Corgis are really cute, smart dogs—no wonder they’re one of the most popular dog breeds in the world! But before you bring a corgi home, be prepared, and let’s answer the question “Do corgis shed?”
Corgis do shed. They have a special double-layer coat and are active shedders. While Corgis shed every day their shedding peaks twice per year.
What is the Corgi’s coat like?
To be clear, all dogs will shed fur. However, Corgis have a special double-layer coat. They have a soft undercoat that helps them stay warm, and a topcoat that acts as a second protective layer. This coat served a very practical purpose when Corgis were used to herd animals and needed to regulate their body temperatures even if they spent most of their day outdoors.
How often do Corgis shed?
The soft undercoat sheds every day. But twice a year, expect a sudden boom in hair fall. Dog experts call it “blowing their coat” and it will feel like you’ve walked into a fur blizzard. Even if you vacuum every day, and live with a lint roller in your hand, you’ll get corgi hair on your sofa, clothes, and bed. One Reddit user said that she would sometimes wake up with fur in her mouth. If it’s any consolation, the extreme shedding only happens twice a year.
What factors can cause excessive shedding?
In some cases, improper diet, grooming, or disease can cause your corgi to shed more than normal. These factors include:
Improper diet
Shedding can be caused by a lack of omega-3 fatty acids or other important nutrients. Ask your vet to recommend the right food and amount for your Corgi’s age and weight. You may need to get vitamin supplements, which you can give through a syringe or mix into the food.
Skin disease
Some parasites can cause the fur to shed. If you notice that your dog is also scratching a lot, or rubbing himself against the wall, bring him to the vet.
Allergies
Aside from shedding, symptoms include red or watery eyes, sneezing, scratching, and redness and swelling in the ears.
Unsuitable shampoo
Your dog shampoo could be causing skin irritation and fur damage. Never use human shampoo on dogs, because it has a different PH level.
Unsuitable grooming
You may need to groom your Corgi more frequently or switch to a different kind of brush.
Stress
Severe stress can affect hormone levels, which will lead to increased sheddings. Check if the shedding is accompanied by other nervous behavior, like change in eating habits, higher aggression or jitteriness, destroying furniture, etc.
How can I manage and deal with shedding?
Shedding will always be part of raising Corgis, but these tips and routines can help keep it under control or make it easier to manage it.
- Brush your Corgi’s hair three times a week. This can help remove excess fur and prevent the undercoat from getting matted. The brushing also stimulates the hair oils, which will help keep your dog’s coat shiny. Be sure to brush the areas that tend to shed the most hair: neck, chest, back, and rump. During shedding season, every day.
- Use a de-shedding conditioner. Specially formulated for heavy shedders, these conditioners can help remove “stubborn fur” while keeping the coat healthy and strong. However, if your dog has just had a skin condition or gone through heavy shedding, ask your vet first—it may need a gentler formula that won’t irritate the skin.
- Don’t over bathe. Dogs need a bath once every 6 weeks. If you do this too much, skin and hair damage may lead to excess shedding. Pro tip: after the bath, while the fur is still a bit damp, use an undercoat rake. It will help lift remove any fur that became loose during the bath.
Shed the Stress
Corgis can’t help shedding, and actually, they need to shed to keep their coats healthy. If you have a Corgi baby, that fur is part of the territory. But even if they need more grooming than other breeds, if you’re up for the work, you will be amply rewarded with their love and loyalty.