Despite their small size, Corgis are still extremely active and have a lot of energy to spend. If you own one (or consider adopting one), you must know what they need to remain healthy and happy.
Providing your dog with daily physical and mental activity is essential to care for their well-being. But you might wonder what his exercise requirements are according to his breed?
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Need?
A healthy adult Corgi should get between 1 and 2 hours of exercise per day. This should include daily walking, vigorous physical activity, and mental stimulation. Your dog’s exercise requirements can vary according to his age, health, breed, and energy level. Hiking, running, fetch, and agility training are some great workout ideas for Corgis!
As playful, athletic, and smart dogs, it’s essential to satisfy their body and mind. Bred to herd livestock, they are also very pleased when they have a job to do.
That’s why you have to provide at least 60 minutes of exercise every day to your Corgi properly. It might seem like a lot, but keeping him entertained should not be too difficult with the right information.
What Can Influence Your Corgi‘s Exercise Requirements?
There are many elements to consider for figuring out what type and amount of workouts your dog should get. Most Corgis need a great deal of exercise, but each of them has different conditions.
The breed will impact their requirements, but it’s not the only thing to analyze. Thus, you also have to take all the following factors into account.
Type Of Corgi. (Breed)
First of all, your dog’s origin is an essential source of information to care for him properly. If you didn’t know, there are actually two Corgi breeds: The Pembroke and the Cardigan.
I’ve mainly based my article on the exercise needs of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Why? Because this variety is more common in the US. However, the Cardigan is almost identical, so the information I will share with you is accurate for both Corgi types.
The only difference concerning exercise is that Cardigan Welsh Corgis are more laid back and less high-energy than Pembrokes. This aspect of their personality can affect their requirements. In other words, Cardigans generally need slightly less physical activity (at least 45 minutes) to be in good shape.
Age. (Puppy + Senior)
Apart from the breed, you also have to consider how old your Corgi is for understanding how much exercise he needs. His conditions will change during all stages of life, so does his requirements. That’s why age is another essential factor to determine the type and amount of workouts you should provide him.
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Puppy Need?
Young puppies should generally get around 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age, up to twice a day. This should mainly be made of short walks and free playtime. So a 4-month-old Corgi will need between 20 and 40 minutes of moderate daily physical activity. Too much or too vigorous exercise is not safe for pups.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs |
|---|---|
| 3 Months Old | 15-30 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20-40 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25-45 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30-60 Minutes |
In his first year of life, your Corgi’s bones, joints, and muscles are still growing. That’s why intense sports such as running and hiking can be harmful to him.
You shouldn’t do any high-impact activity before his growth plates are close, which occur around one year of age. Young dogs also don’t have enough endurance to get as much exercise as adults.
They might have the necessary energy, but they will slowly build stamina as they age. That’s why your Corgi puppy needs less physical activity.
On the other hand, mental stimulation is essential for your pup. Obedience training is an excellent way to tire him out instead of strenuous exercise. Teaching him new skills is also good to challenge his mind and make him a better life partner.
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Senior Need?
For old dogs, it’s more complicated to give you an ideal range for their workouts. The only thing I’m sure about is that they have less energy and are more prone to health problems.
So their exercise needs won’t be the same as puppies or adults. After 10-12 years of age, you should start to be careful about what type and amount of physical activity you provide to your Corgi.
Between 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day will probably be more appropriate for his conditions. Low-impact sports such as gentle walking and swimming are great workouts for senior dogs.
Health & Physical Conditions.
Another important element that can affect your dog’s exercise requirements is in which state he is. He might have weight, joint, or other problems you have to take into account. The guideline of 1 to 2 hours of physical and mental activity is only accurate for healthy Corgis.
That’s why I highly recommend you talk with a veterinarian. It’s the only resource you should trust when it comes to caring for your dog’s well-being. An expert point of view on his health can also help you figure out how much exercise he needs.
Energy Level & Stamina.
The last major factor you should consider to keep your Corgi in good shape is all about his energy and stamina. Even if most dogs of this breed are very active, each companion is unique. Thus, some of them are more hyper than others.
