The Corgi breed comes in two variations: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Both kinds of Corgis are relatively easy to groom but will require regular bathing and care. Learn more about the unique dog grooming needs of the Corgi breed here.
Appearance
Cardigans are low-set and almost two times longer than they are tall. They are small dogs, but very agile and powerful animals. Pembrokes are also long and low dogs with large ears that stand up straight. The legs of Pembrokes are straighter and shorter than a Cardigan’s and their heads are more wedge-shaped.
Corgis have somewhat of a fox-like appearance. Their eyes and noses are dark in color. Some Corgi puppies are born with short tails, but they are often docked for breeding standards.
Their coats are thick and soft and come in a variety of colors including fawn, red, sable, or black and tan, typically with white markings.
Grooming Needs
The short, fluffy coat on a Corgi doesn’t require much grooming in order for it to look their best. This makes the breed low-maintenance and a great choice for a pet.
Grooming a Corgi can take less than 10 minutes and they don’t need to be bathed particularly often unless they get extremely dirty outside.
How to Groom Your Corgi
Corgis can be brushed with a metal, medium-toothed comb. Use the comb to gently brush them over each section of their body, paying attention to areas where there are more tangles or mats. It’s important to also check for redness, irritation, and bald spots during a brushing session. Be sure to take off your Corgi’s collar while grooming them and brush out the neck area.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is one of the most important steps to keeping a dog’s coat healthy. A balanced diet of premium dog food with quality ingredients will keep their coat shiny and their skin in good condition. Excessive table scraps and treats can lead to obesity as well as a less healthy coat.
Shedding
Although shedding is common for most dogs, Corgis are considered to be heavy shedders. They have a double coat that consists of inner short hair and an outer longer-haired coat. A Corgi will shed their undercoat once a year, usually in the Spring. During the shedding period, a high volume of their hair will be floating around the home.
Daily grooming is recommended during this time. A pin brush can be used to remove the undercoat. After brushing, the hair should be smoothed back down with a comb. Some Corgis will also shed in the Fall, but in warmer environments, the second shedding is not as noticeable.
Bathing
Although Corgis don’t require frequent dog bathing, a bath can help with the shedding process. When they are in need of a bath, a dog shampoo should be used to gently clean their hair. After washing and thoroughly rinsing the shampoo out, a towel drying and walk outside should suffice. If it’s cold or rainy outside, a hair dryer on the lowest setting can be used to dry them off after a bath.
Ears, Teeth, & Nails
It’s important to check your Corgi’s ears for wax buildup and signs of infection on a regular basis. Their ears can be cleaned with a cotton ball (never a cotton swab) and a dog-specific ear solution.
A Corgi’s teeth should be brushed at least weekly to prevent tartar buildup, keep their gums healthy, and prevent bad breath. Trim their nails on a monthly basis or as needed to prevent slipping on floors and scratching.
As long as owners are aware of the double coat on a Corgi and are prepared for the shedding season, grooming them will be no problem.
When a creating a grooming routine, it’s important to remember that all dogs are unique, even within their breeds. If you are prepared, patient, and gentle, your pet will respond with good behavior and may even enjoy grooming sessions.
