Corgis are a smart and playful breed. They won’t grow huge, and their personalities will flourish with training and attention.
Do Corgis bark a lot? Corgis do bark a lot, so if you can’t tolerate a more than average barking tendency, Corgis are not the dog for you.
Keep reading for more information on a Corgis barking tendency and some ways you can get your dog to bark less.
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Do Corgis Bark A Lot?
The short answer is “yes.” Corgis are not shy about speaking their mind.
A dog that barks often can cause unrest in the home for many reasons.
Whether it be sensitive ears or close residing neighbors, if you’re looking for a dog that will seldom exercise their voice box, Corgis may not be the dog for you.
This is not to say that Corgis are not lovable and great dogs. Read on to understand the nature of the Corgi bark, what to expect when you bring one home, and how you can be prepared for your noisy new addition.
Breeds of Corgi and their Bark
Corgis are some of the oldest British dog breeds. You can expect to find two prominent Corgi breeds – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
While they were crossbred briefly in the 1930s, they are very much their breed. Both breeds differ significantly in physical attributes and personality.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi –
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is an ancient breed that was first brought to Wales around 1200 BC. Cardigans can come in many coat colors and can reach almost 40 lbs in weight.
While both breeds are dwarf breeds, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi will have a much more distinct tail. Their tales are typically long and fluffy, which will be a quicker way to spot the two breeds’ difference.
In terms of personality, the Cardigan is the quieter, calmer breed. They are often praised for their adaptability to different situations, making them the least likely to bark excessively.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi –
The smaller and younger of the two breeds, the Pembroke Corgi, will be easily identifiable by their short and stubby tail. Pembroke Corgis will also have less of a range of coat colors than Cardigan Corgis.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the most active and energetic of the two breeds. Because of their playful and alert nature, a Pembroke Corgi may be louder and more bark prone.
It’s essential to understand why corgis bark.
Because of the age of their breeds, corgis were useful tools in the days-of-old. They were trained to herd cattle and be on the lookout – both skills require an active and alert bark.
Their inherent barking is the product of thousands of years of training to alert their owners to various issues.
Due to their instinct and intelligence, Corgis will pick up on noise or change in the environment and feel compelled to bark.
It will help you understand that they are not doing this for no reason but to “sound the alarm,” so to speak. They bark to communicate with you.
Understanding the nature of the Corgi breeds and knowing what to expect when you bring one home will prepare you for the training and the steps ahead.
The goal will be to limit your Corgis unnecessary barking and to understand what your Corgi is trying to tell you when he does bark.
What to Expect with a Corgi Pup
When you bring home a Corgi, whether it be a Cardigan or a Pembroke, you should expect a significant adjustment. Corgi puppies may bark all day long as they adjust to their environment and try to communicate with their owners.
Because of the intelligent nature of Corgis, they use their bark to communicate with you.
Whether that is due to their current emotion, their need for food, or just because they want attention, you should expect your new Corgi to speak to you often.
They will communicate in other ways as well, such as whining or grunting.
Try to understand what your Corgi is trying to tell you through their bark, and you will be able to assess their needs and limit their excessive barking.
Corgis are great family dogs and easily trainable. Because they were bred to bark and alert their owners, you should recognize this and be sure to discipline and discourage barking in a way that they will understand.
Take the time to prepare your household for your Corgi before bringing one home.
Preparing Your Home for a Loud Dog
While Corgis are known for being noisy dogs, there are plenty of steps you can take to limit their barking. Corgis respond well to training, and taking the time to do so will prevent frustration within the household.
Begin by preparing your household and your neighbors for your Corgi addition. If you have close neighbors, you should let them know that you are bringing home a new dog that may bark often, but this will change in time.
You should tell them to let you know if they become bothered by the barking, and you can avoid a call from your landlord.
Prepare your household by making sure everyone in the house understands that your Corgi will bark. Then, take steps to ensure everyone is familiar with how you will discipline, redirect, and train your Corgi.
You should never hit your Corgi if you are frustrated. Corgis will not respond well to aggressive measures, and you may damage them emotionally.
How to Discourage Your Corgi from Barking
When you first bring your Corgi home, begin to establish boundaries, and set a routine. You should show them around your home areas where they will be allowed to go and let them get acclimated to the smells and the environment.
This will help lower any anxiety they may have and lessen the chance of barking from fear and discomfort.
Corgis will thrive from a daily routine. By establishing a morning, daily, and evening routine for your Corgi, they are less likely to become upset or overwhelmed, which may lead to incessant barking.
You can find an excellent guide and tips for training your Corgi here.
Because Corgis use their bark to communicate with their owners, they begin to understand why they are barking.
If it’s because they are hungry, you have an easy solution. If the reason is not so apparent, your Corgi may just need some distraction.
Begin by bringing in toys that will stimulate your Corgi. Corgis are intelligent animals that will thrive with stimulation.
Choosing a toy for your Corgi that encourages self-play will keep them distracted, entertained and help them release energy.
Exercise is another area that will benefit your Corgi and prevent excessive barking. You must remember that they were initially bred as herd dogs. Herd dogs are used to being too active.
Lack of activity can be a reason that your Corgi is barking, and adding exercise into daily routines, will be great for your new pup’s physical health, as well as your family’s mental health.
A Happy Household – Plus One
Corgis are great dogs and can make a fitting addition to any family, so long as you’re prepared.
Their intelligence, playfulness, and even temperament make them safe for children and adults alike. Their short stature is also perfect for anyone looking for a small or mid-size dog.
Don’t shy away from having your Corgi professionally trained. This extra step will help your family and your new Corgi interact positively and limit frustrations within the household.
Training a Corgi will help establish routines, set boundaries, prepare them for kenneling, and teach them commands. These things combined will bring structure to your home, which benefits your Corgi and your family.
Just like humans, animals have a love language. You must understand the needs of Corgis before bringing one home.
Doing so will ensure that you and your family choose the right dog for you and ensure that you’re the right family for the dog.
Your Corgi will love to cuddle and crave your attention. So long as you’re prepared to provide this affection, you will have a happy dog.
When deciding to get any dog, you should do your research to ensure that the breed of dog you’re getting will be the best choice for your needs and lifestyle.
Taking the time to do this due diligence can be the secret to a happy, pet-loving household.
In contrast, however, failing to understand the nature of the dog you’re getting could potentially lead to a rehoming decision that will be heartbreaking for all involved.