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The small squatty, wiener-dog-like stature of corgis, mixed with their thick, beautiful fur, make them the 11th most popular dog in the USA. However, since almost 10 million people are allergic to their pets, this only begs the question: Are Corgis hypoallergenic? Corgis are not hypoallergenic dogs, and they are also heavy shedders. While no dog is fully hypoallergenic, the hair that corgis shed carries a lot of dander and saliva, making these dogs less than ideal for allergy sufferers. The more hair and dander, the more likely someone is to have a reaction. If You’re still convinced that you want a Corgi, we suggest you read this before making a final decision. That way, you can see if a corgi is truly fit for your family and anyone who may have allergies to pet dander. Do Corgis Shed? All dogs shed, even those that claim to be hypoallergenic. However, the difference is in exactly ‘how’ much they shed as they don’t do this in equal amounts. The hypoallergenic breeds claim to be so because they shed a lot less than other breeds. That being said, Corgis are notorious for shedding as they’re on the heavier shedding end. They have a heavy, double coat that’s very thick. They shed year-round, but even more during the spring and summer which is their shedding season. Can Corgis Cause An Allergic Reaction? Corgis are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than other breeds because of the amount they shed. Since their coats are so thick and heavy, the dander is more likely to stick, as well as the saliva. Not to mention, their fur is rather fluffy, which means each time they scratch or shake, the allergen is puffed into the air, making it harder to control. Not only does it puff through the air, but it will also land on our furnishings, clothing, floors, and onto your hands. Are Corgis Bad For Allergies? Sadly, Corgis are very bad for your allergies. Usually, there’s nothing that a cute little face can’t cure, but in this case, it doesn’t make up for the fact that they shed in higher amounts. Ideally, someone with allergies would want to go for a dog with less of a shedding issue, such as a Poodle or a Maltese. Even a French Bulldog would be okay for someone with mild pet allergies. But a corgi sheds a little too heavy and wouldn't be good for someone that suffers with allergies. What To Do If You Experience Pet Allergies If you develop sudden allergies that cause facial swelling or swelling in your tongue, lips, or eyes—or if you have trouble breathing, then you need to call for the paramedics immediately. Now, if your allergies are more subtle, you will need to take care of them immediately by taking a few additional steps. How To Reduce Pet Allergy Symptoms If you went ahead and adopted a corgi anyway, and you’re experiencing some not-so-serious but still uncomfortable symptoms, there are a few things you can do to lessen your reaction. Brush your dog. You’ll need a shedding mitt that’s specifically designed for heavy fur loads as you’ll end up with a lot of fur in the mitt. Brush your puppy at least once a day, but twice if it’s shedding season. You can do this in a designated area where no fans are blowing so that the allergen doesn’t get blown all over the room. Be sure to toss it in the outside trashcan when you’re done. Keep your dog in designated areas. For corgis, you won’t want just one allergy-free zone. Let them have free roam of rooms with hardwood floors but do not let them on the couch with you and do not let them in the bed with you. You’ll be more likely to have a worse reaction if you let them on surfaces where their hair will cling. Install several HEPA air cleaners. One or two is not going to cut it for a Corgi, especially if your allergies are slightly worse than mild. However, we do not recommend owning this breed if you have worse than mild allergies. Treat your allergy symptoms. If you own a corgi, you may need to be placed on a daily allergy regimen. In this case, we advise that you speak with your doctor to see the best route for you. Your doctor might also give you an albuterol inhaler in the case that you have issues with wheezing. What Causes Corgis To Shed? Shedding is normal in dogs, and each breed sheds a different amount. The amount they shed also depends on their health, genetics, and how well their diet is. Corgis shed because their fur is so thick, they need to reduce how thick it is to keep from overheating, especially during the hotter season. If you live in an area where the climate is cooler year-round, then your Corgi won’t shed as much. What Are The Signs Of Excessive Shedding In Corgis? Now, just because your Corgi is prone to heavy shedding doesn’t mean that they still can’t shed too much. Here are some signs to watch out for that indicate your Corgi is shedding excessively: Shedding the same amount year-round as they do in the spring and summer Thin fur Balding Open sores Excessively scratching Red or swollen skin Visibly seeing large amounts of hair come off their body when they shake If you think your Corgi might be shedding a little bit too much, it’s best if you bring it to a veterinarian, where it can be assessed for nutritional deficiencies and other medical issues. How To Tell If You’re Allergic To Your Corgi Allergies can happen at any stage in your life. You can grow up having no symptoms at all and then grow into adulthood and be severely allergic to pets. However, if you had a serious allergy, trust us, you would know. If you’ve never been allergic to pets and you aren’t sure what to look for, here are a few symptoms to pay attention to: Itchy skin rash with or without hives Tight chest and shortness of breath Wheezing or worsening asthma Cough Sneezing and runny or stuffy nose Itchy and water eyes Pain in your sinuses It’s important to note that most people are more allergic to pet saliva or urine than they are the actual fur. Ask Your Doctor To Test For Allergies It’s important to know whether you’re allergic to the dander of your pet or the saliva or urine. This makes all the difference in how manageable your symptoms are. For instance, if you’re only allergic to the saliva and not the dander, then you won’t have to worry quite so much about the shedding as you do about those Corgi kisses. But make no mistake—if your dog incessantly licks itself, you’re going to have an issue as that allergen will spread through their saliva and onto the shedding. Keep A Clean Home If you really want that Corgi and you only have mild allergies, then at least take the time to clean your home thoroughly. Keep the fur off the floor and couch. Don’t run any fans in the area your dog spends the most time, and frequently vacuum our furniture and floor. At this point, it would be best to have hardwood or vinyl flooring as carpet is more likely to keep the fur stuck to the floor no matter how much you vacuum. Don’t forget to wash your dog’s bedding frequently as well. Can You Stop A Corgi From Shedding? In today's world, there are tons of products claiming to keep your dog from shedding but these don't work. Even if they did, though, it messes up the Corgi's natural process of shedding which they need to do in order to keep from overheating during the warmer months. There are steps you can take which we already discussed. You can also buy some shedding shampoo to aid in the shedding process so that you're able to control it a bit better. However, with Corgis specifically, they're so fluffy that the hair is going to most likely get everywhere no matter what you do. Related Questions How bad do Corgis shed? Corgis shed a high amount, just as all the double-coated breeds doo. Their coats are also more work to maintain, but not nearly as much as a Bernese Mountain Dog. Why are Corgis not hypoallergenic? Corgis are not hypoallergenic because they shed quite a bit more than your average dog. The fact that they shed so much makes it more likely for the allergen to be in the shed fur, which increases the risk that you’ll have a reaction. Can you live with a dog if you are allergic? Yes, you can live with a dog if you’re allergic to it, but only if your allergy is not severe, and as long as you have a breed that doesn’t shed a lot. Some of the best hypoallergenic breeds include Maltese, Poodles, and Wire Fox Terrier.

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