I've had three corgis and they all loved to play with other dogs - I think people have an experience with one dog (hmmm, just like they do with people, come to think of it...) and generalize that to the breed.

Corgis are herding dogs and have a tendency to take control, I think that is what the woman meant when she said that. Trainers and owners alike will tell you , some dogs just dont like other dogs they are just like people and although there are exceptions, some dogs ust want to play with everyone, some dogs hate to socialize, seems your guys are just fine, and obvious neither liked that dog. My dog hates getting mobbed by a group of other dogs unless they are all small dogs. I think your pups reacted fine and you did a great job of putting your guys in their place.

Thanks, I was just wondering what other people thought!
I am always a little worried when we go places with alot of dogs because our two boys are adopted. We have had the first for a long time now and I know him very well. Our second we have had for a year and it takes a while to know what he will do in every situation. We go to the pet store alot and he gets to sniff noses however he does have a very dominant personality so I always keep him on a tight leash, just in case. Usually he is a very good boy, unless someone sneaks up behind him to sniff him. He gets nervous about that because it surprises him I think.

Our older boy just wants to play, play and play! If we dont' let him play or sniff another dog he whines! He is a totally opposite personality (very submissive).

Funny, dogs are sorta like kids. Their behavior can embarrass you or make you proud! I was a little mad that he snapped at another dog but then I gave him a cookie and another dog started to eye it up so I said "drop it" and he did ! All the groomers were there talking to us at that time. I was so proud of him. When we first adopted him he would NEVER drop a cookie! I gave him the cookie in the car where he could eat it peacefully.

Honestly most of the Pembrokes I've ever met were not pleasant little dogs and one was extremely aggressive. One goes to work with her owner who has an antique shop so that one is very well socialized and she is a doll. The Cardigans have been much nicer but I don't think they are nearly as cute. Now that is based on a realitively few number of dogs, maybe six or eight. I'm sure they are like most dogs in that their personality in the end is based on what the owner lets them get away with.

Lisa

Corgis can be stubborn little things, and they are certain to let you know when they don't like something. I've not seen dog-agressiveness in Corgis more than other breeds, in certain individuals sure, but not on a whole. Mostly I just have trouble with getting them to cooperate at the vets! I think that is more of a function of what the owners let the dogs get away with as Lisa suggested. After all, if you allow the dog to not get his nails trimmed at home, why SHOULD he cooperate for anyone else? Just an example based on how many darn corgis had to have their nails trimmed at the vets, not to pick on you. Corgis don't like their feet touched and they don't like to be restrained, and it takes a VERY determined stubborn owner to to be able to do that by themselves. But no, I haven't seen a lot of dog aggressiveness in that breed. Pretty typical to not like nail trims though.

I think he was hurt before and that is why he doesn't like his nails clipped. The first time we had him in a head lock and he cried and cried. This past time he barely seemed to care. He has black nails so we don't feel confident about doing it. I can touch his paws though. Sometimes we shave the fur between his toes.

Corgi's ARE stubborn! We are pretty strict though. I DO NOT like dogs that misbehave, regardless of their breed.
Funny, that we all should have such different corgi experiences! We adopted corgi's because we have met a couple and they were the sweetest things ever!

My husband taught my new boy how to stand up, like 6 months ago. Then he figured out people think his new trick is cute, so whenever I am not paying attention to him he goes near me and stands up and will stay like that for maybe 5 min, waiting to get noticed! ha! I always think "I am on to you little dog! I am NOT going to notice you!" It really does take a lot to train them sometimes. I can see that. They are too smart for their own good! I think they have tricked us once or twice for sure.
I guess we are really lucky. Our dogs are not a problem at the vets. Our one dog hates his temp. taken but I really can't blame him!

My pembrokes were always fun loving little dogs - and yes, they are smart, and yes, they are stubborn! They are obviously herding dogs but mine never had a problem with other dogs. They always seemed to just want a good time - even if that meant stealing your MIL's slippers and running around the backyard with them . . . . she got a new pair from the dogs for Christmas.

ha! so funny!
My boy's most frusterating trick is that he rolls on his back and puts his legs in the air when I want him to go inside and he doesn't want too. I swear he is laughing at me!

