Grooming Styles for Cardigan Corgis

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes two types of corgis: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi, the older of the two breeds. The Cardigan Welsh corgi's coat comes in red, sable, brindle, black, and blue merle, which is a combination of colors in the coat. The breed is small and long with a large bone structure and deep chest, capable of speed and endurance.

  1. Regular Coat Care

    • Your corgi will shed a bit every day. Corgis have shedding season twice a year when they will lose a good deal of hair. You do not need to bathe your corgi frequently, as they have a dual-layer coat, with the top layer resistant to holding onto dirt or odor. You are best served by grooming your corgi two to three times a week with a sturdy brush. You can also take your corgi to a professional groomer to keep its coat brushed out. Pay attention to your corgi's ears to make sure the hair is trimmed.

    AKC Show Standard

    • The AKC sets standards for grooming a Cardigan Welsh corgi for show. Trimming of the dog in general is not allowed unless to tidy up around the paws, but a bushy coat is considered a flaw. Whiskers can be removed. The correct look for the coat of a show corgi is short hair on the ears, head and legs. Medium hair is the standard on the body. The coat should be a little longer on the backs of the thighs to give the look of "pants." The hair on underside of the tail should also be thicker than the body.

    Foot Care

    • Regular grooming of your corgi must include trimming the dog's nails. Every dog is different. You may very well be able to quickly clip your corgi's nails. You may also have a dog that does not like nail trimming. A professional groomer will have ways around a "touchy" corgi. You should also regularly trim the hair around your corgi's foot pads to keep the animal's traction on smooth surfaces like hard wood or tile floors.

    Shaving

    • Some people in warmer climates will shave dogs such as corgis that have thick coats to help the animal stay cool. Shaving a corgi is not recommended, especially in sunny climates since a corgi can get a sunburn just like a human. There are times when a veterinarian will have to shave your corgi for health reasons. It can take one or two shedding cycles for your corgi's hair to completely grow back. Be cautious with any exposed skin if you have a shaved patch on your Corgi.