Also known as the Welsh Corgi, these are small herding dogs represented by two separate breeds: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. There are many wonderful aspects to owning either of these adorable and active types of dogs. If you are the proper owner who can provide to attend to his needs, they make wonderful pets.
There are pros and cons to owning any breed of dog. One of the things to consider when deciding upon a dog relates to his maintenance and grooming requirements. One basic question often comes to mind: Does this dog shed a lot? Will I have to brush his coat frequently?
These are important questions when choosing any type of dog. If you are an impatient person or don’t have the time for intensive grooming, you are going to want a low-maintenance dog.
So, do Corgis shed? Short answer: YES. But that’s just the beginning of it. Corgis are really big shedders.
One of the cons you will have to deal with with any Corgis is his heavy hair shedding. The following article will address the ins-and-outs of shedding-related issues and Corgis. I hope that by the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the following issues:
- Basics of Corgis Hair and Shedding
- Different Causes of Shedding
- How To Groom and Maintain Your Corgis
Hopefully, with proper information at your disposal, you will be able to make an informed decision about owning a Corgis.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Basics of Corgis Hair and Shedding
Here are the facts: Both types of Corgis have double coats of straight weather-proof hair. The inner coat consists of short hair that is meant for insulation. The outer coat is made up of longer hair.
As we’ve indicated, Corgis dogs shed heavily and often. And it’s not just seasonal. They may very well shed every day. If this is the case with your dog, you are going to have to brush their hair every day. That’s just a baseline to expect from this dog.
During the heavy shedding season, it’s going to be more intense. This intense period of shedding usually corresponds to the spring, summer/autumn months.
Different Causes of Shedding: Everyone Sheds
So why do Corgis shed?
It’s not just Corgis or even dogs for that matter. Nor is it even limited to four-legged animals. All mammals shed, including humans. It’s a healthy process to rid the body of unhealthy or dead hair. It’s part of the natural process for maintaining healthy hair.
All dogs will shed their hair, and dogs with double coats are particularly known for being heavy shedders. It makes sense after all. Double coats are intended to protect the dog from intense weather. More hair naturally equals more shedding.
Corgis puppies usually begin to shed from 8-13 months. During the cold months, the inner shorter coat grows to protect the body and insulate it from cold and harsh weather, the kind of environment they would have experienced as herding dogs. The inner coast is shed during the spring.
The outer coat consists of coarse hair which is also known as guard hairs. These shed in the fall, at which point the inner growth starts to regrow to prepare for the upcoming winter season.
So generally speaking, Corgis will shed copiously twice during the year. But you can expect shedding throughout the year, and many owners report that it can occur on a daily basis.
Poor Nutrition
Several other factors affect levels of shedding. Poor diet and nutrition are a known cause of shedding. In this instance, this negative type of shedding occurs when your dog isn’t meeting his dietary requirements.
Nutrition is critical for all aspects of health, and it includes when it comes to maintaining the health of your dog’s coat. If you want him to have a healthy coat, they will need to receive all of the necessary nutrients.
Speak to your veterinarian to make sure that your dog is eating properly. They can recommend the best dog food for shedding tailored to your dog’s specific needs. Some medical experts maintain that malnutrition is the leading cause of excessive shedding in Corgis.
Stress/Anxiety
A stressed-out dog is kind of like a person. We all know how stress can do a number on your hair. You can lose your hair or go grey. The health of your dog can definitely affect his coat, and this applies to his mental health as well.
A nervous or unhealthy dog can definitely experience shedding. While you should always take care to maintain all aspects of his physical and mental welfare, shedding as a result of stress is definitely something that can occur. Some of the factors that can create stress include:
- A change in environment
- Separation anxiety
- New owners
- Illness or injury
Try to be attuned to your dog’s behavior and see if there are any unusual changes in his temperament. This can include sudden unexpected aggression, barking, snarling, temperament, changes in appetite, etc.
Hormonal/Medical Issues
Stress leads to an abnormal hormonal imbalance, and as noted above it can lead to hair loss. But it’s not just stress that causes hormonal changes. Hormonal changes also occur during illness or secondary to a severe medical condition.
Excessive hair loss/shedding may mean that your dog is sick. Follow up accordingly with your veterinarian. Other conditions that can cause excessive hair shedding include tumors, parasites, skin disorders, and ticks.
