Corgis are a beloved breed of dogs because of their cuteness and great temperament. Corgis make great pets and companions, especially for families.
They are known for their long bodies, pointy fox-like ears, and cute little legs. But do they shed their coats? Let’s look into it.
Do Welsh Pembroke Corgis Or Cardigan Corgis Shed?
The short answer is “yes”! Welsh Pembroke Corgis and Cardigan Corgis are known as double-coated dogs. This means you should expect a good amount of shedding from your furry friend.
In fact, corgis are pretty well-known for leaving their fur all across their owner’s furniture and clothes.
Cogis are classified as “heavy shedders”, meaning they lose small amounts of their hair frequently. This is why they’re known for leaving dog hair all over the place! Because of this, you should bear this in mind before deciding to adopt a corgi.
As we mentioned above, corgis are double-coated dogs, meaning they have two layers of hair in their coat. The top layer of which is a sort of guard layer, which repels dirt and moisture. The bottom layer is dense to provide insulation and to regulate the corgi’s body temperature.
This bottom layer keeps the corgi warm in cold conditions and cold in hot conditions. Both layers work together to provide protection from the elements.
Generally speaking, corgis lose parts of the bottom and top layers of their coats every day. The good thing about this, however, is that corgis don’t need frequent trips to the groomers to get their coats trimmed.
That being said, they still require regular brushing to maintain healthy, clean coats, in addition to an occasional bath now and then.
Corgis have medium to slightly long coats, depending on their genes. Welsh Pembroke Corgis, generally speaking, have slightly longer coats than their Cardigan counterparts.
As we’ve described previously, both types of corgi have a thick and coarse top layer of fur, along with a denser but softer layer of fur beneath.
Since corgis shed so frequently, it is recommended that you brush your corgi at least 3 times per week. This will maintain their healthy coat and reduce the amount of hair that will be shed in your home. It will also prevent your corgis fur from matting, particularly when they are “blowing their coat”.
Seasonal Shedding
Alongside corgi’s frequent everyday shedding, they also lose their undercoat twice a year. This process is colloquially known as “blowing their coat”. Every spring and every fall, corgis will shed the thick, insulating layer of their coat that we described earlier.
The heftiest shedding occurs in the spring, as this is when the corgi loses their thick, insulating winter coats. This is to get them ready for the summer heat.
As corgis blow their coats, they shed their fur in big amounts, sometimes in big tufts of fur. This process can last 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, corgis require regular brushing to help them shed this loose fur and help their new undercoat to grow.
How To Groom Your Corgi To Reduce Shedding
Grooming and brushing your corgi is essential to keep the shedding under control. They will still continue to shed their fur, so there’s no avoiding getting dog hair on your clothes and furniture completely, but it will help to reduce the amount of fur that comes off of your pet.
Grooming is even more important during the times when your corgi is going through periods of seasonal shedding, as they will have a greater volume of fur to lose over the course of a few weeks.
The best tool to use during these times is a simple metal brush or comb. This will help to remove the undercoat from deep within their fur.
You should avoid the use of harsh and abrasive tools such as undercoat rakes, as these can cause more harm than good and damage your dog’s coat.
Another good thing that you can do to aid your dog in the shedding of its undercoat is to use a high-velocity dryer specifically for dogs after you bathe them. This will help blow the undercoat away and encourage the growth of their new seasonal undercoat.
Line Brushing
It has been proven that line brushing or line coming is a very effective method for the removal of loose hair from a corgi’s undercoat.
When line brushing your dog, it’s a good idea to start low and work your way to the top. Begin close to their feet, and then comb your dog’s hair downward. The goal should be to be able to see a clear dividing line in the fur where you can see the skin below.
Shedding Triggers
Besides the two times of the year that corgis shed their seasonal undercoats, there are other things that can cause excessive shedding. The following things may be causes for excessive shedding outside of normal shedding periods:
- Allergies – allergic reactions can cause corgis to shed more of their fur abnormally
- Poor nutrition can cause more shedding than what’s normal
- Stress – going through a stressful event such as moving house can cause a loss of fur
- Poor health – if your corgi suffers from poor health or a skin condition, this can cause fur loss
- Excessive bathing can lead to too much shedding
- Using the wrong shampoo when bathing can worsen skin conditions, leading to fur loss
Keeping a close eye on your dog’s health and your grooming habits will help you identify if the shedding your dog is experiencing is normal or abnormal. If you suspect that your dog is losing their fur excessively or abnormally then you should speak to your veterinarian.
Summary
In short, corgis do shed their fur. Actually, they shed their fur quite a lot. While this can be somewhat of a nuisance, it is more manageable with good grooming habits, occasional bathing, and proper nutrition.
Don’t expect to not see any dog hair around the house even if you do consistently and regularly groom your corgi. Shedding is a natural and normal process for dogs such as corgis, and it is necessary for them to do so.