Oh and one time, shortly after we adopted him, I was trying to get both dogs inside and I got him inside and when I opened the door to let the older dog in he sped outside and ran around, jumping and having a great ole' time while I chased him around. Then he stopped and I walked up to him and before I could grab him off he went running around and around having so much fun! grrr! I finally got so mad that I said "Fine if you want to be outside then you stay out there!" Of course I let him inside five min later. I am such a sucker!

We have a female pembroke that doesn't like dogs that are taller than her, could that be the problem? I think some might have a bit of the old Napolean Complex going on in their heads. Dogs the same size or smaller than her don't phase her a bit, as long as they are polite and don't crowd (herd) her.

We had our female Cardigan for 17 years and got our first male Pemproke when he was about 6 months old and our girl was about 15. They became fast friends and our Pembroke was a life saver for me when we lost our Cardi to a stroke. He is a large red and white, an old fashioned style large boned dog from a breeder in Wales. He has a very distinctive personalty. More recently we adopted a beautiful sable male from the local humane society. He was heart worm positive and we paid to have him treated and today a year later he is very healthy and active. He is a finer featured guy which is more common lately with American breeders. His personality is quite a bit different that our big guy.

Welsh Corgis in general are perhaps the most intelligent dogs I have ever been around. It is common for them to learn 75-80 human words. Spelling doesn't seem to help. Our big guy follows my wife every where but our smaller guy seems to understand I saved his life and is where ever I am. My guys are Corky and Casey. My late girl Cardi was Mumbles, named after our favorite town in Wales.

They are bossy little dogs just sure that their way is the right way. My sister's female Corgi rules the roost and herds the cats around. Her Rottie even succumbs to "The Boss". She got his number one day by reaching up and grabbing some very sensitive parts of his male anatomy. He's bowed down to her ever since. Unfortunately, she's getting rather stout like so many of the breed do and experiencing back problems. Before that, she would go to work with my sister and help with the horses and be the official stable greeter. That's just a little much for her now at 14, so she's "retired". She still rules, though.

Great stories!
I have been making a little website and my two boys can be seen in the pictures section: reneesgreenhouse.com (put the www. in front)

One of ours boys is much bigger than the other also. I just thought that our smaller one was just ill-bred (he was purchased from a petstore by his first owner and does seem to have more health issues) He makes it all up with his personality though. He is wonderful. I also have met a purebred female that is maybe 15 pounds. she is the smallest corgi I have ever seen! She is a cutie though!!

Texasredhead: I have never met a cardigan before. What are they like? I have read that they are not as bossy and more playful. Do you think that is true?

Funny you should also mention spelling, because our one boy LOVES being in the water and he loves baths. So if we said "bath" he would run and jump in the tub and wait for us to turn on the water. We then started to spell out "b-a-t-h" and he learned that very quickly also. He knows the names of all his toys also. he is so smart!

The Cardigans are of course the Corgi with a tail. The Cardigans and the Pembrokes are destinctive breeds with different backgrounds. The Cardigan is the older of the two breeds. Our girl was a real sweethart with a wonderful personality. The Cardigans tend to be larger than the Pembrokes with some going to 40 lbs. Regarding our Pembrokes, Corky is 32lbs. and Casey is 26lbs. Corgis do not become "fat" on their own but are rather improperly fed. They are also vigerous dogs that require a lot of exercise. I've never had a corgi with back problems. I do not consider them as small dogs but rather medium size dogs that happen to have short legs. Their use as herding dogs involve cattle where they nip at the feet of the cows to move them on. They really are not sheep dogs and are excellent in confirmation training. All of my Corgis are trained in the English manner in obedience and confirmation. I take dog ownership very seriously walking them daily and keeping them healthy. Corgis also have an interesting vocabulary than involves many sounds including barking. Corky has many deep grumbles while Casey almost seems to talk. Many people thought we named our Cardigan, Mumbles, because of her constant talking.

My little corgi girl "Bree" is my amazing little best friend. If I am gone for a few days she'll sit by the back door and howl for me. When I get home she won't leave my side and will howl if I even walk out the door until she knows I am staying home. Bree doesn't like her nails clipped either, we have found that if my husband holds her with her head facing backwards under his arm and can't see what they are doing then she's fine. Bree will also run in circles in the back yard from us and we often have to leave her out there for awhile by herself before she will finally stop and let us bring her in. She is the most amazing little dog I ever had.