Does a Merle Corgi Make a Good Pet?

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If you’re looking for a merle Corgi, you can consider the Cardigan Welsh Corgi because the Pembroke Welsh Corgis are not available in merle.

Any Pembroke that’s merle is a mixed breed, usually a cross with a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.  Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be easily identified by their foxy face, short stature and prick ears.

Some pups have a natural bobtail, while others have a closely docked tail. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are also not as heavy-boned or long as Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have slightly bowed limbs and are prone to back problems. An Adult Pembroke Welsh Corgi usually stands at 10″ to 12″ in height and weighs 23 lbs to 28 lbs.

Corgis have a double yet short coat that is weatherproof. Cardigan Corgis tend to be aloof, while the Pembroke is friendly. These are the general differences between the Cardigan Corgi and the Pembroke. If you want to raise a merle Corgi, here’s what you need to know.

Merle Corgi Temperament

This breed is not for everyone. Although merle Corgis are stubby and adorable, they don’t make a good option for unprepared or first time owners. Corgis control the movement of the herd by biting, chasing and barking. This attitude is instinctual. Merle Corgis know how to get what they want and as such, they are stubborn.

They are perceptive and tough dogs that will try to manipulate others to do what they want. However, they are still trainable. If they are raised by a weak-willed owner, they might become aggressive or controlling.

They may get destructive, physical and loud when under-stimulated. Merle Corgis will herd their humans, other dogs and children. Your Corgi may bite and nip you to guide you where he wants you to go.

Although this behavior is due to their herding heritage, it’s an unwanted action for new dog owners. If you want to raise a merle Corgi, you have to be prepared to deal with this behavior. You have to teach your pet that such behavior is unacceptable and undesirable inside the house. Merle Corgis may also bark at things that don’t do what they want them to.

Merle Corgis are watchful dogs and will bark when they think that they have to alert you.  They may also sport various moans, grumbles and mumbles to express themselves when nothing is happening.

The temperament of merle Corgis might be overwhelming for some people. If you have decided to raise a Corgi, you have to be more stubborn than them on important matters.

Merle Corgi Grooming

Merle Corgis have a double coat. They don’t need to bathe often because dirt will simply fall out as their coat dries. However, they shed a lot. You have to brush their coat constantly to keep the shedding to a minimum. If you don’t want a dog that sheds a large amount of hair, you should consider another breed.

Tall dogs would usually get only their feet soaked on rainy days. However, the short stature of merle Corgis means that their entire underside will get wet. The coat of the Corgi should not be shaved as this will damage it. Merle Corgis also need to get their teeth brushed and their nails trimmed.

Merle Corgi Training

These dogs should be socialized properly to prevent them from developing hostility and fear towards other pets and people. They need basic obedience training through consistent methods.

Force-based techniques won’t work on them. Merle Corgis also need a lot of mental workout and exercise to keep them healthy, quiet and out of any trouble. They can become hard to manage if they are properly trained.

This breed loves human interaction. Simply being with their human is enough for them. Merle Corgis don’t need to be entertained all the time. They are loyal and loving dogs. If you want a vocal, social, sensitive and intelligent dog, the merle Corgi is just right for you.

Merle Corgi Health

It’s important to know the health problems that might affect your merle Corgi. The dwarfism of this breed makes them prone to various musculoskeletal problems as it alters the development and growth of cartilage. In Corgis, the growth plates are extremely thin and mature faster than normal. This process results in crooked, shortened bones.

Corgis are prone to easy injury due to their delicate growth plates. Jumping, running and other high-impact activities can damage them. Don’t let your Corgi do such activities until he is 1 to 1 1/2 years old. Stop him from jumping off of the couch or any other piece of furniture. Avoid repetitive small jumps and exhausting agility work.

Merle Corgis can also suffer from rapid cartilage degeneration. Osteoarthritis may occur prematurely and cause the Corgi to become really sensitive about having his feet manipulated or touched.

They are also susceptible to IVDD or intervertebral disc disease. An injured disk increases this risk. Common signs of an injured disc include unwillingness to walk and do activities that dogs usually enjoy and limping.

When your pet shows such signs, he should be on on-leash potty breaks and have no exercise for one to two days. If the reluctance or limp doesn’t go away, you should take him to the vet.

If you ignore the symptoms, your dog might lose the ability to walk and stand. Your dog should get proper treatment immediately. IVDD can occur due to an injury from something as trivial as turning too quickly during a game of fetch.

Merle Corgis can also suffer from obesity. It is important to monitor their weight because the extra weight can aggravate their joints and pull on the spine. Proper food portions and exercise are important for your pet’s health.

If you’re not sure about it, you can ask the vet for advice. Merle Corgis can also suffer from Von Willebrand’s disease and PRA or progressive retinal atrophy which leads to blindness.

The chance of these heath issues occurring is fairly small in Corgis due to proper breeding and testing. If you see your dog limping, acting stiff or in pain for no apparent reason, you should take him to the vet because it could be an indication of musculoskeletal stress. The earlier the problem is diagnosed, the better.

If you want to reduce the occurrence of various health problems, find a reputable Corgi breeder. You can also adopt a merle Corgi from a rescue organization or local shelter.

Exercise

Merle Corgis are not apartment dogs. Herding is an exhausting job and Corgis can do it. This breed has high energy levels due to their herding heritage. Merle Corgis may have short legs, but they are not slow, on the contrary, they are fast. However, their intelligence and high energy can led to problems if they are not properly taken care of.

Bored dogs will find ways to reduce their boredom. They may dig, bark excessively, chew on things and show other types of destructive behavior. It is important that your pet gets the right amount of exercise to prevent this problem from happening. This breed also needs mental stimulation. They can easily get tired of repetitive tasks.

Some Corgis may find daily walks incredibly boring so they would rather plant their feet and refuse to walk. You have to find a physical activity that engages your dog in order to avoid this problem.

Merle Corgis don’t make good biking or jogging buddies because of their build. Regular running can damage their joints. Biking and running should never be included in their regular exercise regimen, unless you are willing to do it in soft dirt or sand and only from time to time.

A lot of Corgis will bark at other pets playing and even chase them around. Sometimes, they will play with these pets for a few seconds and then bark at them again. They may also bite other dogs when playing with them. This behavior is normal for this breed, but the biting and barking may not be a desired behavior in the dog parks.

Merle Corgis will not be happy with physical exercise only. They have to participate in activities that require them to think and use their brains. You can give them puzzle toys, but that won’t be enough.

They need to have some kind of training such as preparing for canine sports or regular household obedience training. This breed loves to learn new things and getting the chance to work with their humans.

You don’t want them to develop unwanted behaviors just because they are bored and not getting the mental stimulation they need. Merle Corgis often assume jobs on their own and you may not like these jobs, so you should choose for them.

So, does a merle Corgi make a good pet? If you want a sturdy dog and you are willing to deal with the shedding and tendency to bark at almost everything, the merle Corgi is just the right pet for you.

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