There are plenty of wonderful reasons to own a corgi. These small dogs make not only adorable but loyal, affectionate, and intelligent companions. They tend to get along well with other pets and children, too, so they typically make great family dogs. But will they leave a lot of dog hair all over your home?
Whether you have allergies to dog dander or just don’t feel like constantly sweeping up fur, you might be asking yourself “Do corgis shed?”
The answer is a resounding yes. The truth is that corgis shed a lot compared to other dogs, especially more hypoallergenic dog breeds like the poodle, shih tzu, and miniature schnauzer. Both types of corgi — the Pembroke Welsh corgi or the Cardigan Welsh corgi are likely to trigger allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to pet dander.
Let’s discuss how much corgis shed, factors that might make your corgi shed more than normal, and how corgi owners can keep their furry companion’s shedding under control.
How Much Do Corgis Shed?
Corgis shed all year, but they’ll shed more heavily during certain periods of the year. That’s because they have what is called a double coat.
A double coat is made up of two layers: a topcoat and an undercoat. This layering system helps your corgi to stay cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter, but it needs to transition between the seasons. Commonly known as “blowing the coat,” this transition typically happens twice a year during spring and autumn. It lasts for about two to four weeks each time.
During these shedding seasons, your corgi’s hair will fall out in even greater amounts as the coat adjusts to the weather. This is perfectly normal and healthy — there’s nothing for you to do except keep up with your corgi’s grooming by brushing them a few extra times per week (more on that later) and run the vacuum more often to pick up the loose hair.
What Can Cause a Corgi to Shed More Than Normal?
Do corgis shed? Yes, shedding is a very normal part of a corgi's life. But it’s important to understand that excessive shedding can also occur, and this can be because of health issues. These include:
Nutritional Inadequacies
When a corgi doesn’t get the proper nutrition from their dog food, the skin and coat are two of the first things to suffer. That’s because essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids are needed to keep the skin and hair healthy.
If you think your corgi’s diet could use an upgrade, talk to your vet about the best dog food for your pet. You’ll want to choose a nutritionally balanced, high-quality food that suits your pup’s size and age. You can also add a supplement to the diet, such as Native Pet’s Omega Oil. Our formula contains two types of fish oil to promote a healthy skin and coat.
Allergies
Dogs can react to various allergens like pollen, dust, dirt, mold, flea saliva, and ingredients in their food. Most allergies will cause severe itching and scratching, resulting in heavy shedding and even hair loss and bald patches. Have your pet examined at the vet’s office if you think an allergy is causing your corgi’s shedding.
If your pup suffers from allergies, try Native Pet’s Allergy Chicken Chews. These all-natural chews build your dog’s natural defense against allergens and help to target itchy skin, resulting in less shedding and hair loss.
Parasites
Parasitic infestations from fleas, ticks, lice, or mites can also cause an increase in your dog’s shedding. To address an infestation, you’ll need to take your dog for a veterinary examination. Your vet can then prescribe medications to kill the pests and get your corgi’s coat and overall health back to normal. Then, you can set your dog up with a pest preventative to avoid the problem in the future.
Stress
Just like you, your dog can get stressed. However, their stress might not be for the same reasons. Dogs can get stressed because of loud noises, thunderstorms, environmental changes, new pets in the home, separation anxiety, and more. And one side effect of stress is increased shedding. Talk to your vet if you think your dog is often stressed, and give Native Pet’s Calming Chicken Chews a try. They can help reduce general anxiety and even work to improve your pup’s sleep.
Hormonal Changes
Has your corgi recently been spayed or neutered? Are they going into heat or currently pregnant? These kinds of changes can cause hormonal imbalances in your dog’s system, which can result in excess shedding. Most of the time, this will resolve on its own, but let your vet know if you’re concerned. It’s possible that a gland issue like Cushing’s disease is behind your dog’s hormonal changes, so you’ll want to get any health concerns ruled out.
Tips to Manage Your Corgi’s Shedding
We’ve learned that corgis are heavy shedders, and they shed even more than usual twice per year, usually in spring and autumn. It’s also possible for additional factors — poor diet, allergies, parasites, stress, and hormonal changes — to cause excessive shedding.
What can you do as a corgi owner to keep things under control?
1. Brush Your Corgi
Even if you take your corgi to a groomer to get their hair trimmed, you’ll need to stick to a regular brushing routine at home to keep your dog’s coat in good shape. Most corgis benefit from daily brushing with a high-quality de-shedding tool. This kind of brush gets through your dog’s outer coat to the undercoat to remove all dead hair and smooth out any tangles. Brushing also helps to spread the skin’s natural oils through Fido’s coat, keeping it moisturized and healthy.
2. Bathe Your Corgi
Your dog doesn’t need to be bathed on a daily basis, but bathing is a great way to keep the coat clean and maintain your corgi’s good looks. Always use a high-quality dog shampoo — visit your local pet store or shop an online retailer like Amazon — that’s made specifically for dogs. If they have sensitive skin, consider finding a product that caters to this. Ask your vet how often you should be bathing your pet for optimal coat health.
3. Feed a Healthy Diet
Because your dog’s diet has so much to do with their coat health, you’ll want to ensure you’re giving them a quality dog food that contains the proper nutrients for a healthy coat. Ask your vet for a recommendation, and consider adding supplements to your dog’s diet for an extra nutritional boost.
Do Corgis Shed? Here’s What to Remember
Do corgis shed a lot? Yes, the corgi is a heavy shedder thanks to their thick coat made up of two layers of fur. This breed of dog sheds all year round, and even more heavily during peak shedding seasons twice per year. Because of all that shedding and the associated dander, these dogs are not considered hypoallergenic.
Remember that certain things can make your corgi’s fur fall out even more than normal. The list includes nutritional deficiencies or a poor diet, allergies, parasites, stress, and hormonal changes. If you can’t find another reason for your dog’s excessive shedding, it’s worth paying a visit to the vet for a professional opinion.
To keep your dog’s shedding under control at home, brush your dog on a daily basis, bathe them regularly, and feed them a healthy diet to maintain good skin and coat health. You might also consider adding supplements to your dog’s diet for an added nutritional boost.
Want to learn more about your dog’s health and wellness needs? Visit the Native Pet blog for more articles.
