If you want to buy or adopt the sassy, fluffy Corgi, you might ask yourself, “do Corgis shed?” Corgis are all year-round shedders, heavy ones at that, although they shed more at certain times of the year. It’s important to consider how much a dog sheds before committing to bringing one to your home.
The shedding shouldn’t deter you from owning a Corgi if you aren’t allergic because there are several Corgi-shedding solutions, from the right dog shampoos and conditioners to proper grooming techniques. Grooming Corgis properly is essential to prevent problems like folliculitis or blackheads.
Do Corgis Shed?
Corgis shed heavily because they have a double coat that loses a small amount of hair daily. The two layers of hairs work in tandem to protect the Corgi from extreme temperatures in the winter or summer. Corgis get to the height of their shedding twice yearly for a couple of weeks at a time.
To get an idea of how much a Corgi sheds every day, see this video:
The guard hairs on the top coat repel moisture, while the insulating undercoat keeps the Corgi warm. Each layer of fur sheds a bit of hair every day, so it’s advisable to brush the coat daily or every three days. Brushing the coat ensures the fur doesn’t tangle and reduces the shed fur in your house.
Dry and inflamed skin and coat can cause your Corgi to shed more than usual. For this reason, it’s best to use a gentle dog shampoo at least once monthly to keep the skin and fur hydrated. Don’t over-bathe your Corgi, as that would further exasperate the coat dryness causing even more hair loss and shedding.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Cardigan Welsh Corgi: Who sheds more?
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi are the two types of Corgis, and they have roughly the same shedding frequency. The Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are both seasonal shedders who shed the most twice per year during their peak shedding seasons in the spring and fall.
The two little sturdy herding dogs, Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis share a name but have vast differences. Both originate from Wales, but the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is older than the Pembroke by over 2000 years. The Pembroke Corgi is more popular thanks to Queen Elizabeth II’s love for the breed.
Physically, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s short, rounded tail that’s docked close to the butt is more common than the long foxlike tail of the Cardigan Corgi. The Cardigan colors are more varied. You’ll see bridle, white and black with tans, sable, and blue merle Corgis. The Pembroke has only red, sable, and tricolor. Despite the differences, the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are big shedders.
Is There a Corgi That Doesn’t Shed?
There are no Corgis that don’t shed. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi shed daily and more heavily in the shedding season of fall and spring. Even Corgi mixes such as the Cowboy Corgi, a mix between the Corgi and Australian cattle dog, inherit the shedding quality of their Corgi parents.
Some Corgis, called fluffy Corgis, have longer coats but are still heavy shedders.
Dogs that don’t shed or shed very little are hypoallergenic and are least likely to cause allergic reactions. Among the small dogs that don’t shed are the Poodle, bichon frise, and the Maltese. We advise researching a hypoallergenic breed if you are allergic to pet dander and want to own a dog.
While there isn’t a purely hypoallergenic dog, some dogs, like the poodle and the miniature schnauzer, shed much less than Corgis. Some breeders may cross a Corgi with Poodle to reduce shedding, but this isn’t completely reliable.
When Do Corgis Start to Shed?
Corgis shed daily but are heavy seasonal shedders in the spring and fall. The Corgi’s double coat needs to transition between the fall and spring seasons to keep the dog warm in the winter and cool during the summer. This transition is called “blowing the coat.” The shedding season lasts 4.
It’s all part of the natural growth cycle of a dog’s hair follicle.
The Corgi’s fur falls out more than usual as the coat adjusts to the weather during the shedding seasons. The shedding is particularly heavy in spring as the coat loses the extra fur that kept the dog warm in the winter and as it prepares for the summer heat.
On top of the daily shedding that happens every day, Corgis also shed more in the transition between seasons. To properly deal with the excess hair that your Corgi sheds in the shedding seasons, brush the coat daily or every other day, and don’t forget to keep your vacuum close.
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Corgi Shedding Solutions
There’s not much you can do about your Corgi’s shedding. However, there are steps you can take to deal with the clumps of shed fur, particularly in the shedding seasons. Proper grooming, like brushing the coat, a good diet, and proper cleaning tools like vacuums are some Corgi shedding solutions.
Corgi Grooming: How to De-shed a Corgi
A Corgi’s grooming revolves mainly around brushing the coat to prevent knots and tangles. It’s best to detangle your Corgi at least three times a week, if possible, daily during the shedding seasons. Brushing a Corgi’s coat frequently reduces the shed fur in your house. It also distributes natural oils on the coat, improving coat health.
