Do Corgis Shed?
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When searching for the dog breed that matches your personality and lifestyle, you want to include learning information on coat maintenance. Corgis are a thick coated breed with an energetic and hardworking personality. Do Corgis Shed? How to handle the shedding of your Welsh Pembroke Corgi.
Corgis do have a reputation for being heavy shedders and considering they were bred for being out in all types of weather, herding cattle, your Corgis shedding is a perfectly normal and healthy process. Whether you are looking at the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or even it’s cousins, Cardigan Corgis, you can expect year-round shedding. However, no matter how much fur is involved, Corgi owners are not deterred from owning these loyal canines.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The reason dog owners used to embrace the Corgi is for its high-energy, hardworking qualities. Now it’s for their floofie bums and super cute wiggle walk. A low-maintenance house dog, they are also fearless and intelligent. Do Corgis shed bum floof? Yes, there is plenty of undercoat on their bums, so they will definitely shed from there.
As a favored breed of the late Queen Elizabeth II, she loved her Corgis so much that she considered them family. The late monarch owned a Corgi (usually more than one) from around the age of seven until her death at 96. The question is do Corgis shed on the Queen?
When it comes to coat maintenance there is little difference between the two breeds. Do Corgis shed due to their coat type? Yes, as Corgis are double-coated breeds, the coat type does determine what kind of grooming is necessary. And this helps to determine what to expect in order to avoid matting. Double-coated dogs will generally shed seasonally in both Spring and Autumn.
However, in our experience with a double-coated Pomeranian, she would she seasonally in January and August. So, not the ideal times for a four and a half lb. dog to shed, but that was when it happened for her. The vet determined her to be healthy so why she was shedding at odd time was a mystery.
Some dogs will have sheds in odd times of the year due to medical problems like thyroid issues. Watching how your Corgi sheds may help to determine whether your dog is healthy, but again, it could just be a quirk.
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The Coat Type of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
As mentioned, dog coats are divided into two coat categories; single-coat and double-coat. Your Corgi’s coat, also as mentioned, is a double coat.
Do Corgis shed more due to having two thick coat layers? Sort of.
The undercoat which is the soft, downy layer closest to their skin and the topcoat which is the longer, courser coat and that is referred to as “guard hairs.” Both layers have functions that are important to the health of the dog.
Corgis even with medium-length coats have an easier time adjusting to the weather. The layering system allows Corgi’s to stay cool during the summer and serves as an insulation during the colder winter months. The two layers help the dog naturally keep their body temperature just right.
The Corgis thick coat is designed to allow them to work, herding cattle, even during the winter months. The Pembroke Welsh Corgis are excellent working dogs that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The Corgis hair is perfectly designed for this climate.
Shedding Defined
One common question is do Corgis shed all year round? A corgi shedding means they drop dead hair from the outer coat layer daily.
When do Corgis shed the most? Though there is a seasonal shed in the autumn, the peak season for shedding the undercoat is early spring when they are known to “blow their coat”. Late fall is considered a second shedding season when they are about to grow their winter coat. The heavier shedding in the spring months is a natural process in which the dog owners will expect to see much hair for about two to four weeks.
As pet owners, it’s a good idea to be prepared for a lot of fur to fall out during this shedding period. The best way to adjust to this shed is remove any loose hair by brushing regularly on a daily basis.
And a great way to stay on top of Corgi fur in your home is to sweep and vacuum a bit more frequently during this period. Check out our article on Best Brooms for Dog Hair.
This Lilly Brush is a miracle for furniture, car seats and rugs. Seriously, it’s a life saver and strangely addictive to use.
Do Corgis Shed Heavily?
When you compare the Corgi to other dog breeds, they make the top ten in a list of heavy shedders. There are four main factors that contribute to why this dog sheds more than other breeds: lack of coat maintenance, lack of proper nutrition, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal changes.
Lack of coat maintenance in the form of a daily brushing. Corgis hair type requires daily brushing to remove unwanted hair. Brushing on a regular basis will make this dog’s coat look and feel nicer and reduce matting.
Even if you are doing regular brushing, according to Espree.com, you should fully groom your Corgi every 4-8 weeks during normal shedding times and more often during the heavy shedding periods.
Slicker brushes work well on medium-coated dogs. This type of brush is made of short tightly packed wire pins that are angled to go through the coat. It helps remove mats and loose hair without irritating the skin.
A few tips for choosing the right slicker brush for your Corgi. Look for brushes where the wire is fine and close together. Steer away from wire that is too firm or too soft. Keep in mind that the longer the hair, the longer the bristles need to be on the brush. The Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush fits the bill and the bristles retract so that all of the hair come out when you are cleaning the brush.
When using a slicker brush, it is important to brush the undercoat as well as the topcoat. Also avoid pressing down with a lot of pressure on the dog’s coat, as the brush is poky and could cause skin irritation in your dog even if they don’t have sensitive skin.
For a double-coated dog, we recommend this Dematting Undercoat Rake.
Professional groomers have de-shedding tools that make the “seasonal blow-out” easier. We’ve seen groomers use this EquiGroomer Deshedding Brush for Dogs with great success.
There are also shampoos that will help with de-shedding. This one by Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Shed Control Shampoo with Omega 3 and Vitamin E is also sulfate, paraben and fragrance-free.
