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How To Buy A Corgi

The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Buying Your Dream Dog

Imagine this: It's 6pm. You've just come back home from a hard day at work. You rustle with your bag as you put the key in the lock and the door swings open. Down the hallway you hear that familiar noise. The pitter patter of tiny paws against the floorboards. You see the goofy face of your very own corgi staring back at you. He's smiling. You're smiling.

Sound like the perfect future? You bet.

There's a reason dogs are were picked to be our best friend. And there's even more reason why the royal family have kept corgis as the pet of choice for decades.

So rest assured there's good cause to get a corgi. But how do you go about it? That's what we're here to answer.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting your very first corgi.

The Steps to Get Your Corgi

Is A Corgi Right For Me?

We love corgis. And we're betting you do too.

Corgis make great pets, but they are not perfect for all homes. Here's a few things to consider before taking the plunge into dog ownership.

The Positives

Corgis Have Lots Of Energy
As any interior designer will tell you, rooms need to be filled with life. And life is exactly what you'll get with a corgi. A happy and free spirit, corgis are a natural bundle of energy. A corgi is always ready to play, and is guaranteed to be a flurry action.

Corgis Are Easy To Groom
That's right, no spending two hours in front of the mirror each morning for a corgi. The short coat of a corgi means a lot less work for you on the end of a brush. Combing their fur and grroming them is as easy as pie, leaving you more time to spend playing and having fun with your corgi.

Corgis Are Good Watch Dogs
No more keeping grandma's diamond ring in the safe behind a painting in a locked room every night. Corgis make excellent watch dogs, and will keep an eye out for unwanted visitors. And while they're not your typical attack-anything-that-moves dog like a Doberman, they are acutely aware of their surroundings, and know when things aren't right.

Corgis Are Good With People And Other Animals
Your corgi will be a huge part of your family. They are known for making good friends with other people and animals (it's like they were bred watching Mr Rogers Neighborhood). While they can take a little bit of time to warm up to new companions, once hey're bonded, they're bonded for life. You just try prying them apart!

The Negatives

Corgis Need To Be Kept Busy
A corgi would be terrible in an office cubical with nothing to do all day. They need to be kept active, like you would treat a toddler. Have lots of activities and toys ready to go: walks, runs, games, bones... And make sure your house is big enough for them to play. They need space to let there little legs move.

Corgis Shed Their Fur (A Lot!)
They're like a messy husband, always leaving clothing around the house. One of the unfortunate side effects of keeping a short coat is all that excess fur needs to go somewhere – namely, your house. Have a vacuum cleaner on standby, you're going to need it on the regular.

Corgis Are Territorial
Defending home, country, honour and... living room. Corgis are a protective breed, which means they can be territorial of their space. While they make great friends, be careful that other pets don't intrude into their space when they need it – much as you don’t want someone barging unannounced into your bedroom.

Corgis Can Be Destructive
Because the best way to show someone you love them is by nipping them, right? And that new pair of Jordans, that's a chew toy, correct? That appears the be the thought bubble going on in your future corgis brain. Be prepared to get your corgi into training early. This will minimise the damage that an untrained corgi can be prone to do. And make sure you're taking them for lots of while – to keep their mind and energy away from destruction.

What Breed of Corgi Should I Get?

If you were to split corgi lovers into two groups, it would be: those who love Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and those who love Cardigan Corgis.

Pembrokes are your classic corgi. Cardigans are the rugged one. Think Tom Cruise vs Brad Pitt. Or a Labrador vs a Bloodhound – but all corgi. If you want to know all the differences: Read our guide on the differences between Pembrokes and Cardigans.

FYI, bad breeders sometimes try to pass off mixes (Pembroke cross Cardigans) as Pembroke Cardigans. This is not a real purebred breed. This doesn’t make the corgi bad. And indeed, they can still make fine pets. They’re just not the purebred you are being told you are getting.

How Much Does A Corgi Cost?

The age-old question: can you get a corgi without breaking the bank? Most corgis cost $400-$900, but it's possible to go as low as $100 (for older rescue corgis) and well over $2000 (for purebred show dogs).

