When you think of a Corgi, what comes to mind? You may recognize them as an internet meme, but beyond that, corgis make good service dogs.
A service animal is any animal that is trained to help people perform specific tasks. You may be surprised to learn this, but this animal can be horses, cats, monkeys, pigs, and several others. However, as you may already know, the most popular service animal is the dog. Dogs truly are a man’s best friend! For some people, these fluffy creatures are more than a companion; they’re a necessary part of everyday life.
So, what constitutes a good service dog? Let’s discuss below.
Defining Service Dogs
These special dogs help people with disabilities live more independent lives. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines these dogs as, “...a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.” The ADA states that a “disability” is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including people with a history of such impairment, as well as individuals perceived by others as having such an impairment.
A service dog has the training to take a particular action whenever it’s required to assist people with disabilities. The task the dog can perform will always pertain to their owner’s impairment. Fortunately, there are several types of service dogs who are more than willing to help their owners reclaim or discover their independence!
Types of Service Dogs
You’re probably already familiar with guide dogs, which help the blind and visually impaired navigate their environments; this is arguably the most popular type of service dog, since the media portrays them the most. However, did you know that there are also hearing dogs, mobility dogs, medical alert dogs, among others?
Hearing dogs can help the deaf and hard-of-hearing catch important sounds. Mobility dogs help people with wheelchairs, walking devices, and those with balance issues. Medical alert dogs are good at detecting the onset of a medical issue, such as seizures or depleting blood sugar. Additionally, these dogs can also notify their owners of the presence of allergens and other problems. Psychiatric service dogs can help people with mental health conditions, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, and many more conditions.
Psychiatric service dogs can help their owners enter a dark room and flip on a light switch to help control stress-inducing conditions, disrupting unhealthy, repetitive patterns, and reminding their owners to take any necessary medications.
Common service dog breeds include Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. And yes, a less popular type of service dog is also the majestic Corgi.
Here’s Why Corgis Make Good Service Dogs
Many people think that Corgis are too tiny and weak to serve their owners, but this powerful pooch has more capabilities than you may think!
1. Corgis Can Sit Still
This may come as a surprise, but the most basic requirement for all service dogs is to have the ability to sit still, as it indicates preparedness. The most well-trained corgis can sit and wait for certain cues without making a fuss, making them great at performing a variety of tasks. Although this may sound minor, this is the perfect foundation for learning more demanding skills.
They only need to master two basic commands to stay still:
- “Sit” — Your Corgi will learn to sit like a frog. Their hind legs should be relaxed, while their front legs should be upright and ready.
- “Stay” — Your Corgi will learn to stay in place. In the beginning, they’ll probably only be able to stay for a few seconds, but over time, they’ll learn to stay put for minutes at a time.
Once your pup learns how to sit for a few minutes, they’ll be able to go on standby mode and wait for orders as they sit.
2. Corgis Have a Background in Herding
Corgis have an established history of serving humans. Their cousins, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, became famous for driving other people’s cattle away from farmlands. Furthermore, they were also superior guard dogs in the Medieval Ages. Although this was centuries ago, nowadays, they’re known as stress-relievers and emotional support companions. With such an extensive background in helping others, it’s no wonder why many people rely on these pets.
3. Corgis Have Unparalleled Hearing Skills
Listen to this: Corgis have amazing hearing skills. Their big, bunny-like ears enable them to hear the quietest of sounds. Most Corgis can hear between 3,000 Hz and 65,000 Hz. Essentially, they can hear a pin drop, the lightest of footsteps, and the loudest of pitches.
Moreover, they’re great at associating sounds with events. It’s actually a necessary survival tool for them. They’ve avoided being trampled by goats and cows for centuries, thanks to their sharp hearing.
Most importantly, however, is their ability to help the deaf and hard-of-hearing hear or interact with the following sounds:
- Cars
- Knocking
- Fire alarms
- Doorbells
- Telephones
- Boiling water
They can help their deaf owners feel a sense of comfort and safety when they’re alone. However, it’s also important to remember that Corgis aren’t meant to be hearing-aid replacements. While they’re amazing help to people with disabilities, they shouldn’t be a deaf person’s only aid.
4. Corgis Are Fearless
Trust us when we say this: Corgis aren’t afraid of anything. Whether they’re faced with another dog or a territorial housecat, these dogs stand tall and proud (despite their stubby legs). Their confidence takes them a long way, so they’ll be able to protect their deaf or hard-of-hearing owners and their belongings from anything.
Now that you know why Corgis make good service dogs, if you choose to register your dog as a service one, you should routinely spoil them.
Spoil Your Corgi with Plush Paws Products
It’s no secret that Corgis make good service dogs, particularly for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Every dog deserves to be treated to something nice every now and then, especially hard-working service dogs. You can check out the luxurious dog car seat covers from Plush Paws Products for the next time you take your pup out for a ride. Our covers can protect your car seats from unwanted dog hairs, odors, and scratches.
To keep your precious Corgi healthy, you can also treat them to our dog-friendly eye drops and multivitamins. We’re dog lovers who built our entire business for other dog lovers!
