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Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis Hypoallergenic?

By Kerry
Updated on

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are one of the most popular breeds in the world today. They were originally bred to hunt badgers and other vermin, but today they are primarily kept as pets.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is an intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and playful dog with a cheerful disposition. 

We are going to be looking at the history of this beautiful- and painfully adorable- dog breed, as well as their common health concerns, and if they are considered a hypoallergenic breed.

Cute pembroke welsh corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi 

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally bred in Wales, England, and Ireland during the 19th century. The breed was created by crossing several different breeds of dogs together.

This was done because these dogs all had similar characteristics, such as their size, color, coat type, and temperament. 

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that people began breeding the Welsh Corgi to obtain specific traits. For example, they wanted smaller, shorter dogs who would have longer coats than the larger, taller dogs from earlier generations.

In addition, they also wanted dogs who were more active and agile than the previous generation of dogs.

Today, there are many different varieties of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, including long-haired, short-haired, and wire-haired.

They also come in various colors, such as tan and white, black and white, tricolor, and even pure white. These variations are due to the fact that the original Pembroke Welsh Corgi was a cross between several different breeds.  

Health Concerns

As we mentioned above, the Pembroke is a very friendly and loving dog. However, whilst they are relatively healthy in some ways, there are certain health issues that they are prone to.

One major problem is hip dysplasia, which can cause pain and stiffness in the hips. If left untreated, it could cause arthritis later on in life. 

Another issue is epilepsy, which affects around 1% of all dogs. Fortunately, there are medications that can help control seizures.

Other concerns that are common in the Welsh Corgi include allergies, eye disorders, skin conditions, and heart problems.

If you’re considering adopting a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, make sure you do your research first so that you are fully aware of any health issues.  

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

A hypoallergenic animal refers to animals that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in humans.

While it’s not possible to completely eliminate all allergens from your home, you can reduce them, and hypoallergenic breeds of dogs can help with this. 

When choosing a new pet, consider what kind of environment you live in, how much time you will be spending outside, and what kinds of activities your family members participate in, as these are all elements that can affect the allergen levels within a dog. 

Some hypoallergenic dogs are even trained to behave like service dogs, so they can help those with disabilities. Because of this, a hypoallergenic dog is a great choice for allergy sufferers, both children, and adults. 

There are three basic categories of hypoallergenic dog breeds: 

  • Non-shedding breeds
  • Hairless breeds
  •  Exotic breeds

Non-Shedding Breeds

These are breeds that shed little to no fur. They often have smooth coats and are easy to groom.

Examples include the Bichon Frisé, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, and Chihuahua.

Hairless Breeds

These are breeds that lack any hair at all. They may look furry, but their coats are actually made up of thin layers of dead cells called keratin.

Because this layer is so thin, it doesn’t provide protection against the elements. Instead, these dogs rely on oils and fats found in their skin to keep them warm.

Examples include the Pug, Dachshund, French Bulldog, and Boston Terrier.

Exotic Breeds

These are rare breeds that are native to certain areas of the world. For example, the Chinese Crested is an exotic breed that originated in China.

Although they’ve been bred for centuries, they still retain their unique characteristics. Hypoallergenic exotic breeds include the Basenji, Tibetan Mastiff, Akita, and Komondor. 

Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis Hypoallergenic?

Sleeping pembroke welsh corgi puppy

Now onto the main question! Are corgis hypoallergenic? The answer is that they mostly are. In fact, they can be one of the most hypoallergenic breeds out there.

This means that they are less likely to trigger a reaction in allergy sufferers than other breeds. Welsh Corgi owners report fewer allergies and asthma attacks than owners of other breeds.

 In addition, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is relatively healthy in terms of certain issues. They rarely develop ear infections or dermatitis due to their short, soft coats, which can also protect them from colds and respiratory diseases.

One of the reasons why corgis are so hypoallergenic is because they have short noses, small ears, and soft coats. Their coats are also quite thick, so they are able to stay warm without shedding as much. 

Another reason that the Welsh Corgi is so hypoallergenic is that they don’t shed much of their double coat. Most other breeds shed more than 50% of their coat every year.

However, Corgis only shed about 10%. So if you want a hypoallergenic pet, then a Pembroke Welsh Corgi is certainly an excellent choice of dog.

However, it’s important to note that not all of the variations of the Welsh Corgi are hypoallergenic.

There are several factors that determine whether or not a particular variation is truly hypoallergenic, including the type of coat, the size of the dog, and the age of the dog.

The best way to find out if your Pembroke Welsh Corgi is hypoallergenic is by consulting a vet. 

If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic corgi, then you should probably stick with the non-sporting variety.

Sporting corgis tend to be prone to developing allergies and causing allergies because they have longer coats that can lead to pet dander or dry skin. Also, sporting corgis are usually larger than standard corgis.

If you do have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a longer outer coat that sheds a bit more, then you might want to think about getting rid of some of their fur- and preventing excessive shedding-with regular grooming.

As they get older, the fur will start to fall out naturally. You don’t necessarily have to get rid of all of it, though. 

Just make sure that you do it gradually. Start off by trimming just a few hairs here and there.

Then, as time goes on, you can remove more and more until you reach a point where you feel comfortable doing it. 

How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Hypoallergenic Or Not?

If you’re wondering how to tell if your dog is hypoallergenic, here are some signs to watch out for:

No Shedding

If your dog sheds very little, then they could be hypoallergenic. This also means that they will not need to be bathed as frequently as other breeds.

Small Ears

Small ears are another sign that your dog may be hypoallergenic because they won’t be as likely to contract problems such as ear infections or dermatitis.

Soft Coat

A soft coat is another good indicator that your dog could be hypoallergenic. Soft coats are also easier to groom and clean.

Short Nose

A short nose is another indication that your dog is hypoallergenic. When a dog’s nose doesn’t grow as long as others, it reduces the chance of them collecting any dust or dirt within their snout.

Long Hair

Long hair is another sign that your dog could be hypoallergenic. It helps keep them warm in cold weather and prevents them from picking up too many allergens.

Final Thoughts

A Welsh Pembroke Corgi is an excellent option for people with allergies who are looking for a dog due to their hypoallergenic nature.

Make sure that you do your research so that you know exactly which corgi types are more likely to be hypoallergenic than others.

They are also super cute thanks to their stubby legs, large bat-like ears, and adorable fluffy butts, so what is not to like!?

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About the author

Kerry

Kerry White is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Kerry has been writing for PetDT for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners.Kerry has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Kerry knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.