The Ultimate Guide On The Stunning Fluffy Corgi

Corgis are some of the most popular dogs in the world. Usually, people know Corgis as Pembrokes and Cardigans. But there is another interesting Corgi called the fluffy Corgi.

Fluffy Corgis are a variety of the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. They have the “fluffy gene”, which is a recessive gene mutation that causes them to have longer hair than usual. But these dogs can also have some other differences.

• What Is A Fluffy Corgi?
• When Can You Tell If A Corgi Is A Fluffy?
• Appearance – What Do These Dogs Look Like?
• Temperament – As Loving As It Is Fluffy
• Are Fluffy Corgis Healthy?
• Taking Care Of A Fluffy Corgi
• Do Fluffy Corgis Cost More?

What Is A Fluffy Corgi?

At its core, a fluffy Corgi is a normal Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi born with a long coat. Besides having a long coat, this dog should also carry the fluffy gene.

Where Does It Come From?

Fluffy Corgis were created due to the ancestral connection of Corgis with the Spitz dogs. This group of dogs is known for their fluffy double coats. It includes breeds like Chow Chow, Pomeranian, and even the Swedish Vallhund which is considered a cousin to the Corgi.

When we talk about the broader history, Corgis originate from Wales, where they were kept as herding dogs. The Pembroke and the Cardigan Corgi were split into two different breeds around the 1800s. Pembrokes were officially accepted by the AKC in 1934, and Cardigans in 1935. The fluffy Corgis are not accepted by the AKC and are considered faulty.

Genetics Of A Fluffy Corgi

The reason for the fluffiness of these dogs is the inherited “fluff-gene”, also called the FGF5 gene. This is an autosomal recessive gene, inherited from parents that might not be fluffy, but are carriers of the gene. Only if both parents have that same gene, a fluffy puppy can be created. Even then, only 25% of the litter will be fluffy. If only one parent has the gene, it will give it to its offspring to carry it further.

These dogs are not bred intentionally, but they are still born from time to time. Even though breeders don’t like them for competitions, some people like their Corgis with a little more fluff.

When Can You Tell If A Corgi Is A Fluffy?

Around the age of 2-3 weeks, the effects of the FGF5 gene will start to have an effect. The puppy will start having longer hair, softer, and fluffier hair all over its body including its ears, chest, legs, and feet. There will also be noticeable changes in the coat itself.

The double coat of the Corgi will start changing. Its undercoat will become thinner, and its top coat will start getting longer. In time, it will look different from a standard Corgi.

Appearance – What Do These Dogs Look Like?

Fluffy Corgi puppies will be born looking just like a standard Corgi. But with time, they will start showing their differences. Fluffy Pembrokes are smaller, with fox-shaped heads, and erect ears. These Corgis are born with tails but usually have them docked early on in their lives. Fluffy Cardigans are larger, with longer tails, wider fox-shaped heads, and larger rounded ears. Their eyes are oval-shaped, with Cardigans having them larger. Sometimes Corgis are born with blue eyes. This usually happens in blue merle Corgis.

Size

The size of fluffy Corgis is the same as the standard Corgi, depending on the breed. The fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgis are 10-12 inches tall, and up to 30 pounds heavy. The fluffy Cardigan Welsh Corgis are 10.5-12.5 inches tall, and 30-38 pounds heavy.

Coat And Colors

The most distinct change in the coat is its length. A long coat on their chest, legs, hindquarters, and ears can be noticed. Standard Corgis usually have a medium-sized double coat. 

When it comes to color, fluffy Corgis have the same color as their non-fluffy siblings. Fluffy Pembrokes can come in fawn, red, sable, and black and tan colors. The Cardigan fluffy Corgi can come in a mix of black, white, brindle, red, sable, or blue merle. Both dogs also have white markings on their bodies.

Temperament – As Loving As It Is Fluffy

Fluffy Corgis have the same temperament as their less fluffy siblings. Because they were bred as working dogs, they have high energy levels and need a lot of activity. Cardigans are considered to be a bit more laidback than Pembrokes.

Corgis are also a very affectionate breed and love being around their family. Because of this Corgis shouldn’t be left alone for long as they will develop separation anxiety. 

Both dogs are very intelligent, however, they are also stubborn. They are also very adaptable, making them easy to keep in a big house, or a small apartment. Due to their herding history, these dogs are very vocal and tend to “herd” people by nipping at their feet.

Are Fluffy Corgis Healthy?

The fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a life expectancy of around 12-13 years. The fluffy Cardigan Corgi will live around 12-15 years. Fluffy Corgis don’t have any additional health problems due to their genetic mutation. However, they can still have some diseases common in Corgis. Some of those include: 

• Intervertebral Disc Disease – This is a disease of the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae in the spine. Dogs with this disease feel pain in their back and neck. They might also develop weakness in the hind limbs, paralysis, or urinary incontinence.
• Hip Dysplasia – This is a joint disease that attacks the joints of the hip. It happens because the hip joints develop improperly in the ball and socket joints. You will notice your dog limping and having difficulty walking. This is because it will have pain in the affected joint.
• Von Willebrand Disease – This is a genetic blood disease that happens because of a deficiency in the Von Willebrand factor. This factor helps platelets with clotting. Without this factor, dogs will start bleeding easily after minor trauma and even have spontaneous bleeds.
• Cataracts – This eye disease develops when the lens of the eye becomes opaque. It is mostly an inherited disease that affects the sight of the dog. In the end, the dog might end up going blind.

