The short answer: No, they’re not.

The long answer: But it’s more than just whether or not they’re hypoallergenic.

Even if you have allergies, a corgi MAY not trigger them.

But there’s more to it than that. You should always consult your healthcare provider first BEFORE you do anything involving a corgi.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The definition of a hypoallergenic dog
• Why not allergy sufferers will react to dogs
• What you should do if you have allergies but want a corgi
• Corgis and shedding
• Other alternative breeds for people with allergies
• Other FAQs

Let’s dive in and see if a corgi is right for allergy sufferers.

Last updated: 7/22/21.

What exactly does it mean for a dog to be hypoallergenic?

You’ve seen this buzzword on mattresses, blankets, clothing, and even vacuum cleaners

To be hypoallergenic, all it really means is that there’s a minimal chance of an allergic reaction.

If you’re someone sensitive to allergies and you’re considering getting a corgi, you definitely need to do your research first before buying one only to find out he makes you sneeze, cough, and flare up every time you pet him.

And don’t forget to consider the possibility of your dog tracking in allergy triggering stimuli from the outdoors- especially if you’ve never owned a dog before.

There’s a lot to consider and at stake here because once you bring in a dog, it’s very difficult to sterilize and clean your home from all the dander.

So don’t rush through this just because the joy of dog ownership is blurring your vision. Think it through. Consider going to see the corgi at a controlled environment with a change of clothes so you don’t bring home the triggers.

So, are corgis hypoallergenic?

Corgis are NOT hypoallergenic. They’re far from it. This breed is a dubious shedder and will leave corgi fur (AKA “corgi glitter”) everywhere.

You’ll find their fur getting into areas you’ve never expected- even your food!

Remember though- there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. There ARE dogs that shed less (or not at all), but ALL dogs have some level of pet dander.

Plus, don’t forget that even if you have only mild allergies, your dog can bring in pollen, dust, and other particles that can cause an allergic reaction from the OUTDOORS.

These dogs will show no mercy and shed everywhere.

You’ll see corgi hair on your pajamas, work clothes, carpet, computer keyboard, couch, bed, and even on your closet which you thought would protect your clothes in the first place!

Even if you have other dogs or cats and plan to get a corgi, they have different stimuli in their fur.

Do corgis shed a lot?

Yes, corgis shed plenty.

They’re one of the most excessive breeds and top the list of heavy shedders. This makes it easy to trigger allergies with so many strands of hair everywhere.

Because of their excessive shedding, there’s no way to even remotely consider corgis hypoallergenic.

They blow their coat twice per year when the seasons change but ask any corgi owner and they’ll tell you there’s no letting up on the shedding.

So if you don’t like tons of dog fur everywhere or there’s someone in your home that has allergies, consider getting another breed. Corgis won’t do it. Sorry.

Note that there ARE some people who have allergies, but corgi fur won’t trigger them.

Allergies are a complicated situation and it’s important to see a doctor to get an assessment to see what’s causing it.

Just because you have allergies does NOT mean you’ll be allergic to corgis. It depends on the stimulus.

Are any corgis hypoallergenic?

There are two breeds of corgis recognized by the AKC:

• Pembroke Welsch Corgi
• Cardigan Welsch corgi

Both of them have thick, dense double coats that protect them from the elements. And both are them are crazy shedders. Therefore, all purebred corgis are not hypoallergenic.

These dogs were bred to herd animals, protecting their territory, and even swim to fetch from the lake.

Their fur will trigger many people who have allergies, but there will always be those who can tolerate the fur.

Some people have only mild and manageable reactions. Every single person’s reactions will be different, so some testing is needed to pinpoint the source.

What can be done if you’re allergic to corgis?

Allergies are usually managed by mediations, sprays, creams, or simply eliminating pet dander.

There’s no way to “get rid” of allergies, as they can surface at any time and may wane temporarily.

You could be a corgi owner for years and have no reaction. But then, one day out of blue, you start sneezing, getting a runny nose, itchy eyes, and postnasal drip. What happened?

Allergies can subside over time and rise up just as easily. It’s pretty painful to see someone have to give up their corgi because of their reactions.

That’s why you should always get tested before adopting or buying a corgi from a breeder. You need a sample of the corgi hair and then an allergy panel.

Your professional can determine the specific triggers and give you a plan if you really want a corgi, but suffer from allergies.

For those that have only mild reactions to pet dander, it may be possible to live with a corgi as long as proper precautions are taken.

Cleaning up your home by vacuuming, dusting, and using air purifiers may help reduce symptoms.

However, you should ALWAYS speak with your provider first before attempting anything with a corgi- including living with one.

