How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Need? [Do Corgis Like Walks?]

If you have a new puppy corgi, or you are looking to get one, you may be interested in their exercise requirements. Does this breed of dog require regular walking, or does their short little legs indicate that they do not need as much as other dogs? I was extremely interested in the topic, so decided to conduct some research which I will be providing you with here today.

So, how much exercise does a corgi need? Corgis require daily exercise to remain happy and healthy. 2 short walks per day of around 15-30 minutes each is advised, along with the ability for them to run freely around your backyard as often as possible. Although age, personality, and injuries can impact their ability and requirements for exercise.

Let us now explore this topic further, taking a look at what exercise corgis actually need, if they like walking and if they like to run.

Do Corgis Need Exercise?

Corgis are a relatively popular breed of dog. Whether you fell in love with them while watching Instagram stars or while admiring the pets of the Queen of England, it is likely you’ve recognized their famous trait. Their little dwarfed legs.

It’s hard to believe that this short little dog got its humble beginnings from herding cattle.  As a historic farm dog, they have surprisingly high energy levels.

Corgis need daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.

You might be surprised to know what constitutes as adequate exercise.

As previously stated, corgis do need exercise. Although some animals require more exercise than others, all dogs need exercise.

It is also a good rule of thumb that you need to set aside some time for daily exercise when you have a dog. Compared to other pets, dogs are very demanding.

If you have to work long hours and don’t have someone who can stay home with your pet and keep them exercised and entertained, you probably shouldn’t have a dog.

Dogs require mental stimulation, and exercise is one of the most effective ways to provide this. They cannot read or write like us humans can!

Dogs are not very independent and rely largely on their owners to meet their needs. Many people find themselves getting pretty surprised when they realize just how much time they need to dedicate to their dog.

It is also important to note that animals who do not get the amount of exercise that they need, it is common for them to express their discontentment in various ways that may be very difficult to deal with.

Do Corgis Need Lots Of Exercise?

What constitutes as lots of exercise will depend on you as a person. Depending on what you’re used to, entertaining a corgi may fall in between the lines of “typical “ to “demanding.”

If you need some perspective, you can compare the requirements of other breeds.

They do not require as much exercise as huskies, for example. Huskies require a LOT of exercise. Being bigger, this leads to a lot of problems, especially when they’re puppies.

They yearn for regular exercise and will act up when they aren’t given the attention they need. When dogs “act out,” they aren’t simply going to cry or call out over exactly what they need.

Instead, you will see their “acting out” manifest as eating socks, chewing on walls, or otherwise just destroying your house.

You then have breeds like the French bulldog or Cavalier King Charles which have relatively simple expectations as an owner.

They do like to be played with a bit and get some exercise in their days, but these relatively lazy breeds are pretty low maintenance (making them ideal apartment pets).

Corgis fall somewhere in between the two.

They don’t need constant attention, but they do need regular exercise to be happy.

How Often Do Corgis Need To Be Walked?

An adult corgi should be walked a minimum of twice a day. You should start with around 30 minutes to an hour and go from there.

You can see how your corgi responds to this amount of activity; are they showing signs of being tired, do you feel as if you are dragging them home towards the end of the walk? This could mean they are doing too much.

Or, they have an abundance of energy even after several walks. This may mean they require more exercise.

It varies corgi to corgi so this is something you should check. It will also change over time as your dog ages, and also, will vary on other factors like the season, how much they are being fed, the terrain of the walk etc.

Generally, as puppies, they will need to burn off more energy (and be taken to the bathroom more frequently) so you may have to walk them more initially.

Ultimately, the actual amount they need will be rather dependent on the dog themselves and the schedule you attempt to adhere to while you train them. Corgis will adapt to the exercise they do.

They don’t only need the walk for the exercise itself though, they need mental stimulation. Going on walks provides this by providing new environments, sights, smells and the opportunity to see other humans and dogs.

Do Corgis Like To Go On Walks?

For the most part, all dogs like to go on walks. Daily walks are an important part of any dog owner.

Taking your corgi on daily walks will reduce their hyperactivity while simultaneously giving you the opportunity to bond.

If you have a large backyard you can let your corgi run free in, that is a plus. Still, keeping allowing them to go on regular walks strengthens the bond between you two while also keeping their obedience training fresh.

Some dogs are not excited about running into other animals or strange people. While walking dogs can offer the exposure necessary to overcome these anxieties, they are some pets who just don’t like it.

If you have one of those pets, you may feel deterred from walking your dog, but it is still an important part of having a pet.

Consider instead that you should aim for hours where the streets (or dog parks) are less crowded.

How Many Miles Can A Corgi Run?

Corgis are not the most efficient runners. Their tiny legs and bodies make it so they struggle a bit to run for long distances.

They are what people like to refer to as “sprinters.” Sprinters have bursts of energy where they run very fast for a short amount of time.

They tend to struggle a bit when learning how to run efficiently. They use all their energy up very quickly and tucker themselves out.

You can condition them to run for a little longer. They still cannot be expected to achieve marathon-level skills.
At top condition, you can expect a mile or two out of them. Then they are done for the day.

Getting them to this point requires special training and a lot of patience.

By pushing your corgi to the limit during their training runs, you are able to raise the expected limit of their runs.

Little by little, you can bring up the distance that you run with your dog.

Just make sure to keep your corgi’s limits in mind.

Animals like to please you. Especially dogs.

A dog will push itself to dangerous limits just to make you happy.

Keep an eye out to recognize the signs that your corgi is suffering from exhaustion.

Is Exercise All The Stimulation A Corgi Needs?

A corgi’s stimulation goes far beyond merely being walked. Corgis are herding animals by nature.

This means that they are relatively smart and require some sort of mental stimulation so they don’t get bored.

While you don’t need to have a bunch of cattle to herd to keep them entertained, you should try to play with them as much as possible.

These engaging activities can make a difference in their lives and allow them to express themselves.

You need to play with them as much as possible. Tennis balls are an ideal method for keeping dogs entertained.

It allows them to set out and accomplish a task at hand. Fetching is actually an enjoyable task that many dogs appreciate partaking it.

Note that they are relatively stubborn, so it may be difficult to get them to let go of that ball from time to time.

If you are looking for something to really go above and beyond when it comes to intellectual stimulation -you should try getting interactive toys.

Although they are not a substitute for bonding time with their owners, they can offer a little more fun when they are playing alone.

They are similar to many toys you might give to an infant to stimulate thinking skills.

Pet balls offer a way for animals to solve a simple take and get the treat they desire so much. It can be a little noisy but adds to the excitement of mealtime.

Puzzles and challenges are also another great way to get your dog to think outside the box and keep them entertained. Puzzles are very engaging and interactive, and when paired with dispensing treats, work very well at keeping your dog occupied!

In Summary

Corgis, just like the majority of other dogs, need regular exercise for their physical and mental health. While corgis are not the most active nor do they require the most amount of exercise compared to other breeds, you can expect to be walking them a couple of times a day.

This is all part and parcel of owning a dog, so if you do not have the time for it, getting a dog walker is usually a good alternative.

Asides from regular walking, get your corgi plenty of mentally stimulating toys and you’ll soon find they are in high spirits more often than not and playing up becomes a thing of the past.