There isn’t a dog lover that doesn’t love corgis! These adorable dogs have found a place in our hearts and our homes. However, one thing worries many, and that is how much do corgis shed and how to manage that.
A lot of people don’t have the time to deal with corgi excessive shedding. Because of this, they aren’t certain about adopting a corgi.
Not everyone has the time to deal with dog hair all the time. How much do corgis shed while in your apartment and is this as bad as it looks? We’ll look at some facts.
How Much Do Corgis Shed?
Every potential future corgi owner has to know how much do corgis shed and will this be a problem.
Unfortunately, corgis do shed a lot and if you’re a tidy person, you’ll spend a lot of time cleaning.
They have thick furs that can make a mess if you don’t take care of it properly. For comparison measures, they shed more than poodles but less than a Bernese Mountain dog.
Just by looking at them, most people already know the answer to “Do Welsh Corgis shed?”
Some May Be Suprised When Find Out How Much Do Corgis Shed
We’ll explain a bit more, so let’s get into it.
Do All Corgis Shed?
Both corgi breeds have double-coated fur that is medium length. Sometimes, this fur can be a bit longer, typically with Cardigan Welsh Corgies.
As their hair can be shorter, do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed less than Cardigans? Not quite. In fact, their shedding can be worse, as their coats are thicker.
Still, the exact amount of shedding can depend on their genetics.
Any dog with a double coat will shed more than dogs with just one layer of fur. This is because double-coated dogs, such as corgis, have a thick, coarse upper fur layer.
Under it, there is a soft, dense layer. This means your corgi has twice the hair of a regular dog!
One of the important things you need to consider when you buy a dog that sheds is their coat color.
No matter how bad do corgis shed, this will be less noticeable if their fur color matches your furniture. When it comes to corgis, their fur color can be:
- Ginger
- Red
- Blue merle
- Chocolate
- Black
If you have a carpet or a sofa that matches this color, this makes things easier. When this is the case, you won’t care too much about how much do corgis shed most of the time.
While you’ll still have to find ways to manage corgi shedding, at least the hair won’t be as noticeable.
When Do Corgis Shed the Most?
Corgis shed throughout the year. In fact, they lose some amount of fur daily. There isn’t a time of the year when corgis don’t shed.
This means that no matter how much you try to clean your house, you’ll have new hair every day.
Most dog lovers won’t recommend corgis to people that don’t spend a lot of time at home.
If you can’t clean your house and groom your dog regularly, their shedding will make a mess.
The longer hair the dog has – the bigger that mess is. In fact, you should groom your corgi a few times every week to reduce this.
If the unwanted hair is under control, this will make your furniture and entire home look neater. [source]
Still, the shedding is excessive in the winter and at the beginning of summer.
This is typical to all double-coated breeds. They’ll change furs twice a year. Because of this, their old fur needs to fall off up to a certain amount.
Don’t worry – you won’t notice any hair loss on them. No matter how much do corgis shed, their fur will remain thick and fluffy.
During the seasonal shedding, we say that corgis are ‘blowing their coat.’ This happens first in winter when corgis grow a thick coat that will keep them warm during cold months.
Then, in the summer, this fur is ‘blown away’ so corgis don’t get too hot. While this is common for all dogs, it is more noticeable in dogs with double-coated fur.
It is extremely important to take additional care of your corgi’s fur during these two periods. Otherwise, you might end up with a very hairy situation.
What Triggers Corgi Shedding?
Other than the ‘blowing coat’ periods, there are certain factors that will trigger shedding in corgis.
These triggers influence how much do corgis shed and will cause their hair loss to be more extensive. Some of these triggers are fairly easy to manage.
Others can be quite tricky. No matter what, each of these triggers should be considered if you notice unusual shedding in your dogs.
Of course, the first thing you should do is visit your vet to find out what is causing this. Here are some of the most common things that trigger increased shedding:
- Allergies – when your corgi is exposed to allergens, such as grass or cigarette smoke, he’ll shed more.
- Nutrition – a lack of some nutrients will cause your corgi to shed excessively
- Stress – events such as a change of surroundings, moving, or a new pet can cause corgi to shed more than regularly.
- Bathing – while you should bathe your dogs every now and then, too much bathing can cause fur loss.
- Shampoo – if you use inadequate shampoo, you risk your corgi developing harmful skin conditions.
- Health – some health and skin conditions cause excessive shedding.