Don’t take any chances because you don’t know how you’ll react. Sometimes, you may not have serious allergies until later on, which can be very dangerous.

Again, always consult with your healthcare provider first.

If possible, bring some corgi dander to get tested with your provider to assess your allergic stimuli reaction.

Consider a mixed corgi

There are plenty of corgi mixes available that may have lesser shedding compared to a purebred. You can do your research and on different mixed breeds.

As long as the fur gene is inherited from the other breed, the dog will follow similar shedding patterns assuming it’s a dominant trait. There may be mixed shedding, so you’ll want to be careful.

Adopting a mixed breed corgi proves to be much more effective in gauging the shedding.

Since the dog is already grown up (most likely), you’ll have a good idea of how much he sheds before you bring him home.

A mixed puppy definitely is harder to tell.

Unless the breeder has a genetic panel, you won’t know for sure how the dog will be when it grows up. This should be addressed if you have allergies 100%.

Which dog is best for allergy sufferers?

There are plenty of dogs that are more suitable for people with allergies, rather than corgis.

Although no dog is absolutely 100% hypoallergenic, some dogs rarely shed and this may make it easier to manage the environment and prevent/control any reactions.

Having lesser amounts of hair to clean up also makes it less of a chore. If dog fur annoys you or you can’t stand it, you’ll want to check out alternative breeds.

Corgis are not hypoallergenic

Although corgis are perfect and quirky in their own ways, such as being protective, playful, bold, loyal, agile, and extremely smart, they (sadly) don’t have the attribute of a low-shed coat.

These dogs do offer a bountiful amount of positives, but for allergy sufferers, there are plenty of other breeds with similar dog characteristics as corgis.

If you’re an allergy sufferer with a corgi, please leave your tips below for others to read!

Hypoallergenic dogs similar to corgis

For those who just can’t get a corgi because of their reactions, there are other breeds that far well for sensitive individuals.

And they have a similar disposition in terms of behavior and personality to corgis.

Here are some alternative breeds worth considering:

• Poodle
• Bichon Frise
• Havanese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
• Chinese crested
• Maltese
• Shih Tzu
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Basenji
• Afghan Hound
• Bedlington Terrier

Further reading

Here are some references you may find helpful on your quest for the perfect dog:

• Hypoallergenic breeds of corgis? : corgi – Reddit
• Are there any corgi owners out there with dog allergies? – Reddit
• Dogs That Are Hypoallergenic – AKC

Corgis are not for people with allergies

Unless you only have mild symptoms or have your allergies under control, you should probably look elsewhere because corgis are excessive shedders and can make your time together very difficult.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other breeds that can suit your lifestyle. Corgis aren’t the only breed that’s playful, loyal, smart, and bold. There are plenty of other alternatives you can consider.

It shouldn’t be a question of corgi vs. another breed they’re all DOGS. The best friend a person can possibly get!

So don’t feel bad if you can’t get a corgi. You may even run into serendipity with some other awesome, caring, and loving breed you’ve never considered before.

If you have allergies and an alternative breed to suggest, drop a comment below to help out others!

Thanks for reading.

The short answer? You can’t.

The long answer? You can reduce the amount of fur (or “corgi glitter”) that’s shed.

The most you can do is alleviate some of the shedding by practicing various techniques that we’ll cover in this guide.

Last updated: 12/25/19.

You can’t stop the shedding

First and foremost, we need to address something that many new owners struggle with.

Making a corgi stop shedding is like asking a human to stop growing hair. It’s not going to happen, so you need to get out of that mindset.

If you purchased a corgi and had no idea that they shed so much surprise!

(And this is why people need to do their research before adopting a corgi or rehoming one.)

Corgi shedding is one of the top complaints from new dog owners and some poor corgies end up for adoption because the owner failed to do their due diligence.

Okay, so now that we got that out of the way, let’s go over some tips to reduce the shedding.

Why do corgis shed so much?

Corgis are actually one of the dogs that shed the most. For a dog that only stands at 12″ maximum on average, they sure do release a lot of fur for their size.

Some dog owners have even been able to collect enough corgi hair to make a life-sized corgi just from all the fur lying around.

They shed constantly throughout the year, with major shedding twice a year when the seasons change.

Changing seasons

They have a double-coat with very dense fur because they were evolved as a herding dog. The coat allows them to herd various animals in the cold and also swim in cold waters.

Corgis have two coats:

• The thick undercoat (where most of the hair is shed)
• The thinner guard coat

Most of the fur you’re dealing with comes from the inner coat. When the seasons change, this is when you’ll find everywhere (including your dinner!).

