If you are an adventurous type, you would surely like to take your corgi with you on your expeditions. How do these pets tolerate running? Are they good partners?
If you have corgi as a pet, you probably already know that these are active dogs, and that you need to pay attention to them, especially in terms of exercise. Running is certainly the most common form most owners opt for. But, are corgis good running partners? Can I bring my corgi running with me?
You bet they are, but not long-distance! If you want to improve the health of your corgi and learn how to take them running, stay until the end, and listen to what I have to say.
Can Corgis Run Long Distances?
I have good news for you. Corgis are ideal running partners, but not in the long run. There is, however, a limit to how far these dogs can run without having health problems.
Your corgi can run approximately 2 to 3 kilometers. This is an upper limit, and anything beyond that can be a burden to your dog.
If you have decided to run with your corgi, and you think you have crossed the recommended distance, these are some signs that will help you determine if your corgi is overtired.
- Heavy panting
- Sweating
- Paw injuries
- Vomiting
- Sore muscles
- Loss of direction
The corgi breed has stamina that is suitable for slower expeditions and shorter distances. However, if you accelerate the pace, it is very likely that your corgi will often lag behind you. As I said, corgis can run with you, but you have to keep in mind some things regarding the general health of your corgi.
The Age Of Your Corgi
Puppies and senior corgis are not the best partners in running. The ideal time when your corgi can start running with you is when they have passed 14 months. Then, they officially become “adults” in dog years.
As they get older, they won’t be able to follow your pace. Senior corgis can even have severe health problems if they run for a long time in unfavorable weather conditions (too much heat, for example).
Also, it is not wise to take corgi puppies out running. While they are small, their bones and especially their legs are not yet developed enough to run with you.
Extreme Weather Conditions
The corgi breed is easily adaptable, but even this has some limits. Not all dog breeds can go for a run with you in extreme weather conditions.
For example, heavy rain, snow, or heat are not suitable conditions for running with your corgi. First of all, these are small-sized dogs, and they won’t be able to cope if there is much snow.
Second, extreme temperatures can adversely affect the health of your corgi. Whether it’s heat or cold, this can even be fatal if you don’t take breaks often.
The Weight Of Your Corgi
The critical point when it comes to corgi health and running is their weight. It is not strange for corgis to like to eat too much. And this can affect the pace at which your corgi will run. If your corgi is overweight, it will be difficult for it to run even 1 kilometer.
Of course, tempo is the least of the problems. If an overweight corgi runs constantly, a heart attack can occur. If you are somewhere far from civilization and this happens, you are in big trouble. That is why it is very important to keep your corgi active at home by letting it run in the backyard and play with their toys.
Running Essentials
In addition to taking care of your dog’s health, you also need to bring some essentials. Without some things, you just can’t go running, and those are:
- Hand-free leash
- 2 bottles of water
- Running backpack
- Paw wax
- Food and treats
You have to be prepared for everything. Your corgi must always have water supplies available, but also paw wax or patches in case it gets injured while running. So, you can go for a run with your corgi in nature, and you can take it with you on a morning jog. This is probably the best choice.
Read Also: Are Corgis Good Off Leash?
Camping With Your Corgi?
Just as you can go for a run with your corgi, you can also take your pet camping. These are natural herding dogs, and they can manage being in the woods. Therefore, they can be a useful partner if you decide to spend the weekend camping.
As for running, there are essentials to take with you for camping as well.
- Dog bell
- Dog food
- Dog first aid kit
- Antibacterial wipes
- Pet sunscreen
Fun Games With Your Corgi
Running doesn’t have to be the only exercise you can do with a corgi. There are other “games” that also involve running and the constant attention of your corgi. It is important to exercise their mental health as well. The most common games you can play with your corgi are: find it, muffin discovery, pick up, and hide and seek.
“Find It”
Find it is an entertaining game that you can play both indoors and outdoors. If you decide to play it inside, be prepared for the chaos that can happen if your corgi enjoys it too much.
Find it can refer to two things – your corgi can look for you or an already known item. If it’s you, when you hide in another room, shout “Find me!” Corgi’s scent is 1,000 times stronger than ours, so it will find you very quickly.
If you are dealing with a larger area or a house that has rooms upstairs, you can use the phrases “hot and cold.” If you decide to make it an item familiar to your corgi, it can be a toy. Of course, your corgi will need more time to find this.
Also, you can use some additional props, such as blankets, boxes, lids, and whatever you find helpful. When the corgi finds the item you hid, start over – you can use the same one, or you can take a new one!
Muffin Discovery
In case you didn’t know by now, this is a very famous corgi game, and it will most often be played in the backyard. For realization, you need:
- Muffin tins
- Tennis balls
- Treats
Place the treats in muffin tins, and cover them with tennis balls. There should be about 3 or more of them available. Once you’ve done that, take each one and hide them on different sides of your yard.
Once you’ve done that, let your corgi search. Your corgi will be very happy to find these treats along with the ball. However, you should be careful about the amount of treats you use. It would be best if you did not overdo it because it can affect the health of your corgi.
“Pick Up”
Pick up is a game you can play with a corgi that is not yet trained. What is up to you is to include various toys and items that your corgi plays with and scatter them around the room.
After everything is scattered, you tell your corgi “pick up,” and he should pick it up one by one and bring it to you. Until he picks up the last toy, the game is not over.
Some people like to play this in the yard with balls. And it’s doable. You just need some nice weather. Either way, whatever you choose, this can help train your corgi.
“Hide And Seek”
Hide and Seek is definitely a game that requires a level of training and good behavior from your corgi. Note that you cannot play this with a corgi puppy or with a very old corgi.
The rules of the game are undoubtedly clear to you. You hide in a room of your house after the corgi spends time in another room. After that, you call him, and it starts looking for you. This can take a while if you have a big house.
Also, some owners play this in the backyard. Nice weather, trees and places where you can hide are a must.