For the most part, Corgis are known for being very laid-back and friendly doggies. Their endearing temperament is one of the many reasons why Queen Elizabeth II and so many other people love the 10th most popular dog. But is it all fun and games with these doggies, or do they have a dark side you need to prepare for?
Corgis are not naturally aggressive. However, in some circumstances, they may express short tempers and violent behavior. Between Pembroke Welsh and Cardigan Welsh Corgi varieties, the Pembroke is typically more prone to these outbursts. The reasons can include separation anxiety, emotional trauma, or even lack of mental stimulation. The aggression can also be a result of failure to assert yourself as the alpha in the home, which the strong-willed dogs can very easily take advantage of.
This is clearly something you have to prepare for if you are considering owning one of these fluffy pooches. In the sections below, we will take a closer look at the aggressive tendencies in Corgis, including finally getting down to the reasons why they like to bite and bark in the 4th section. First, let us dive into why Corgis get so aggressive.
Why Is My Corgi So Aggressive?
Corgis are typically very laid-back dogs, especially if well taken care of and socialized early enough. However, they do not always have sweet tempers and may display aggressive behavior. The best way to deal with this is to understand the causes of these outbursts and come up with strategies based on the root of the problem.
To help you out, here are some of the most common causes of aggression in Corgis.
Psychological Issues
The main issues here are separation anxiety and phobias. If they do not feel safe, they will act out with aggressive behavior including constant barking and whining and aversion to human contact.
General Health Issues
Pain and discomfort are other major causes of aggression in dogs. It happens a lot with issues like volvulus and back pain from intervertebral disc disease.
Lack Of Assertive Guidance
Corgis are very confident and strong-willed dogs. If you do not assert yourself as alpha, they are more than ready to do the job for you and will be a lot more difficult to handle.
Idleness
Corgis have bad tempers when they are not well-stimulated, both physically and mentally. Lack of adequate playtime will leave them frustrated, leading to such outbursts.
Poor Socialization
This is one of the leading causes of aggression toward other animals from Corgis. While they may be friendly with most humans, they are less trusting of new pets and could attack if not monitored.
Herding Behavior
Corgis can be mean, but their aggressive behavior is not always from a negative space. Herding habits like biting and barking may sometimes be mistaken for aggression.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi VS Pembroke Welsh Corgi Temperament
Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis have many subtle differences. Most of these are in terms of temperament and the overall experience you have to look forward to owning either one of them. Generally speaking, Pembroke Corgis are more prone to aggressive behavior than their Cardigan counterparts. However, the aspect where these Corgis lack self-control they will make up for with their affectionate predisposition.
Let us take a closer look at each dog’s temperament, so you know what to expect.
Pembroke Corgis
Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s temperament is best described as very lively, playful, and loving. These dogs are very social and get along with strangers and even other pets a lot better than the Cardigan Corgis.
They are also known for their strong will, confidence, and intelligence. While these are fantastic traits for a dog to have, they may be problematic with Corgis that are inclined to more violent behavior.
In addition to these 3 traits, the stubbornness many Pembroke Corgis demonstrate makes them significantly harder to control which makes them ideal for seasoned dog owners.
Cardigan Corgis
Cardigan Welsh Corgi’s temperament, on the other hand, is calmer and more even-tempered. They are known for being very loyal and protective of their owners. This may lead to incidences of barking attacks when they feel their loved ones are threatened. However, the Cardigan Corgi variety rarely displays violent behavior like barking or other attacks.
This is awesome as it makes them easier for newbie dog owners to handle. However, they may be less affectionate than Pembrokes, which you will have to work on.
Corgi Temperament: Male VS Female
In the world of dogs, males are generally considered the more aggressive of the two genders. They tend to take up alpha roles and can be more difficult to handle unless neutered.
However, with Corgis, the opposite is the truth.
Believe it or not, it is the female Corgis that are more often than not the troublemakers. For some perspective, here is a comparison of both in terms of personality.
Females Corgi dogs are generally more disposed to short tempers and aggressive attacks.