Bad Grooming
Bad grooming habits can also lead to excessive hair shedding. If it is insufficiently or inappropriately done, it will lead to heavy shedding. As your dog’s primary caretaker, it is essential for you to create a consistent and regular routine of hair brushing.
Leave the hair cutting to the professionals. If you don’t know what you are doing (and most people don’t) don’t try to cut the hair yourself. A professional groomer will cut it so that it grows properly and most healthily.
How To Groom and Maintain Your Corgis
Don’t get worked up about the shedding. Relax! You are meant to enjoy owning a pet.
With a good routine, you can definitely stay on top of his shedding issues. And the challenge of owning a breed that sheds a lot of hair, shouldn’t be the primary reason not to own a particular breed.
With a dog that sheds so heavily, you are going to need to regularly attend to his grooming needs, in particular with his coat. The importance of creating and implementing an effective and consistent routine cannot be overstated.
Many experts recommend a monthly bath. This will do much to ensure the overall health of his coat. Many owners go even further and bathe their dogs once a week with a quality shampoo. They report that this helps tremendously with his coat.
Stick To A Regular Routine
Rule #1: Get used to a regular routine of brushing his hair. Here is a list of several things you can do to keep his coat healthy:
- Get used to brushing his hair every day. A little daily brushing will go a long way. It will get the hair follicles moving, remove dead and dying hair and debris, and prevent matting and knotting.
- Once a month, give him a bath using a quality shampoo. Many owners give their dogs a bath each week. The American Kennel Club recommends baths during the shedding season, with the caveat that you should make sure the dog is entirely dry before combing him. This is a wonderful way to maintain the proper level of natural oils in his coat. Try giving him a bath before combing him, and you will see the benefit.
- Periodic haircuts from a professional groomer are a great way to maintain the overall health of his coat and to ensure that it continues to grow properly.
- Purchase a quality vacuum, including one of those handheld devices to clean up the hair. This will help people in your household who may be more sensitive to dander and allergens from the hair. It will help tremendously you keep your house clean, and allow you to stay on top of the shedding.
Don’t allow hair to accumulate. Let the vacuum become a mainstay of your grooming routine. When you’ve finished brushing him, make it your practice to get out the vacuum immediately to properly clean up the place.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on fancy rollers, brushes, hair rakes, shampoos, and oils in order to keep his coat healthy. Certainly, there are several good items such as a good brushing comb, etc. that you can find at a reputable outlet such as Petcos without breaking the bank.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money but there are several good inexpensive items you will want to own that will make your job easier. Two tools that are essential for getting rid of dirt, dead skin, and hair are the Rake Comb and DeShedding Tool. These two basic tools along with a good standard brushing comb for dogs will be sufficient.
There are combs that are designed specifically for breeds of dogs with two coats. You can experiment with different types of combs to see which one works best for you.
Other Aspects of Grooming: Not Just Brushing His Hair!
It’s important to note that good grooming should not be limited to merely brushing and cleaning his coat. Other critical areas that require attention are his nails, teeth, and ears, which need to be trimmed, cleaned, and monitored for infections or abnormalities.
It is very important to periodically trim your dog’s nails. If they grow too long they tend to splinter which can cause your dog extreme discomfort and pain. It may even eventually affect his mobility which can lead to excessive weight and subsequent medical problems.
You will need to clean their teeth periodically, both in the home and professionally. Good dental care prevents tartar and bacteria buildup, bad breath, tooth decay, or other infections. Be sure to use a veterinarian-approved toothpaste to ensure proper cleaning.
In addition to the damage to their teeth, dental ailments can also lead to other serious infections. These in turn can lead to other more serious medical conditions. It is important to carefully check and clean their ears to prevent excessive wax build-up and to monitor for ear infections.
Don’t look at grooming as a chore. Grooming is an excellent opportunity to bond with your pet. It is also a great time to observe and assess him for other signs of infections or other medical ailments. If you create an early routine while your dog is still a puppy, he will also become much more comfortable when he is being examined by the vet.
Be sure to check your dog for any signs of infection, ailments, or general medical conditions. Always check for sore spots on the skin and coat, redness, abrasions, inflammation, lesions, and redness, or any discharge from the eyes, ears, and nostrils. Make sure that there are no aberrations with his genitals.