Corgis shed “twice” a year

When someone says that “corgis shed twice a year” this is exactly what they mean.

During the process, you’ll be cleaning up extra corgi fur around the home. There’s not much you can do about it as you can’t control the seasons.

The rest of the year, during off-peak season, there will be constant shedding as new hair replaces old hair. This is a natural process that occurs in nearly all dogs with hair.

Corgis shed once during the spring and again in the autumn. This is what people mean when they say “twice” a year.

But in reality, it’s more like all year long. Some areas may be very hot and another very cold, so the actual timeframe blurs.

You’ll probably notice some periods of the year where your dog sheds more than others. You should take note of these and mark them on your calendar so you know when to expect heavy shedding.

• The inner coat is used for the colder months, which is shed during the spring.
• The outer coat is used for the warmer months, which is shed during the autumn.

When do corgis shed?

They shed all year round, but especially during autumn and spring.

Winter

Corgis respond to changing temperatures and as days get colder in the winter, their fur coat will start producing MORE hair to prep them for the coming cold season.

Their coat becomes thicker and dense to shield them from colder temperatures.

Summer

After the cold season is over, they’ll shed off this extra coat to prepare for the warmer months.

After all, their coat can detect the change in temperature and will “blow” off so they don’t overheat in the hotter months.

Each change in season only lasts about a month and this is the peak time of year when they’ll blow their coat.

How to make your Corgi shed less

Here are some tips you can do right now to reduce the amount of hair your dog sheds.

1. Groom more often

This is the most effective technique to reduce corgi shedding, believe it or not. You’re probably saying:

• “But I already groom- twice per day!”
• “I take my corgi to professional groomers!”
• “I can’t groom any more!”

While you may already be on a regular grooming schedule, more grooming is always the answer.

The whole point of grooming is to remove dead and loose hair so it doesn’t get all over the place. The more you groom, the more you trap these hairpieces before they fly off the dog.

Rather than following a routine schedule, consider breaking up your grooming sessions into smaller ones, more frequently throughout the day.

So instead of one long session in the afternoon, do three smaller sessions focusing on different parts of the dog. Or three sessions covering the entire dog, but not as “in-depth.” Or if time isn’t an issue, do MORE sessions with MORE detail.

You don’t want to sacrifice how detailed you get with grooming just to do more sessions. The whole point is to get more grooming time with the same or more level of detail.

However, you can fit this into your schedule will benefit the dog and reduce the hair. It’s not rocket science.

The more you groom, the less loose hair is shed all over your home.

Here are some grooming tips:

• Groom with long strokes
• Don’t skip out on sensitive areas (neck, legs, etc.)
• Start with a detailed groom, then retrace your steps with a broad groom
• Brush your corgi’s coat at least once per day, twice with even hours split apart if possible

2. Bathe your corgi regularly

Corgis don’t need baths that often, as it removes beneficial oils and vitamins that they need.

However, this doesn’t mean you should keep putting it off and never bathe him until he’s had a day out in the rain.

You should stick to a routine bathing schedule, such as once every month.

During the bath, be sure to do “everything that you can” to remove dead hair and debris from the coat.

This process helps to alleviate some fur that’s caught and you may have missed when using a brush.

You’ll be able to do a “deep clean” to dislodge any dirt and hair that’s caught on your corgi’s coat.

Because you can only bathe every so often, take the opportunity to really get in there and clean up your corgi!

Here are some bathing tips:

• Use an organic or natural shampoo that has essential vitamins for corgis
• Check for deshedding shampoos
• Use your hands, fingers, and brushes during the bath to remove excess or lodged hair
• Use conditioners to provide the coat a nice finish that’s silky smooth
• Don’t skip out on the hair drying- use a hairdryer to remove water and blow out excess hair

3. Exercise your corgi

Corgis were made to move and are not fit for a sedentary lifestyle.

As you probably know, corgis need to be walked daily and a round of extreme exercise that gets your corgi tired out.

Simply walking the dog from point A to B isn’t going to cut it. They need to be physically and mentally stimulated. Every single day.

Think of playing fetch, getting the newspaper, frisbee, or maybe even chasing the ball out of an automatic fetch machine.

Anything that keeps the dog occupied, thinking and moving will be sufficient.

The benefit of this exercise is that it keeps the dog’s physical health in check, which directly affects the quality of the coat.

A corgi that’s healthy can easily be seen in the coat.

Yes, you can actually see if a dog’s unhealthy just by checking out the coat.

• Healthy dogs have healthy coats that are smooth, fluffy, and shine. They also shed less because each their coat has healthy hair follicles with the right amount of skin elasticity.
• Unhealthy dogs have patches, dead hair, matting, and dull, lifeless coats. They also tend to shed more due to these unhealthy habits.

