Do you have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? Are you worried they’re putting on too much weight? Here’s everything you need to know about the ideal weight for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!
What Is The Ideal Weight For A Pembroke Welsh Corgi? Adult male Pembroke Welsh Corgis should weigh no more than 30lbs, and females should be closer to 28lbs. Even though these are breed standard guidelines, you should still see definition to their body and be able to feel their ribs with your hand.
Read on to find out how to visually check whether your Corgi could be overweight, why they get overweight, and what you can do to keep them at a healthy weight.
Never use the advice in this article as a substitute for professional veterinary advice or treatment. I am NOT a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist. This article is based on research, personal opinion and experience of owning dogs over the last 12+ years.
Is My Corgi Overweight?
Because Pembroke Welsh Corgis can naturally vary in size and build, you shouldn’t solely rely on how much they weigh to tell if they’re overweight.
If your Corgi shows any of the following signs, they could be overweight:
There’s No Definition To Your Corgi’s Body
Although you might think it’s cute for your Corgi to be ‘chunky’ it can actually be very dangerous to their health.
They should have a clearly defined waistline, similar to an hourglass shape when you look at them from above.
You should also be able to see a defined tuck behind their ribcage instead of a lot of fat around their stomach!
You Can’t Feel Your Corgi’s Ribs
If you run your hand over your Corgi’s ribcage, you should be able to easily feel their ribs without pressing too hard.
If you can’t feel their ribs without digging in to find them, your Corgi is likely to be overweight.
However, if you can see their ribs protruding and feel all of them very easily, then they could actually be underweight.
Your Corgi Has Got Obvious Fat Rolls
If your Corgi has got noticeable fat rolls anywhere on their body, then they’re definitely overweight.
Fat rolls tend to develop around their neck and shoulders, and they can be more apparent when they’re sitting or lying down.
They can be more difficult to see because Corgis have thick coats, but you’ll be able to feel them easily if you do a quick check by hand.
Your Corgi Is Reluctant To Get Up Or Move
If your Corgi is reluctant to get up and move around as much as normal, then this can be a sign they’re overweight.
Carrying too many extra pounds puts more pressure on your Corgi’s joints, making it uncomfortable for them to get up or move.
They should be able to move freely and swiftly with ease.
Your Corgi Has Stopped Playing As Much
Corgis are a playful and energetic breed who love to have fun!
If they seem reluctant to play with their toys or other dogs in the household, it could be because they don’t have as much energy as they’re weighed down by extra pounds!
Your Corgi Gets Tired Easily
If your Corgi gets tired and out of breath quickly, even when they’ve done very little, it could be because they’re overweight.
Carrying extra weight around can wear them out easily and make them reluctant to want to do much.
Your Corgi Can’t Lick Or Scratch Themselves
If your Corgi is overweight, it can affect their flexibility.
If they’re struggling to lick or scratch themselves, they may be carrying too much extra weight.
Why Do Corgis Get Overweight?
There are many reasons why Corgis get overweight, here’s what you need to know:
Corgis Are Prone To Obesity
Because of their long backs and short legs, Corgis can be more prone to obesity than other dog breeds are.
This makes it even more dangerous for them to be overweight or obese because it puts extra stress on their spine, joints and organs.
Corgis Are Greedy
Not only are they prone to gaining weight, but Corgis are also very greedy little dogs!
They’ll eat as much as they have access to and won’t stop, even if they’re not hungry. So, it’s your job to monitor how much they’re eating each day.
Your Corgi Isn’t Being Exercised Enough
Adult Corgis need at least 1 hour of exercise each day as well as plenty of playtime too.
Many Corgis enjoy much more exercise than this though, so decide what’s best for your dog.
If they’re not active enough they can quickly gain weight, and that could potentially reduce their overall life expectancy.
Your Corgi Has A Health Condition
If your Corgi suffers from a health condition like hip or elbow dysplasia or the back disease IVDD, it can make it more difficult or even impossible for them to exercise regularly.
This can lead to weight gain, which in turn can make their other health conditions worse.
Society Normalizes Obese Corgis
Being the 11th most popular dog breed in America, there are hundreds of videos online which show overweight or obese Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
This normalizes Corgis being overweight by saying they’re ‘big-boned’ or ‘well-built.’
Owners then see little problem with their Corgis looking the same way, when in reality they can be drastically overweight.
How Do I Keep My Corgi At A Healthy Weight?
This is how to help keep your Corgi at a healthy weight:
Monitor Your Corgi’s Portion Sizes
Weigh out your Corgis dog food portions, and don’t just guess. This way, you know exactly how much food they’re getting, not just an estimation.
It’s also not always good to rely on the feeding guidelines on your Corgi’s food packaging either.
This doesn’t take into consideration your Corgi’s metabolism, how active they are, or how many treats they’re eating, so you could easily over or underfeed them.
Feed Your Corgi A Suitable Diet
Choosing a high-quality dog food, made from natural ingredients can help your Corgi maintain a healthy weight.
Foods that contain fillers or artificial ingredients, colours and flavours, often contain more calories too.
Make Sure Your Corgi is Being Exercised Enough
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have been bred since the early 1900s as herding dogs, so they’ve got lots of energy and stamina.
Make sure they’re getting plenty of daily exercise to help keep them fit and able to maintain a healthy weight. If they’re lying around on the sofa all day with nothing to do, they’ll quickly pile on the pounds!
Limit Your Corgi’s Treats
Corgis are super greedy, and they love nothing more than a tasty treat! So you need to resist their pleading eyes though and limit how many treats you give them.
Choose healthy treats made from natural ingredients and avoid anything artificial.
You can even add some vegetables and fruits as treats as these are often lower in calories than some shop-bought dog treats.
Weigh Your Corgi Regularly
Weighing your Corgi regularly lets you know if they’re on track to maintaining a healthy weight.
It’s important not to rely on the numbers on the scales completely though, but it does give you a good idea where they’re up to and that their weight is stable.
Examine Your Corgi’s Body Condition Regularly
It can be difficult to visually spot minor weight changes on your Corgi because of their thick, fluffy coats.
Make sure you physically examine your Corgi regularly. If you stop being able to feel their ribs, you know it’s time to cut down their calories and increase their exercise too.
Don’t Feed Your Corgi Table Scraps
Although it may be tempting to share your food with your Corgi, human food can be very high in calories.
If your Corgi is regularly eating calorific table scraps, they can rapidly gain weight – and they’re smart at manipulating you to feed them at the table too!
If you want to feed them extra leftovers sometimes, be sure to reduce the amount of dog food they’re getting to compensate. Don’t do it too often if possible though!
So there you have it! According to the American Kennel Club breed standard guidelines, adult male Pembroke Welsh Corgis should weigh no more than 30lbs, and females 28lbs. However, as all Corgis are slightly different shapes and sizes, it’s impossible to determine if your Corgi is a healthy weight just by how much they weigh. So look for definition to their body, obvious rolls of fat around the neck area, and feel their ribs with your hand!
What do I do next?
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