Your Corgi’s capacity (strength & vitality) to sustain physical and mental activity will determine how long it will take you to tire him out. In other words, the more energy and stamina he has, the more exercise he needs to be happy and healthy.
Overall, your dog’s breed isn’t the only thing that will determine what his needs are. The general recommendation to provide him with 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise is not accurate for all Corgis.
You also have to consider how old, healthy, and athletic he is. Otherwise, you will never know what his requirements are more precisely.
How To Provide Your Corgi With Proper Exercise?
With all the information above, you have everything to figure out how much exercise your dog needs. Once it’s done, you now have to take action. Here are the three main types of workouts all Corgis must get!
- Daily Walks.
- Vigorous Physical Activity.
- Cognitive Work.
Walking Is Essential For Your Corgi!
Daily walks are not only “potty breaks” for your dog. It’s also an important source of moderate physical activity for him to burn off excess energy and stay in good shape. Walking is also an opportunity to get some fresh air and socialize with other pets or humans.
How Long Should You Walk A Corgi?
Most adult Corgis should ideally get between 30 and 60 minutes of daily walking. Thus, two walks (one in the morning and another in the evening) from 15 to 30 minutes (~ 1-2 miles) is generally sufficient for such an active dog breed. But Corgis have enough stamina and energy to walk or hike for much longer.
How Long To Walk A Corgi Puppy?
For walking your young Corgi, I recommend you stick with approximately 5 minutes per month of age. Thus, a 4-month-old puppy should walk around 20 minutes (~ 1 mile) per day. Your pup is not suitable for cardio exercise yet, so multiple short walks are more appropriate than only one long.
| Corgi Stage Of Life | Ideal Walking Time |
|---|---|
| Adulthood | 30-60 Minutes |
| Puppy | 5 Minutes For Each Month Of Age |
Even though Corgis have short legs, they are still extremely athletic and energetic. That’s why they can need up to 1 hour of daily walking to remain healthy and happy. Don’t be fooled by their size, they require a great deal of exercise, and regular walks are part of that.
Vigorous Exercise Ideas For Corgis!
Moderate walking is not sufficient to care for your dog’s well-being. He also needs more strenuous ways to exercise. It will help him maintain muscle mass, spend pent-up energy, and improve his overall fitness.
If you don’t know where to start, I have a few suggestions for you to provide your Corgi With proper physical activity. Let’s start with some sports to consider!
Hiking.
Exploring the great outdoors is an excellent idea to exercise, get some fresh air, and disconnect from our stressful life. But why don’t you let your Corgi take part in such fun and beneficial adventures?
Long walks in the mountains can be the perfect opportunity to strengthen your bond, maintain an active lifestyle, and enjoy nature. With their natural endurance and muscular build, Corgis are good hiking partners.
Just make sure your dog is suitable for this sport and that you have the right gear to head out on trails. If he’s in good shape, fully grown, and relatively well-trained, you can (and should) take him on your next outdoor adventure.
Swimming.
Even with their short legs, most Corgis can swim. They also generally love the water, so swimming is a fun and efficient workout idea. But you still have to be very careful; not all dogs are good natural swimmers.
That’s why you should always keep an eye on your Corgi when he’s in or near the water. Investing in a life jacket such as the Ruffwear Float Coat is also an excellent way to make sure he can swim safely.
This vigorous physical activity is ideal for old or fragile* dogs because it’s low-impact and joint-friendly!
* Include Corgis that suffer from an injury, obesity, arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc.
Jogging & Sprinting
Running with your dog is one of the best ways to exercise together. Unfortunately, Corgis are not built to run over long distances. But they can still be suitable for short jogs or sprints.
Bred for herding, your Corgi probably has enough energy and endurance for running. The only problem is that he will get tired out more quickly than you do because of his short legs.
Thus, jogging and sprinting can be good ideas to exercise as long as you respect your dog’s limits. Most Corgis should not run over 2-3 miles to avoid injuries or other problems.
Fetch.
Chasing and retrieving objects is simple, fun, and good for your dog. Once you have taught him how to play fetch, you will only have to throw him a ball or a toy as far as you can to provide him with an excellent workout. It’s a classic game to burn off his excess energy, improve his obedience, and keep him entertained.