Lack of Proper Nutrition. Poor nutrition can lead to numerous health issues. It could be from an imbalance of fatty acids, too many dog treats, poor sourcing of ingredients in their dog food and even poor absorption of nutrients. You will want to invest in a high-quality dog food, with raw eggs and a good quality fish oil. We have an article on the Best Salmon Oils for Dogs that you can check out but for quick reference, we really like this Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs and Cats.
Do Corgis shed more due to gaps in their diet? Correct, shedding can be directly related to a lack of proper nutrition in a Corgi’s diet which leads directly to nutritional deficiencies.
When it comes to their diet, the Corgi needs a minimum of 18% protein content and 5% fat content. So be sure to check you current brand of dog food to make sure these ratios are close to what your dog needs. If you are making your dog’s food, be sure to check to make sure that your ingredients, though may be healthy, are in the ratios your dog needs.
Nutritional Deficiencies. Dogs need a wide range of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. One symptom of a diet deficient in the proper vitamins and minerals is excessive hair loss. The hair might also be sparse and dull with developing skin conditions.
Corgis need a balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids are necessary for optimum brain, vision, skin, and coat health. A poor diet can wreak havoc on your dog’s skin and coat.
Dogs might not be getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in their dry kibble. Food toppers that are safe and beneficial for dogs include wild-caught salmon, salt-free ethically source sardines, and ethically sourced krill oil.
One of the biggest sources of protein that causes an imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is consuming commercially raised chicken. Where dog food companies source their chicken is important to your dog’s health. Free-range chickens that are raised on quality non-GMO (genetically modified organism) feed have a better balance of omega-3 fatty acids.
Furthermore, there are vets that are finding that lately, more and more dogs are becoming allergic to chicken. It is possible that your dog cannot eat any chicken.
A healthy diet contributes to the health of your Corgis skin and coat. When you notice that your dog’s coat has lost its shine and they are shedding more than normal, it’s time to evaluate their diet.
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Hormonal Changes. Do Corgis shed due to hormonal changes? Indeed, hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss. Dog can lose more hair around the areas that gets friction. A couple examples are the collar area is a typical area for hair loss, as well as the “leg pits” and thigh area.
The three types of hormonal imbalances in dogs are sex hormone, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone. Dogs that have been neutered or spayed will experience a sex hormone imbalance. In the case of thyroid hormone imbalances, a professional veterinarian an advise thyroid hormone supplementation.
How to Prevent Excessive Shedding
Do corgis shed excessively? Not at all. As a dog Corgi owner, you will find ways to manage the hair loss. The best way to manage double-coated dogs with thick hair is taking a few preventative maintenance measures. Here are five tips for managing your loyal canine:
1. Daily Brushing. Use a high-quality brush and/or Dematting Undercoat Rake to remove the dead hair and tangles from the dog’s coat. The de-shedding tool is especially helpful during the shedding in the early spring and late fall. Brushing also brings out the natural oils for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
2. Regular Bathing. Dog’s with medium length coats benefit from a regular bath. Bathing your dog once a month is usually adequate to give your dog a nice shine without stripping their skin of natural oils. Choose a dog shampoo that is pH balanced and nourishing the skin. Read the ingredients on the shampoo bottle and avoid artificial detergents, perfumes, and parabens.
As mentioned the Burt’s Bees for Dogs Natural Shed Control Shampoo with Omega 3 and Vitamin E is also sulfate, paraben and fragrance-free.
3. Quick Brush. Take a minute each day for a quick brush over on your dog. Grab a treat and a brush and it your dog will quickly look forward to this time each day.
4. Vacuum or Sweep Regularly. A cordless vacuum is another easy way to maintain the dog hair in your home. Your Corgi will still shed, however, spending a few minutes running a vacuum or sweeping (if you have hardwood or composite floors) in the rooms where your dog spends most of their time is worth it.
This LandHope Push Broom has rubber bristles that pick up dog hair amazingly well.
Again, our article on the Best Brooms for Dog Hair might be a helpful resource for you.
5. Add omega-3 Fatty acid Food Toppers. Salt-free sardines packed in water are an easy solution for adding in essential fatty acids.
It is advisable to consult with your local veterinarian and inquire about feeding recommendations. Here is a general guide for adding sardines to your dog’s diet one to two times a week.
· Dogs up to 30 pounds: ½ sardine
· Dogs 30 – 60 pounds: 1 sardine
· Dogs 60 + pounds: 2 sardines
The Bottom Line on the question Do Corgis Shed?
There are many reasons people chose to add a Corgi to their life. They are athletic, loyal, affectionate compact dogs.
Do Corgis shed excessively? Dog owners will find lots of hair around the house, on their furniture and clothes if they do not take care of their dog’s thick coat.
Find a slicker brush that works well for you and your dog. Take a few moments each day to brush the outer coat to remove dead hair. During the spring and fall consider taking them to a groomer for a thorough undercoat brushing.
Do Corgis shed due to nutritional deficiencies? Indeed, this is a good reminder to examine what you are feeding your dogs and notice how it is affecting their coat health. A healthy Pembroke Welsh Corgi will have a shiny soft coat.
Just as a reminder of the ways to prevent dog hair from taking over your living space; brush your Corgi daily, set up a regular bath routine, add additional fatty acids to their diet, and run a quick vacuum in the rooms where your dog spends most of his time.
When you are asked do Corgis shed, you will know they do shed but they are worth every effort to keep their coat healthy. These medium size dogs love to be active and bring joy to your life.
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