Are Corgis Smart? Are Corgis Easy To Train?

Are Corgis smart? Corgis are smart and easy to train dogs. In fact, Corgis are rated as the 11th smartest breed in Stanley Coren’s book The Intelligence of Dogs. They’re loyal and loving companions and superb family dogs.

How smart are Corgis? Keep reading to find out where Corgis rank in intelligence!

About Corgis

They’re two types of Corgis including the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. There are some physical differences between the two distinct Corgi breeds but mostly share the same temperament. Due to their outgoing personality, they are often thought of as big dogs on short legs.

Corgis are beloved dogs with a Royal history. The small, cute, and compact Corgis are one of the world’s most popular herding breeds. They were originally bred to herd cattle, sheep, and horses. They make an affectionate family companion as long as they exercise regularly.

What is the IQ of a Corgi?

Have you ever wondered what is really going on inside your Corgi’s head? Have you ever thought about the nature of your Corgi’s memory? 

There are 3 dimensions of dog intelligence:

• Working and obedience intelligence: This intelligence indicates a dog’s ability to learn from humans.

• Instinctive intelligence: This indicates a dog’s ability to perform the tasks it was bred for. These tasks can be herding, hunting, fetching, guarding, or companionship. Corgis now have all the qualities they need to thrive as herding dogs with little or no help from humans.

• Adaptive intelligence: This refers to a dog’s ability to learn from past experiences and solve problems on its own.

The parameters were:

• How many repetitions a dog had to make before he learned a new command. The fewer the repetition number, the smarter the breed.
• What is the success rate for a dog of a specific breed obeying the command after a first attempt. The better the rate, the smarter the breed is.

Corgis excel at all three dimensions of intelligence, making them truly bright dogs. They are fantastic learners given the right motivators.

According to Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs, Corgis are the 11th smartest dog breed out of 138. The Pembroke Welsh Corgis took 11th place while Cardigans came in 26th.

Both variations of the Corgi are smart dogs. What makes them really smart is their herding instincts. Also, their ability to adapt and learn make them excellent problem solvers.

Dr. Dodman says, “Some dogs do some things better than others, and they have different behaviors.” Corgis excel in both adaptive and instinctive intelligence areas. 

Are Corgis smart or dumb?

Generally, obedience & working intelligence is the most objective to measure. Obeying commands is a good starting point but there is definitely much more to a Corgi’s intelligence than just obeying commands.

You can teach your Corgi a basic command in a few minutes! Both Corgi breeds were able to learn a new command with just 5 to 15 repetitions.

Corgis have all the qualities that make a world-class herding dog. They are amazing at understanding human emotions and make an affectionate family companion as long as they exercise regularly. To become a great companion, Corgis learn about their owners and adapt to their current situation.

Also read, Are Corgis aggressive?

Are Corgis stubborn?

Corgis are very smart and they know it, but they’re equally as stubborn. This explains why they develop their own thoughts and ideas. Often, Corgis are too persistent with their own ideas. Believe it or not, this is a sign of high adaptive intelligence.

The key to dealing with a stubborn Corgi is to be consistent, patient, and firm in obedience training. Without it, they’ll take advantage of you whenever they can.

Dealing with your dog’s high intelligence can sometimes prove to be a handful. Corgis know what they want, and they know how to get it! The fact that Corgis have a stubborn streak adds fuel to the fire. The only solution is to start obedience training as soon as you adopt your Corgi.

Corgis Special Talents

• Corgis are smart dogs with great logistical and trouble-shooting skills. They need a fair amount of intelligence and analytical work to herd sheep.
• Corgis are very sociable dogs and are good with other animals.
• Corgis can be suspicious of strangers and are vigilant watchdogs. They tend to bark at anything and everything. They’re very attentive and protective and never leave your side.
• Corgis are surprisingly fast despite their short legs.
• Corgis are very energetic and active dogs. You can easily take them out for the entire day without worrying about them getting tired.

Are Corgis easy to train?

Many Corgi owners say that the more intelligent the dog is, the more stubborn it will be as well. Some Corgis think they are too smart to live by your rules. Therefore, having a highly intelligent dog is both a blessing and a curse.

The pocket-sized Corgi makes a fun companion, especially when trained. You can train your Corgi to do cute tricks!

