Choosing a suitable dog breed for your household is not an easy task. It is even worse if you or someone in your home is an allergy sufferer.

This small, fluffy, amusing, and highly energetic dog named “Corgi” usually comes to the mind of aspiring dog owners as a number one option. However, is this dog breed worth it?

Well, corgis are one of the best dogs breeds you can have in your household. They have a small stature and can easily be picked up and played with, they are playful, smart, amusing, and very friendly with kids. However, are corgis hypoallergenic?

The short answer to the question “Are corgis hypoallergenic” is NO. While these dogs incorporate plenty of positive personalities, it is unfortunate that they are not suitable for allergy sufferers.

On the other hand, it is still possible for allergy sufferers to live comfortably with a Corgi. But how? In this blog, we have revealed all you need to know about hypoallergenic breeds. You will also get to know how to reduce your allergic symptoms while living with a corgi.

Without further ado, let’s make your Corgi adoption easier and more comfortable!

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

In simple terms, “hypoallergenic” simply means there is a lower likelihood of causing allergies in sensitive individuals.

Dogs considered hypoallergenic produce fewer allergens or have coat types that trap allergens, making them less likely to provoke allergies in people.

What causes a Dog to be Hypoallergenic?

Many allergy sufferers believe that pet hairs trigger their allergies. However, this is not true. The three major allergens in dogs are dander, urine, and saliva. These three components are the causes of allergic reactions.

Dander is a tiny, microscopic fleck of skin produced by the oil glands on a dog’s skin. It often attaches itself to dog coats and falls off when the dog sheds.

With that being said, dogs that shed heavily are considered least hypoallergenic while those that shed minimally and considered hypoallergenic.

Apart from shedding minimally and producing urine and saliva in lower quantities, most hypoallergenic dogs also have the following characteristics:

• They are often small in size with just a single coat.
• They have hair similar to human’s own
• They have low odor levels.

The Top 10 Hypoallergenic Dogs for Allergy Sufferers

If you are looking forward to adopting a hypoallergenic dog, consider choosing from this list:

• Giant Schnauzer
• Havanese
• Lhasa Apso
• Maltese
• Poodles
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Yorkshire Terrier

These dogs incorporate all hypoallergenic traits. Most of them have small stature with just a single coat. They shed minimally and produce dander seldom.

Are Corgis Hypoallergenic?

No, Corgis are not hypoallergenic. They are classified under heavy shedders and living with this dog breed will likely trigger your immune system and cause allergies.

Corgis are of two types, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgis. These two breeds are not hypoallergenic, with the former being the worse.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a double coat that sheds throughout the year. During Spring and fall, they blow out their coat completely leaving them with just little fur on their skin.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi on the other hand also sheds however, it doesn’t do this year-round. They shed moderately throughout the year. Although, their shedding increases during seasons like spring & fall.

With all being said, the bottom line is that Corgis are not hypoallergenic. However, not all hopes are lost. You can make living with a corgi comfortable by taking medications and following a simple routine.

Steps like feeding your corgi a highly nutritious meal, taking allergy medication, and grooming the corgi regularly can go a long way in establishing an allergy-free relationship between you and a corgi.

What Should You Do to Minimize your Allergies to Corgis?

We understand that you are a corgi lover. However, it doesn’t have to be a make-or-break situation. If you are looking forward to establishing a comfortable environment between you and a corgi. Below are some helpful tips:

1. Groom them Regularly

Grooming your corgi regularly with a suitable brush will remove loose hair that contains dander, therefore preventing it from spreading all over your home. You may want to wear a nose mask or gloves while brushing to prevent allergy attacks.

Bathing your corgi regularly is another way to minimize your allergies to them. Do this with a mild shampoo designed for dogs.

However, bathing your pooch frequently will dry up their skin and lead to excessive shedding. in this case, experts recommend bathing them once every month.

2. Feed them with Nutritious Diet

Diet plays a huge role in maintaining your dog’s overall health. Consult with your veterinarian and make inquiries about nutritional-dense foods that are capable of improving your dog’s skin and minimizing shedding.

3. Clean your Home Regularly

Regular cleaning is one of the essential duties for people living with heavy shedders. It won’t be a crime to add it to your schedule too since you are now living with a corgi.

Clean your house, carpet, furniture, window, blinds and everywhere your dog usually stays. You may also invest in a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. This filter can help capture dander and loose hair hiding in your home.

Aside from cleaning, you may also want to adjust your home a bit to stay comfortable. Below are the things you should do:

• Wear a nose mask when playing with your dog
• Don’t sleep on the same bed with your corgi. Keep his bed in another room or somewhere a bit far from your room.

4. Take Allergy Medications

If you have severe allergy symptoms while around your Corgi, you should visit your doctor for allergy medications or injections.

Antihistamines such as Claritin (loratadine) or Benadryl (diphenhydramine) have been confirmed by medical practitioners to relieve allergy symptoms.

5. Consider Adopting a Mixed Corgi

Adopting a mixed corgi instead of a pure-bred corgi is another way to reduce your allergies to them.

When a corgi is mixed with a hypoallergenic breed such as poodles, shih tzus, or miniature schnauzer. The genetic make-up and traits of these breeds will be passed on to the corgi and in this case, the hypoallergenic trait will be present in the corgi.

Final Thought

Are Corgis Hypoallergenic? The short answer to this question is NO. Corgis are heavy shedders and they are likely to trigger allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers.

However, you can still live comfortably with this breed if you take a few safety measures. For example, you may groom them often, feed them nutritious meals that improve their skin health, vacuum your home regularly to remove allergens, wear a nose mask while around them, and a lot more.

You may also get a mixed corgi instead of a pure-bred one. A corgi mixed with hypoallergenic breeds such as poodle, shih tzu, Maltese, etc. is less likely to trigger your immune system and cause allergic symptoms.

Before you go, you can also read: Do Dalmatians shed a lot?