To brush and de-shed a Corgi, you need to use the right tools to keep the undercoat undamaged. You can use a pin brush for regular coat brushing to buff away loose hair at least 2 or 3 times a week, as it’s gentle on the coat. You can alternate with a slicker brush on one of the brushing days.
De-shedding a Corgi with an undercoat rake or a deshedder when the coat is damp reduces the amount of pet dander in your house. De-shedding is a sensitive issue because there’s plenty of misleading information. For example, some people call stripping tools undercoat rakes, yet the blades of that tool are designed to thin out hair, not remove dead hair.
In this video, you can watch the dramatic transformation of removing the undercoat from a Corgi Aussie mix (or A Cowboy Corgi).
We recommend visiting a professional groomer at least once to advise you on the right de-shedding tools. Corgis have medium-length coats and therefore don’t need as many professional trims. However, there are long-coated Corgis, which we cover in the linked article.
Nutrition to Help Corgi Shedding
Many rightly perceive coat health as an indicator of optimum nutrition. Poor nutrition shows on the coat, so your dog’s external appearance partly reflects their internal state. Dog food containing many fillers and by-products doesn’t supply your dog with the proper nutrients for a good coat and overall health.
Corgis deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) like omega-3 have a dry and matted coat. Omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) strengthen the hair follicles, reducing shedding. Fish oil, fish, and other seafood are the best sources of EFAs, such as omega-3.
Proteins are necessary for a healthy coat because, once broken down are absorbed into the skin, which is made almost entirely of protein. Omega-3 fatty acids moisturize the skin and strengthen the hair follicles, while omega-6 maintains cell membrane structure. The best ratio of fatty acids for optimum coat health is 5:1 Omega-6 to omega-3.
A protein-rich diet from meat sources like chicken, turkey, and occasionally fish will provide your dog with the necessary dietary fats, minerals, and vitamins for coat health. You can supplement your dog’s diet with fish oil, flaxseed oil, or sunflower oil, especially if you feed your Corgi dry food.
Some dogs may have food allergies that cause them to shed abnormally. If this is the case, you’ll notice other signs like redness, swelling, and sneezing along with the shedding. Visit your vet if you suspect that an allergy is the cause of your dog’s excessive shedding. The vet will give your dog an elimination diet to determine the culprit food.
Limiting Corgi Hair While Shedding
You can’t prevent or escape shedding because it’s a natural biological process in our canine companions. However, you don’t have to encounter dog hair everywhere in your house, even at the peak of their shedding.
1. Vacuuming
Running your vacuum cleaner daily, if possible, is the best way to minimize the amount of shed hair and dander in your house. Vacuuming your floors frequently helps prevent the shed hair from transferring to your clothes, furniture, and bedding. If the shed hair has moved to these areas, vacuum them or use a lint roller, and they’ll be good to go.
2. Air purifier
Air purifiers help remove some shed furs floating in the air, although they’re best for reducing pet dander. A proper HEPA filter will absorb the dander, and an activated carbon filter will eliminate foul dog odor.
3. Brushing your dog’s coat
Brushing your dog’s coat is part of the grooming process, but it can also limit shed hair in your house. Once you brush your dog’s coat, the brush traps most of the loose fur, which would have made your house a hairy mess.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Do Corgis have tails?
Both the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis have tails. However, most Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their tails docked to conform to breed standards. Pembroke Welsh Corgis naturally have shorter tails than the Cardigan Welsh Corgis, who typically don’t have their tails docked.
Are Corgis high maintenance?
Corgis are medium-maintenance dogs as far as their grooming and exercise requirements go. Due to the double coat, a Corgi’s coat needs brushing more than once a week. Being herding dogs, Corgis have quite the energy and need daily exercise for physical and mental health.
Are Corgis hypoallergenic?
Corgis shed daily because of their double coats and are therefore not hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic dogs like the poodle and bichon frise are less likely to trigger allergic reactions than other dogs. It’s best to research a hypoallergenic dog breed if you’re sensitive to pet dander.
Final thoughts
The cute, fox-faced Corgis are notorious shedders because of their double coats that shed daily. Corgis shed even more in spring and fall as the coat prepares for the extreme temperatures of summer and winter. This transition process of the coat adjusting to the weather is called “blowing the coat.”
Brush your Corgi’s fur at least 2 to 3 times per week to reduce tangles and shed hair in the house. A healthy diet of animal proteins promotes good coat health due to an adequate supply of proteins and dietary fats. A vacuum cleaner, air purifier, and lint roller will help reduce shed fur in your house.
Meet Your Experts
Author
Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.