Both Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh corgis are very popular dogs. They are playful, cute, energetic, and extremely intelligent.
One question that gets asked a lot by people who are considering getting a corgi is, do they shed? The answer to that question is yes, they do shed. In fact, they shed quite a bit, but there are things that you can do to keep their shedding under control.
If you’d love to own a corgi but you’re hesitant about their shedding, do not worry because there are simple things that you can do to make it less overwhelming, so don’t let that stop you from getting one of these adorable animals.
Do Corgis Shed?
Corgis shed an awful lot, which is why brushing their coats on a daily basis is so important. Some dogs, including pugs and pitbulls, don’t even shed enough to cover your couch, but a corgi can shed so much that the hair weighs as much as a small corgi!
This may sound like something that you won’t be able to keep up with, but with a few tips, it won’t be as big of a deal as you think.
Corgis were originally bred to be herder dogs and be out in different types of weather, so they need a lot of fur to keep themselves comfortable all year long.
You may be surprised at how much fur and hair comes off in your grooming brush every day, but keep in mind that corgis needed this fur at some point to do what they were bred to do, which is hunt or herd.
Why is My Corgi Shedding So Much?
Shedding is a natural process designed to get rid of damaged hair and make room for new growth. Corgis have double coats, and they need the coats to protect them from extreme temperatures.
Shedding also keeps the skin underneath their fur healthier and more supple. Corgis shed every single day, but twice a year they’ll shed even more.
Corgi Shedding Season
Corgis have two shedding seasons, even though they shed just a bit more at the beginning of all four seasons.
At the beginning of the winter and summer seasons is when they shed even more than usual, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for this. They shed more at the beginning of summer than they do at any other time of the year, and it’s easy to understand why.
Shedding a lot at the beginning of the summer is practical because it allows corgis to have less hair on their bodies during the hottest months of the year.
This way, they can stay much cooler when it’s hot outside. If your dog sheds a lot when it’s spring or fall, it might indicate that they have a medical issue that should be checked out by a vet.
Do Corgis Have Hair or Fur?
Corgis have both hair and fur, but the majority of their coat consists of fur. They have an inner layer of fur that is short, but their outer layer consists of longer fur.
They have hair on other parts of their body, but technically, their coats consist mostly of fur, with the longest fur being on the outside of their bodies. Their coats of fur are thick enough to be weather-resistant.
Corgis have hair on their bodies as well, and it is longer and thicker in certain areas, including their shoulders, chest, around the neck area, the back of their hindquarters, and the back of their forelegs.
Of course, it doesn’t matter if it’s fur or hair that’s covering their bodies because a lot of it is going to eventually end up in your grooming brush!
Are Corgis Double-Coated?
Yes, corgis are double-coated with a short coat underneath and a coat that is a little longer on the outside.
The length of the coat can vary from one dog to the next, but most of them have fur that is considered medium in length. As a general rule, Pembroke corgis have fur that is longer than the fur of the Cardigan corgis.
The top layer of fur on a corgi is usually thick and coarse, while the fur underneath is softer and thicker.
In fact, the fur underneath can feel a little like wool, and this is also why corgis generally shed more than dogs that have single coats of fur, such as the Jack Russell terrier. If you’re going to be the owner of any type of corgi, you simply have to accept that daily shedding will occur.
How Bad Do Corgis Shed?
Since corgis shed every day, you’ll have a lot of pet hair on your floor and furniture at all times, so it’s something that you’ll just have to accept as a part of your life going forward.
When they shed during the summer and winter months, the shedding is worse, but running the vacuum cleaner at least weekly can help a lot, as can training them not to get on top of the furniture.
All of this may sound like a lot of trouble, but keep in mind that just a few simple changes can make it much easier to have any type of corgi in your home.
How to Stop a Corgi From Shedding?
You cannot literally stop a corgi from shedding, but you can keep it under control if you follow a few tips. In addition to vacuuming your home regularly, you should spend a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes per day brushing their coats.
Choose a high-quality slicker brush made just for dog grooming for the best results, and use it to detangle the fur and get matted fur dematted.
If you simply don’t want to brush your corgi’s coat every day, make sure that you do so a minimum of four days per week.
Daily brushing is best, of course, since these dogs shed daily. Daily brushing also makes it easier to get the tangles out before they become too frustrating to comb. You simply make things easier on yourself if you brush your corgi’s coat every single day.
You can also control the shedding a little more by:
- Bathing your corgi once a month
- Making sure that their diet is high in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids
- Giving them a supplement such as salmon oil supplements
- Investing in a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
Regular grooming is one of the easiest ways to make sure that your corgi’s shedding doesn’t get out of control.
Do they need a professional dog groomer? That is up to you, but it can make your life a lot easier if you choose this route. If you use a professional groomer occasionally, it won’t cost a lot of money but it will save you time and money in the long run.
Conclusion
Corgis not only shed, but they shed a lot, which is something you’ll have to get used to if you decide to add one of these dogs to your family.
If you brush their fur four to seven days per week, bathe them once a month, invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner, and make sure that they’re fed a healthy diet, it can help reduce unnecessary shedding and make your life a little easier.
Corgis are great family dogs, but you do have to accept that they shed a lot and will continue to do so for their entire lives.
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