There are plenty of Corgis in competitive sports, shows, and movies, showing that they absolutely can be trained to advanced levels.

Here are some important basics when training a Corgi:

• You must establish limitations and reassert yourself as the pack leader. If your Corgi doesn’t respect you, training will be difficult.
• Always be gentle with them. Use a positive reinforcement protocol for training your dog. Punishment and negative reinforcement will not help in Corgi training.
• Keep your training sessions short and engaging with lots of praises and rewards.
• You must provide regular exercise and physical activity to your pet. This might help in making your dog more responsive to training.
• Never use choke collars on a Corgi as their necks can easily get hurt.
• Never allow your Corgi to jump from a high place as it might hurt its joints due to the landing impact.
• Corgis have a low tolerance for very hot and cold weather. If you are taking your Corgi for a walk during cold weather, let him wear a sweater. Also, avoid taking your Corgi out when the temperature is above 35 degrees. They are vulnerable to overheating.
• Be sure to socialize your Corgi as much as you can with people and other pets.

Some tips for Corgi owners:

• Feeding: Always feed your Corgi at set intervals. Do not let your little one free feed. You are going to make the decisions in the household. Your Corgi needs to conform.

• Walking: When you take your little dog for a walk, be sure to control the walk. Do not let your Corgi pull or decide on the direction you are going to go. Leash train your Corgi during puppyhood. 

• Remain calm: Do not be harsh on your dog. Yelling and punishments at your Corgi only sends mixed messages of aggression. Remain calm and redirect your furry pal when he’s misbehaving.

• Jumping and Furnishings: Set your boundaries early on. You must impose some limitations while keeping a Corgi. Try to have some control of your space and set restrictions on what furnishings the dog is allowed.   

• Entering and Exiting – Always have a low key entrance and departure. Only take notice of the Corgi when it reaches a calm and relaxed state.

Also read, Do Corgis shed?

Corgi Living & Exercise Requirements

Like all dogs, regular and proper training is extremely important for Corgis. There’s no denying that both varieties of Corgis are extremely smart dogs. They’re born problem-solvers and have a great memory bank. Corgis are always eager to please their human companions and this makes them quite easy to train.

Corgis often have a mind of their own, but they respond well to training. Remember that Corgis need a loving and compassionate leader, not a bully. Positive, reward-based training works best with Corgis. 

For most Corgi puppies, short bursts of training are far more suitable. They might need the following training.

• Obedience training
• Crate training
• Housebreaking 
• Leash training 
• Behavioral training

Athletic and active, Corgis were bred to be herding dogs and require plenty of exercise each day. They need moderate daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Corgis can do well on 

• Walks 
• Slow jogs
• Fetch games
• Backyard agility
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Playing with herding balls

Behavioral issues may arise if Corgis don’t get exercise and mental stimulation.

Do Corgis like to be held?

With a thick fur coat and compact size, Corgis are relatively easier to hold. While Corgis do generally enjoy being held, it’s recommended not to hold them too often. They hate being held very much.

Corgis’ brain was developed as a herding dog and being held by anyone is a vulnerability. Corgis like to be free and in control.

If you’re looking for a smart, alert, and affectionate dog, then Corgis might just be the perfect dog for you. Here are some cues that your Corgi wants to be held.

• Your Corgi begs you to pick them up. They whine and bark while standing close to you.
• If your Corgi doesn’t seem uncomfortable when you approach, they probably don’t mind if you pick them up and cuddle them.
• A Corgi who enjoys being held will remain relaxed in your arms. They won’t struggle to break free.

Pet parent tip: Dogs don’t like being interrupted during eating, playing, or sleeping.

Keep in mind that you must handle your Corgi with care. Hold them in a supportive and balanced way to avoid dropping them!

Are Corgis Smart: Final Thoughts 

Are Corgis smart or dumb?

It’s not fair to label any dog breed as smart or dumb. Yes, some dogs are brighter than others and are easily trainable. In fact, most dogs are good at something, you just have to figure out what! Being smart is not all that matters! It’s better to see if the dog’s temperament and personality matches yours.

Corgis are affectionate, loyal and alert dogs. They are great companions and have high adaptive intelligence.

Do you own a Corgi? Let us know what you think about your Corgi’s intelligence. Leave a comment and let us know in the comments section below!

Check out How long do Corgis live?