Here’s a few factors that may help you decide what path to go down.

Whether it’s Pembroke or Cardigan
The type of corgi you're after can affect the price. Pembrokes are more popular, and therefore, more expensive. But Cardigans are often harder to come by – and therefore, in some areas, these can be the more expensive of the type. If price is a huge factor, consider looking at a cross or half-breed, as these often come in cheaper than a purebred of either type.

Your Breeder and Breed Quality
A reputable breeder charges more than a backyard breeder (and it is ABSOLUTELY worth the price! We’ll talk more on that later).

An affordable option can be your local animal shelter, who will occasionally get in adult corgis and can go for around $100.

If all you're after is the quality, then you're going to run into a more expensive dog. This is even more true if you want to get into doing dog show. A purebred will set you back $500–$1000 (or in Europe: €750–€1200), with some going up to and over $2000.

Location
You may not have a local breeder in your area, and that means you need to look out of state/country. This means you may get slugged with shipping charges. Unless you can do the drive (and it's not always possible), you need to find an airline that can take animals. We recommend going out to your corgi wherever possible. In the US, expect to pay $250–$400, with varying prices around the world.

There’s also the costs of looking after your corgi:

Food & Shelter
You’re looking at around $30–$50 a month to feed your corgi. This depends a lot on how big it ends up being, and the quality of food you are feeding it (make sure it’s healthy and nutritious!). And don’t forget dog blankets or a dog house and bed if they’ll be outside – this can also run up your initial costs.

Activities
If you’re not able to walk your corgi every day, you may end up needing to fork out for a dog walker. Outside of this, you need to buy a few toys to keep them busy. No need to go overboard, but enough to have them occupied when you need to leave the house.

Health
Before you get your corgi, check that your breeder has given them all their vaccinations and worming – and that they have their registration and change of ownership forms.. This should be covered in the cost of the corgi – and it is important that your breeder does this. This is to ensure the health of your corgi, as unhealthy dogs can end up costing thousands of dollars in surgery. And this is not even including rehabilitation and vet visits. Your dog, and your wallet, depends on it.

Wait… Should I (Really) Get A Corgi?

A corgi means a long time of love and joy, but it also means a long term commitment. You need to think before you buy.

Thousands of dogs are abandoned every single year because owners stopped caring about them. Is this something you can handle?

And is a corgi the right kind of dog for you: Do you have a lot of space? Do you love walks? Cuddles? Fur shed around the house?

Corgis make a great family pet – something frisky for the kids, something loving for you – just make sure sure that it's right for you and your family before you buy.

Where Can I Get A Corgi?

The corgi is still an uncommon breed. They do, on occasion, end up is rescues – often because owners have had to move or there’s been changes in the family. If you are happy with an older corgi, a rescue is a great place to start.

We absolutely encourage you to get your corgi at a rescue if you can. You’re saving the life of a corgi and giving a home to someone who deserves love and compassion. A great resource is PetFinder.com – a listing service of dog rescues, which may be able to point you which way to find your corgi.

Otherwise, you want to look for breeders. You will likely have a (long) waiting list for a reputable breeder – but that makes it all the more worthwhile when you get to take your corgi home.

Finding A Breeder

In the United States: Start your search with the American Kennel Club website. They have a huge list of reputable breeders and can get you in contact with all of them.

If you know the type you're after, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America (PWCCA) is a great place to start finding a Pembroke corgi. They have a membership directory which lists a number of reputable breeders, and can be filtered by your state. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Rescue Trust (CWCNRT) is also a great place to look. They are specialists in dealing with Cardigan corgis, and have a list of Cardigan breeders in the states that you can search through.

You can also find regular corgi events across the country, and many areas have local breeding clubs that can help you out.

In the United Kingdom: The Kennel Club has a great list of resources for finding a corgi in the UK. Search 'Welsh Corgi' and you'll see a list of breeders and their location. So if you're in London, put in London. Same for Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and anywhere else you call home.

