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When you think about the Corgi breed, you are already picturing a short-legged furry companion, with a cheerful heart and calm demeanor.
There are two different types of Corgis, and the sweet truth is that they both share a lot more similarities than the differences separating them.
In fact, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi were considered the same breed until the 1930s when they were re-classified by the British Kennel Club.
If you’re thinking of getting the best Corgi care tips, you are in the right place. This guide will unlock the best corgi care tips to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Pembroke vs. Cardigan Welsh Corgis
As we mentioned before, the Corgi breed is split into the Pembroke Welsh Corgis and the Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Both breeds share a lot of similarities, including their herding instincts, intelligence, loyalty, and looks, but there are notable differences that may affect their care routine.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are more common than their other counterpart. They are known for their fox-like appearance, docked tails, and slightly smaller frame.
Many have described Pembrokes to be outgoing, friendly, and affectionate, especially to their immediate human caregivers.
Pembrokes are good for families because they usually have an easier time socializing with strangers and other household pets.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis, on the other hand, are slightly larger than their Pembroke counterparts. They also have pointed ears, long, bushy tails, and can be more independent than Pembrokes.
Cardigans tend to be a bit more reserved when interacting with new people, but they show unparalleled loyalty once they form a strong connection with their humans.
Because of their adaptability and calm temperament, Cardigan Welsh Corgi dogs can be a good fit for households who prefer a quieter, less boisterous pet.
These two Corgi breeds have well-defined coat color standards as published by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a shorter coat that can be found in shades like red, sable, or tricolor with white markings.
In contrast, Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a medium-length coat that features a wider range of colors, including black, red, sable, blue merle, and brindle, often paired with white areas.
Remember every dog is unique, so it’s important not to assume that your Pembroke or Cardigan will perfectly match common breed notions on personality.
Feeding & Nutritional Requirements
Just like all other dog breeds, Corgis also need a healthy diet plan composed of balanced nutrition for optimal health.
Both Cardigans and Pembrokes are highly food-motivated, so you need a proper diet plan to ensure they don’t add too much weight.
We recommend providing high-quality commercial dog food that lists meat as the primary ingredient for maintaining the dog’s lean mass.
Plan your Corgi’s diet to have high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, or lamb as the leading source of nutrients.
Combine this with healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health.
Favorable amounts of fiber will also help your Corgi with digestion issues and promote satiety to prevent overfeeding.
Homemade foods can be beneficial to your Corgi. Make sure to get vet-approved recipes when trying to cook your dog’s food at home.
Because they tend to gain weight, we discourage free-feeding your Corgi. These dogs tend to eat in excess when given an opportunity, so it’s good to practice strict portion control.
Depending on your dog’s age, you can split their day’s serving into two portions per day for a healthy adult Corgi.
Corgi puppies should be given about 4 – 5 small meals per day. They should only subsist on puppy-formulated dog foods that support growth and development.
A balanced diet is never complete without a consistent supply of water. Set up drinking stations of fresh, clean water to keep your Corgi hydrated, especially after a long day.
Some Corgi owners may also consider adding water additives, such as glucosamine for joint health, especially as their dog ages.
Corgi’s Physical Exercise & Activity Needs
Did you know that the first dog to ever win the “triple crown” in agility was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? Back in 1997, a talented pup named Becky took home three national championships in one year.
Your household corgi might not be competing for trophies, but just like Becky, they’ll definitely have a happier life with plenty of playtime every day.
Despite their rather small physical qualities, Corgi dogs are packed with energy. Originally bred for hunting, these dogs still need physical exercises to stay fit.
For a Corgi, mental stimulation and physical exertion should go hand in hand, so their exercise routine needs to reflect their natural drive.
A healthy adult Corgi will typically need regular exercises for at least 60 – 90 minutes every day. This can be split into manageable sessions of 10 or less minutes.
Some of the activities to consider include brisk walks, morning runs, interactive play, indoor gaming, and occasional agility training.
Games of fetch can be particularly interesting for Corgis, thanks to their herding instincts. Aim to include games that involve chasing or directing objects to their play regimen.
Exercise great caution not to over-exercise your corgi, especially since they have long backs and short legs that can be susceptible to IVDD.
Corgi Mental Stimulation
Both Pembroke and Cardigans are intelligent dogs, so mental stimulation is just as important as physical activities in keeping them content.
