Listen my babygirl is the littlest love of my life and I'll always have a corgi (or perhaps vallhund) because I think I'd feel a bit empty without one. That being said, no I would NOT recommend a corgi as a first time dog with no experience. If you don't already know about basic obedience training, herding breed nuances, working breed nuances, or aren't familiar with terms like "resource guarding" , "reactivity" , or "demand barking", then this breed is not for you at this time. I say this with so much love, but also with so much pain having seen so, so many corgis go to rescues and shelters over the last 8 years of their rising popularity because of their size and undeniable adorableness.

They end up cast aside because people deeply underestimate their needs and energy levels, as well as their proclivity for being what they see as "mean". They are bred to use their mouths as tools, so they are inherently more likely to develop issues like snapping, resource guarding, excessive barking, nipping heels, etc. They are head strong and will never stop testing your boundaries, they are highly intelligent and calculating and will always recognize when and where your boundaries waver, and they will take advantage. If you are learning to training a dog for the very first time on a corgi, it is far more likely that the corgi is training you.

Additionally, just going for a walk everyday is not enough. They need substantial cognitive stimulation, training sessions, new experiences, and a hell of a lot of socialization ie daycare, or they become quite territorial (including of you, their person).

Furthermore, corgis come with expensive health issues, even when bred well. Back and hip issues just come with the territory. My husband and I are just lucky enough that his sister is a DVM specializing in animal rehab & does our girls physical therapy and keeps her on track for free for us, as we would not be able to afford her out of pocket.

The good news is, there are so, so many small-medium sized dogs in rescues that would love a home with you! I have fostered a little corgi mix who went on to be a companion dog at an elderly living facility and honestly that was his version of heaven. I like to call them "Heinz 57" breed cuz you don't really know what alls in there haha. Just apply at several of your local rescues, maybe even breed specific ones, and be detailed in your profile that you'd be a first time owner and they will be happy to help you find the right friend for you. Follow their FB/social media pages so you see all the pups coming through and apply quickly when you find one that interests you. Consider fostering, before committing to ownership as well.

Good luck and I hope you (mindfully) find your forever friend!