Welsh Corgis are a small dog breed which originated in Wales and has since spread in popularity all over the world. There are actually two distinct types of Corgis: Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi being the more common of the two and the type that most people are familiar with today.
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Breed History
The Corgi breed was historically used as a herding dog. Corgis were specifically used as a “heeler,” which refers to the way that they would nip at the heels of cows, sheep and other herding animals. Their small height and exceptional agility made them excellent herding dogs due to their ability to easily avoid the hooves of larger animals.
It was not until 1925 that Corgis first began appearing in dog shows and other competitions in Wales and the surrounding areas, despite their long historical use as an agricultural dog. The first Corgis were brought to the United States in 1933, and since then the breed has been popular both as a show dog and as a pet.
Health & Care
The median lifespan for Corgis is about 12 years, although Corgis have been known to live up to 15 years. Statistically, most Corgis die from either cancer or simply old age. Like all dog breeds, Corgis have certain health risks and complications that are inherent to their breed. However, the breed is prone to developing eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and canine glaucoma. If you are concerned about your dog’s eyesight, contact your veterinarian for a check-up. Notably, hip dysplasia is very rare for Corgis, despite being common in many dog breeds with similar body types.
One of the most important aspects of Corgi care is regular grooming. They have a particular dense coat which needs to be groomed daily with a standard brush and weekly with a de-shedding brush due to the thicker density of the Corgi breed’s coat and its tendency to shed. Corgis are well known for shedding copious amounts of hair, and de-shedding brushes are a common sight in the repertoire of Corgi owners. Regular grooming should also include regular nail trimming; nails should be checked for overgrowing, splits and cracks on a weekly basis.
Food
Corgis are designed to be active dogs and thus require a good amount of quality protein to keep up with their expanded energy, particularly when they are puppies and young adult dogs. The food chosen for Corgis should include quality protein and avoid unnecessary fillers as much as possible in order to provide the best nutrition for the animal.
The National Research Council of the National Academies estimates that an adult Corgi (i.e., one which weighs about 25 lbs.) should have about 780 calories per day, although this can vary depending on the dog’s age, whether or not they are spayed/neutered, their activity level, and other factors which may require them to have more or less calories. When in doubt, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian about the energy needs of a Corgi.
Keeping Your Corgi Safe in Winter
Like all dog breeds, you will need to take some careful considerations to keep your Corgi safe, healthy and happy during the winter months. Especially if you live in an area where the temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or where you receive plenty of snowfall and icy weather. The following is a handy guide to help you keep your Corgi safe and sound during the winter.
Do Corgis Need a Winter Coat
One of the most common questions asked by Corgi owners regarding their safety in the winter is: “should I get them a winter coat?” The answer really depends on a few factors, particularly: how low the temperature is, how long they will be outside, whether or not your Corgi has been shaved recently, or whether or not your Corgi was recently wet.
If your Corgi was shaved recently, even within the last year or so, they should wear a coat once it gets below 50 degrees. This is because shaving removes the normally insulated layers of fur that keep your Corgi warm, so they’ll need extra help from a warm doggy coat. If your dog has been recently wet—within the last day or so—you’ll want to bundle them up because the water will make them more receptive to icy temperatures.
As a general rule of thumb, Corgis are can withstand temperatures of about 50 degrees without discomfort. Once it gets below 50 degrees, you should always put a dog coat on them when they go outside because Corgis do not handle extreme temperature variations well—for instance, if it’s 45 degrees outside but 72 in the house, your Corgi’s body may have difficulty adjusting itself.
How Do I Know if My Corgi is Cold?
Your Corgi’s normal body temperature should be about 101.5. It can go a degree or 2 higher or lower, but it should not deviate higher or lower than that 1-2 degree threshold. You can check your Corgi’s temperature with a dog thermometer, such as the highly recommended Mindsinglong dog thermometer which is durable, easy to use, is relatively inexpensive. A thermometer is the most accurate way to make sure that your Corgi doesn’t get too cold—or too overheated. You should also keep a look out for physical signs of chill or overheating, such as lethargy and panting, especially if the weather outside is above 85 degrees or below 50 degrees. If your dog is experiencing any extreme signs of overheating or chill, you should take them to the veterinarian to ensure it is not life threatening.
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How to Check Your Corgi’s Body Temperature
You will need a pet thermometer in order to check your Corgi’s body temperature. They can be purchased at retail stores and various online shops, such as amazon. A pet thermometer is very simple to use. You simply need to use the thermometer on a dry, clean area of your Corgi’s body, such as their stomach, inside thigh, or another area where there’s not a lot of hair blocking the thermometer from getting an accurate reading.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here you will find lots of FAQ about Corgis. Most of them are the daily problems we may face every day.
What is the best brush for a shedding Corgi?
Corgis are very well known for their frequent shedding, and owners who are not prepared to specifically deal with this problem may be quickly overwhelmed. There are many different dog brushes out there, but with Corgis, it is best to use a brush designed for animals that frequently shed. For Corgis, one of the most recommended types of brushes is a de-shedding brush. A de-shedding brush is a brush that uses a very finely toothed steel comb to penetrate the top coat of fur and loosen the undercoat, which is where the shedded fur originates.
The Furminator is one of the most popular and well-reviewed de-shedding brushes on the market today. You can find similar brushes which use the same style as the Furminator at various retailers if you don’t want to buy the specific Furminator brand.
How Often Should I Bathe a Corgi?
Regular grooming and bathing is important in order to keep your Corgi looking and feeling great. You should bathe your Corgi at least once a week using a dog-friendly shampoo. If your Corgi gets exceptionally dirty, you may want to consider giving them a bath more frequently; just make sure that the shampoo you are using is not too harsh and check your dog for any signs of skin irritation whenever you introduce a new shampoo or other dog-friendly cleaning product to your bathing routine.
Grooming a Welsh Corgi
Grooming a Welsh Corgi should be a part of your regular Corgi care routine. They should be combed and brushed at least once a week—potentially more depending on how often they shed and the general condition of their coat; grooming should also include regular trimming of their nails, as well as regular inspections of their ears to check for build-ups of wax and other ear debris. Corgis, like many dogs, are prone to ear infections, so you need to keep a careful eye on their ears to prevent infections before they happen.
How to Trim a Corgi
A Corgi should be trimmed monthly or sometimes weekly depending on the dog. The following steps will teach you how to properly trip your Corgi.
- Step one: comb your corgi first
- Step two: start trimming
- Step three: continue moving backwards
- Step four: finish up
Before you can trim, you need to comb your Corgi using a forward motion; you should remove any mats during this time.
Next, you’ll need to pull up your Corgi’s long hair–starting at about the shoulders is best–while holding your trimming scissors in your other hand. You should aim to trim about 1/4″ to avoid taking too much off. If it looks too long after you’re finished, you can always trim it shorter.
After trimming their coat around their shoulders, you should continue trimming by moving back towards their tail. Remember, you are only trimming their long hairs–meaning their outer coat–and not their denser, shorter undercoat. Don’t forget to trim the tail and backside.
After you’re done with the Corgi’s main body, you can trim the hairs between their toes and footpads; if your dog is the type to squirm or move, you may want to leave this step for a professional groomer as you can easily injure your dog if you are not careful or they do not sit perfectly still. You should also trim the long hairs on their chest as well as around their eyes and ears; it’s best to use blunt scissors in these areas to avoid the risk of cuts.
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