Corgi Care and Maintenance

If you become the owner of a Corgi puppy, congratulate you because you have found a wonderful friend who faithfully loves the owner and his household and gets along well with children and other pets. However, this is where there are several aspects you need to consider.

It is not difficult to pamper and overfeed Corgi. Still, they love to eat, so you should immediately choose a nutritionally sufficient diet, feed the puppy strictly according to the norm, and not let your family members succumb to the baby’s charm, which he will definitely turn on at full power from the first minute of his appearance in the house!

This breed does not require any special care – like most dogs with long hair, it needs to be combed periodically. Twice a year in the spring and summer, Corgi has a heavy shedding period, so you need to comb your beloved pet even more often. In addition to combining, you should brush its teeth at least once a week.

It is worth knowing about some of the smaller nuances before bringing such a pet into the house. First, it is better to remove carpets, various wires, and things that seem to harm the pet or, on the contrary, might be destroyed by corgi. In a month, the dog adapts, and it will not be necessary to expect unpleasant surprises anymore. 

Also, be ready for mood swings, which dogs of this breed usually face. The reason for depression can be various, but be careful with the treatment. Active games are a real help in such situations. You can also try some medications or CBD oils, which became increasingly popular in the dog world. Research into CBD shows that these oils can treat physical and mental ailments without bringing on the negative side-effects known to many other pharmaceutical products.

Buy a variety of toys for your puppy that it can bite and just play with. It is essential to take care of proper nutrition. The main thing is not to overfeed the dog because Corgis tend to be fat. Up to three months, the puppy should be fed about five times a day. When he turns six months old, the number of meals should be reduced to two. Food can be both unique and homemade such as dairy products, meat, eggs, and vegetables.

Even tiny dogs should be taken for a walk about five times a day. In old age, the number of walks can be reduced to three, and adult dogs cost two or even one, but an active walk. The puppy should be taken for a walk only after all vaccinations and after the quarantine period.

It is also necessary to continually maintain the standing corgi’s cleanliness because they quickly get dirt and dust because of their shape. We should not forget about the claws. They tend to grind during walks, but you need to trim them if the claws have grown too much. You do not have to bathe these dogs, as they have a beautiful coat that repels dirt. Frequent bathing can even be harmful because then the unique fat layer is washed away.

Are Corgis High Maintenance?

First, it’s essential to consider what “high maintenance” truly means. Corgis, with their vivacious personality and undeniable charm, do demand consistent care, but not necessarily more than other breeds. Their grooming needs, especially during their shedding seasons, require a bit more attention, and their active nature means they benefit from regular exercise and engagement. However, their diet can be managed with the right choices, and their generally affable disposition makes them wonderful companions. It’s fair to say that while Corgis require a dedicated owner willing to invest time in their care, they are not excessively high maintenance. Instead, the return on the time and love you invest in a Corgi is a joyful, loyal, and spirited companion that will enrich your life in countless ways.

Are Corgis Stubborn?

Diving into the character of the Corgi, one might occasionally hear the term “stubborn” used to describe them. But is this truly an accurate portrayal? Corgis, hailing from their herding lineage, possess a natural sense of determination and independence, which can sometimes be mistaken for stubbornness. They are intelligent and quick learners, but this same intelligence means they might question commands or try to have their own way at times. Training them requires patience and consistency. However, their so-called “stubbornness” can often be channeled into positive behaviors and tricks when given the right motivation and training. So, while Corgis might display bouts of willfulness, understanding their background and needs will help an owner navigate these tendencies and foster a strong, loving bond with their furry friend.

What do you need to know about feeding a Corgi?

Dogs of the Welsh Corgi breed, subdivided into Pembrokes and Cardigans, depending on the territory of the County of Wales in the UK, where they were bred. Initially, they were bred specifically to graze cows. With short legs, they are less likely to suffer from the hooves’ blows. For the Welsh Corgi, such a threat is not a hindrance. But through the years, because of their small size, very high intelligence, love for humans, and high learning ability, that made them one of the world’s most popular companion dogs.

