You may never have heard of a Fluffy Corgi. These little treasures are not common and you’re quite unlikely to come across one on your daily walk.
If you have been lucky enough to meet a Fluffy Corgi, you may have been left wanting to know more about them. And on that note, here’s all you need to know about the Fluffy Corgi…..
Table of Contents
1. What is a Fluffy Corgi?
A Fluffy Corgi is in fact a normal Corgi with a long, fluffy coat. This can be either a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi (more about these later).
Both Corgi breeds come with a short, thick coat as standard, but very occasionally a puppy will be born with a longer and fluffier coat than all the others. This fluffiness is due to a recessive gene that the puppy has inherited from its parents.
Recessive genes are only expressed if the puppy inherits two copies, one from each parent. If a puppy inherits a recessive ‘fluffy coat’ gene from one parent and a dominant ‘short coat’ gene from the other parent, the puppy will have a short coat.
For this reason, Fluffy Corgis have always been quite rare. However, their stunning looks have started to become more popular and breeders are finding increasing demand for these lovely little dogs.
2. The History of the Fluffy Corgi
There are two Welsh Corgi breeds- the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. While they may look similar, the breeds have distinctly different histories.
Although they have different origins, the two Corgi types were allowed to interbreed until 1934, when they were formally recognized as individual breeds.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is thought to descend from Spitz-type dogs, brought to Wales by Scandinavian raiders and Flemish settlers in the 9th-11th Century. These were bred with the local livestock herding dogs resulting in the ancestors of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Many of the Spitz breeds have long, fluffy coats due to the cold climate from which they originate, it is possible that the recessive ‘Fluffy Corgi’ gene comes from these Corgi ancestors.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is thought to be much older than the Pembroke. The breed may have originated as far back as 3,000 years ago when Celtic tribes migrated from central Europe to Wales. They brought with them ‘Teckel’ type, long-bodied dogs that were also the ancestor of the Dachshund.
Over time, herding ability was selected and Cardigan Welsh Corgis became master livestock herding dogs, their low stature meaning they could stay well away from the kicks of the cows they were herding!
They were also used as droving dogs to guard the farm, and as family pets. It is no wonder that Corgis are so adaptable.
3. What do Fluffy Corgis look like?
Fluffy corgis are small- medium sized dogs with long backs and short legs. They have long muzzles and erect ‘bat’ ears. If you have a Fluffy Cardigan Welsh Corgi, then your dog will have a tail.
The Fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually born with a tail but it may be docked, depending on which country the puppy was born in.
The Fluffy Corgi has a long, luxurious coat with fluffy hair around the ears, on the chest, and on the legs. They come in a wide variety of colours, including sable, red and white, tri-colored, blue merle, fawn, brindle and white, black and tan, or black and white.
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Credit: obi.wan.thecorgi
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lifespan:
colors:
sable, red, white, blue merle, fawn, brindle, black, tan
height:
weight:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
4. Fluffy Corgi Temperament
Fluffy Corgis (both Pembroke and Cardigan) are intelligent dogs, bred to work closely with their handlers and follow instructions. However, herding work also requires a dog to think on its feet and be independent, so Fluffy Corgis are loyal without being needy.
Corgis are lively and energetic, they need a moderate amount of exercise and despite those little legs, they will enjoy a day hiking in the hills. They are adaptable and will happily live in the city or the countryside.
Bred to protect the farm, Corgis are vocal watchdogs and are often described as being ‘big dogs in little bodies’ as they can be quite fearless when defending their territory.
Care should be taken not to let your Fluffy Corgi take his protective duties too seriously. Corgis can be great family dogs if raised with children, however, their herding instinct can sometimes result in the tendency to herd children, this may cause a problem if not managed well.
Fluffy Corgis are independent dogs and generally won’t mind being left alone for short periods if they are gradually accustomed to it. However, they do become bored easily and may become destructive if left for too long.
5. Fluffy Corgi Training Requirements
Corgis have sharp minds and will require regular training, especially when young. The good news is that Fluffy Corgis are usually easy to train and keen to engage with their owner.
As well as basic commands, training a good recall means your dog will be able to have more freedom off the lead. Like all dogs, Fluffy Corgis respond best to kind, reward-based training methods.
