Corgi Shedding and Grooming: Managing the Double Coat

If you live with a corgi, you already know the joke: you do not own a corgi, you own a very low vacuum cleaner’s worth of fluff. The reason is simple. Corgis have a double coat, and double coats shed. Here is what the breed standards and the AKC say about managing it.

What the coat is made of

Both breed standards describe a weather-resistant double coat:

• The Pembroke standard describes a medium-length coat with a short, thick, weather-resistant undercoat and a coarser, longer outer coat, and states plainly that “this breed has a shedding coat.”
• The Cardigan standard describes a medium-length coat that is dense because it is double, with a short, soft, thick, insulating undercoat, and also says the breed has a shedding coat.

So shedding is not a flaw or a sign your corgi is unhealthy. It is how the coat is built.

When shedding is heaviest

According to the AKC, dogs with thick double coats are more likely to shed year-round, and in dogs that shed seasonally the heaviest shedding usually comes in spring (losing the winter coat) and fall (shedding lighter hair to make way for thicker insulation). A heavy period can last several weeks to a couple of months, triggered mostly by changes in daylight and temperature. Expect more hair around the house then, and plan to groom more often for a while.

A simple routine

A groomer quoted in the AKC’s double-coat grooming guide recommends brushing a double-coated dog with a slicker brush and following up with a comb at least once a week. That removes dead hair, spreads natural oils and helps prevent skin problems. Brush the hair, not the skin. The same guide suggests a soft slicker for puppies and a medium one for adults.

During heavy shedding, the AKC’s shedding guide says dogs that shed heavily may need brushing several times a week or even daily at the peak. For dogs with double coats, and it names the Pembroke Welsh Corgi as an example, it recommends a slicker brush and, during heavy shedding, a coat rake or de-shedding tool, used in the direction of hair growth with gentle pressure, especially with bladed tools. Work out tangles with a steel comb or a mat-splitting tool before brushing further.

Start young. The AKC guide advises getting a puppy used to gentle brushing, handling of the feet, and checks of the ears and eyes from the day they come home.

Baths: less often than you think

The AKC’s double-coat guide warns not to overdo bathing, because too many baths can strip natural oils and dry out the skin and coat. Bathe when your dog is dirty or smelly, rinse thoroughly, and dry them off afterwards. Bathing with a shedding-control shampoo can help lift loose hair, according to the AKC’s shedding guide, but it is an extra, not a replacement for brushing.

Please do not shave your corgi

It is tempting in summer. The AKC says shaving a double coat can make a dog hotter, not cooler, because the undercoat and guard hairs insulate in both directions, and that it can make a dog susceptible to heat stroke and sunburn and cause long-term coat changes such as patchy regrowth. If your corgi is struggling in the heat, brush out loose undercoat, provide shade, water and cool resting spots, and ask your vet for advice.

When hair loss is a vet question

Normal shedding is gradual and even. The AKC says bald patches, inflamed or irritated skin, thinning fur or a sudden increase in hair loss can point to a problem such as allergies or a thyroid disorder, and should be evaluated by a vet. A weekly brush session is also a good chance to feel for lumps, check for ticks and look at the skin. If something looks wrong, call your veterinarian rather than waiting for the next shedding season.

This guide is general information from published sources, not veterinary advice.