When it’s summer, everything’s better. It means that your corgi dog will get to spend more time outside. You enjoy taking your dog along on beach outings, barbecues, camping trips, and more. Afterall, dogs are great companions.
In order to cope with the intense heat, you strip down to your bathing suit or shorts. If you don’t need all those layers, your corgi could probably use a haircut or trim, right? But can you shave a Corgi?
While it’s not a good idea to shave every dog, there are some dogs who may benefit from it. Shaving thick-coated breeds can help them cool off in the summer, when they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion.
Before you start shaving your corgi, make sure you have all the information you need. Make a mistake and you’ll permanently ruin the coat.
Shaving your corgi requires a solid understanding of a few fundamentals, which we’ll cover in this guide.
Shaving a Corgi: What You Should Know
Starting with corgis, shaving, and what to expect if you shave your corgi, we’ll go over the basics. Fortunately, the answer is simple:
Shaving a corgi is never a good idea. When the coat grows back, it’s possible that the topcoat and undercoat will mat together if you shave it back too much. In addition, it can reduce your corgi’s overall protection from the sun.
We’ll talk about how to do a light trim in the section that follows. But when it comes to shaving, it’s a big no-no!
You shouldn’t shave a corgi’s coat for five reasons:
• It can have a long-term effect on how the topcoat and undercoat grow back.
The undercoat, which is the dog’s first layer, is made up of dense, soft, and fluffy hairs with a wooly texture.
The primary function of the dog’s hair is to act as an insulator, keeping the dog comfortable all year round, regardless of the outside temperature. In terms of shedding, this is the most common layer.
Long ‘guard’ hairs make up the second, outer, or top coat of your dog, which gives it its color and protects it from harmful UV rays and bug bites. This layer doesn’t shed as much as the others.
Having a corgi with this type of coat means one thing: do not shave it. The idea that shaving your corgi’s coat will help him stay cool is a fallacy, especially in the heat of the season. Instead, your actions will have the opposite effect.
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• The coat may become matted and tangled as a result.
Your shaved Corgis’ undercoat hair grows back faster when shaved to the skin, crowding out the guard hairs (which tend to grow slowly). Your dog’s coat may become patchy and unappealing as a result of this treatment in the long run.
This means your dog will have a less luscious and thick coat than it did before. As a result, it will have a tendency to matting and become knotted.
In addition, when you shave the guard hairs, burrs and twigs will adhere to them, making them even more difficult to remove.
A poorly executed shave can also lead to painful matting and skin irritations such as hot spots for your dog if it isn’t done correctly.
• Sunburn is more likely to occur as a result of this.
UV rays from the sun and bug bites can be fended off by the dog’s top layer of fur.
If you shave your pet, you expose him to the elements, increasing his risk of skin lesions, sunburn, and even skin cancer.
As painful and costly as they may be, they may also take a long time to heal. Even after the hair has grown back, your dog may experience scaling and dandruff.
• There is no guarantee that it will aid in the process of shedding!
Shaving a corgi is commonly done in the hopes of reducing shedding, but this isn’t always the case. Your dog will continue to shed even after a haircut.
The undercoat will continue to grow unimpeded, resulting in even more shedding as a result of the protective layer being removed.
Moreover, shaving only reduces the amount of hair that your dog sheds. Dog hair can be more difficult to remove from your home if it’s piled up in small spikes rather than the normal length that your dog sheds.
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• It is extremely difficult to maintain a stable body temperature.
Shaven dogs do not cool down, contrary to popular belief amongst corgi owners. Instead, it’s possible that your dog will become less sensitive to heat.
As previously stated, your dog’s undercoat serves as an insulator for the dog’s skin, as stated in this article. Shaving disrupts the dog’s thermoregulation because it removes this protective layer.
Because the undercoat will grow back faster than the top coat after a shave and thus take over, you should avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary.
Despite the coat’s dense, soft texture, it will not reflect the sun’s rays. As a result, in hot weather, your dog will be more comfortable and his body temperature will rise.
Stress and panic can result if your dog is unable to regulate his body temperature. As a result, your corgi will be even more pleased with the results.
The final item is a significant one. Keeping a corgi cool is one of the most common reasons given for shaving. This is logical, but it doesn’t work that way!
To keep your corgi safe from the sun and in control of her own body temperature, she needs a double coat, despite how toasty it looks. All of this has to do with shedding and the significance of the various coat layers.
In fact, the double-coat keeps your corgi cool, so we don’t want to shave it down.
Should you Shave a Corgi?
Corgis may benefit from shaving or trimming their fur in certain situations. These are just a few examples:
Your dog may need topical treatment for a skin condition.
When your dog is scheduled to undergo surgery by a veterinarian. It’s possible that shaving will be required around the site of the incision or where the IV is inserted.
To prevent infection during or following the surgical procedure, it is common practice to remove all hair from the surgical site.