If you enjoy training and wish to take on more of a challenge, Fluffy Corgis are capable of taking part in higher-level activities such as agility or rally obedience.
Early socialization is really important, your Fluffy Corgi puppy should be introduced to a wide variety of people and other dogs from an early age.
Build confidence and resilience by taking your puppy out and about and letting them experience the world around them. Make sure all experiences are positive and avoid letting your puppy become overwhelmed.
6. How much exercise does a Fluffy Corgi need?
Fluffy Corgis are active dogs who require moderate amounts of exercise. This means that although they don’t need to run for hours each day, they do like to be kept busy.
On average 1-2 hours of exercise should be sufficient, this can be a mixture of on-leash and off-leash walks, play and training exercises, and/or backyard agility.
7. Grooming and care of the Fluffy Corgi
As you would expect, the Fluffy Corgi does require more grooming than his short-haired relatives. Not only is that coat long and luxurious, it is also very thick. Corgis are a double-coated breed, meaning they have a thick undercoat underneath the longer topcoat.
Interestingly, Fluffy Corgis often have a finer undercoat than short-haired Corgis and this can mean that they shed a little less. However, Corgis in general do shed a lot!
Fluffy Corgis require daily grooming to remove mats and dead hair that can accumulate, especially during the shedding season. Grooming is best done using a slicker brush and a comb.
The most effective way of grooming your Fluffy Corgi is to use the ‘line combing’ method, where you hold a section of hair upwards and gradually comb it downwards in sections, resulting in a visible straight line where you can see your dog’s skin.
This method enables you to effectively remove the dead undercoat. You can also use a ‘furminator’ grooming tool to remove the undercoat- this is helpful during the shedding season.
You should give your Fluffy Corgi a daily health check to keep them in tip-top condition and spot any problems early. A daily health check should include the following:
Check the eyes for signs of irritation or discharge. Eyes should be open and bright.
Check inside the ears for signs of smelly, waxy discharge, swelling, or irritation. Excess hair inside the ear can also cause a problem. If your dog is scratching at his ears, shaking his head, or holding one ear lower than the other, contact your vet for advice.
Check your dog’s teeth for signs of yellow, brown, or black tartar build-up, red gums, loose teeth, excessive drooling, or smelly breath. Brush your Fluffy Corgis teeth daily using a special dog toothpaste.
Check your dog’s skin and coat for lumps, sores, itchiness, or parasites.
8. The Fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs the Fluffy Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The two Corgi breeds may look fairly similar, but there are a few subtle differences that are helpful to know.
Although both breeds are roughly the same height, the Cardigan is a stockier dog and tends to weigh a bit more. Cardigans also come in a wider range of colors than the Pembroke, which tend to be red and white, tri-color, or sable.
Another noticeable difference is that the Cardigan Welsh corgi has a long tail, whereas the Pembroke’s tail is traditionally docked in countries where docking is legal.
The two Corgi breeds have a similar temperament, although the Pembrokes tend to be a bit more confident and outgoing than the Cardigans.
9. Does the American Kennel Club recognise Fluffy Corgis?
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, the Corgi coat should be short-medium length and mostly straight, although some waviness is permitted. The coat should be thick and lie flat.
Fluffy coats are considered to be a serious fault if you are considering breeding or showing your Corgi. For this reason, Fluffy Corgis are usually pet dogs as they aren’t successful in the show ring.
10. Can Fluffy Corgis Swim?
Although Fluffy Corgis like to splash about in shallow water, they are not naturally strong swimmers due to their short legs and barrel-shaped chests so care should be taken near deep water.
That said, some Fluffy Corgis do learn to swim and thoroughly enjoy it- just make sure they are well supervised.
11. What should you feed a Fluffy Corgi?
Fluffy Corgis should be fed a good quality commercial diet- the best you can afford. Most commercial diets are developed with vets and nutritionists to ensure they are healthy and balanced.
Avoid food with artificial fillers and additives, these are not good for dogs. You can feed your Fluffy Corgi kibble or canned food, or a combination of both. Some owners choose to feed their dog raw food while others prepare home-cooked meals.
If you prepare your dog’s meals yourself, it may be wise to get the input of a professional canine nutritionist to ensure your dog’s diet is balanced.
Most adult dogs do well when fed 1-2 times per day, with the occasional snack or long-lasting chew. Corgis do have a tendency to put on weight so take care not to overfeed them, you may need to go easy on the snacks!