Around the world: Most countries have registered associations that you can check with about adopting an older corgi. Try doing a Google search for:

“adopt a corgi” + your local area e.g. “adopt a corgi Japan”,
OR
“corgi breeder” + your local area e.g. “corgi breeder Japan”.

It is possible to get corgis from overseas, but it's much harder, and you need to check with your local animal laws first.

You also want to ensure that you double check the legitimacy of any online breeder you're looking at. Scammers will often pose as breeders to trick money out of people. As a first step, do a search of: "Your Breeder's Name" + "scam" and check the results. This is not a foolproof system, so be careful, be aware, and be vigilant.

And remember... Be Patient and Do It Right.

Getting a new corgi is like having a baby, a long and difficult but very rewarding process. Don’t rush things because you’re excited. Take your time and find a safe and reputable breeder or rescue.

Places to avoid: pet stores, puppy mills (where puppies a bred quickly and in bulk), or backyard breeder (amateur home breeders with no professional skill). They are in it for the money – or ended up with the puppy by chance – and not in it for the well-being of the dog or the breed.

A final piece of advice on finding a breeder: a bad website doesn’t mean a bad breeder, and on the flip side, a good website does not mean a good breeder. So take your time and investigate thoroughly. Now it's time to pick your breeder!

How Do I Pick The Right Corgi Breeder?

It is important to pick the right breeder, but it can be hard to choose. There's so many options!

Here are a few questions you can ask your potential breeder, to make sure they are they are reputable, and the right breeder for you.

Do They Sell To Anyone?
A breeder who sells to everyone is a breeder who should sell to no one.

A good breeder will ask as many questions of you as you do of them! This includes questions about: your life, your home, your knowledge of the breed, and your ability to look after them. A good breeder wants to ensure you are a good owner.

How Will They Get The Puppy To You?
The best breeders always encourage potential owners to go out and meet them them (and your corgi) face-to-face before they sell to you.

If your breeder is all too happy to pop your pup on a plane, with barely a conversation: be very wary, and be prepared to walk away.

Are The Puppy’s Parents Healthy?
Upfront tests are expensive, but so are vet bills for the next ten years if you’ve got an unhealthy pup. A good breeder will pick parents to maximise healthy traits, and minimise health risks.

Your breeder should ensure that the puppy’s parents have had all their tests. In particular, tests for von Willebrand disease (vWD) and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). These can both cause problems later in life.

We also recommend following the advice of the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), and getting eye and hip tests, as these are some of the first places that corgis can go bad.

Are Prices Fair?
Prices that are too low or too high are a warning sign.

A good breeder is aware of the market price, and will demand reasonable prices for their efforts. If the price is off, double check you're not dealing with a puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Also, high prices do not mean good health. Always check that separately.

Are Their Litters Appropriately Spaced?
Looking after corgis is hard work – and a good breeder only has so much time.. Litters of puppies need to be spaced out.

If you see too many litters in too little time, you don't have a good breeder on your hands.

Should The Mother Be Having Puppies At All?
A reputable breeder waits until a dog is at least two to three years old before they have their first litter.

This is because OFA tests can only be done after the dog is two years old, and you need to have records of these tests. Genetic issues can surface after the puppy stage, so it is important to wait.

Always try to see the mother. A good breeder will have nothing to hide – and if they’re not the owner of the mother, they should still be able to show you records, history, and certifications.

Is The Puppy Old Enough?
Do not buy a puppy under 10 weeks of age. Puppies should spend time with their mother and the rest of their litter.

If they are taken too early (especially under eight weeks), you risk the chance of developing health and growth issues.

Ensure your puppy is weaned, healthy, ready and alert, and feels confident in going back to your home. Avoid a puppy that appears snappy, shy, or sick – even more so if that is a common trait in the litter.

Will They Help You Settle Your Corgi Into Its New Home?
A good breeder will not only help you pick the right pup, it will also help you in acclimatising it to its new home. They will also ensure you’ve got all the information you need to properly take care of your corgi.