To make fetch more enjoyable for everyone, I highly recommend you check out the ChuckIt Ball Launcher. It will help you to pick and throw the ball more conveniently while increasing the distance your Corgi has to run for more physical activity.
Agility Training.
Another great way to exercise your dog is with agility. Running through an obstacle course is the best sport to provide him with both mental and physical activity. But don’t worry, it’s not necessary to sign up for an official event to get started.
You can build an agility course directly in your backyard. If you are not into DIY projects or have no construction skills, you should check out this equipment starter kit. Dog agility is an excellent idea to combine training with physical activity.
Exercise Equipment. (Dog Toys)
Apart from sports and games, some products are designed to tire out your Corgi. Dog toys can be great to provide him with intense workouts while having fun. Thus, here are my favorite options to meet your little buddy’s exercise needs!
Flirt Pole.
It’s like a giant tether cat toy but meant for dogs. Thus, the Flirt Pole is a long stick with a long rope and a lure attached at the end. You only have to move the toy on the ground, and your Corgi will happily chase it for hours.
This is probably my favorite exercise equipment, especially for dogs with a high prey drive. If you don’t have one yet, take a look at the Squishy Flirt Pole on Amazon. It’s a durable toy designed to entertain and tire out Corgis.
Tug-Of-War Toy.
Interactive games are great solutions to stimulate your dog physically and mentally. Playing tug together is an ideal outlet for his boundless energy. This activity can also help him to develop self-control and improve his confidence.
Tug-of-war won’t be bad for your Corgi if you play by the rules and with an appropriate toy.
- First Rule: You should always be the one that initiates the game.
- Second Rule: Teach your dog the command “Drop It”.
- Third Rule: The game must stop if he touches you or your clothing.
If you don’t have any tug toys to play with, you should check out the West Paw Bumi. It’s ideal for small dogs, safe to chew on, and durable enough for rough tug-of-war battles.
Herding Ball.
The last toy that can help you satisfy your Corgi’s exercise requirements is directly related to what he was bred for. With his herding instinct, he would love to look after livestock.
If you don’t have cattle or sheep to keep him busy, the Jolly Push-n-Play Ball might do the job. Herding balls are great to engage with your dog’s natural desire to chase and control the movement of something.
This type of toy will make him burn a lot of energy quickly and entertain him for long periods. It’s the perfect investment to provide him with good, fun, and stimulant workouts.
Free Playtime.
Keeping your dog in good shape can be expensive and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Simple games such as tag or hide-and-seek are also excellent ideas to exercise him and have fun at the same time.
Depending on the season, you can also play in the water, snow, or leaves. Thus, helping your Corgi to keep an active lifestyle is not that hard, as long as you have some free time and imagination.
Chasing bubbles and playing with the hose are two other means to spend his pent-up energy. Now it’s your turn to let your creativity flow.
What About Mental Stimulation To Keep Your Corgi Entertained?
Exercise isn’t strictly about physical activity, sports, and fitness. Smart dogs such as Corgis also have their mind to satisfy if you want them to be happy. That’s why mental stimulation is as essential as daily walks and vigorous activity.
There are many ways to challenge your dog’s brain regularly. To help you care properly for his mental well-being, here are 3 principal sources of mind enrichment for Corgis!
Dog Training.
Learning new skills is extremely important for all animals, especially when they are young. That’s why you should teach fundamental commands to your Corgi puppy as soon as you can. Once he’s getting older, working on fun tricks can be another way to train him.
Training your dog is essential to stimulate him mentally, improve his manners, and communicate with him. If disobedient, he’s more likely to cause you problems and put himself in danger. Thus, every Corgi owner should have regular training sessions with his companion.
Challenging Games & Toys.
Besides learning, your dog should also have the opportunity to play and make his brain work simultaneously. The shell game is an example of how you can mix fun, entertainment, and mental stimulation. Hide-and-seek, tug-of-war, and fetch are also beneficial for cognitive enrichment.
There are also dog toys that are designed to keep your Corgi busy for hours. For example, the Kong Classic is one of the popular products mainly designed for mental exercise.