You can help your corgi avoid most of these triggers. Some, like allergies or most nutrition issues, can be managed without too much hassle.
Others, however, may even require frequent vet visits. It’s important to keep an eye on your pet, so you can determine what is causing an unusual amount of shedding.
Luckily, regular grooming and good nutrition can solve almost all of these issues.
How to Manage Shedding in Corgis?
Luckily for corgi owners, there are many ways to reduce shedding in dogs. While you’ll never have corgis that don’t shed, things are much easier if you know how to deal with shedding.
Regular grooming is the key, as well as using adequate products for their fur and skin. Dog’s diet is also important, as proper nutrition can influence the quality of skin and fur.
Below we’ll cover some methods that can influence how much corgis shed. If none of them work, the only thing left is to take a visit to the vet.
You don’t want to risk your four-legged companion having some serious health issue.
Brush Him Regularly
The best thing you can do for your corgi’s shedding is to have regular brushing sessions.
You should brush your corgi at least once every week, though we’d recommend brushing him every other day.
During shedding seasons, you’d want to brush him daily. The more hair is stuck to your hairbrush, the less will end up on your carpet.
Find a hairbrush that works the best for his coat – we’d recommend a pin-style brush or a bristle brush. Then, brush him as often as you can.
Anything less than weekly grooming will mean too much hair everywhere – and this includes your clothes.
And if you want to cut some parts of his hair, ensure you’re using sharp dog grooming scissors. Still, we’d recommend taking him to the groomer for that one.
Find the Right Shampoo
Corgis aren’t dogs with sensitive skin. It is rare to have a corgi that will easily develop skin conditions. Still, we wouldn’t risk it with bad, unnatural shampoos.
Never wash your dog with chemical products. Human shampoos or detergents aren’t a good choice for your dog’s skin.
If your corgi sheds more than usual, find some anti-shed dog shampoos. These can help if your dog’s skin is somehow irritated.
Also, never bathe your dog more than you have to. Look at the bathing guidelines that are on each product.
If you exceed them, you will damage the corgi’s skin and cause even more shedding. In fact, this can lead to painful skin irritations that might require help from the vet.
Unless recommended otherwise, don’t bathe your corgi more than once a month.
Proper Nutrition
Unless their dog has some kind of condition, most owners don’t think too much about their canine’s diet.
When you want to improve your dog’s fur quality, make sure he eats food high in Omega fatty acids.
A nutrient-dense food is essential when you want to prevent excessive shedding. Not to mention that proper nutrition is important for your corgi’s overall health.
Don’t save money when buying the right food for your dog.
Also, there are several natural ways to keep your corgi’s hair nice and shiny. For example, using apple cider vinegar for dog hair loss is a common method that actually works.
Add a few drops of vinegar to his water to ensure his skin is healthy.
Using Supplements
Chewing supplements are a good idea to control your corgi’s shedding. They are also great for your dog’s overall health.
Many of these supplements are designed specifically to ensure your corgi’s skin and fur are thick and shiny.
You can also use these treats as a reward for successful training. If your corgi happens to be a picky eater, there are liquid food supplements, as well.
While there are many benefits to supplements, they aren’t a replacement for proper nutrition.
Consult your vet before you introduce anything new to your dog’s diet.
Products for Deshedding
If you own a dog that sheds a lot, then you know the value of de-shedding products. These tools aren’t necessary for short-haired breeds, but for corgies, they are a must.
Deshedding tools are upgraded grooming brushes and scissors that help you manage your corgi’s shedding. They are especially useful during shedding months.
For the best results, combine de-shedding products with regular brushes. This way, you’ll break the coat mattes that de-shedders won’t work on. [source]
Products such as the DakPets Grooming Brush do wonders for double-coated furs.
You don’t have to use them regularly, but having them nearby for the shedding season helps.
Read Also: Corgi With Floppy Ears
Bottom Line
Should you give up on adopting these dogs because of how much do corgis shed? Absolutely not! All dogs shed to a certain amount.
While corgis do shed more than most species, they are smart, intelligent, and loveable canine friends, so shedding is manageable. If you brush them regularly and ensure they have proper nutrition, you won’t have too many issues.
And if their fur happens to match your furniture, making your house look clean won’t be a problem!
Keep in mind that sudden, excessive shedding might be a sign that something is wrong with your corgi. Whenever anything changes in your dog’s appearance or behavior, you should visit a vet.
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