Without engaging their brains in constructive work, your Corgi can quickly become bored and get into destructive behaviors like excessive chewing or digging.
One of the best ways to jog your Corgi’s brain is by offering interactive puzzle games. Such toys will challenge your dog to solve a puzzle and incentivize them with a reward for every solution.
Other games like hide and seek, where you hide treats or toys for them to find, can cater to their inborn instincts to solve problems.
Herding-style games that involve directing your dog to chase or herd a specific object can equally provide them with a sense of purpose and mental stimulation.
Grooming and Coat Care
Corgis are double-coated, which means that they shed quite a lot compared to dog breeds with a single layer of fur.
If you don’t have one already, ask any Corgi owner and they will tell you how much they have to deal with loose fur during the heavy shedding season which occurs twice a year.
Pembrokes are highly likely to put off more fur than the Cardigan Welsh Corgis. Daily brushing is sufficient to keep your Pembroke well-groomed.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis on the other hand might do well with a weekly brushing session, to manage shedding.
Besides removing loose fur, regular brushing also helps prevent your dog’s hair from forming painful mats and tangles.
Corgis can do well with a monthly bath, unless other circumstances call for an immediate bath for quick cleaning.
Always use dog-specific shampoo when washing your Corgi. Human shampoo and harsh grooming products may contain chemicals that are toxic to dogs.
Feel free to space out the bathing time more widely if your Corgi feels and smells clean. Excessive bathing comes with the danger of stripping natural oils from the dog’s coat.
Once the oils are stripped, the dog’s skin might become dry and cause irritation, thereby beating the purpose of too much cleaning.
Trimming your Corgi’s nails is essential in keeping their paws healthy and maintaining a normal gait while walking.
Remember not to hit the quick when cutting down your dog’s nail. Hitting the quick can be painful and cause bleeding, depending on the degree of damage.
Your vet is best placed to demonstrate to you how you can trim or grind your dog’s nail if you are still not confident about it.
Oral care is one of the most overlooked aspects of Corgi care tips. Make sure to brush your dog’s teeth at least 3 or 4 times a week for optimal dental hygiene.
Aim to use a flavored canine-specific toothpaste and a soft toothbrush for this process. Regular brushing can help prevent plaque buildup, tartar, and gum diseases.
The ears should be cleaned weekly using a vet-approved ear cleanser and a soft cotton wool material. Avoid using Q-tips to clean your dog’s ears, because they can push the wax further.
Besides restoring your dog to their best condition, at-home grooming also provides you the chance to bond with your Corgi and check for signs of infections and skin diseases.
Training Tips for Corgis
With their innocently cute looks, it may be easier to let your young Corgi get away with puppy behavior, but this isn’t a good idea.
The small, sometimes cute behaviors in puppies might become potentially dangerous behavioral issues when the dog gets older.
It’s therefore important to train your dog from an early age, to instill good manners and mold them into responsible canine citizens.
The good news here is that Corgis are highly receptive to training. Just like all other breeds, Corgis can take up social training, basic training, and crate training when properly taught.
One of the best ways to create a bond with your dog and instantly hook their bodies and minds is by finding a training activity they like.
Corgis have been shown to perform well at agility training, herding, cool tricks, barn hunting, basic commands, and obedience training.
Whatever training method you try, make sure your Corgi is enjoying it and shows positive progress with time.
Speaking of progress, you can improve your dog’s chances of success in training by using positive reinforcement techniques.
Corgis, and many other breeds, respond extremely well in training when there is a form of reward for positive progress.
Not all reward systems can work for Corgis. You may have to dig deep into their minds to find out what excites them most and leverage that into training sessions.
Aim to keep the training sessions short, for about 10 – 15 minutes, before taking a break because Corgis can lose focus when the sessions get too long.
Common Corgi Health Problems
Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis are generally healthy dogs, but they are also predisposed to certain health conditions that should get your attention.
Pembrokes have an average lifespan of 12 – 13 years while Cardigans can live for about 12 – 15 years. These health problems can make their lives shorter.
Being cautious about these conditions can help improve their quality of life and extend their lifespan by a few more years:
1. Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common health concerns in Corgis, mainly because of their huge love of food and their relatively low body frame.
Obesity can place undue strain on their joints, which may increase the risk of osteoarthritis and make mobility a huge concern.
Excessive weight gain also puts extra pressure on the dog’s spinal column, which can lead to severe conditions like IVDD.
