As a pet owner of a cute, sometimes funny Corgi, I often find my little dog trying out new positions to relax. But when my pet lays flat on its stomach with its legs spread out, it worries me and makes me wonder: “Why is my Corgi splooting?”
Corgis sploot for a variety of reasons but the main reason is to relax in a comfortable position. It helps them stretch their legs and stay flexible. On hot summer days, splooting also helps keep your Corgi’s body cool.
Read on to learn more about Corgi splooting and what you can do about it.
What is Splooting and Why Do Corgis Sploot So Much?
For those who don’t know the meaning of splooting, it is when your adorable pet lays on its stomach with all its legs spread out.
Entertaining to say, the splooting behavior is the act of a dog stretching out its legs rather than curling them beneath them. This position is also known as the “frog-leg” position.
While there is no particular reason why dogs sploot, pet owners have deduced a few reasons, including comfort, stretching, and cooling down.
If you see your Corgi in this position, you shouldn’t worry because it is a natural instinct for them. Additionally, they look as if they are tired from the day and need a nap.
However, if your Corgi is splooting too frequently, it can be a sign of bone and joint issues, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. You must pay close attention to your Corgi’s behavior to spot signs of discomfort.
When you know the common health problems relating to Corgi splooting, you can help your dog and get veterinary assistance if required.
Here are some common reasons for Corgi splooting.
1. Stretching
One of the most common reasons for Corgis laying down flat on their stomach is a nice, long stretch.
They use the splooting position to stretch out their legs because they spend most of their day with their legs curled up. This helps them relax their feet and have a good night’s sleep.
While Corgis don’t generally develop orthopedic problems, this position helps alleviate their muscle or joint pains that may develop over time.
2. Relaxing
A Corgi puppy tends to do the sploot for relaxing its muscles. A puppy sploot helps them become more flexible without hurting their legs and hips in any way.
Since puppies are more active than older dogs, they need their relaxing time to regain their energy.
In fact, splooting dogs have strong hip flexors. Puppies grow up with this habit till dog splooting becomes second nature to them.
3. It’s a Way to Cool Down
Have you ever seen your Corgi lay down on the tiles at home on a hot summer day? Splooting in the summer doesn’t happen by chance.
It is a subconscious strategy of your furry friend to lower their body temperature. Corgis don’t respond well to hot temperatures because of their thick, furry coat.
When Corgis sploot on the tiles or on a shady concrete area, they get closer to the ground. It helps them balance their body temperature with the colder surface.
You should look out for signs of dehydration when your Corgi is splooting in hot weather. Make sure that they remain hydrated to keep them healthy and comfortable.
If your Corgi stopped splooting or doesn’t sploot at all, it’s not unusual. They might prefer a different position to get comfortable.
4. Release Tension
Splooting is a great way for dogs to release tension. Just like people have a relaxing position to sleep in, Corgis have their preference as well.
If your Corgi is splooting too often, it is a sign that they’re enjoying it. Additionally, splooting helps increase your Corgi’s mobility by opening the hips.
5. They’re Asking For Your Attention
I’m sure you didn’t expect that! As a loving Corgi parent, I can’t resist petting my dog when it’s laying flat on its stomach. And my dog knows that very well by now. Every time he wants attention from me, he will start splooting.
If your pet is splooting at the sight of you, he’s probably asking for some attention. Take this opportunity to spend time with your pup and develop a strong bond.
Is Splooting a Corgi thing?
Even though Corgi is credited with splooting, it is not only a Corgi thing. Many dog breeds like to lay flat on their stomach to relax their muscles. Depending on their level of flexibility, almost all dogs and cats can sploot.
Splooting gives dogs a sense of security and comfort. This position helps them feel more relaxed, while still monitoring their surroundings.
Even though it might seem like your dog is in a snooze mood, the splooting position makes your dog stay relatively alert because their ears are above the ground to take everything in.
Is Splooting Bad for Dogs?
There is no evidence indicating that splooting is bad for dogs. In fact, splooting is considered a good sign for Corgis to have that movement in their hips.
