Don’t tell that adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi that he’s a small dog! This breed may appear to be tiny with their sturdy, compact body on short and stubby legs but, they do not think they’re vertically challenged and make up for it with their big heart brimming with love and affection for their owners.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi can also be a little snooty about their heritage because Queen Elizabeth II has owned over thirty Corgis in her lifetime. This makes the Pembroke Welsh Corgi the royal dog!
Corgis grow to be a height of 10 to 12in and weigh from 24lbs to 30lbs. They are generally a healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12 – 13 years.
You do have to be protective of their spinal health and perhaps provide a ramp or stairs. The Corgi has short legs and will not be able to jump up onto a bed or even into a car without help. Jumping high can cause spine injuries in Corgis.
If you are considering adding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi to your family, you may be wondering about other health issues such as skin problems.
In this article, I will answer the question. ” Do Corgis have skin issues?” Also provided will be Corgi skin allergies.
For your dog’s vitamin supplement, foods, toys, or other dogs product please visit the Health Extension website.
Do Corgis Have Skin Issues?
Although no two dogs are the same, even of the same breed, this also applies to Corgis. If circumstances are right for skin conditions, then yes, your Corgi can have issues with their skin.
Corgis have a double-thick coat to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer and to insulate them from harsh wet weather conditions. Just as in humans, the skin is the largest organ and this is equally true in dogs.
We often forget that underneath all of that fur is skin and things can go wrong beneath the fur that we may not be aware of because we can’t see it.
When brushing your Corgi, always check out their skin for redness, irritation, rashes, etc. It’s best to pick up on something before it becomes an out-of-control skin issue.
To check your Pembroke Welsh Corgis’ health status or their DNA checks, please visit the Embark vet website for all the help you may need.
Possible Corgi Skin Problems
Many of the skin problems a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can suffer from are labeled as dermatitis.
Oxford dictionary states that dermatitis is, a condition of the skin in which it becomes red, swollen, and sore, sometimes with small blisters resulting from direct irritation of the skin by an external agent or an allergic reaction to it.
There are many different types of dermatitis and below are a few that can affect your Corgi.
- Nutritional Dermatitis
We do not all have tons of time on our hands to prepare our Corgis a nutritious homemade or even raw diet, so we rely on commercial dog foods, usually kibble.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as long as it’s high-quality dry food. All pre-packaged, pre-made dog foods, however, are not created equal.
Some high-quality brands do contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support and sustain your pup’s whole system and that includes their skin too.
Other commercially made foods contain fillers, additives, and just plain junk that will affect your Corgi’s health and skin as well.
Because of a deficiency in nutrients from a poor diet, your Corgi may suffer from dry skin, itchiness, rashes, skin infections, and loss of fur.
After ensuring that your Corgi is eating a nutritious healthy diet, one of the overlooked necessities for all life is water.
Without adequate water, your pup can become dehydrated, which can adversely affect health and also skin. Make sure to provide your pup with water that is always readily available.
- Moist Dermatitis
This is another type of dermatitis that transpires from your Corgi licking a certain area and biting over and over.
This can begin as a small cut or bug bite, but can quickly escalate into a large lesion that spreads.
Acute moist dermatitis is often called hot spots. Sometimes dogs also develop these when stressed by nervously biting and licking an area over and over. The hot spots can quickly become infected with constant licking and moistness.
Medication is needed, such as topical cortisone and oral antibiotics. Behavioral therapy may be recommended if this is stress-related.
- Environmental Dermatitis
The symptoms of environmental dermatitis can be itching, scratching, redness, and rashes and can be caused by many things in the environment, both indoor and outdoor. Indoors your Corgi may show symptoms from carpet cleaners, fabric softeners, dust, and mold. etc.
Outside, causes may be from pollen, grasses, and even dirt. Even the environment as far as weather can affect your pup.
Just as many of us tend to get dry skin when the weather gets cold and the heat is on, this is a possibility for your Corgi.
Using a humidifier, giving fewer baths, and using a moisturizing natural shampoo when bathing your pup or moisturizing sprays are all options to keep skin moist and prevent skin issues.
Corgi Skin Allergies
Just as we humans suffer from allergies. so can our Corgis and any dog breed for that matter. Allergies can be from a multitude of allergens and it just takes some detective work to figure out what’s causing the problem.
Causes of skin allergies can be environmental or from foods. The name of dermatitis caused by skin allergies is atopic dermatitis.
Environmental allergens can be caused by grass, pollen, dust, cleaning products, fabric softener, detergent, etc.
Food allergies are a little trickier to figure out but are usually caused by an ingredient in your pup’s food, often a protein. Both environmental and food allergies manifest as red, inflamed, itchy skin, which causes licking, biting, and scratching.
Food allergies, however, can cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea, along with skin problems.
Atopic dermatitis will be found around the eyes, on the nose, around the ears, the underside, and legs. Hair loss can also occur from constant scratching.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis often develop dermatomyositis which is a condition that inflames the muscles and the skin.
Treating atopic dermatitis will involve removing the offending allergen. This can require changing cleaning products, rinsing the pup off after outdoor play, or feeding your Corgi a new dog food gradually. Often allergy medications or soothing baths can be indicated as well.
Remedies For Corgi Skin Allergies
Of course, changing your Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s food if they suffer from food allergies should clear up any type of skin maladies they suffer from. Below are a few ideas to help and soothe any itchy, red, skin issues in Corgis.
- Oatmeal baths
The use of oatmeal is a great way to calm and soothe skin issues and dry skin. You can find oatmeal baths in many forms from shampoos to pastes and powders.
- Coconut oil
Many canine products contain coconut oil. Coconut oil is a great antibacterial, and antifungal and also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with allergies, dry skin, and insect bites.
- Water and Apple cider vinegar spray
If you don’t mind your Corgi smelling like salad dressing, this mixture work wonders for itchy skin and also has antiseptic and antifungal qualities.
Natural remedies can help with skin issues but keep in mind that if rashes or lesions do not clear up, please seek the help and guidance of your veterinarian.
Your Pembroke Welsh Corgi may need antibiotics or steroids to clear up skin conditions that are giving both your pup and your grief.
