Do Corgis Shed - How to Discuss

Do Corgis shed? Yes, Corgis do. They are year-round shedders. Corgis shed on a daily basis because they are double-coated dogs. Corgis are the dog of the short-legged breed having a fox-like head. The name “Corgi” came from the Welsh language, “Cor” means “dwarf” and “Gi” means “dog”. So the meaning of “Corgi” is a dwarf dog. They are famous for leaving pieces of fur on all your clothes, home, and furniture. Their shedding varies with weather and they shed frequently in summer and winter. In summer, they shed the most because they want to keep their body cool. Their double coat is the reason for shedding. The shedding of the corgis can be managed by regular maintenance, brushing, diet, shampoos, supplements, de-shedding products, and grooming.

Coats of Corgis

Corgis have double coats of hair. These coats protect them from the harness of weather in winter. The outer coat or topcoat is hard and the inner coat or undercoat is soft. The topcoat is known as guard coat and it is responsible for providing protection to Corgis while the undercoat is softer and is responsible for keeping the corgis warm in the winter season. Corgis lose a layer of their coats in the summer season. The softer undercoat sheds two times in a year, in spring and autumn.

How much do Corgis shed a day?

Corgis shed a lot. Corgis have double-layer coat which is weather resistant. Corgis shed their coats on a daily basis and they are year-round shedders. Corgis shed more in the winter and the most in the summer in order to keep their body cool. In winter, corgis shed to make way for thicker coats. Corgis are a medium-sized breed and they shed more than larger dogs. Shedding is common in all double-coated breeds. If corgis have longer coats, they need brushing and grooming every week.

When do Corgis shed their coats?

Shedding is different between individual Corgis. The shedding of the Corgis can start between 4 months to 1 year of age. Shedding is the natural part of their biology. Corgis shed their coats daily but there are two times in a year when Corgis shed the most as compared to the other times of the year. They shed frequently in summer and winter and in summer and winter their shedding is called “blowing their coat”. The guard coat sheds in the autumn and its regrowth starts in the winter season.

Summary

Do Corgis shed? Corgis are double-coated dogs and they are year-round shedders. The meaning of the name “Corgis” is a dwarf dog and it came from the Welsh language. Corgis leave pieces of their fur everywhere and they are famous for it. They consist of a double-layer coat. The outer coat is called a guard cot and the inner coat is called an undercoat. These double-layer coats protect them in winter and summer. Corgis shed more in the winter and the most in the summer. They shed the most in the summer because they want to keep their body cool. The shedding is natural in the Corgis and it starts between 4 months to 1 year of age.

Why do Corgis shed?

Shedding is normal in dogs in fact shedding is natural it is common in all mammals. Some animals shed relatively more than others. Corgis fall within the category of heavy shedding animals. There are many reasons for their shedding. Some of the reasons are mentioned below that why Corgis shed more as compared to the other breeds.

The double coat of Corgis

Corgis contain a coat having two layers. Topcoat which is also known as guard coat consists of “guard hair” which protects the undercoat and the undercoat is responsible for protecting the skin of the Corgis. They shed both of their coats on regular basis.

Imagine, if you have two layers of floof, you are going to shed a lot. This is the basic reason for their shedding. There are about one hundred double-coated dogs and they all are notorious shedders except the Samoyed.

Seasonal changes

The hair cycle of Corgis adapts to the different seasons of the year. The inner coat is water-resistant and insulated due to these two characteristics this coat protects the dog from cold. So the inner coat should be more developed than the outer coat during winter. The inner coat is not required in the summer and therefore the inner coat sheds during the summer and a long and dense outer coat grows in summer. Similarly, the outer coat sheds during the autumn, and the inner coat grows for the coming winter season.

Improper diet

Just like human beings, Corgis need proper food. Diet can affect their shedding. Improper food and diet can cause Corgis to shed more than normal. According to Dr. Roy Cruzen DVM, improper diet is the number 1 cause of frequent shedding in dogs.

If quality food with necessary vital nutrients is not provided to Corgis, the Corgis shed a lot and they lose their fluffy, glossy, and long topcoat. According to American Kennel Club, omega-3 fatty acids should be provided to Corgis to save hair strength and to control excessive shedding.