Some dogs aren’t flexible enough to sploot, and others can’t sploot as they get older. If your dog is splooting, let him be and take in the cuteness. Don’t try to stop them because it can cause physical issues in your pet.
However, it can be a cause for concern if your Corgi normally sploots and has suddenly stopped doing it. It can be a sign of pain or discomfort. In that case, you should take a visit to the pet.
Does Splooting Mean Hip Dysplasia?
While some dogs sploot their legs to relax in pain, others try to avoid splooting because of the pain. Splooting can mean hip dysplasia in some dogs. The thing to look out for is sudden changes in your dog’s behavior.
If a splooting dog suddenly stops splooting or if a dog that doesn’t sploot starts to do it, it can be a sign of hip dysplasia.
Why is it Called Splooting?
The word sploot has become a popular name among pet parents in recent years. But why is it called splooting and where did the term splooting come from?
There was a recent article in The Washington Post, where they described how the word came into existence.
It suggested that sploot is a mix of the words “splay” and “scoot” since both these words have a similar meaning of spread out in a low position. The two words perfectly express the splooting position taken up by our little pets.
There is another possibility that sploot comes from the word “splat.” This explanation is based on the fact that Corgis look like they are splattered on the floor with their legs spread out.
Is it Normal for Puppies to Sploot?
If your puppy sploots a lot, it means that its hips are healthy. Puppies actually enjoy lying in the sploot position because it gives greater flexibility to their hips. It does not indicate any problem in your pup in any way.
In fact, it might be abnormal for puppies not to sploot. It can be a sign that indicates their hips are not completely developed yet. Or, they might not be as flexible to get into this position.
If you notice anything weird about your puppy’s behavior, you must take it to the vet for a check-up.
Different Variations of the Sploot
There’s no doubt that Corgi splooting is one of the most adorable things to look at. But did you know that there are different variations to this position? You’ll be surprised to know that there are 3 variations of splooting in Corgis.
Let’s look at the different types of splooting:
1. Half Sploot
When your dog sploots with only one leg, it is known as a half sploot. The other leg remains curled under the body, just like the sleeping position.
The half sploot is a way of stretching for dogs rather than when the Corgi is fast asleep.
2. Full Sploot
When the Corgi stretches out its hind legs behind, it is known as a full sploot. Some Corgis can even sploot both their hind and front legs. This position is popularly known as a “Pancake Sploot” because it looks like a flat pancake lying on the floor.
3. Reverse Sploot
The reverse sploot is an upside-down sploot when your Corgi lies on its back with its legs extending out behind its body.
This position is usually not preferred by most dogs, but Corgis like to flop over on their backs for stretching and belly scratching.
Other Dog Breeds That Also Sploot
Corgis aren’t the only dog breed that sploot. While Corgis have made splooting famous on social media, there are several other dog breeds that love to sploot for relaxing. Theoretically, any dog breed can sploot, especially puppies.
However, there are some breeds that are likely to sploot throughout their lives. Others don’t have a natural instinct to sploot.
Here are some of the dog breeds that are known to sploot:
● French Bulldogs
● English Bulldogs
● Pitbulls
● Daschunds
● Pitbulls
● Chihuahuas
● German Shepherds
● Newfoundlands
● Pug
● Basset Hounds
● Boxers
According to research, most small breed dogs are prone to have hip dysplasia, so if your dog is splooting too much, it can be a sign of pain.
Why Does Your Corgi Not Sploot?
Just because all Corgis can sploot doesn’t mean that they like to do it. It’s just that they aren’t comfortable in that position.
Think of it from our perspective: some people like to sleep on their side and some people like to sleep on their backs. The same goes for our little Corgis.
Some factors that make splooting uncomfortable for Corgis are weight, rigid hips because of age, or sore muscles.
No matter the reason, if your dog doesn’t sploot, don’t force them to do so because it can cause injury and even affect your bond with it.
Final Thoughts
Corgi splooting is a natural behavior that helps Corgis relax at the end of the day. It is a sign of comfort as it stretches all the muscles in your dog’s body. If your Corgi is splooting, it is not a sign of discomfort unless it is a sudden behavior.
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