Finally, check to see that your dog is not experiencing any structural abnormalities. Observe if there are any signs of problems with his gait.
Summary
There is no way to tip-toe around the issue. Corgis are going to shed a lot of hair. They will shed frequently and they will shed often. There will be at least two periods of very heavy shedding each year since these dogs have a double coat.
Aside from this, throughout the year, there will be consistent shedding but not of the same intensity. Many Corgis need to be brushed every day because they shed so frequently year-round.
If the thought of living and being responsible for a heavily shedding dog bothers you, then this isn’t the proper breed for you. Also, since this is not a hypoallergenic dog, this isn’t an ideal dog for people with sensitivity to allergies.
Are you neurotic about your clothes, your furniture, or your bed? Do you grow pale contemplating the idea of finding hair in your car? What about that lush carpet in your living room? Are you terrified of finding a hairball buried in your sofa?
To a large degree, it basically boils down to the issue of temperament. A person who is horrified by the idea of dog hair isn’t going to want this dog. (My mother comes to mind.) Other people aren’t bothered per se by dog hair, but they don’t have the time, desire, patience, or energy to deal with it. These are all valid reasons.
The important thing to know is that although this dog sheds, and sometimes sheds heavily, there are many things you can do to stay on top of his grooming needs to maintain the overall health of his coat. It won’t become your life.
Let’s put it in perspective. Shedding isn’t a bad thing. It’s just a reality with this breed of dog. There is so much to love about these dogs, but shedding is one of the things that you are going to have to deal with. With the proper information, you can easily attend to his grooming needs.
We hope we’ve given you the right information to understand how to deal with the Corgis and his tendency to shed his hair. With the right knowledge and discipline, you can stay on top of his grooming needs, and spend the rest of the time enjoying and loving this wonderful little dog.
Do Corgis Shed? They do indeed. Often they will shed heavily. But don’t let this stop you from owning one as a pet if you think the two of you would make a good match. They make wonderful pets. With the proper brushing regimen, you can handily take care of his grooming needs, and have a loving animal companion with you for many years.
FAQs
- Question: What do most Corgis owners have to say about the level that Corgis shed?
Answer: Most owners generally agree that all Corgis shed heavily. Although there will be differences among individual dogs, the vast majority of owners describe their dog’s shedding as HEAVY.
- Question: Is there a difference in the levels of shedding between Cardigan Corgis and Pembroke Corgis?
Answer: No. Most experts agree that there is no recognizable difference in the levels of shedding between the two types of dogs.
- Question: I love Corgis but I am worried that I won’t be able to handle the maintenance when it comes to his shedding. Am I worrying too much?
Answer: For the right owner, this shouldn’t be a problem, as long as you aren’t horrified by dog hair. With daily care, you can easily stay on top of his grooming. Speak to experts and veterinarians for more information.
- Question: Which type of Corgis sheds more, males or females?
Answer: Females are said to shed more particularly at the end of their estrus cycles. As was noted in this article, hormones will play a role in excessive shedding. Since female dogs go through more than male dogs hormonally, they will naturally shed more.
- Question: How long do the heavy periods of shedding generally last for Corgis?
Answer: They generally range from 2-4 weeks, twice annually.
- Question: Be honest with me, if I stay on top of the grooming, and I vacuum all the time, will I still have hair in my house?
Answer: I cannot tell a lie. Yes. No matter what you do, there isn’t a hairball’s chance in…well, you get the point. There is going to be hair in your place. Everywhere. Even if you stay on top of it with frequent vacuuming. There is no way to stop it with Corgis, only to stay on top of it.
- Question: Do you have any good vacuuming tips for me?
Answer: Make sure you have a reliable and efficient model. Be sure to empty the vacuum so that the unit works well, and it doesn’t put a strain on the motor. Some vacuums are designed for cleaning up dog hair. Try to designate a vacuum solely for cleaning up your dog’s hair.
- Question: How do Corgis rate among other dogs that shed a lot?
Answer: They rate very high even among other breeds that shed heavily.
- Question: Will daily brushing help with the mess?
Answer: Regular brushing will certainly make the whole process easier. It won’t stop it or ensure that your house doesn’t have any hair. But it will go a long way towards keeping your dog groomed, and reducing the amount of hair that you will find in your house.
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