Keeping your corgi healthy by regularly giving it the exercise it requires will directly help improve the coat quality, which will help reduce shedding.

4. Feed your corgi a high-quality diet

Just like exercise, ensuring that your corgi has a good diet will also contribute to a healthy coat. Choose a high-quality dog food made with natural or organic processes.

Some dog foods have additives and nutrients made just for helping dogs get a healthy coat. You can consider these dog foods, just be sure to do your research.

Poor nutrition or low-quality dog foods will affect the coat with time. Your corgi’s skin and coat are very sensitive to their nutrition, and you need to make sure you have the right amount of protein, fatty acids, and omega nutrients.

Did you know that up to 30% of your corgi’s daily protein intake goes to making new hair?

5. Hormones affect how much your corgi sheds

Hormones can also affect your corgi’s shedding. If your dog is pregnant, going into heat, or has been spayed or neutered recently, this can affect the coat.

A change in hormones has a profound effect on your dog’s coat, mainly because estrogen and testosterone both directly influence the hair follicles.

The good part about hormonal changes it that your corgi should return to normal shedding in a few months. If it continues, consult a vet.

6. Check for fleas

Fleas and ticks can both contribute to excess shedding. These will make your corgi start scratching uncontrollably, which will just lead to more and more shedding.

You should always be checking for fleas and ticks on your dog’s coat and look for the telltale signs of a flea problem.

If you’re unsure, take your corgi for a professional vet checkup.

7. Assess your corgi’s health

If you noticed that your corgi seems to be shedding more than usual lately, and it’s not a peak season, look for other signs that your corgi may be sick.

Sickness and stress both contribute to excess fur shedding, so if you notice that your corgi is showing signs of sickness, take him to the vet for a checkup.

Some common signs of corgi sickness:

• Change in behavior
• Lethargy, fatigue, or avoidance
• Unexpected aggression
• Excess drooling
• Constant pacing
• Straight or lowered tail

8. Check for allergies

Corgis can be allergic to specific objects or foods, which can be difficult to see at first.

Allergic dogs can result in additional shedding, which could explain why your corgi may have random fluctuations in how much it sheds over time.

If your corgi constantly scratches itself, has watery eyes, sneezes, or has patches of missing hair, these could be signs of allergies.

You’ll want to try to see what’s causing the allergies and eliminate it. Consult a vet for professional help.

When do corgis get their full coat?

Adult corgis will get their full coat twice a year, depending on how you define full. The shedding kicks in right around the seasons change. Because temperatures vary by state, there’s no exact time.

For most corgis, the two shedding periods take place from August to December, and then again from February to May.

The inner coat is for the colder months and this means the outer coat will be shed. This happens around autumn.

The outer coat is for the warmer months and the inner coat is shed. This happens around spring.

Both are considered “full” coats, but most people refer to the autumn coat for the winter, which usually happens right before the colder months.

Younger corgis may take a few years to develop a full and complete coat. You may notice short, finer hairs slowly change into fluffy coats.

Why is my corgi shedding so much?

This is likely because your dog is entering one of the two peak shedding seasons.

Either the inner coat is being shed to get ready for summer, or the outer coat is being shed to get ready for winter. If you’re not in either season, it could be due to allergies, hormones, exercise, stress, pain, grooming habits, bathing, or nutrient deficiency.

Do corgis ever stop shedding?

No, they never do. Corgis shed all year long with two peak periods where they’ll shed extra hair. This is just a fact of corgi life.

Learn to embrace the hair

There’s really nothing you can really do to stop the shedding.

You can reduce the amount of hair shed, but it’s definitely not feasible to constantly be brushing your corgi all day, vacuuming every hour, and exercising the dog every minute. It’s just not practical to stop the shedding because there aren’t enough hours in the day.

You’ll have to learn to embrace the hair (just call it corgi glitter and leave it at that), as trying to stop the hair won’t do a thing.

This is part of corgi ownership and should be something owners need to expect.

Further reading

Some additional resources that you may find useful are contained here. Feel free to check them out.

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi Facts – Hill’s Pet
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America
• Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Royal and Loyal – PSU

Did you reduce the amount of corgi glitter?

This tutorial should get you started on some actionable tips to help you get your corgi to shed less.

There’s no real way to directly stop your corgi from shedding.

You’ll need to learn to embrace the corgi hair!

However, with these tips, you can reduce the amount of fur that’s shed.

If you have any questions, leave a reply and I’ll get back to you with my thoughts! Or if you find inaccurate information, let me know also!