Other conditions linked with obesity include diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and hip dysplasia, some of which we will cover here.
2. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia in dogs occurs when the hip joints don’t develop properly, leading to secondary conditions like arthritis and joint diseases.
The ball and socket of Corgis with hip dysplasia rub against each other, instead of maintaining the normal smooth motion.
This continuous rubbing can degenerate into chronic pain, inflammation, reduced mobility, and other secondary issues.
We recommend reaching out to your vet immediately if you notice any symptoms like limping, unwillingness to move, or hopping.
3. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a spinal condition that commonly affects dogs with long backs and short legs, just like Corgis.
IVDD occurs when the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate, bulge, or rupture, pressing against the spinal cord.
This can cause several issues ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain and, in extreme cases, paralysis.
The symptoms of IVDD vary depending on the severity of the disc damage. Early signs include reluctance to jump, dragging, difficulty walking, and a hunched back.
As the condition deteriorates, you might notice muscle weakness, dragging of the hind legs, or even loss of bladder control.
Take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these warning signs indicative of an IVDD case.
4. Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder found in several dog breeds, including Pembrokes and Cardigans, according to Cornell Vet.
This hereditary condition is caused by a shortage of von Willebrand factor, which is a protein that helps blood clot.
Corgis with this disorder may experience excessive bleeding from minor injuries, prolonged bleeding after surgeries, or spontaneous nosebleeds.
While mild cases of von Willebrand Disease may go unnoticed for years, more severe cases require careful management, especially during surgical procedures or after injuries.
If your Corgi is diagnosed with this condition, your vet may recommend avoiding certain drugs that can further affect blood clotting, such as aspirin or NSAIDs.
Blood transfusions may be necessary in serious cases during surgery to manage the potential for excessive bleeding.
5. Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans, is a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord, primarily in older Corgis.
This neurological condition leads to a gradual loss of coordination and muscle control, usually starting with the hind legs.
In the early stages, a Pembroke or Cardigan with DM may show signs of wobbling or dragging their feet during walks.
The condition can worsen over time, causing weakness in the limbs and difficulty standing or walking.
Advanced DM can cause complete paralysis of the hind legs. There is currently no cure for degenerative myelopathy, and the disease progresses slowly over months to years.
6. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a group of genetic diseases that cause the gradual degeneration of the retina, eventually leading to blindness.
Corgis are one of the breeds predisposed to PRA. The condition can develop in two to three years.
The initial symptom is usually night blindness, where an affected Corgi struggles to see in dim lighting. This can progress to complete blindness as the retina gets worse.
Although there is no treatment to reverse PRA, most dogs can adapt well to vision loss with a little extra care.
Health Care Tips for Corgis
Always strive to keep your Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi up to date on routine veterinary care to maintain optimal health.
Annual wellness exams should include a thorough physical check, updated vaccinations, and blood work to monitor for any potential health concerns.
This will catch budding health problems in their early stages and offer the opportunity to source for timely intervention.
Regular preventative care can also be a lifesaver. Corgis should be vaccinated according to a schedule, along with being on a flea, tick, and heartworm prevention treatment throughout the year.
For those with senior Corgis, adding joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to their food can further help in joint care and movement.
Your vet nutritionist may recommend some mineral and vitamin supplements or some dietary changes to fit your Corgi’s specific needs.
Corgi Living Conditions
Pembrokes and Cardigans are adaptable dogs, so they can thrive in both apartment settings and homes with yards, as long as their exercise needs are met.
If you happen to live in an apartment, make sure your Corgi has ample time and opportunities for physical activity outdoors.
Brisk walks around the neighborhood, regular trips to the dog park, and interactive indoor activities will keep them occupied.
If you live in a large home with a large backyard, you’ll want to ensure your entire space is well-defined and fenced.
Corgis can be curious dogs at times, and they may want to chase small animals or venture outdoors through any opening they find.
The high tendency of Corgis to back injuries necessitates one not letting them jump from high furniture, so dog ramps are totally worth it in getting them onto high places like beds.
Conclusion
Caring for a Pembroke or Cardigan calls for embracing such an energetic spirit, acutely sharp intelligence, and affectionate nature.
The best corgi care tips include giving them a well-rounded diet, regular physical and mental exercise, preventive health care, plus frequent grooming.
Though Corgis can be a bit stubborn at times, their love and companionship are emotion-packed and well worth the while.
Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.
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