They have very assertive personalities and are drawn to alpha positions which you as the owner have to challenge. They are also very protective and tend to be stubborn which are also problematic traits if the dog is triggered by anything whether it is a new pet or harsh punishment. Despite all these, female Corgis are very affectionate and loyal and definitely worth keeping if you don’t mind the work.
On the other hand, male Corgis are very laid-back.
They tend to keep to themselves and just need a bit of playtime and attention to remain happy. This makes them very easy to manage. However, they can be a bit aloof which is not fun if you want a loving lap dog relationship with your Corgi.
As you can see, both male and female Corgis are capable of aggression. It is therefore very important to start obedience training early so you can establish yourself as the authority in the home. Socialization is also important for both but mainly with the females who tend to be more territorial.
Are Corgis Known For Biting? Do Corgis Bark A Lot?
Corgis are known for their biting habits and the fact that they can be quite noisy. The biting is often harmless and free of violent intentions. However, it is often mistaken for aggression and therefore poorly handled. To deal with the behavior in the best possible way, you have to start by understanding the reasons for Corgi biting and barking.
Biting
Biting mainly happens as a part of the Corgi’s herding instincts. Their use as Shepherd Dogs included gentle biting and nudging at livestock to keep them in line and get them back to the flock when they strayed. They still do this even outside herding settings which is just a part of their leadership personalities.
Sometimes, biting could actually be a sign of aggression. The best way to tell the difference is through the strength of the bite and their general behavior while doing it. During aggressive outbursts, the biting is often harder and associated with a visibly agitated pooch.
This happens mainly as a result of their territorial traits and is often aimed at other pets which is why most vicious Corgi attacks are against other dogs.
Barking
Another common aspect of herding behavior is barking. You will notice that they do this mainly with people they feel they have dominance over including children and strangers. The barking is firm, but there is often very little anger or fear behind it, making Corgis good family pets.
Your Corgi could also be barking a lot out of fear. It could be regular phobias like loud noises and flashing lights. It could also be anxiety due to meeting strangers. With their alertness and innate distrust of strangers, the latter can come in handy if you want to use your Corgi as a watchdog.
Are Corgis Easy to Train?
Corgis are usually very easy to train. This is a result of traits like intelligence and eagerness to please.
However, there are a few other personality characteristics that may make life a little tricky for you including their strong will and their occasional stubbornness.
Fortunately, with smart training strategies, you should be able to housebreak your Corgi and get them under your control in no time. Here are a few tips that should come in handy not only with training but also in understanding how to discipline a Corgi puppy.
Use Affection And Praise As One Of Your Rewards
Corgis are suckers for affection so if you want them to learn quickly you should include a few back rubs and some verbal praise in your reward arsenal.
Start Early
Aggressive behavior starts around 6 to 14 weeks. It is best to start training and socialization around this age before things get out of hand.
Assert Yourself As The Alpha
If you are not firm with your Corgi, they will take over your house and become very difficult to handle. So do not hesitate to be assertive when there is a need for it.
Be Consistent Even When They Learn
Training your Corgi never ends. They will, of course, learn pretty quickly. However, you have to consistently implement whatever they learn and continue to reward them in whatever way to keep them motivated to behave.
Avoid Harsh Punishment
Punishing your Corgi is never a good idea. They are sensitive, and this can traumatize them. It could also trigger aggressive retaliation. Instead, withhold items used in rewards like treats or praise when they misbehave.
Related Questions
Do Corgis Kill Cats? Corgis direct a lot of their aggression toward other pets in the homes as a sign of dominance. With their powerful bite and their stubborn defiance, they could likely attack and kill your cat if they feel threatened. The best way to avoid such instances is to introduce them to other pets and unfamiliar people from an early age.
Is A Corgi A Lap Dog? A lapdog can comfortably fit on a human lap and is, by temperament, willing to stay there. Corgis fit the description of a lap dog pretty well. With adequate training and early socialization, you can even get your pooch to show the same snuggly love they show to your guests and other strangers.
At What Age Do Corgis Calm Down? Aggression in Corgis happens when they are puppies starting from around 6 weeks. More often than not, Corgis calm down as they grow older mainly around 1 to 2 years of age. However, some may need a lot more time, training, and patience to grow into their calmer adult personalities.
