7 Great Dog Sports And Activities For Corgis

Owners of corgis sometimes hesitate to involve their pets in intense exercise due to these dogs’ physiques. However, corgis are athletic dogs and there are several great options for activities and sports that are safe and fun for these dogs.

Corgis are great at sports and activities that are low-impact and involve problem-solving and speed. Examples of perfect activities for these smart and energetic dogs include agility and rally, swimming, as well as light hiking, and long walks.

CORGI-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS

Short Legs: Corgis Should Avoid High-Impact Activities

Pembroke Welsh and Cardigan Welsh corgis have very short legs and relatively long torsos due to a genetic mutation and subsequent selective breeding.

Corgis do not do well with high-impact exercise due to their peculiar physique. High-impact activities include jumping, running, hiking in relatively steep areas, and so on.

Even if your dog is young and sprite and seems to do just fine with intense exercise, the hips, and other joints might accumulate injury over time. Corgis are among the breeds that are especially prone to problems with joints later in life, with all the associated issues with mobility and pain.

There are ways to reduce impact when your corgi joins you for a jog, for instance, which is good to know since most dogs do at least some running around daily. It is, however, important to be cautious when choosing ways to keep your corgi occupied regularly.

Corgi Dogs Are Sensitive to Hot Weather

A major factor and a safety concern for corgis is their relatively poor tolerance to hot weather. You should keep your corgi’s activity light on warm days.

Corgis should participate in outdoor dog sports on days cooler than 70°F (21°C), ideally. Thankfully, some dog sports events are held indoors or in covered areas, which makes a difference.

Corgis have a thick double coat. Brushing it regularly helps with shedding old loose hairs to improve air circulation on the skin and keep them cooler on warm days.

Please read our post on corgis’ sensitivity to heat and how to keep your corgi cool in summer.

INDIVIDUAL DOG CHARACTERISTICS

Regardless of the dog’s breed, there are individual characteristics that affect a dog’s ability to participate in sports.

The Dog’s Age

Your pet’s age is one of the most important individual factors.

Very young dogs – younger than one year old – should not run or participate in other high-impact activities. Their joints are still developing and are much more vulnerable to injury than joints of mature corgis. Puppies are very mobile and energetic, so there is always plenty of running around and jumping, which is fine. There is, however, no need to encourage any structured high-impact activity.

Old dogs, naturally, might not do well with intense exercise either, due to accumulating health problems and generally lower energy levels.

Weight

Corgis as a breed are also at risk for gaining excess weight, which is not healthy for any pet but is especially precarious for short-legged animals because of the additional stress exerted on their backs and joints.

Overall Level of Fitness and Health Status

A healthy animal that exercises regularly is more likely to tolerate intense exercise, whether it be hiking or sprinting, than a dog that is not appropriately conditioned.

Regular check-ups with a veterinarian, good nutrition, and a moderately active lifestyle will keep your corgi in good shape. Your pet’s healthy cardiovascular system will enable the dog to enjoy activities, as long as there are no problems with the joints, which could become a limiting factor.

It is important to increase the length and intensity of exercise gradually. Avoid starting with very ambitious goals for your dog, let your pup make progress gradually.

DOG SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR CORGI

1. Swimming

Swimming in a lake or pool is an excellent activity for corgis, although it might not be a regular option for many households, understandably.

Corgis are short-legged, so many people wonder if these dogs can swim at all. The breed’s physique does not impact its ability to swim much.

Swimming is a low-impact activity corgi can engage in, as long as the dog is comfortable in the water and has demonstrated the ability to swim. Swimming is a great way to stay active even for dogs that already have some issues with their joints and mature animals.

As always, it is important to supervise your dog in the water and prioritize safety. Please read more about corgis in the water and how to teach these dogs to swim.

2. Agility

Agility is a fabulous sport for corgis because it stimulates their minds, as well as their bodies. Given how bright corgis are, keeping their minds active and thinking is very important for their health and happiness.

Some elements can be more challenging for a dog with an active joint problem, so your corgi might need accommodation. Health corgis do great with all elements of agility.

Agility as a formal dog sport is a set of obstacles the dog learns to go through and maintain a good speed and precision. It is very interactive and a great way to bond with the dog. It also teaches the dog impulse control, for example, which can be important to practice for dogs with strong instincts, such as corgis.

Many dogs experience a decrease in anxiety and have fewer behavioral problems if they participate in agility training. So, this sport is a great option.

You can start training your dog on your own and create obstacles. It is important to review the basic structure and rules, especially if you would like your pup to participate in a competition at some point.

American Kennel Club has a page on the rules of agility and what the testing involves for our readers who would like to know more.

3. Rally

Like with agility, the dog completes a set of tasks as part of a course. Your pet will practice the skill of following instructions during this course.

The main difference from agility is that rally does not prioritize speed as much, or even overcoming obstacles. It is more about the interaction and completing the task. Please read more about agility on the website of the American Kennel Club. Of course, rally does not have to be performed as part of a formal course, you can create a routine for your dog and utilize the core concepts of the sport.

4. Obedience

Obedience focuses on working with the handler, developing specific skills, and following instructions.

Obedience is great for dogs who need basic training and help with correcting some behaviors. It is simpler than rally or agility and focuses on completing the task rather than precision and speed, but it is a good place to start for many dogs.

If your dog has mastered obedience, rally or agility could be the next goals for sports.

5. Trick Dog

As the name suggests, the sport is about teaching your pet to do skills or tricks.

Usually, both the dog and the trainer love participating, and kids enjoy teaching their pets new skills. Some tricks can include hopping over an object or through a hoop. Although jumping is not recommended for corgis, some jumping can be okay, and you can always modify this particular kind of exercise for your corgi.

6. Scent Work

Scent work is a sport that your dog can do as a structured activity, but it can also be done on an amateur level, as long as you and your pet enjoy it.

In training classes, the dog has to look for a swap and another small object that is saturated with different scents. Then the dog has to be able to communicate to the owner or trainer what he or she finds.

This dog activity is good because it is not physically challenging but can be very exciting for dogs.

7. Long Walks and Easy to Moderate Hiking

Corgis enjoy being active and spending time with family. Walking and easy hikes are great options for these dogs.

Avoid hiking trails that have multiple stairs or hills to ascend to reduce the impact on their joints. Try to choose trails that are ground or grass rather than asphalt, which reduces shock and is generally easier on the joints, as well as the dog’s paws.

To Conclude

Short legs and long torsos are not a reason to be idle for a corgi, but these pups’ physique requires some modification of activity.

The main idea is to minimize the impact on the vulnerable joints of the corgi but to provide enough exercise and mental stimulation for your pet. Jumping, long-distance running, and arduous hiking are some activities that would be challenging for your dog. Crawling is often hard for a corgi too.

Walking, swimming and the structured dog sports we discussed in this post are good options to choose from. As always, observe your pet for any signs of discomfort and pace your pet’s activity if you think your corgi is struggling.