Are corgis good with kids?

I'm sure you've seen many a corgi on the internet, and first time you saw them, you probably wondered the same thing I did. How can I get one and are they gonna be good with the kids?

It’s an important question. A dog is a big commitment. You need to know it’s going to work out with the whole family before spending the cash. Here’s the answer for you:

Yes. Corgis are good with kids. Great reasons to get a corgi for your kids include their energy, size, protectiveness, and affection. However, they do have a tendency to nip and bark if not trained.

Corgis are good with kids because they are high energy

The corgi is known for its high physical and mental energy, making it the perfect dog for growing kids.

If you're looking for an active pet, look no further than the corgi. For a thousand years, corgis have been owned and bred for their active nature – originally serving as cattle dogs on Welsh farms.

Corgis are high-energy animals that require a lot of exercise and stimulation, otherwise they'll start getting bored quickly. This makes them great to have with the kids, who are notoriously also big bundles of energy.

Like kids, it’s important to give your corgis lots of time to play. Corgis love nothing more than fetching a ball, chewing a rubber bone, and ripping the limbs of stuffed animals.

This means that no matter what activity your kids want to get up to, your corgi will be able to be right there by their side.

Now, this doesn't mean that all corgis need special exercise equipment or toys to keep them busy during the day. Most simply enjoy getting out and exploring.

You should take your corgi out on a walk each day, so they get the chance to move their legs and run around. This makes the corgi a great way to teach kids about routine and responsibility. It’s also great for family adventures in the great outdoors – like hiking, lake picnics, and strolls by the river.

If you're looking for a dog that will keep your kids active, the corgi is a great breed for you.

Corgis are good with kids because they are very social

Corgis make great family pets because they love hanging out with people.

Corgis are excellent at interacting with kids and animals, due to their docile nature. You can always see the happy-go-lucky corgi with a smile on their face, and they’re always ready to make new friends. This makes them a great choice for anyone looking to add a new puppy friend to the family.

In fact, corgis need regular socialisation with others – dogs, animals, humans – in order to keep their minds sharp. Much like when we get miserable when we haven’t seen our friends in a while, corgis feel the same way.

This means that your kids will always have someone who wants to hang out with them – even when you’re snowed under with work.

Corgis love being around children because they get so much attention from them. From head scratches to belly rubs, if you have an active child, a corgi is going to be very fulfilled.

You’ll also find corgis are happy to be around babies and young children. While you do need to keep an eye out for safety, most corgis will gladly spend their time with babies and toddlers. And young kids love the movement and soft fur of a corgi.

From this, it’s clear that as a social dog, corgis make a great addition to families with children of all ages.

Corgis are good with kids because they are small

Due to their smaller size, corgis are an excellent dog for kids.

Yes, because kids are smaller than the average human, they need a smaller than the average dog.

A fully grown adult corgis only stands at a height of around 40cm and weighs 10 to 15 kilograms. This makes them small and easy to handle for kids – who may not have the strength and size to manhandle a big dog like a samoyed.

It also means that if your kids are taking them for a walk, it’s easier for them to keep a hold of them if the corgi wants to run. A husky or malamute? Forget about it. But a corgi – your child should be able to keep a lock on that leash and keep them safe by their side.

They’re also easier for your child to take care of. While they do shed a lot, it’s a much smaller surface area than a samoyed. This makes grooming a much easier proposition.

​The same for cleaning up after them when the go to the bathroom – smaller dog, smaller waste. Something that I’m sure you’re kids will be appreciative of when they’re doing the picking up.

Much like poodles, terriers, and cavaliers, smaller dogs are typically better for kids, and the corgi is living proof of that.

Corgis are good with kids because they are affectionate

One of the defining features of corgis that makes them great with kids is that they are loyal and affectionate dogs.

Corgis enjoy being around people, and they make great companions for the right family. There’s nothing better for your kids than coming home from a hard day at school and having a happy ball of energy bound into their arms.

This level of affection rubs off on the whole household. So not only will the kids be feeling better, but you’ll be feeling better as well.

Corgis have been bred to live alongside humans for centuries, so corgis are learnt to be accepting of humans. This is great for kids, who will have an easier time bonding with corgis than other breeds – who may be a bit stand-offish.

The corgi’s always-positive attitude makes them an excellent choice if you have any young ones in the house. 

Corgis are good with kids because they are protective

Corgis make great companions for children because they are protective of the family.

Corgis will do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe – even if this means barking!

This breed is known for its loyalty to humans, and can be trusted around kids. Many corgi owners have reported that their corgis are so great with kids that they're actually the children's nanny dog! Now, I recommend a slightly more proactive approach to looking after your kids, but the sentiment still stands.

Corgis are also great watch dogs, so if you're looking for an extra set of eyes to keep an eye out for intruders on your property, this could be a good option. However, keep in mind that it is a watch dog and not a guard dog, as the corgis size makes them unsuitable for guarding your family.

Corgis are also good with guests, which is great when your kids have their friends over. While it might take a little bit of adjusting, corgis are adept at settling in.