Stress

Corgis are the dogs of habit. Major environmental changes can cause anxiety and stress in dogs. Stress is the important factor that can cause shedding in the Corgis. Corgis may get stressed by moving to a new home or changing surroundings (it might also depend on the personality of the Corgis). If your Corgi is frequently shedding in the off-season, then you have to find the stress catalysts in the life of your Corgi to prevent and control the excessive shedding in the off-season.

Hormonal changes

Hypothyroidism can cause hormonal imbalance in Corgis. Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone. The lack of the thyroid gland disrupts the overall function of the Corgis and it is also life-threatening. Hypothyroidism is the major cause of shedding in the Corgis. In Hypothyroidism, the coat sheds due to lower thyroid hormone level.

Pregnancy of the Corgis also causes hormonal imbalance. Mother Corgis receive fewer amounts of calcium and other nutrients to maintain their coats and hair growth. Mother Corgis also produce estrogen during pregnancy and estrogen naturally causes shedding in the Corgis. Spaying or neutering is the common solution to dealing with hormonal imbalance in the Corgis.

Dehydration

Dehydration is also the reason for heavy shedding. This is because water is the source of nutrients to the cells, organs, and skin of dogs. If Corgis feel dehydrated, they lose hair strength, and this can cause gradual shedding. Dogs are not able to tell us about their dehydration but they show some symptoms and these symptoms are given below:

Diarrhea

Nausea

Dry eyes

Dry saliva

Dry skin texture

Increased panting

Increased drooling

Dehydration is not only caused by the lack of water but is also caused by heatstroke or vomiting.

Allergies and parasites

Allergies and parasites also cause shedding in the Corgis. Allergies and parasites can cause itching and these can be caused by many factors such as,

Food allergies

Dust allergies

Flea allergy dermatitis

Corgis can also be allergic to milk, soy, beef, egg, and chicken. These allergies can also cause diarrhea and nausea.

Flea allergies are also common in Corgis and these are the result of flea parasites. These types of allergies can cause skin irritation.

Scabies is also a common disease in Corgis. It causes severe itching.

Summary

Shedding is normal in all mammals. Corgis are heavy shedders. There are different reasons for their shedding. The double coat of corgis is the main reason for shedding. They shed twice a year. They need a proper diet like human beings and improper diet is the reason for their excessive shedding. Stress and anxiety also cause excessive shedding in them because they are the dogs of habit and environmental changes affect them. Hormonal changes during hypothyroidism and pregnancy also cause shedding in the Corgis. Dehydration is also another reason for heavy shedding in them. Allergies and parasites are also the other reason for excessive shedding in the parasites.

How to deal with the shedding of the Corgis?

You cannot stop the shedding of the Corgis but you can manage it. All you need to do is follow some methods and you can easily control the shedding of your Corgis. The tips to control the shedding of the Corgis are given below.

Regular baths

The effective way of managing the shedding of the Corgis is to bathe them regularly. Bathing wouldn’t stop the shedding but it will eliminate the ■■■■ fur and skin cells and will moisturize their coats. Bathing also helps in washing away stuck hair. Brush their hair before bathing to remove the tangles. Follow the given below steps before bathing:

Prepare lukewarm water

Prepare lukewarm water for Corgis to save them from the sudden shock.

Use a shampoo of good quality

Corgis have sensitive skin. Use a good quality shampoo for Corgis and try to avoid something chemicals that irritate the skin of your Corgis.

Dry your Corgis properly

Corgis don’t like being wet too long. After bathing, wrap their body in a larger towel and remove excess water from their body.

Proper nutrition

Proper diet prevents excessive shedding in the Corgis. If you want to control the shedding of your corgis, you have to provide good quality food with proper nutrition to your corgis. Use fish oil and omega-3 in the diet of Corgis if it is experiencing an abnormal shedding. These two things are best for healthy coats and skin. Deshedding pills are also available in the market and these pills control the shedding in the Corgis.

Spay and neuter

If you remove the ovaries (spaying) and testicles (neutering) of your Corgis, you can overcome their shedding because this method finishes the risk of pregnancy and other behaviors that are the reason for abnormal shedding.

