When adopting a Corgi or becoming a first-time dog parent, thinking about the exercise needed to give your Corgi a healthy life is common.
Many people do their research on the breed they are going to adopt to train and provide them with the best routine.
If you are or have adopted a corgi, this post will help you understand how much exercise Corgis need, along with all the necessary information.
Even though Corgis are small animals, they require more exercise than you anticipate. They are active dogs and can get bored and cranky if they do not get the necessary amount of physical activity and mental stimulation.
That is why a Corgi must walk for at least an hour per day. 1 hour is the minimum; if you have time, you can also take them for a long walk.
We will take you through all the exercises that match the energy level of a Corgi and how to create a perfect routine for your little one.
Corgi Exercise Requirements
Before we jump into what a Corgis’ exercise needs are, let us understand the energy levels of a corgi.
Is Corgi a Lazy Dog?
Many recognize a Corgi as the Queen of England’s cute little pet. Well, before they became household pets, Corgis used to be raised on farms.
Hence, Corgis are the opposite of lazy. They are hard-working dogs who love to run around and have high energy.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was initially bred as farm dogs to herd cattle. Though they look small, they have the energy level and ability to control large animals.
They were raised on farms because they could sprint among and under the cattle. They could control the animals with their barks.
The shift from running on farms to becoming house pets requires the need to ensure that Corgis’ exercise needs are met. That is the reason when you question how much exercise do Corgis need, the answer is plenty.
Along with proper exercise, Corgis were bred to have intense mental concentration on their work. That is the reason they need mental stimulation as well.
To summarize, a Corgis exercise needs:
- Daily walks or other exercises
- Mental stimulation
- Purposeful activities or games
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10 Ways to Exercise Your Corgi
Now that you understand that the energy level of a Corgi is high and they do need a lot of exercise. This means you need to provide them with the right type of exercise.
1. Walking
Walking a Corgi is a must. If you are implementing other exercises in your per-day exercise routine, you must begin with walking, irrespective of what.
Similar to humans, a warm-up is essential before extensive workouts to avoid injuries. Walking is a great way to warm up your Corgi before moving into other vigorous activities.
Walking improves blood circulation to their muscles and provides them flexibility while performing other exercises.
A daily walk is necessary for breeds like Corgi due to their high-level energy. Walks help them release built-up energy and help with mental stimulation as well. We will talk more about mental stimulation later.
How Far Should a Corgi Walk?
How far a Corgi can walk depends on certain factors. These factors include the physical fitness level of your Corgi, age, and if they have pre-existing medical problems or conditions.
Along with these, the terrain and the weather can affect how far they can walk.
Consider these factors before you plan on taking them for long walks.
How Long Should You Walk a Corgi Per Day?
If your Corgi is physically fit and has no problems, they can walk around all day without exhaustion. Again, how long a Corgi should walk per day also depends on their age.
For example, how far and long a Corgi puppy should walk can vary from an adult Corgi.
A Corgi puppy can walk up to 5 minutes for every month of age, beginning at 8 weeks old Corgi. Do not try to overwalk them.
They are still developing their muscles, bones, and joints putting too much strain on a young Corgi puppy can lead to exhaustion and risk.
A 6-month-old Corgi can walk up to half an hour. An adult Corgi walks long distances without getting tired.
If you do not have much time, you can and should walk your Corgi for an hour or at least 30 minutes. You can even take them for a walk twice a day, depending on your schedule.
During walks, if your Corgi is trained well and comes back to you on command or has a good recall memory, you can let them walk freely around the park off the leash.
Walks are a must, and remember that gentle walks around your garden will not be sufficient since the energy level of a Corgi is high. Along with walks, you can implement other activities to release more energy.
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2. Swimming
Swimming is an excellent exercise for Corgis as it is non-weight bearing, joint-friendly, and low impact. In short, it is a good all-around exercise for adult Corgis.
Corgis are prone to joint and back issues as they grow old. Swimming helps them work on every muscle, tones them and increases their overall strength.
Even if your Corgi is suffering from medical conditions, swimming can help.
For example, orthopedic specialists use hydrotherapy on dogs to help them overcome conditions such as hip dysplasia. They also use swimming for dogs undergoing surgery or injury as an excellent rehabilitation activity.
Implementing swimming in the routine can help you fulfill your per-day Corgi exercise needs.
3. Hiking
Though going on hikes is not possible every day, switching them with your Corgi walks once a week will be effective.
Corgis love to explore, and when they sniff new smells during the adventure, it will make your Corgi happy.
