Do Corgis Like to Cuddle? Tips on Snuggling With Your Corgi

Nothing is quite as calming as having a dog to snuggle up with. Studies show that man’s best friend can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, so not only will having a dog nearby help relax you, but it can also positively impact your mental health.

If you are looking for an excellent snuggle buddy, you may have stumbled across Corgis. These beautiful dogs were born and bred to move cattle, but their big personalities are what make them unique. Corgis are incredibly smart and playful, but are they lap dogs?

Most Corgis like to cuddle and are quite affectionate with their owners. Though they have a working dog mentality, Corgis can definitely still be snugglers, but you shouldn’t expect them to be lap dogs.

Keep reading to learn more.

Are Corgis Affectionate and Cuddly?

Though personalities vary from dog to dog, most Corgis are quite affectionate and loving towards their humans. While your Corgis ancestors had to be fierce to herd cattle and chase off potential predators, the breed has always been loving and loyal to its family members. For this reason, you can expect your Corgi to both initiate and receive cuddles. Remember, though, that cuddling is a very extreme form of affection, so some Corgis may find excessive snuggles too restrictive.

Some Corgis may not be overly fond of strangers or guests you bring into your home. They can usually be good with other household pets, provided they were socialized early enough.

Can a Corgi Be a Lap Dog?

Because of their small stature, many people mistakenly think Corgis are great lap dogs. While they may be the perfect size for fulfilling lapdog duties, most Corgis do not like being held for long periods. This could be because of their working dog heritage, where they had to constantly perform tasks and keep watch over the homestead. When your pup is on your lap, it cannot keep an eye on its home and patrol its perimeter, going against what is essentially coded in its DNA.

You may get lucky and adopt a Corgi that deviates from the norm. Just because their ancestors were hardworking herding dogs doesn’t mean that your Corgi won’t be able to set aside its heritage and be perfectly content being a lap dog.

How Can I Make My Corgi More Snuggly?

You can’t force a dog to do anything, but with some patience and training, you can try to make a closed-off Corgi more open to snuggles.

1. Don’t force cuddles.

One of the worst things you can do when forging a relationship with your pet is to pressure it to do something it doesn’t want. Don’t hold your Corgi against its will, thinking it will eventually give in. This applies to other forms of physical contact like petting, too. Respect your dog’s boundaries.

2. Capitalize on its cuddly moments.

When your Corgi is in a cuddly mood, capitalize on it. When it comes to you for a belly rub or snuggles, stop whatever you are doing and give your pup all your attention. Praise it, and maybe even sweeten the deal with a treat or two.

3. Increase physical contact.

Dogs are sometimes iffy towards snuggles because they didn’t receive much physical contact as puppies. If this is the case with your Corgi, you can try to increase how much you touch it throughout the day to get it more accustomed to physical contact. The more comfortable your pup feels with being touched, the easier it will be to make physical contact in the future.

Again, you don’t want to force it, though. Don’t chase your pup around the house trying to touch it, and don’t try to increase physical contact when your pup is clearly not in the mood. Instead, start with quick strokes and pets when your dog is open to receiving them.

What Influences a Dog’s Personality?

While dogs of the same breed share a lot of personality traits as they’re rooted in their DNA, you can’t expect every individual dog to have the same characteristics. Even though Corgis may be affectionate in general, not all Corgis will grow to be serial snugglers.

Your dog’s environment plays a significant role in its personality development. In fact, a study from 2012 found that environmental factors are the most significant influence on a dog’s personality. Some of the factors that can play a part in your dog’s temperament include:

Final Thoughts

Corgis are great snuggle-buddies, but you should not expect all Corgis to fit inside this box. Though many dogs of the same breed share similar personality traits, many other factors can influence your dog’s temperament. You must remember that Corgis were bred to be working dogs and may have a streak of stubbornness innately coded into their DNA that will make some inherently opposed to excessive cuddles.

If you have your heart set on adopting a lap dog, you might consider another breed, such as a Bichon Frise or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Featured Image Credit: Yavdat, Shutterstock