12. Does the Fluffy Corgi have any health issues?
While Fluffy Corgis tend to be healthy dogs, there are a few inherited conditions that they may be more prone to.
The key is to source your puppy from a reputable breeder who takes their responsibility seriously. Parents should be health tested before breeding and the breeder should be able to explain the results of these health tests. Health conditions to be aware of include:
- Hip dysplasia – a hereditary condition that causes the hip joint to be malformed, causing pain and mobility issues.
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM) – also a hereditary condition, this disease affects the spinal cord and results in gradual hind limb weakness and eventual paralysis. Parent dogs can be tested to see if they are DM clear, at risk or definite DM carriers.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – dogs with long backs are more at risk of this illness, which results in bulging or rupturing of the spinal discs. IVDD can be mild, but more severe cases may require surgery.
- Hypothyroidism – an abnormality of the thyroid gland. Dogs with hypothyroidism suffer weight gain, skin and coat issues, lethargy and behavioral problems such as irritability and aggression.
- Von Willebrand’s disease – an inherited blood clotting disorder.
Although many health issues can be avoided by ensuring you only buy from a reputable breeder, some problems may only develop later in the dog’s life.
Very often, behavioral changes are the first sign of a medical problem. If you do notice any changes to your Fluffy Corgis behavior or if you have any concerns about their health, contact your vet.
13. Where can I get a Fluffy Corgi from?
It is very difficult to intentionally breed a Fluffy Corgi puppy- they usually appear randomly in a litter of normal Corgi puppies.
If you have your heart set on Fluffy Corgi, you should be prepared to wait. Contact Corgi breeders in your area and explain what you are looking for, they should be happy to take your details to contact you if they happen to have a Fluffy puppy in a litter (or know another breeder who has one!).
There is a list of Corgi breeders on the American Kennel Club website. Alternatively, you could contact your local Corgi breed club to inquire if they know of any Fluffy Corgi puppies for sale. If you are considering rescuing a Fluffy Corgi, they may also know of Fluffy Corgis needing new homes.
Most breed clubs will have a website and a Facebook page. You will also find many dedicated Corgi owners’ clubs and groups on Facebook and other social media platforms, this may be a good place to get advice.
Another option is to contact specialist Corgi breed rescue organizations to see if they have, or know of, any Fluffy Corgis for adoption.
Non-breed-specific rescue centers are unlikely to have Fluffy Corgis coming in as they are so rare, but it would be a good idea to do a search of the pet adoption websites such as Adoptapet, Petfinder and RescueMe.
For more pet adoption websites click here.
These websites allow you to conduct a breed and location-specific search so you can quickly see if there are any Fluffy Corgis in your area. You also have the option to set up email alerts to let you know when any dogs that fit your criteria are listed.
Suggested reading: How to find a reputable dog breeder
14. How much do Fluffy Corgis cost?
Fluffy Corgis are rare and this means they often command premium prices. You can expect to pay around $2500 or even slightly more for a well bred puppy.
15. Pros and Cons of owning a Fluffy Corgi
Pros
- Very trainable
- Loyal and independent
- Affectionate
- Doesn’t mind being left alone for short periods
- Can live in the city or the country
- Good life expectancy
Cons
- Gets bored easily so needs to be kept busy
- Can be vocal and territorial
- Can have a tendency to herd children
- Requires regular grooming or the coat will mat
- Sheds a lot
- Some inherited diseases to be aware of
16. Is the Fluffy Corgi the right breed for you?
Adaptable, independent, loyal, and full of character, the Fluffy Corgi is a great dog to have around. They need dedicated owners who can ensure their exercise and training needs are met- as, with all intelligent dogs, they need to be kept occupied.
If you would like a Fluffy Corgi as a family dog, ensure your puppy does not learn to herd children- you will need to channel his herding instinct into other activities.
If you are looking for a medium-sized dog with a big personality and you don’t mind a bit of extra grooming and vacuuming, then maybe the Fluffy Corgi is just the dog for you.
If you’re undecided then take a look at some of our other unusual breed profile articles, you might be interested in learning more about the long-haired Dalmatian, the Parti Yorkie, the Doberdoodle, or the Liver German Shepherd.
