If you’re smitten by Corgis and fancy the idea of bringing one home, you’re probably like many other aspiring Corgi owners out there wondering whether this dog breed is hypoallergenic, in other words, are Corgis OK for allergies.
Corgis are not hypoallergenic dogs. They have a dense coat that encourages heavy shedding so are not OK for allergy sufferers. Getting a Corgi is a bad idea if you or someone in your household is an allergen sufferer. This dog breed is undisputedly non-hypoallergenic.
Continue reading to know more about Corgis and their allergenic status. And if you still want to have a Corgi under your roof, how can you deal with all the fur?
I’ll cover this and more in this post – plus, details on whether Corgis shed a lot.
Corgis are not hypoallergenic dogs
It’s hard not to love Corgis. Their cute look, gentle demeanor, and show loveable character appeals to people the world over. They have many amazing qualities hidden in that low-slung body.
However, there’s one thing that disqualifies Corgis from being the perfect four-legged companion — their shedding habits which means that are not hypoallergenic.
Corgis can be a great source of joy for anyone dreaming of making this breed their canine best friend. But they are a great source of allergens, too.
In essence, the level of shedding is what determines whether a dog is hypoallergenic or not.
Corgis are among the worst shedders in the dog world. So, there’s no way they can be hypoallergenic. Be it a Corgi puppy, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi — all of them are non-hypoallergenic dogs.
Let’s first set the definition straight.
When a dog is referred to as hypoallergenic, it means they don’t shed badly. Therefore, they won’t leave a lot of allergens around the house.
If you (or anyone in your household) have allergies or respiratory issues, a Corgi isn’t the best furry companion for you.
It’s a heartbreaking fact to hear, especially if you’ve been longing to own one. But the truth is, your health will suffer if you’re ever around this irresistibly cuddly breed.
It will probably surprise you to know that it’s not a Corgi’s fur that triggers allergic reactions. Rather, it’s what the fur carries.
Are you familiar with dandruff? The dry, flaky, powder-like stuff that appears on an itchy scalp?
All animals with fur, including dogs, shed dead skin flakes along with fur. In animals, these dandruff-like particles are known as dander.
A dog’s dander contains different protein allergens, the major one being Can f 1 (short for Canis familiaris allergen 1). This allergen is what makes some people experience allergic reactions when around dogs.
So, the next time you hear someone say they are allergic to dogs, that’s an inaccurate statement. What they are allergic to is the protein-based dander.
Some people can comfortably live with dogs (even the heavy shedders) because they aren’t allergic to Can f 1. But for those with allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma, their bodies can’t stand the presence of this protein allergen.
When a Corgi’s fur falls off, so does the dander. This is probably the worst thing about heavy-shedding breeds like Corgis. The more the shedding, the more the dander.
These dry skin flakes attach themselves to the fur. So when a Corgi sheds, the hair falling off is full of dander.
Dander can stick on your skin, hair, eyelashes — any part of your body that gets into contact with your Corgis fur. If you have allergies, you’ll exhibit allergy symptoms triggered by the dander-filled hair.
The common symptoms are:
- Itchiness on the skin.
- Persistent sneezing.
- Runny (or stuffy) nose.
- Watery eyes (and redness).
- Coughing or wheezing.
- Itchiness in the throat or nose.
- Rough, bumpy skin.
These symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on how extreme your allergies are.
Are Corgis OK for allergies?
Corgis are not ok for allergies. But why would a Corgis dander have such an effect on you?
That’s because people living with allergies tend to have sensitive immune systems. If you have allergies, your immune system will react when there’s a foreign yet completely harmless substance (like dander) on your body.
Dander isn’t harmful, but your immune system will perceive it as a virus or bacteria. These allergy symptoms are more like side effects as your immune system attacks the dander (probably thinking it’s a horrible virus or bacteria).
If you don’t have any severe allergies or respiratory issues, you will enjoy your Corgi’s company any minute of the day.
But if you are an allergen sufferer, welcoming this breed into your home is a decision you’ll regret soon enough. Such a shame because Corgis are one of the best family-oriented breeds out there.
Why Corgis shed a lot
As with every other non-hypoallergenic dog, Corgis own a double coat. This simply means they have not one, but two layers of dense fur — A topcoat with longer fur and an undercoat with short, thick hair.
Since a Corgi sheds fur from two coats, the hair that falls off daily is a lot.
Corgis also experience what we call “seasonal shedding”, where they lose more fur than usual during summer and winter. Their undercoat must lose hair to adjust to these two weather conditions.
Shedding during summer helps Corgis get rid of the excess hair trapping unwanted body heat.
And when it’s winter, a Corgi sheds a lot of their undercoat fur to allow the re-growth of new thick fur. The fur will trap much of the Corgi’s body heat and keep him warm during cold months.
So with all the shedding involved, saying a Corgi is hypoallergenic would be a fat lie.
And since Corgis are notorious shedders, you can be sure your vacuum cleaner will be getting frequent workouts from cleaning all that fur mess.
There are plenty of hypoallergenic breeds, like the Bichon Frise, poodles, Giant Schnauzer, and Maltese, to name a few. Truthfully speaking, though, no dog is fully hypoallergenic.
All dogs shed, including the three above. But their low shedding is what makes them hypoallergenic.
Breeds with minimal shedding tendencies won’t expose you to so much dander. So any dog considered hypoallergenic is a superb choice for those with allergies.
Tips to cope with a Corgi’s fur allergens
If you’re still crazy about getting a Corgi, maybe because you feel your allergies are quite mild and shouldn’t get in the way of sharing your life with this lovely breed, you can do a few things to make the fur situation manageable.
- Talk to your doctor about antihistamines. An antihistamine will protect you from allergic reactions whenever you come into contact with your Corgi’s dander-filled fur. Always use these medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Restrict your Corgi from entering certain areas in the house — like the bedroom. That way, you won’t have dander all over your beddings. There’s no fun in dealing with allergic reactions in the middle of the night.
- Be prepared to level up your cleaning game. You know, wiping the counters often, regular sweeping, vacuuming — the whole cleaning shebang. This will help you get rid of as much fur as possible.
- Along with cleaning your home, maintain personal hygiene too. Always wash your hands after petting or grooming your Corgi. You wouldn’t want to end up touching your face and nose with all that dander on your hands.
- Brush your Corgi weekly (at least thrice per week), so you’d collect any excess fur with the dog-friendly brush. It’s better if all that dander-filled fur ends up on the brush than on furniture and counters.
- Again, hygiene. Make sure you bathe your Corgi at least once every month. Bathing will wash away any dead fur lingering on their coat, waiting to cause a mess around the house.
Related FAQs on Corgis not being hypoallergenic
What is the most hypoallergenic dog?
The Bichon Frise is among the best hypoallergenic dogs.
What Corgis don’t shed?
There’s no Corgi that doesn’t shed. All types of Corgis are shedders.
Are Corgis Shedders?
Yes, that’s correct. Corgis are considered heavy shedders, which makes them non-hypoallergenic.
Conclusion
If you are worried about a Corgi being hypoallergenic, then I’d think about reconsidering any dog all. There is no scientific research to suggest there is such a breed that exists.
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- When do the ears on a Corgi stand up?
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- How to keep a Corgi warm in winter
Corgi image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/Zn5chZcnFRA