When diking the decline, inclines and crossing streams will provide them with the necessary exercise. Hiking also helps them to improve their balance.
4. Jogging
Jogging is another physical exercise that works well on the joints. You can take your Corgi on jogs along with you. You can remove their leash or use a hands-free leash.
If you cannot go on jogs or the weather is not appropriate, you can jog your Corgi on a treadmill.
Treadmills help when you live in apartments or do not have enough time to fulfill the per day Corgi exercise needs.
You can use your treadmill but ensure that you are present there to supervise or get a treadmill tailored for dogs.
5. Herding Balls
Herding balls are the opposite of a normal tennis ball. These balls are heavy for a Corgi to pick and run around with the ball in their teeth. Hence, they can not be picked up, and they do not bounce.
The ball only rolls around. Since Corgis were meant for herding, these herding balls will be perfect for them.
Rolling the ball around and pushing it will give your Corgi the necessary exercise.
You can use a soccer ball if you do not have herding balls. You can play along with your dog by kicking the ball around and chasing it with them.
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6. Tug of War
If you can not stay outdoors for long, you can play tug of war with your Corgi at home to meet the per day Corgi exercise needs. In a minute of tug, your Corgi can burn a lot of calories and excess energy.
When you play tug with your Corgi, it builds strength in the back and leg muscles. When playing tug, you must ensure that you use soft movements. Otherwise, it can hurt the teeth and neck of your Corgi.
7. Flirt Pole
This is a great exercise for your Corgi; they will love it. A flirt pole consists of a pole with a long rope with a toy attached.
You can run around with the pole for your Corgi to chase it. Or drag the toy on the floor in a circle for your Corgi to chase it. This activity will burn out all the energy your Corgi has built up.
It is a toy that engages your Corgi in a high-intensity game of chase and tug.
Along with it being a great exercise for your Corgi, you can even use it to train them. You can teach your Corgi self-control and striking skills while building and toning their muscles.
8. Fetch
Fetch is an easy yet high-intensity activity. You can play with your Corgi almost every day. You can play fetch at your home, backyard, or at parks.
Since the energy level of a Corgi is high, running back and forth for the ball will release all the energy and provide them with the exercise they need to stay fit.
9. Sporting Events
Corgis are meant for sporting events. They have the agility and thrill for it. If you have sporting events for dogs near your place, you must participate in them. They are physically demanding and will provide the exercise a Corgi needs.
If you can not participate in sporting events, you can always buy or make a course with agility equipment at home. It is a high-intensity activity, so do not work up your Corgi.
Along with it being a good source of exercise, this activity allows you to play and build a friendship with your Corgi.
10. Frisbee
Playing with a frisbee or a flying disk is similar to fetch but a little more intense.
Frisbee can be thrown far away, which lets your Corgi run longer distances and get more exercise. Along with running, your Corgi might also have to jump to catch the frisbee. Overall, it is a great activity to tone the muscles.
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How to Mentally Stimulate Your Corgi?
As mentioned before, mental stimulation is important. Corgis needs activities that will challenge their mind.
Otherwise, they will look for their own methods to do it. Their methods usually include excessive digging, barking, escaping, and behaviors that can cause damage.
Here are a few methods to mentally stimulate your Corgi:
1. Exploring
As mentioned before, walking is great exercise. Corgis love to explore and smell various scents.
Find places around your area where you can let your Corgi smell or sniff and explore without any fear. It is a perfect way to challenge their mind to stimulate their nose.
It is a great way to teach your Corgi cues that will allow them to sniff.
2. Earn Their Meal or Treat
Placing the food in an interactive puzzle is another interesting way to provide mental stimulation for your Corgi. Your Corgi will work their way to figure out how to eat the treat or food that is inside the puzzle.
3. Toys
Corgis are highly intelligent, and they need puzzle toys to challenge their mind. You can purchase snuggle mats or Kongs to keep them busy and challenge them.
You can even pick a name for their toy (preferably easy ones) and teach them. You can start by teaching them the name that you picked by placing the toy in front or next to them. Ensure that you point at the toy while saying the name out loud.
Ask your Corgi to pick up the toy you named. Once they learn the names, place the toy somewhere they have to go look for it. For example, under the table or in a different room. Ask your Corgi to bring the toy you named.
4. Cups Game
This game will challenge your dog and might even tire them out. This is a simple game and is a well-known one. For this game, you will need three or four cups (material and size do not matter).
Place a treat, shells, or any tiny toy under any cup. Make your Corgi sit in front of the cups and shuffle the cups around. Once shuffled, ask your Corgi to pick the cup with the treat and check if they pick the right one.
