Corgi Lifespan: Caring For Your Cute Corgi Correctly

A pet dog can be a person's best companion, guardian, and playmate and positively impacts its owner's life.

Being a pet parent provides companionship, develops responsibility, and promotes an active lifestyle. A pup around can affect the social and emotional development of a person.

Dogs can also help to ease stress, anxiety and make a person happier. There are various dog breeds worldwide, and choosing the right dog breed for you is very important. Different dog breeds have different temperaments, lifespan, grooming needs, sizes, and health problems. So, make sure the dog breed you adopt will fit in with your lifestyle, commitment, and family, including other pet dogs. 

This article will discuss corgi breeds that are perfect canine friends and ideal for your home. If you consider adopting or owning a corgi soon, there are plenty of reasons that prove that they make lovely family pets.

Corgis are small to medium-sized dogs with strong and athletic bodies. It is a cattle herding dog breed that is native to Pembrokeshire, Wales. They have notably stubby and short legs. It has two different breeds known as a Pembroke Welsh corgi and a Cardigan Welsh corgi.

The gorgeous Pembroke Welsh corgis are well-known as Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog breed. The British Queen had many corgi dogs throughout her rule, which elevated the breed to remain in the spotlight. The Cardigan Welsh corgi is a cherished companion in every aspect and perfectly suited to almost every family. They are friendly, intelligent, affectionate, happy, and funny, with moderately high energy levels. These dogs are perfect as pets for owners with different lifestyles.

When compared between the two breeds, the cardigans and Pembrokes vary in several ways. Firstly, the Pembroke Welsh corgi does not have a tail, whereas the cardigans have a long and bushy tail. The Pembrokes have pointed ears that are slightly shorter than the cardigans, which have round ears. The Pembroke Welsh corgis are more outgoing than cardigans Welsh corgis as they are more reserved in new situations.

Among the two available corgi breeds, the cardigans are the oldest and assertive little dogs with grace. Studies show that the Cardigan Welsh corgi has been in Wales for over 3000 years. The Pembrokes are believed to date back to 1107 CE when Flemish weavers, who migrated to Wales, bred the spitz-type dog with the original Cardigan corgis to yield the Pembroke Welsh corgis that we know today.

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How long do the different corgis live?

Corgis make wonderful pets with proper training and attention. The smashing little corgi dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. They live a remarkably healthy life because most of their health concerns are primarily related to age. However, few health issues from as early as puppy years affect a corgi's life quality and might even reduce the years of a corgi's expected life span.

Let us compare the life expectancy of the two types of corgis. It is observed that a cardigan Welsh corgis have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, whereas the Pembroke Welsh corgi can have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

The corgis mix-breeds rarely have a longer life span than their parents unless there is a noticeable gap between the two parent breed's average lifespan. It means that in case a corgi is mixed with the shortest lifespan breed, then the resulting mixed dog will have a much shorter lifespan than the purebred corgi. However, if the parent dogs have almost the same life expectancy, the mixed breed may have a longer life than the parent breeds. For example, a corgi and chihuahua mix, the chigi breed, has an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years or even more. Typically, the lifespan of corgis and its mix-breeds range from 12 to 14 years.

In the below sections, we shall look in-depth at corgi's health issues and how to improve their health with great care.

How To Take Preventive Care Of Corgi Dogs And Reduce Health Problems

Corgis are one of the most well-known and adorable dog breeds in the world. The dog's popularity is growing gradually, and it is one of the expensive dog breeds. In the herding dog category, corgis are the smallest breed. They are pretty healthy and fit dogs. However, maintaining them doesn't cost much, but the dogs need regular grooming, which is comparatively less than other dog varieties. However, the dog remains healthy only if there is no interruption in its daily activities.

For keeping the cute, fluffy corgi healthy, owners need to take preventive care and treat them effectively. Here are some of them:

Nutritional diet: The corgis need high-quality dog food. Depending on their size, health, and energy level, the dog requires between one to 1.5 cups of food each day. Treats are essential as a part of training, but avoid giving too many as Corgis are prone to obesity. Along with food, clean and fresh water should be provided at all times. Consult your vet to learn about the foods that are safe for your dog.

Weight check: Corgis have an average weight of 24-31 lb (11-14 kg). They are prone to getting obese, so keep a check on your corgi's weight level and calorie consumption. To prevent any health issues related to weight like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, it is essential to manage their diet portions accordingly. If you have concerns regarding your dog's diet or weight, then check with your vet.

Exercise: Being a herding dog breed, corgis love physical activities. Owners should provide their dogs with regular exercise and a healthy diet because every extra pound gained may be a risk to your dog's health. A moderate daily exercise can be beneficial for corgis to maintain their physical and mental health.

Grooming: The corgis have a medium dense double coat, and they shed a lot, particularly in summer and spring. Thus it is essential to brush them at least twice a week. When they change coats during the shedding seasons, frequent grooming is required, which helps keep away from parasites such as ticks and fleas. Shedding is a constant problem in corgi; the corgi puppy requires regular brushing, so comb every day. An occasional bath and frequent brushing will keep them healthy and happy.

Clean their ears regularly and trim their nails with a grinder or a clipper to avoid overgrowth, splitting, or cracking. Ideally, brush their teeth regularly because they may be prone to dental diseases by the age of two.

Vet visits: Make sure you take your corgi to the vet for regular checkups to keep up with vaccinations that prevent commonly affected infectious diseases and also allow to diagnose any illness that can be taken care of in early stage. An adult corgi should see a vet every year, and corgi puppies should visit the vet once every three to four weeks until they grow 16 weeks old.

Do corgis have a lot of health problems?

The Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi are two entirely different breeds because they descend from different ancestors. In 1925, corgis breeds were registered as one breed, leading to controversies at dog shows, but later, in 1934, the corgi breeds gained separate recognition.