For the show ring, the AKC allows whiskers and feet to be trimmed. If your corgi is a show dog, it makes sense to trim or shave certain parts of his coat or body in accordance with the show’s guidelines.
Short-haired and long-haired Corgis are both varieties of the dog. The occasional shaving of long-haired corgis is acceptable.
Long fur is especially common on the ears, butts, and feet of wolves. You may have to trim them to match the rest of your body at times.
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Do Corgis Need Haircuts?
Now that shaving is out of the question, how about a haircut for Corgis? Is it necessary for corgis to get haircuts?
A small amount should be removed from the coat when trimming a Corgi’s hair. Trimming a dog’s coat can improve its overall grooming and reduce the amount of dirt that accumulates in it. Corgis are not required to have their hair cut.
Even though it may appear that way, a short haircut will make our lives easier when it comes to brushing and bathing your corgi. So, that’s definitely a plus.
It’s common practice to leave the hair longer on the face and body but trim it only lightly. A corgi with slightly shorter hair will have an easier time staying clean and free of dirt.
You can expect the following benefits from cutting your corgi’s hair:
• Can make brushing and bathing easier and more effective.
• When out for a walk, it can help keep your corgi clean.
• Reduces shedding by a small amount
If you’re looking for nothing more than a slight change in appearance for your corgi, then getting him a haircut is probably not the best idea.
Is It Safe to Cut Your Corgi’s Hair at Home?
Next, you’ll need to figure out how to get your corgi’s hair trimmed. Is it simple enough to perform at home? The groomers may still be necessary, or is it no longer necessary?
No matter how minor the grooming needs are, it’s best to leave your corgi in the hands of an expert. It’s not easy to figure out where and how to cut the hair.
Hair cuts can be as painful as shaves if done incorrectly or too short in certain places. In addition, a professional groomer will be able to distinguish between a dog’s top coat and its undercoat.
It’s true, however, that some groomers go overboard. If you want to avoid having a shaved corgi or cut short, it’s important to tell your groomer exactly what you want done. As for doing it at home, that’s not a good idea.
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This video below is all about how to groom your corgi yourself at home!
Corgi Grooming Styles
There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to this breed’s hairstyles, so do your research first.
The double coat of the corgi, for example, makes it weatherproof. Because of their role in sheepherding in the 1100s, corgis shed frequently. This means that a daily brushing or combing with a comb or brush is recommended to remove dead hair.
Taking care of a corgi is good for you, too. There are ways to keep the shedding from getting into your carpet, clothing or food if you have a vacuum cleaner!
Corgis have an official “shedding season” in addition to their daily shed-fests. Expect a tenfold increase in shedding in late spring and early summer. Start giving them baths on a regular basis to help lighten your furry load during this time.
Consider the type of shampoo and conditioner you use before bathing your corgi. For thick coats, some may be more appropriate.
Make sure your corgi is completely dry before brushing them out to avoid tangling their hair. As the undercoat is removed through raking, your corgi’s hair will be lighter and more suitable for the summer months.
People with Cardigan corgis, on the other hand, sometimes make the mistake of cutting their fur too short in the summer to keep them cool.
Intriguingly, a corgi’s body needs more hair to keep its temperature normal and keep out the elements. Corgis are known to get sunburns!
Cardigans, on the other hand, have a tendency to retain heat because of their dark fur. Keep your corgi hydrated during the hottest months of the year.
Your corgi pup is ready to shine! Here are the most popular corgi hairstyles.
The Best Corgi Haircuts
• Fluffy Haircut
Even if your corgi has an attitude, the rest is simple if it is long-haired or fluffy (sometimes found in the Pembroke breed).
Make your corgi hair glamorous with this voluminous, fluffy style. For this look, groomers must cut the hair evenly and then use a “line brushing” to fluff it out.
Using a soft wire brush, begin at the bottom of the fur and work your way up, guiding the brush in the direction of the fur.
It’s a common practice among dog show professionals because it not only detangles and loosens dead hair, but it also fluffs up the fur. As a result, the coat appears to be silky and full of life.
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• Natural Haircut
Corgi hair does not need to be trimmed frequently. It’s because of this that their natural length is ideal for both the summer and winter months.
However, because of the constant shedding that occurs in corgi households, it is recommended that they be brushed out regularly.
Many things can be deduced from the amount and frequency with which corgis shed. Excessive shedding can be a sign of both stress and poor nutrition. If you’re unsure of what constitutes “too much,” speak with your veterinarian.
• Simple Trimming
The dog days of summer are the perfect time to trim a corgi’s hair to keep it understated. Owners of corgis often prefer to keep the rest of the dog’s hair shorter and leave the ears and fur around the face longer.
Summer is a great time to keep their hair away from the ground so they don’t bring in a lot of dirt from playing outside!
