s not the dog’s fault.

So what’s the problem? 

The hard truth is the behaviors that kids show excite the prey drive in a herding dog like a Corgi.

For example, kids are not afraid to thrust their faces into a dog’s face. They pull a dog’s ears or tail. They scream.

Kids don’t mean any harm. But for a dog, these actions could be threatening. It’s only natural to protect themselves.

Unfortunately, sometimes they do it by biting.

#5: Corgis like to…work, work, work, work, work

Turns out humans are not the only beings experiencing boredom. Dogs do, too.

But how can you tell the dogs are bored, and not depressed?

This is how the author of this study explains:

‘Arousal inputs are low, but arousal motivation is high.’ 

And dogs respond by finding ways to get out of this situation.

But if dogs are depressed, they don’t have the will or strength to do something about it.

What does boredom do to a dog?

A lot of things. And most of these, you wouldn’t like. Such as:

• Chewing that corner of your couch.
• Excessive barking that could annoy neighbors.
• Getting into fights with other dogs in the house.
• Ripping off wallpaper or ripping the curtains apart.
• Running around the house and knocking things over.

As a herding dog, a Corgi needs to have something to do. A job.

Dogs have a tendency to get bored if left alone for hours. According to this study, animals tend to avoid boredom and look for stimulating activities.

Note: If a dog has to endure boredom for many hours, it has negative consequences. 

#6: Corgis are stubborn and strong-willed

Being stubborn and strong-willed is good in some ways.

For one, these qualities are indispensable for a herding dog.

But it’s also bad in other ways. A stubborn dog can resist training. They might ignore your commands. 

Or it will take time before they do your bidding. Also, they’d test your patience over and over.

In addition, Corgis tend to be very bossy. They want to do things their way.

This could be disadvantageous in some ways. For instance, a Corgi might not follow the commands of your kids. And that could lead to trouble…

#7: Some Corgis hate being chased

Isn’t it ironic when a chaser hates being chased?

That’s the case with some Corgis, as recounted by some owners on a forum.

Long ago, they chased cows and sheep for a living. These days, they take to chasing running kids.

Unfortunately, some Corgis hate when tables turn. And you know kids, they love chasing after playmates. They’ll chase your Corgi, too.

Warning: Being chased could make some Corgis anxious and act out. Or, if they feel cornered, they might defend themselves.

#8: Corgis are not hypoallergenic

If your child has asthma, having a Corgi might be a bad idea.

That’s because Corgis are not hypoallergenic.

They are double-coated. This means they have an undercoat and a top coat.

According to AKC, a Corgi has a ‘weather-resistant undercoat with a coarser, longer outer coat.’

Corgis shed all days of the year. But they shed like crazy in the late spring or early summer.

In fact, you can make another Corgi with the amount of fur you can get from grooming them.

If you can’t regularly brush their coat, their shed hair will be all over your house. And even if you vacuum daily, there will still be balls of Corgi hair everywhere.

That’s bad news for kids that are sensitive to dander. Dander is what causes allergy. You can find it attached to pet hair.

#9: You can’t train the herding behavior out of Corgis

This is one fact that all Corgi owners need to accept. Especially new Corgi owners.

You can remove a certain behavior from a dog. You can train them to stop jumping at people. Or to stop pulling on the leash when walking.

But when it comes to Corgis, you can’t completely remove their herding behavior. So don’t expect that they would stop nipping at your kids’ ankles. 

They would herd your family one way or another. It had been bred into them for many years.

You can only minimize or divert this behavior.

#10: Corgis won’t tolerate being treated badly

There are Corgis that tolerate what kids do to them. 

Rubbing them the wrong way, or pulling their big ears.

But this depends on the individual dogs. 

There are Corgis that won’t have it with bad treatment. They’ll snap, or bite at the air as a warning. 

Warning: This could go out of hand if this bad treatment happens on a regular basis.

#11: Corgis can knock down small kids

Corgis are small. But with the right force, they could send kids sprawling on the floor.

Corgis could only be playing. But sometimes they can’t control themselves around toddlers. 

They may hurt small kids when running around energetically.

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3 tips to make the interactions between your kid and Corgi safe and fun

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#1: Socialize your Corgi

Socialization has a lot of benefits for your Corgi.

Such as making them comfortable around children.

WebMD suggests doing this between 3 to 12 weeks of a Corgi’s life.

Expose them to many friendly kids from the time they’re puppies. Invite your kids’ friends for a playdate. Don’t forget to include your Corgi in the play.

If you have friendly kids in the neighborhood, you can also introduce your Corgi to them.

A dog park is also a good place for socialization. But it depends on some factors.

For instance, have your Corgi complete vaccinations before bringing them to dog parks.

Note: Assess your Corgi before socializing them. If they’re not in the mood, don’t force them.

#2: Obedience train your Corgi

When you have a Corgi, it’s going to be a lifetime commitment.

Commitment to taking care of them, to train them so they become well-mannered dogs. 

Just like socialization, obedience training is best done early on. Puppyhood is the perfect time to begin teaching them.

Fortunately, Corgis are easy to train. They rank as the 11th smartest dog breed. 

Their ranking means they can learn a command between 5 to 10 repetitions, 85% of the time.

In addition, Corgis are obedient and eager to please their owners.

A Corgi owner shares that his Corgi learned how to ‘sit’ in 10 minutes and ‘shake’ in 15 minutes.

Aside from ‘sit’ and ‘shake’, teach them basic but important commands. ‘Stop’, ‘stay’, and ‘down’ commands are just some of these.

Holly here has mastered the command ‘come’:

You can also teach them that nipping is undesirable behavior. Do it this way:

Run and encourage them to follow. If they nip at your ankle, stop running. Stop the game. Your Corgi will soon learn it’s not fun to nip because the game stops.

Remember, though. Without obedience training, your Corgi will begin herding humans. However, you can only divert or minimize this herding behavior.

For cases such as this, the commands ‘stop’ or the verbal cue ‘no’ comes in handy.

Note: Though Corgis are easily trained, introduce something fresh every time. Otherwise, your Corgi will get bored with training.

#3: Give your Corgi adequate exercise and mental stimulation

Even if small, Corgis need at least an hour of exercise.

So make them busy with exercise. Not only physical exercise but mental stimulation as well. 

If your Corgi has these on a daily basis, they should be happy and healthy. You can divide this into two sessions per day. 

I suggest that the first session is in the morning. Or just before you go to work. 

Though Corgis hate to be alone, you can leave them at home if they are given mental stimulation.

So before you leave for work, give them exercise and mental stimulation. At the end of the day, give them more of these activities.

You’ll find that this prevents your Corgi from being bored and destructive. Also, it tires them out physically and mentally, which helps them be calmer.

Spice it up!

If walks are a part of your Corgi’s daily routine, spice it up!

This is advice from Corgi owners whose Corgis are bored with regular walks. The dogs refuse to go on walks.

However, Corgis are happy when taken to walks in new places.

You might consider going on a hike or discovering new places with your Corgi.

Bonus: Train kids for your Corgi

Your kids need training as much as your Corgi does.

Children don’t know the right way to interact with dogs. They don’t know what’s wrong or right.

For them, it’s fun to pull ears or scream at your dog.

Thus, it’s your responsibility to teach your kids how to pet, play, or treat a Corgi.

First of all, teach them to be gentle and kind with your Corgi at all times. This means no pulling of ears, no jabbing the eyes, no pulling the tail. 

It also includes no screaming or yelling around the dog.

Second, teach your kids to respect the Corgi when they’re eating or sleeping. Some dogs are prone to food aggression. Or they might react negatively when woken up abruptly.