Corgis shed heavily, which is a healthy way to maintain their thick, double-layer coats. Although there is no way to reduce the amount of fur the dog sheds, certain grooming practices will help you keep the shedding under control.
Why Do Corgis Shed So Much?
Most furry dogs with a double-layer coat are heavy shedders. Almost all of them shed a lot throughout the year, and especially heavily during certain seasons.
Corgis “blow” their coats twice yearly, in late spring and autumn. The period of heavy seasonal shedding usually lasts two to three weeks. Then it remains moderate to heavy throughout the year.
As long as there are no sudden changes in the amount of fur or its quality and your pet’s shedding is consistent with the usual patterns, heavy shedding is not a cause for concern for corgis. There is no way to prevent it but there are routines that help manage it.
Why Do Corgis Shed More Seasonally?
Like with most double-coated dogs, a corgi’s shedding is heaviest during the change of seasons.
The trigger is not the temperature but rather the amount of natural light. The periods of the heaviest shedding occur in autumn and spring and last at least a couple of weeks.
When Do Corgi Puppies Start Shedding?
Corgis shed their puppy coats at the age of about six months. At that age, they start growing their characteristic double-layer coats. That is also when they develop their patterns of seasonal shedding and become the heavy shedders they are known to be.
Which Corgi Breed Sheds Less?
Pembroke Welsh and Cardigan Welsh corgis are entirely different breeds of dogs but there is little difference in how much they shed.
Pembroke Welsh corgis often have longer fur than Cardigan Welsh corgis so the volume of shedding Cardigans produce could be smaller.
Do Corgi Mixes Shed Less?
Any breed that produces minimal shedding or sheds less than a corgi does, will produce a lower-shedding puppy if the other parent is a corgi.
A good example is a mix of poodles and corgis. Although the puppy would not likely be non-shedding like poodles are, it will most likely shed significantly lower than either a Pembroke Welsh or Cardigan Welsh corgi. It is hard to predict if the mix of the two breeds will produce a low-shedding or moderate-shedding dog – it depends on which parent the puppy resembles more.
If a corgi breeds with a short-hair dog – a beagle or a chihuahua corgi mix are popular examples – then the shedding can be less noticeable and less profuse in general. Single-coated, short-hair dogs shed less and do not shed more seasonally.
How To Keep A Corgi’s Shedding Under Control
Shedding is normal for double-coated dogs and it would not be healthy for them to shed less.
As long as the dog is healthy and his/her shedding is not due to abnormal causes, such as poor nutrition or skin problems, it is neither possible nor not needed to reduce the amount of shedding. It is, however, entirely possible to prevent the fur from spreading around the house, or at least keep it more localized, so it does not feel that overwhelming.
- Brush the dog regularly: a few times a week, daily during the weeks your pup “blows” the coat. Brushing removes loose hair in a more controlled manner and prevents it from spreading around the house.
- Corgis benefit from a bath every few weeks or as needed: bathing removes dry old hair.
- Keep your dog’s diet well-balanced for healthy fur and overall well-being.
- Pay attention to changes in your dog’s, skin, fur, or behavior, such as scratching or restlessness. Occasionally, pets develop sensitivities or skin parasites that trigger scratching, dryness, lesions, and spotty fur loss.
- Take your dog for regular check-ups with a veterinarian to prevent any new problems.
Do Corgis Cause Allegies?
Corgis can cause allergies in people who are sensitive to animal dander or saliva. Some people are more or less sensitive to different breeds and even individual dogs of the same breed.
Cats produce at least ten proteins that are known allergens, but it is less understood why dogs cause allergies. Some breeds are less likely to trigger a reaction but corgis are not one of them.
A corgi can trigger an allergic reaction, including asthma, hives, runny nose, and other symptoms.
It is important to spend some time with the animal before committing if you are prone to allergies. Sensitive people will often know within an hour if they are allergic to a particular animal. Sometimes, however, it can take time for allergies to appear, especially if you have never had pets in your home before.
To Conclude
One of the reasons corgis are considered relatively high-maintenance pets is their significant shedding and the need to regularly care for their beautiful thick coats. Cardigans and Pembrokes both shed a lot, although the volume of fur produced by Cardigans can be a little less since their coats tend to be shorter.
A good mix of two breeds is when one parent is a corgi and the other is a poodle. You have more of a choice in the likely size of the offspring because you know if the poodle is the standard size or a smaller pup.
If you need to keep your home relatively free of fur, your best strategy is to brush the dog daily, bathe him occasionally, and clean diligently.