However, the Welsh Corgi is not an indoor breed, but a real shepherd dog, albeit a small one, so for a puppy to grow up healthy and strong, it needs a balanced diet, the basis of which should be meat ingredients. Breeders of this breed recommend choosing high-quality dry food right away and not experimenting with natural nutrition because it is quite problematic for a non-specialist to compose a Corgi puppy’s diet from ordinary products.

Best dog food for corgis:

Choosing the best dog food for Corgis begins with understanding their unique nutritional needs. Given their active and agile nature, Corgis benefit from a balanced diet rich in proteins, especially from lean meats, to support their muscle health. Essential fatty acids, like omega-3 and omega-6, are pivotal for maintaining their lush coat and promoting skin health. Carbohydrates should come from high-quality sources that are easily digestible, such as sweet potatoes or brown rice, to sustain their energy levels. Given their propensity to gain weight, it’s vital to monitor calorie intake and ensure the food offers a well-rounded blend of vitamins and minerals without unnecessary fillers. To ensure the best diet, always consult with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist who can guide based on the specific needs and life stage of your Corgi.

The consequences of improper feeding can be quite serious:

• excess weight
• digestive problems
• fur problems
• malformed teeth
• weak bones

Rations for a Corgi Puppy

In the shops’ assortment, you will find a wide selection of products for your favorite Corgi. This can be the ready-made bags with chicken diet, lamb, turkey, or duck diet.

If you prefer wet rations, you can choose any canned food for your pet – they are all suitable for puppies and adult dogs. The daily diet of a Corgi puppy can be mixed – this is not forbidden, only the rate should be carefully calculated since Corgis are prone to overeating. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the feeding table.

Treats in the Pet’s Diet

A few words about delicacies: of course, they must be in the life of every puppy – the main thing is not to overdo it. Treats are rewards that should be offered to the growing dog for following commands and as a reward for good behavior.

At the same time, any piece that you give your pet, even the smallest one, is a portion of food containing calories, so you should definitely take them into account when calculating a Corgi puppy’s diet. And of course, you should once and for all give up treating the puppy with food from your table, which is very harmful to dogs, leads to disruptions to digestion, the appearance of systemic diseases, as well as the development of harmful food habits and excess weight.

Hygienic Care

Hygienic care of the Welsh Corgi is not particularly difficult. However, it is necessary to teach the dog from puppyhood to combing, processing claws, cleaning ears. Trimming your nails is one of the mandatory, weekly repetitive procedures. Simultaneously, it is necessary to trim the fur inside the paw and between the toes.  

Clean the ears with a soft cotton swab as it gets dirty. You can also use special ear cleaners. In practice, it has been observed that when the ears of a puppy are actively forming and growing, they get dirty quite quickly and require more frequent cleaning than an adult dog. But at the same time, ordinary pollution cannot be confused with ear diseases. If your puppy often scratches his ears, shakes them, or has an unpleasant smell, you should see a doctor. 

When caring for the fur, it should be remembered that detergents remove grease from the coat, and it recovers in about 3 days. During this time, the dog becomes very vulnerable to cold and drafts and may catch a cold. This is especially true in the cold season. But if washing in these cases is necessary, then it is best to use a hairdryer. Many Corgi owners use coveralls to keep their fur free from dirt.

Activities with Corgi

You can start walking with your Corgi when all age-appropriate vaccinations are made, and quarantine is over. Usually, at 2.5-3 months, you can already start introducing the puppy to the street. Do not delay the beginning of the walks, as this can negatively affect the puppy’s physical and mental state. It should be remembered that the measure is good at everything: the load and the duration of walks should increase gradually. 

The training should be started when the Corgi has already reached 6-8 months. It is advisable to determine 3-4 days a week for training the dog, and systematically increase the load, carefully monitoring the dog’s condition and well-being. 

The best thing for a Corgi is trotting at different rates. Before training, it is advisable to take a walk for a while so that the dog does all its business, and you can finish the training with a short calm walk. Be sure to provide Corgi sufficient physical activity in the form of long walks and active games – then your pet will be not only healthy but also very thankful to you!