Before adopting a corgi, owners should understand that although corgi health is pretty good, they have some health problems like any other dog or mixed breed. The dwarf dogs are more prone to some diseases and health problems such as:

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) - Hip dysplasia is one of the most common issues in corgis dogs. It impacts their hip joint development and gradually causes loss of joint function. Hip dysplasia is usually associated with dwarf breeds like corgis. This disease results in abnormal formation of the hip joint and therefore decreases the range of motion like difficulty in standing or jumping, a swaying gait, pain, or stiffness in the hip. Further, this condition may also cause arthritis in corgi's life.

Hip dysplasia is caused due to excessive or lack of exercise and obesity; even a young puppy may also experience these symptoms. Therefore, if you notice your corgi with these symptoms, consult your vet and ensure your pet gets the right amount of exercise and diet. The treatment may vary depending on the severity, including physical therapy, surgery, or anti-inflammatory medications.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - Corgis can also develop PRA, a deteriorating condition that infects the photoreceptors of their eyes and decreases vision over time. This disease may also lead to blindness and can affect a dog's life. Night blindness is the early symptom of PRA, and their pupils also look reflective or dilated than usual. This condition may result in nervousness in your corgis when going out in the dark or stumbling things in dark rooms.

If the owners notice their corgi exhibiting any such symptoms, then it's time to consult a veterinarian and help your pet stay safe.

Intervertebral disc disease - IVDD is an age-related depressive process that impacts the dog's spinal cord over a while. This condition deteriorates the structure and functioning of the cartilaginous discs between the dog's vertebrae. It could be painful in the rear legs of your corgi as it will find difficulty in walking and may gradually worsen, causing other issues like muscle spasms, chronic pain, and paralysis. Severe cases may be fatal as the dog's vertebrae soften and affect the nerves of the corgi leading to death. Visiting a vet is the only best thing you can do to ease your pup's suffering.

Von Willebrand disease (vWD) - vWD is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder of dogs. It decreases blood clotting, caused by a specific protein deficiency needed for the blood cells to form clots. This disease causes excessive bleeding after an injury that leads to blood loss and anemia.

If you find any typical symptoms of Von Willebrand's disease in your corgi, such as spontaneous bleeding from mucous membranes, prolonged bleeding after a surgery or injury, nausea, weakness, etc., immediately consult your vet for proper treatment.

Corgis have achondroplasia, which is a kind of dwarfism due to which short legs are developed. Technically speaking, it is not a health disease. Like the dachshund, a genetic mutation causes shortening of their legs, thus appearing small in size. An adult corgi is about 10 - 12 in(25-30 cm) tall.

What can I give my corgis for their health problems?

Corgis are small dogs requiring less exercise than large dog breeds and are thus suitable for less active people. If a corgi has a health problem, it could seem alarming. As loving owners, you need to consider a few things to prevent, manage, and treat your corgi effectively so that they live happily.

The best thing to do is provide a high-quality, low-carb diet and ample exercise and keep an eye on corgi's calories so that they may not gain extra weight. Forage with soft chew treats rich in proteins and bone supplements to keep them strong. It will also heal your corgi from diseases like IVDD. Providing water also helps in preventing many digestive issues like constipation, dehydration and promotes digestion. As your dog ages, limit the physical activities and see a vet no matter whatever discomfort a corgi faces.

What do corgis usually die from?

Most of the health problems we looked at in the previous sections are mostly treatable. So, here are other causes that corgis usually die from.

Corgis are more prone to Lymphomas (cancer) than other dog breeds. It is a form of blood cancer that spreads to nearby vital organs like the brain, lungs, and liver. These are diagnosed late without regular checkups and cause death. However, if you observe any abnormal tumor under the skin, then consult a vet near you.

As corgis grow old age, occasionally urinary obstruction is also observed in their medical history, which if not treated on time could lead to kidney failure due to urine retention.

Other complications that could cause death are paralysis due to intervertebral disc disease and obesity, leading to heart failure at any age. Old age is also one of the crucial factors that can bring death.

What factors influence the corgi lifespan?

The corgis are herding dogs with high energy levels and love to exercise without getting bored. Before considering a corgi puppy, ask the breeders about its parent's history as it has a significant impact on the life expectancy of your corgi puppy. Adopting from registered breeders will allow you to determine essential factors like health, age of death, and temperament.

The dog's lifespan depends on its size, health concerns, genetics, diet, and environment. However, with proper nutrition and exercise, their lifespan can be improved.

Apart from the health problems discussed in previous sections, other issues related to corgi health influence their lifespan are Epilepsy, hip and back problems, genetic disease (Lens luxation), and heart disease (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), and Degenerative myelopathy.

Can a corgi live 20 years?

Corgis are delightful puppies that do well with children, adults, and other pets. They are agile cattle herders and have robust bodies. The word corgi means dwarf dog in Welsh.

Queen Elizabeth II's last corgi passed away at the age of twelve. Usually, they have a lifespan of 12-15 years. Plenty of corgi dogs are known to live up to a great age of 17 years or even more with a healthy diet and regular exercise. There is no recorded evidence to show that they lived till the age of 20 years or beyond. To increase your dog's lifespan, be sure your corgi gets proper care and attention that helps prevent early death.

Caring For Your Corgi To Extend Their Life

In a blink of an eye, the bouncing corgi puppies grow up. For people who share their lives with corgis, the only unfortunate thing is that their lifespan is much lower than humans. However, making few changes in their upbringing can ensure that they live a long and happy life.

Below are a few tips that help improve both the health and age of your dog.

Keeping your dog active with appropriate exercises; feeding a healthy and proportionate diet; proper grooming and dental care; providing regular medical checkups, and paying extra attention.

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