The rise in popularity for Corgis has led many pet owners to jump on the bandwagon and get one for themselves and their families. However, the most common question people ask is, “Do Corgis shed and how much?”
Stay tuned, and we’ll break down all the hairy details.
Do Corgis Shed?
To answer the question, yes, Corgis do shed. It’s a myth that there are genuinely hypoallergenic dog breeds, and Corgis are no exception. They also shed heavily, and every day. But how much do they shed, and how can you control it? Keep reading to learn more.
Hairy Details of Corgis
The Corgi has a remarkable pedigree, coming from royalty. Queen Elizabeth II prefers the Corgi and has had more than thirty during her reign. There are two breeds: Welsh Corgi and Cardigan, of whom are famous for herding cattle and hail from Pembrokeshire, Wales. The Corgi is considered to be one of the smallest herding dogs with straight hair and a thick, double-layer coat that’s weather-resistant. Regarding when they shed, spring and autumn are the shedding seasons for male Pembroke Welsh Corgi, dropping annually, since it helps them shed old hair and cool down with the hotter weather. The female sheds when they’re in heat.
Just as sheep grow a winter coat to keep them warm, it’s the same with dogs. They usually grow more hair during the winter seasons and shed heavily with more temperate weather to keep them cooler; this was a great advantage when they herded cattle, as cattle herding was done year-round.
While homeowners may not like this particular characteristic in Corgi dogs, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy having them as pets. There are ways to reduce the amount a Corgi sheds, so it doesn’t get all over your clothes or furniture.
Why Do Corgis Shed So Much?
Shedding in Corgis, and dogs, in general, is a healthy process that’s normal and natural. In large part, Corgis shed their fur to help maintain their coats. They lose their hair to keep their coats free of damaged or dead hair, as well as to maintain their body temperature. They also shed to help regenerate new and healthy fur and to keep their skin healthy, much like why humans shed hair.
How Much Do Corgis Shed?
Corgis shed quite a bit since they have a thick, two-layer coat, so it makes sense that they would shed at a more accelerated rate than say a Doberman Pinscher would. Corgis need to have routine grooming and brushing to remove the loose and dead hair, ensuring the Corgis fur and skin health, as well as preventing a house full of hair. You may ask how you can control all the loose hair a Corgi sheds. Let’s delve into that.
The Challenge of Corgi Shedding
Kids love Corgis due to their fun and often humorous personality, but you may dread sending them to school with hair all over their clothes or having to use a lint roller on them every morning. So, the challenge of controlling Corgi shedding is real, but there are ways to keep the hair to a minimum, so you’re not continually vacuuming and removing dog hair.
Here are some ways to manage Corgi hair, which includes:
- Keep Corgis brushed daily. Take a few minutes daily to go through their hair with a wire or slicker dog brush, which helps loosen and remove any packed dead hair and prevents skin issues and foul odor.
- Invest in a pet vacuum, one that’s specifically designed to pick up dog hair and dander, minimizing pet dust and potential adverse reactions for sensitive types.
- Buy a lint roller to help remove pet hair on your clothes or your linens.
- Get them groomed every quarter, or once during each season, even more in summer to keep them fresh. It’s crucial also to groom them in winter, but maybe just once to remove dead and damaged hair.
- During the shedding season, bathe your dog before brushing since it helps loosen debris and dead hair. It also makes brushing easier for you and them. Take note to ensure your dog is completely dry before brushing them after their bath. Bathing your dog is also a great bonding time for both of you, so wash your dog often, which also allows you to monitor their skin for any bumps, bruises, or cuts. A high quality, sensitive formula shampoo is vital for Corgi’s delicate skin.
Managing Corgi Diets for Shedding
You may not think Corgi’s diet relates to their shedding, but it does. Feeding your dog a healthy diet that includes omega 3 fatty acids are great for healthy skin and coat. The healthier their hair and skin, the less dog shedding. You can add dog-friendly omega 3 supplements as a food topper or in their high-quality dog food. It’s advisable to first speak with your veterinarian before supplementing your dog’s diet.
Excessive Corgi Shedding
If you’ve noticed your Corgi is shedding more than usual, you might want to speak with your vet. You can also do a quick inspection of their coat for health and vibrancy, color, and any changes. Even though Corgis shed excessively, a more substantial shed than what’s standard could be from an underlying health issue. Some of these could include:
- Using a non-suitable dog shampoo
- Not brushing your Cori enough
- Using the wrong brushes to remove hair
- High levels of stress and anxiety
- Imbalanced hormone levels
- An incorrect or unbalanced diet
- Skin parasites
- Tumors
To put your mind at ease, visit with your vet, and for a regular checkup, visit them annually.
Grooming Corgis
Before you rush to the groomers for a haircut on a Corgi, think twice. Many long-haired dogs get hairstyles to maintain their fur and health; however, with a Corgi, it’s not necessary, and shaving could even irreversibly damage their coat. This could result in their hair not growing back properly. Also, shaving their hair could cause them to have heat stroke and sunburn in the summer and hypothermia in the winter. You can, however, trim their hair with scissors and not harm their coat.
Using Other Coat Maintenance Tools
During shedding season, consider getting a de-shedding tool and a rake comb that allows you to get into a Corgi’s undercoat and loosen dead hair and debris caught under the fur. Also, trim their nails often, to prevent cracking and breaking. A Dremel tool is a safe and effective way to do this yourself.
A great way to ensure Corgis’ shedding doesn’t get all over your vehicle, think about getting a pet seat cover for your interior. This is especially helpful when you have passengers and worry about getting hair on the clothes. They come in different sizes, colors, and thicknesses.
Contact Plush Paws
We offer seat covers for rear and bench, co-pilot, cargo liners, and door cover protections. Our premium collection comes with a removal hammock cover that’s made in ultra-premium velvet; this gives your car an elegant look without the tell-tale signs a dog’s been in there. We also offer a military discount, so for veterans who have an emotional support or service dog, these are perfect. Contact us for more information.