The right breeder will also be open to taking phone calls later down the line if your corgi has problems. Because it’s not just a business deal, it’s an open invitation to the family.

What’s Their Environment Like?
You want to ensure that the corgi has come from somewhere clean and friendly. Anything that triggers unease in you can be a warning sign.

Once you’ve picked a breeder, get to know them and build a relationship. You need to prove to them you are ready to be a corgi mum or dad. Visit as many as possible to ensure you’re making the right decision.

Once you’ve pick a breeder, it’s time to pick your corgi. :

How Do I Pick The Right Corgi For Me?

Picking the right corgi for you is an important part of your journey to dog ownership.

Here are some tips to point you in the right direction.

Talk To Your Breeder
Your breeder is a fountain of knowledge. Let your breeder know why you want a corgi, what your life and home is like, and what your plans are. A breeder will be able to recommend a pup for you.

This is particularly important if you need your pup to do a special tasks (like a certain behavioural trick or to help someone). You need the right dog for the right position.

Ask About Health
Even if you've checked the litter, you need to ask about your individual pup.

How are their eyes and hips? Have they had their tests, worming, vaccinations? Any health concerns in the family? Has a vet checked them out? These questions are all important.

Watch Temperament and Behaviour
You don’t need to buy the first corgi that runs up to you, but it is a good sign.

Where possible, inspect the litter twice. Don’t miss your future best friend, just because they were tired the day you first visited. Some pups love playing in the morning, some are more suited for the afternoon.

How Do I Look After My Corgi?

Here’s a quick list of questions about looking after and taking care of your corgi friend.

How Do I Groom My Corgi?
A corgis coat is short, but thick. It doesn’t need much trimming, but it does need lots of brushing to get rid of excess hair. And be aware of shedding. It can come in waves and very quickly. Brush every day you can!

It’s worth checking in with a vet about dental and nail maintenance – they can help with any clipping and brushing.

What Do Corgis Need For Play?
Corgis get bored easy. Make sure you have lots of space for them to run around and explore.

Chew toys, ropes, or a handful of balls will come in handy. Otherwise, it might be the furniture.

How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Need?
Corgis need a lot of exercise. Plain and simple. They were first bred to work, and deep down, they're still full of that pluck and spirit.

Don’t let them get overweight, because of their health issues. An hour a day is about what you need, on or off the lead.

What Should I Feed A Corgi?
A high-quality meat diet is the best way to feed your corgi.

You can also look at dry food, with meat and vegetable mixes. Puppies can be on formula until they are old enough to eat regular meals.

Should I Get Two Corgis, To Keep Each Other Entertained?
Maybe! While two puppies from the same litter can bond well, it’s the equivalent effort of raising twins.

It may be better to get one first, and get it housebroken, before getting a second.

What shots (vaccinations) should my corgi get?
Your breeder is responsible for all of your puppy’s shots. For all other shots, like for bugs or pest control, speak with your vet for their recommendations.

Your puppy should avoid contact with other dogs until two weeks after their third set of shots.

How long will it take to house-train my Corgi puppy?
A puppy should be house-trained after about six months, but this varies from dog to dog and the time put into training them.

Should I spay / neuter / desex my corgi?
Absolutely! Your vet will be able to advise the best time for this.

Pets that have been desexed live longer and healthier lives, and are at lower risk of health problems.

Final Things To Know About Your Corgi

There are so many happy memories to come when you take the plunge into corgi ownership. You now have all the tools to get your very own lovable new companion and friend for life, the corgi!

Let us know on Instagram or Facebook when you get your new corgi.

You may also be interested in...

What's the difference between Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis?

Have you always wondered what the difference was between the two types of corgis?

While both Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Corgis are cute, there's some distinct differences that you need to know before getting your own.

6 Simple Steps To Naming Your Corgi

So you just got a brand new corgi of your very own. And the perfect pet needs a perfect name.

There are so many different names out there to choose. But how do you pick the right one? Here’s an easy step by step guide to picking the perfect name for your dog.