Taking Care Of A Fluffy Corgi

When it comes to care needs, this pup doesn’t have any additional needs compared to standard Corgis, except for the grooming part.

Nutrition

On average, Fluffy Corgis will need around 1-2 cups of dog food every day. This can spit into more meals throughout the day. You should find dog food that is from a reliable company like Pedigree or Purina. Because they are so small and love food, Corgis are prone to obesity. You should watch out for how much food you give them to avoid this.

When it comes to nutrition, you should feed your pup food that has a lot of protein and fewer carbs. It should have a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids to keep it healthy. Ideally, you should find food formulated for a healthy coat. Avoid foods with artificial fillers and additives.

Exercise And Training

When it comes to exercise needs, comparing a fluffy Corgi vs a regular Corgi will show that both need equal amounts of exercise. On average, Corgis need around 1 hour of exercise daily. This should be split into two sessions, in the morning and in the evening. You can do a simple walk to the park, or more strenuous exercise like running and playing games.

These dogs are very intelligent and will be able to learn a lot of commands. The problem is that they are very stubborn and training will take a lot of persistence. You need to start socialization and obedience training early on in its life. Using treats and positive reinforcement is always beneficial.

Grooming

Corgis are dogs that tend to shed more than other dogs due to their double coat. Fluffy Corgis actually shed less than their standard counterparts. This is due to the fact that their undercoat is thinner than regular Corgis. This also makes it so that they are more adaptable in warm weather.

Still, these Corgis still shed and will need to be brushed properly. If you want to know how to get a fluffy Corgi to shed less, brushing them once a week will suffice. You should follow the direction of their hair to prevent mats and knots from forming.  Bathing them once a month is enough and should be done with a shampoo made for dogs.

These dogs should also get their ears cleaned, their nails clipped, and their teeth brushed regularly to stay healthy and clean. 

Do Fluffy Corgis Cost More?

Fluffy Corgis are not as common as standard Corgis. They appear in the litter by chance and are not easy to selectively breed. This makes them a bit more expensive than standard Corgis. But the price will depend on a lot of other factors.

Firstly, many owners dislike these Corgis as they don’t conform to the standard. This might affect the price if the breeder aims to breed dogs for competitions. The distance of the breeder is also a factor as you will need to consider travel costs.

Buying A Fluffy Corgi

Fluffy Corgis are more expensive compared to standard Corgis. You can expect to spend around $2500 for a puppy. 

You need to find quality fluffy Corgi breeders to get your puppy from. They should be able to give you all the information on the pup, including all the necessary documents. Avoid puppy mills at all costs.

Some places to look for one of these Corgis would be the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America and Magnolia Creek Corgis.

Adopting A Fluffy Corgi

If you want a cheaper option, you can always try adopting one of these pups. This is a more humane thing to do as these puppies need a home and a loving family.

Some breeders dislike fluffy Corgis due to their unconformity to the standard and might leave them at a shelter.

Try to find your new pup at Corgi rescues like the Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club and the East Coast Corgi Rescue.

So Is This Dog The Right One For You?

The Fluffy Corgi is a variation of the standard Corgi that has longer hair. Such a puppy can be born due to a gene mutation, also known as the fluff gene.

Around the 2-3 week mark, you will notice the appearance of this Corgi to start differentiating from its siblings. Its top hair will start getting longer, while its undercoat will become thinner. The color of the coat will follow the same rules as standard Corgis with the Black fluffy Corgi being one of the rarer types.

Their temperament is as affectionate and friendly as their standard counterparts. They are also bossy and stubborn, but overall great family pets. These dogs require the same type of care as the standard Corgi, with a bit more attention to grooming and brushing. If you like them, check out the Corgi markets and the Corgi rescue shelters to find one for yourself.

FAQ

What is the most common Corgi color?

Most commonly, standard and fluffy Corgis come in a red and white color. Some of the rarer color Corgi you might find is the fluffy blue merle Corgi, while the rarest is the fluffy sable Corgi.

Are fluffy Corgis hypoallergenic?

Unfortunately, fluffy Corgis are not hypoallergenic. Because they are double-coated dogs, Corgis are heavy shedders. Even though they shed a bit less compared to their standard counterpart, they still have allergens in their dander, saliva, and urine.

Are fluffy Corgis high-maintenance dogs?

Even though the fluffy Corgi requires more attention to grooming, it is considered to be a low-maintenance dog. This is because it doesn’t require too much attention, food, or health checks to stay healthy and happy.