In females, shedding happens during their pregnancy. During pregnancy, their estrogen level increases, and they shed abnormally. Moreover, during pregnancy, the baby corgis get nutrients from their mothers and proper nutrients are not provided to the coats and coats shed because of lack of important nutrients.

In males, increased testosterone level is also a reason for excessive shedding.

Haircut

Having a haircut decreases the shedding and also it helps Corgis to maintain their body temperature. Haircut of Corgis is necessary before summer and winter to decrease their shedding. The shorter haircut is best before summer and it prevents the heat from trapping into coats.

Before winter, groom your Corgis to remove excess matting and this will decrease their shedding. You can also ask your local groomer to find the best hairstyle for your Corgis.

Brushing

Frequent brushing is good and it is helpful in decreasing the shedding of Corgis. Brushing is a good way of removing excess fur. Get the right brush for your Corgis and brush them at least 3 times a week.

FURminator is a de-shedding tool for dogs having double coats like Corgis. It is not like the other ordinary brushes, it reaches the undercoat from the topcoat. It lessens the shedding of the Corgis.

Exercise

Regular exercise naturally reduces the stress level in the Corgis. Exercise keeps the Corgis happy and calm. It reduces the shedding because the Corgis shed the most when they are stressed.

You can take your Corgis to the park for exercise. You can also play hide and seek, tug-of-war, and other indoor games with your Corgis. Make sure space is enough for Corgis to play and move easily. Let your Corgis play for 30 minutes to 2 hours and this will reduce stress.

Food supplements

Provide food supplements to your Corgis like fish oil. Supplements maintain the circulatory functions in Corgis and also help in maintaining their silky and long coats. Supplements reduce shedding in the Corgis.

You can give fish oil in the form of capsules. You can also give fish oil in the form of drops if your Corgis don’t like it in solid form. Visit a DVM for determining the right dose for your Corgis.

Don’t take your Corgis to the dirty place

Avoid taking your Corgis to a dirty place because dirt is a breeding ground for parasites. It can cause skin irritation beneath the undercoat of Corgis. Dirt can increase the shedding level because it can stick to the dirt fur of Corgis.

Keep your Corgis away from water puddles, muddy areas, and sidewalks (because they can attract a lot of dust from cars and other vehicles. You can also take your Corgis to daycare for playing because daycares are neat and clean and suitable for their playing.

Vacuum clean your house

Household dust is one of the allergens for Corgis. Vacuum clean your house once a week and focus on your carpets and couches because these are the area of fabrics and can gather dust more quickly.

Trim coat of Corgis

Trimming also decreases the shedding of your Corgis. A shorter coat lessens the shedding. Trimming can remove the ■■■■ hair and tangles. Make sure that the trimming scissor is stainless. Follow the given below steps for trimming your Corgis:

Get a grooming scissor

Brush your Corgis

Cut the coat from tips

Repeat the process until the coat will become symmetrical

Find out phobias of your Corgis

If your Corgis are terrified of bathing and grooming then it will be super hard to keep their skin and coat healthy. These types of phobias can increase the stress and anxiety level of Corgis. Exposed them to tools to make them comfortable and if it does not work, consult your local dog trainer or groomer.

Don’t shave your Corgis

Shaving is not the best option when it comes to Corgis. Their double coat is helpful in the summer and winter seasons. If you completely shave your Corgis, it can cause heatstroke or hypothermia, depending on the season.

Shaving can also change the direction of their hair growth. After their hair grows completely, they shed the most. Shaving can cause bald spots. Trimming is the best option when you want to reduce coats of Corgis.

Summary

You can’t stop shedding of but you can manage and control it. There are different ways of controlling their shedding. Regular baths play a very important role in decreasing their shedding. Proper diet and supplements also decrease shedding. Brushing and trimming also lessen the shedding and a haircut are also helpful in controlling the shedding of the Corgis. Regular exercise is the natural way of reducing shedding. Don’t take your Corgis to a dirty place and also vacuum clean your house if you want to decrease their shedding level. Also don’t shave your Corgis because it can increase shedding and form bald spots.