The best way to make the most of this trait is through dedicated training.

This means teaching your dog how to behave when around kids, or around strangers. Very useful if you live on a busy street or friendly neighbourhood.

For these reasons the corgi is a great dog to consider for your kids and family.​

Issues to consider when buying a corgi for your kids

It's clear there are a lot of pros to owning a corgi. From their small size to their big energy, there’s a lotto offer for any young family.

There are, however, a few traits to be aware of before you buy a corgi for your kids. These include defensiveness, barking, and a desire to nip. 
Buying a corgi for your kids is a big decision. There's the great benefits of attitude, size, and protectiveness – but you also have to consider their barking and nipping.

Corgis can be defensive around other dogs

Like many dogs, corgis can be defensive when put it stressful situation, so kids need to be careful.

Most corgi owners that I’ve chatted to seem to agree: corgis are big dogs in small bodies.

This means that while they have a lot of energy, this energy can often escape when put into stressful situations with other dogs.

Let’s say your child is taking your corgi to the dog park. On their walk, they encounter a Great Dane. Now, many dogs would just keep on walking. Not the corgi.

Corgis are very likely to try to approach the other dog, and get all up in their face. They’re fearless, but also a little reckless. After all, a 10kg corgi stands little chance against a 50kg beast.

If that happens, your child needs to know to pick up the corgi and walk away. You can also get them to pull at their leash and move them. That will stop other owners from thinking your dog is aggressive, when really, they just need space. It will also keep your dog safe. While this is good to teach your child responsibility, it can also make for a stressful situation for them.

If your corgi is interacting with another dog, and it appears to be safe (i.e no snarling, biting, or barking), then give them the space to do so. Corgis love to sniff other dogs, and will happily explore if given the chance to be friendly.

It's important to remember that corgis are territorial by nature. After all, they were bred to watch livestock and protect farms. Their behaviour is not aggressive – it's just how they express their desire for space and security.
The best way to slow and stop your corgi’s defensiveness is through training and socialisation. It’s also good to teach your children how to behave around dogs.

By training your corgi and educating your children, you help ensure they can have the best relationship, and that both know what to do when encountering other animals.

Corgis can nip

Corgis can nip, especially when they are playing or feeling defensive, so you need to ensure you kids are careful when around them.

Dogs have a nice set of teeth on them. It’s very telling after all that we have human teeth known as canines. These teeth, however, can cause quite a bit of problems if used for evil rather than good.

As mentioned, corgis have a tendency to be defensive. This can manifest as a nip (a small bite) from their teeth. Particularly if other dogs or kids get too close to the corgi’s space when it is stressed.

Nipping can also happen while you’re playing with your corgi, particularly if they get under your feet while running about. It can also happen if your child is yelling or shouting while they play.

A typical corgi is highly unlikely to purposefully bite children, yet a defensive nip to a child might easily scare them. The best thing you can do is to encourage you kids to play safely with them, and to give them space if the corgi looks scared or stressed.

The other piece of advice is to get training for your corgi when they are young. A good trainer will be able to curb their defensive behaviour and discourage nipping from a young age.

Being aware of how your corgi is feeling will allow you to keep control of their behaviour, and this will reduce nipping.

Corgis can be loud barkers

The corgi is known for its loud bark, and this can be a problem if you have small children.

Corgis are very loyal to their family and will do anything to protect them. This unfortunately, can mean barking at the 6am garbage truck as it passes down the street. And that bark is loud.

Corgis don't have any real natural predators, however, that doesn’t stop them from feeling like they’re under attack. They can still get spooked by loud noises outside of their home, like the neighbour’s new car or new year’s fireworks.

It’s a very common site to have your corgi sitting by the window, overlooking the street – always keeping watch, and ready to bark.

If you have kids that need to study, a corgi can be a big distracting if you haven’t properly trained it. Your corgi needs to know when it is and when it isn’t appropriate to bark.

It’s also a burden when you have a newborn (human) baby and their sleeping schedule is still a little of whack. A corgi barking at 7am is the last thing you need when you went to sleep at 5am.

Training is your best bet for reducing the frequency your corgi barks. A good trainer will be able to help your corgi be more comfortable, and less likely to bark when they sense something around them.

If you’re after a peaceful companion, a corgi might not be your best bet. But if you’re after love and affection, the corgi brings it in buckets.

for barking is your best bet to minimise these impositions. A good trainer will be able to give you commands and instructions to help minimise the barking.

Final thoughts on corgis and kids​

Corgis are a great dog for kids. Intelligent, athletic, and loyal – three qualities that most dog owners look for in an ideal pet for their kids.
 
While they bring a lot of positives, be aware that they need a lot of exercise and a lot of attention. They also need your affection, which they are very happy to return to you.
​
If this sounds like you, then I absolutely recommend adding a corgi pup into your family today.

People like you were also interested in...

How to Buy A Corgi: The Ultimate Guide to Everything you Need to Know​

Picking the right corgi for you is an important part of your journey to dog ownership. Here’s everything you need to know about this adorable breed.​