Other toys such as the Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle or the Bob-A-Lot are also great options. To make dinner time stimulating and amusing, you should also consider the AWWOF Snuffle Mat!
Satisfy Your Corgi’s Instincts.
Dogs have natural desires such as chewing, sniffing, digging, herding, etc. All those behaviors will provide them with considerable mental stimulation. Some toys can satisfy their instincts, but you should also find different ways to do so.
That’s why letting your Corgi sniff on walks reasonably is an excellent idea. You can also build a sandbox for him to dig safely or invest in one of the best digging dog toys. Then, scent work, herding livestock, and many other jobs can be great to keep him busy.
Why Is Exercise So Important For Your Corgi?
Like humans, dogs need to spend their energy and stimulate their minds to remain healthy and happy. But they don’t decide to get bored and stay inactive all day long at their home. That’s why it’s your responsibility to provide enough exercise to your Corgi for his physical and mental well-being.
Without daily walks and vigorous activity, dogs can’t be in good shape. They are also more likely to get overweight if they have no opportunity to burn off calories throughout the day. With such poor physical conditions, they can be prone to many other serious health problems.
The lack of mental stimulation is another common issue your Corgi might have to overcome. If you don’t entertain him properly, he will get bored. In this state, such an active working dog can develop destructive behaviors, including chewing and digging.
Signs Your Corgi Needs More Exercise!
- Boredom Symptoms.
- Destructive Behaviors. (Digging & Chewing)
- Difficulty To Focus.
- Excessive Barking.
- Restlessness or Hyperactivity.
- Stiffness.
- Unhealthy Weight.
- Etc.
Can You Over-Exercise Your Corgi?
Even with high-energy dogs, exceeding their needs can perhaps be harmful. Too much physical activity is as inappropriate as not enough. If you are extremely active, you have to be careful and respect your Corgi’s limits.
Signs Your Corgi Is Getting Too Much Exercise!
Short Term Signs:
- Confusion/Incoordination.
- Excessive panting.
- Exercise-induced collapse.
- Extreme thirst.
- Decreased energy.
- Trouble breathing.
- Trouble walking or standing.
- Drooling.
- Wobbliness
- Etc.
Long Term Symptoms:
- Sore muscles.
- Damaged paw pads.
- Joint injury.
- Behavioral changes.
- Etc.
Example Of Corgi Exercise Routines.
Before letting you go, I have something to share with you. If you are looking for other concrete ideas to keep your Corgi in good shape, you are in luck. Here are some real-life examples of what people do to exercise such an energetic small companion.
Average Corgi.
“We spend about 2 hours each day providing both physical exercise (hiking, running) and training, or doing sport work (agility)”
~ Tokisushi On Reddit.
Puppy Corgi.
“Our corgi is still young at 7 months old, so we’re avoiding very long/extended strenuous activity (no jogging, jumping up/down, etc.) until his growth plates are closed.
That being said, we go on two walks a day, about 30-45 minutes each. So that’s about 1-1.5 hours a day of walking alone. We also play fetch at home and keep him mentally entertained with training sessions and treat puzzles.”
~ Raisuchan On Reddit.
Senior Corgi.
“Our 8 year old corgi is slowing down just a little. He gets 2 walks per day, about half an hour each, and 1-2 play sessions per day of fetch, running around the park across the street from our house, etc.
For a younger dog you are definitely going to need more. All the herding breeds I’ve been around and grown up with need a ton of exercise.”
~ Joantheunicorn On Reddit.
The comments are from this thread on Reddit. I hope they will give you some ideas and motivation to help you exercise your Corgi properly.
Last Thoughts About How Much Exercise Does Your Corgi Need!
Let’s wrap up; Corgis are active and energetic dogs that require a great deal of exercise. A minimum of 60 minutes per day, including daily walks, vigorous activity, and mental stimulation, should be enough for most of them. But their specific conditions and limits can also influence how much exercise they need.
I hope my article will help you to care for your dog more properly. With all the information you have, you should have figured out what type and amount of workouts he needs to stay in good shape.
Now it’s time to take action and adjust your Corgi’s exercise routine according to his requirements!