This will make your Corgi think and work harder for the treat.
5. New Tricks
Teaching tricks is an excellent method to provide mental stimulation to a Corgi.
You can teach them various tricks, such as sitting, spinning around, rolling over, barking, or shaking their paws.
You can start by teaching them simple ones and then move to complex tricks, such as jumping through hoops or teaching them to ring the bell on the doorknob when they need to go to the backyard.
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How Do You Tire Out a Corgi?
The energy level of a Corgi is high, and they require a certain amount of exercise per day to burn all the energy. Burning energy also leads them to behave properly.
To tire out a Corgi, you must indulge them in activities that will burn their energy. Take them on walks, and if you are not able to tire them out, include other activities such as fetch or flirt pole.
Swimming or hiking is a great form of exercise to tire your Corgi out. If you notice your Corgi slowing down or panting, it means that they are tired.
At the start, you might have trouble understanding what activity to indulge them in, but once you understand how much your Corgi can exercise, you will know how to burn their energy.
You must remember not to only indulge them in physical activities. You must add a few games and mental stimulation activities, as these methods will also tire them out.
Can You Over-Exercise Your Corgi?
Do Corgis need more exercise? Yes, but can you over-exercise your Corgi? No.
Remember, we mentioned a few factors that you must consider, such as the fitness level, age, and medical history of your Corgi. If you do not consider these factors, you can over-exercise your Corgi and exhaust them, which is not healthy.
Let us dive more into the details to get a clear understanding.
1. The Age Factor
The exercise required for a Corgi depends on their age. A young Corgi can not handle the level of exercise a grown-up Corgi can.
For example, if you plan on taking your Corgi puppy for a hike, you must wait until they can endure it.
Hiking involves a lot of inclines and declines. Puppies cannot handle it for a long time and can get exhausted. Consider taking your Corgi for a hike after reaching one year of age.
2. Vulnerable Joints
You must keep in mind that some Corgis have vulnerable joints. If you are implementing vigorous or high-intensity activities such as long jogs or obstacle course exercises. Implement them slowly, do not go all out in the first go.
For example, if you go on jogs or runs, do not immediately take your Corgi for long distances. Start with short distances, and then you can increase the distance depending on how well your Corgi is doing. They will get tired and injured as well.
3. Pre-existing Medical Conditions
If your Corgi has medical issues and you implement various exercises in their routine, it will lead to over-exercising and exhaustion.
For example, if your Corgi has arthritis and you can include long walks in the routine, it can risk the health of your Corgi. It is always better to consult a vet before you create a workout routine for them.
Do not over-exercise your Corgi. It is not safe for their health. When you over-exercise, you might cause damage to your muscles, joints, and development.
Try to understand when they are tired by looking at signs such as panting, slowing down, or being reluctant to continue the exercise.
Provide a balanced routine for your Corgi, where there is a little high-intensity exercise, games, and a few mental stimulation activities. Anything extra is not safe.
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A Weekly Workout Plan For A Corgi
We have made a weekly workout plan for your Corgi. This plan will meet all of your Corgi exercises needs or requirements.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
| Early or Late Morning | Walk | Walk | Walk or Frisbee | Jog | Walk | Swimming | Hike |
| Afternoon | Dog Puzzles | Learning New Tricks | Earn their Treat | Cups Game | Toys | Sports Events or Creating an agility course at home | |
| Evening | Walk or Fetch | Herding Ball | Flirt Pole | Tug of War or a Walk | Fetch or Frisbee | Walk or Learning New Tricks | Cups Game |
We provided you with to help you understand how to plan a workout schedule for your Corgi, which will not over-exhaust but tire them out while gaining the exercise they need.
You can implement this routine or create your own. You can either stick to only walks every morning with a hike on the weekends or walk every morning and evening with a little of all the other activities.
It is important that you understand your Corgi as well.
If you notice that your Corgi is exhausted from the morning walk due to humidity or heat, you can let them rest and cut down on the afternoon activities. The key is to not over-exercise them.
Also, try to make the workout plan interesting for your Corgi because as much as they like a routine, they also like surprises.
Conclusion
Corgis are intelligent, hardworking, and energetic. They require you to pay attention to their physical needs.
They might look small and do not require much exercise, but they are the opposite. Corgis love to run around and explore. They might keep you on your feet as well.
Raising a Corgi might not look like an easy task because of their energy levels, but it is definitely fun. They can help you become fit while trying to burn out their energy.
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