Going beyond the initial hairdo is part of grooming. Even if you have your dog groomed by a professional or do it yourself, this is a great time to check for any infections or abnormalities in the ears.
A dog’s paws can be damaged by overgrown nails. The health of a dog’s ears, on the other hand, is no less critical. Here they get their superhuman ability to hear!
Is it possible for the hair on a Corgi to regrow?
Regrowth of hair is usually unaffected by light trimming. Even if a corgi is shaved down to the skin, hair will still grow back, but it will be matted and bound.
Why does shaving lead to mating?
Due to the different growth rates of the undercoating and the topcoating, mating occurs. When the undercoat grows through the topcoat, mating and tangling are the inevitable results.
Your corgi’s hair will typically take several weeks, if not months, to grow back to its original length. Obviously, the amount shaved off has an effect.
The process of hair growth can be slow, but if your corgi is in good health and does not have a compromised immune system, it will eventually occur.
Will the hair on your Corgi get fluffier?
Being able to make your corgi fluffier is a common desire amongst dog owners. Is it possible to permanently make the hair fluffier? No, unfortunately.
Corgis hair will not become fluffier if you cut it. If the first cut is done evenly, the hair may appear softer and fuller for a short period of time, but it will not grow back fluffier.
Grooming and nutrition play a role in fluffy hair, but genetics play the largest role. As a result of carrying a recessive gene, some corgis are significantly fluffier than normal.
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What to Do if Your Corgi Accidentally Gets a Shave?
You or the groomers may have unintentionally shaved your corgi, so what should you do? How to shave a Corgi safely?
First and foremost, don’t be alarmed! Even though it’s not a good idea to shave your corgi, it’s not the end of the world if you do.
This slow regrowth coat will require additional tender loving care and frequent, gentle brushing to prevent matting or binding.
Brushing the coat on a regular basis as it grows back in length is critical. An undercoat rake is probably the best brush to use for this task.
Because of the close spacing of the teeth, I would not recommend using a de-shedder in this situation. The rake’s teeth are wide enough apart to aid in detanglement, rather than deshing.
The only other option is to make an appointment with a groomer for additional advice (or a different one if the incident occurred at the groomers!) or ask your pet’s veterinarian for advice.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and it will take a long time to grow back. Keep an eye out for mating and tangles.
Also, if it’s hot, keep your corgi from sunbathing or spending too much time outside. Shorn corgis will only make you and your dog hotter. Avoiding sunburn is also essential.
5 Ways to Keep Your Corgi’s Coat Healthy
Let’s take a look at some helpful hints for maintaining a healthy and attractive coat on your corgi.
• Avoid excessive bathing
Even though taking a bath is unavoidable, it’s best not to overdo it. Your corgi’s coat will quickly lose its natural oils if you bathe her too frequently.
This will cause her skin and coat to become dry and brittle, making it appear dull, dirty, and greasy. Keep bathing your corgi no more than every other month.
• Brush on a regular basis
Consistent brushing of your dog skin and coat improves her overall well-being. It’s something that many owners don’t do enough.
For 10 minutes at a time, brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week, if not more frequently. When it comes to dealing with shedding and getting rid of dead hair, it’s important to do so frequently.
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• Supplementation with omega-3s
Taking a high-quality fish oil supplement (omega 3) for general health and well-being is a common practice among many pet owners.
Omega 3 contributes to the health of the brain, heart, and immune systems, as well as the strength, radiance, and health of the skin and coat. Consult your veterinarian before taking fish oil supplements. This is the option that we prefer.
• Wipes for the bathroom
Baby wipes or doggy grooming wipes are both acceptable options. You can give your corgi a mini-bath by wiping down his coat once a week, but you won’t have to use shampoo.
Wiping is a great way to keep her coat clean and shiny, even though it isn’t a substitute for bathing. Doing it is a worthwhile investment of time and effort!
• Shampoo with natural ingredients
Your dog coat’s appearance and feel can be greatly influenced by the shampoo you use. A laundry list of potentially harmful ingredients can be found in the majority of dog shampoos, including alcohols, detergents, fragrances, parabens, and so on.
You should only use a dog shampoo with natural ingredients. These are much gentler on the hair and don’t strip the coat of its natural oils.
Final Thoughts
Shaving a Corgi is not a good idea. Shaving has a number of drawbacks, including the risk of her hair regrowing incorrectly.
It’s possible that shaving the coat will make your corgi more susceptible to sunburn, and it’s unlikely to keep her cool in the summer.
Despite the fact that corgis are allowed to have haircuts and light trims, they are not required to do so. Trimming a dog’s coat may improve hygiene, grooming, and reduce shedding.
If you accidentally shave your corgi’s coat, you’ll need to keep a close eye on how it grows back. Brushing frequently will be necessary to prevent it from becoming tangled and matted. To get even more advice, take your pet to the groomer.
How do you keep your Corgi’s health and grooming? Share your tips and tricks by commenting below!
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