What is a Fluffy Corgi?

Have you been cruising around the internet and suddenly stopped, because you’ve just seen the biggest ball of fluff shaped in the form of your favourite dog?!

No, you’re not going crazy. You’ve simply stumbled across one of life’s beautiful treats: the fluffy corgi!
You’ve seen the perfectly groomed corgis of Instagram fame. Now meet their wild sibling (not actually wild – perfectly domesticated!). This counterpart is known as the long-haired corgi. Here’s a sample:

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A post shared by ? Maxine the Fluffy Corgi (@madmax_fluffyroad)

Want to know more? You’re in luck! Here are some of the answers to the questions you’ve always wondered about the fluffy corgi.

What is the difference between Fluffy Corgis and Regular Corgis?

Here’s the thing: the only real difference between a fluffy corgi and a regular corgi is… wait for it… fluffiness!

It’s not a separate breed like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is to the Cardigan Corgi. There is no special diet, or ear shape, or health problem specific to fluffies. The gene that affects fluffiness is set to only influence that area of the body.

That also means that you can have a fluffy Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a fluffy Cardigan Corgi. Or even a fluffy crossbreed. Now, as to which one you get – or whether you opt for a short-hair instead – that’s up to you.

The science behind Fluffy Corgis

Of course, the fluffiness of your corgi is not just magic. As mentioned, it’s caused by a specific gene in the body: the FGF5 gene – often called the “Fluff Gene”.

The Fluff Gene is a crucial gene in determining hair length, not only in corgis, but other dog breeds. It’s even used for humans!

The Fluffiness factor is caused by recessive traits passed down in this gene from the parents.
The gene was able to survive as a recessive gene, because it could come in handy – particularly for historical corgis in harsher environments.

This is where it starts to get tricky.

Parents pass down genes to their puppies. These can either be Dominant or Recessive. A puppy will get one gene from each parent. This means a puppy can have:

Two Dominant Genes
Two Recessive Genes
One Dominant, One Recessive Gene

Fluffiness is the result of having TWO recessive genes. If a corgi has a dominant gene from either parent, it will not be fluffy.

Because of this, a corgi with one dominant, one recessive gene will be short-haired.

This means does however mean that, while less common, it is possible for two short-haired parents to have a fluffy corgi. So, the ways to get a fluffy include:

Two Fluffy Corgis: Who only have recessive genes to pass on.
Two Short-Hair Corgis with One Dominant, One Recessive Gene: And this pairing happens to pass on the recessive genes.
One Short-Hair (with One Dominant, One Recessive Gene) and One Fluffy Corgi: With both passing on their available recessive genes.

Phew! Got all that?

The main thing to remember is that a corgi needs both recessive genes to be a fluffy. With one or none – it will be a short-haired aka normal corgi.

Here’s the kicker! Unless you specifically get the short-haired parents tested, there is no way to be 100% sure that carry the genes to pass on recessive traits.

And you thought having normal puppies was hard!

Are Fluffy Corgis rare?

In a sense, yes. Because fluffy corgis are only the result of recessive genes passed down from the parents, it is very difficult to breed them.

The only combination that will ensure a fluffy is by having two fluffy parents, but even then, due to the chance of mutation, that’s not a guarantee.

Likewise, because it is a recessive gene, breeders are discouraged from intentionally breeding them.
Thanks to social media though, you’re more likely than ever to see fluffy corgis, even if it is on a screen and not in real-life.

How can I tell if my corgi puppy is a Fluffy Corgi?

If you’ve picked up your corgi from the breeder, you may still be wondering: “How the heck do I know if this little puppy is going to be fluffy?”

Here’s a few signs that may mean you’re on the chugging down the trainline to fluffytown!

For puppies under a month: Keep an eye out for light feathering and longer hairs, particularly on the legs and chest
For puppies between one and two months: You should start to see feathering on the chest, ears and legs and longer hairs on the body.
For puppies over two months old: You should know whether your corgi is a fluffy – as the fluffiness of the fur should be noticeable. This is particularly if you compare them to their siblings, or other puppies around that age.

For the best answer, check in with your vet. They’ve got a lot of experience with seeing young puppies for comparison – and you may even be able to get a genetic test (though it is certainly cheaper just to wait and see!).

Does the American Kennel Club (AKC) approve of Fluffy Corgis?

No. Fluffiness – as cute as it is – is regarded as a flaw in the corgi breed according to the American Kennel Club.

For Pembroke Welsh Corgis, the fluffy mutation is called a “very serious fault.”
For Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the advice is that owners should “not be so exaggerated as to appear fluffy."

This is because the American Kennel Club has very strict rules about the ‘correct’ way to breed corgis. This is typically to ensure the health and longevity of the breed.

Are there any health issues for Fluffy Corgis?

No, the way that corgis live now mean that there are not any specific health issues caused by the recessive gene or excessive fluffiness.

That’s because the corgi is no longer a working dog – and doesn’t have anything to worry about with a long coat and overheating.

That means when it comes to health, you can treat them the same as their short-haired buddies.

Do fluffy corgis shed more?

No, however, grooming is very important.

Fluffy corgis are still known to shed in the same way as short-haired corgis. So you need to make sure you are brushing them regularly each week to avoid excess build up of fur and hair on the body, face and limbs.

Because of the longer hair, fluffy corgis can have issues with holding dirt, grime and water. They can similarly have issues with clumping, knotting and matting in their fur.

Are Fluffy Corgis hypoallergenic?

No. Fluffy corgis are not hypoallergenic.

Both short-haired and long-haired (fluffy) corgis contain the same follicles and excretion proteins that cause human’s to be allergic. These can be minimised (but not absolved) with good grooming habits.

How to groom a Fluffy Corgi

You may have noticed the trend so far that fluffy corgis can be treated the same as regular corgis. This is where that changes!

The fluffy has a different coat to the standard short-hair, and requires different grooming habits and techniques.

Every week during shedding months, and monthly during non-shedding months, you should brush their coat using a heavy-duty dog brush. You should also be looking at a weekly grooming using a fine-tooth comb to catch loose hairs.

Fluffy corgis need to be washed once every 1–2 months. In between washes, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth. This prevents excess washing which can remove the natural chemicals and oils in your corgi’s fur.

As a bonus tip, keep plenty of treats around for grooming. Corgis don’t always love getting groomed, and a few treats will help them stay calm and enjoy the process more.

Can I shave my Fluffy Corgi?

No. Do not try to shave your fluffy corgi. This is true for fluffy corgi adults and fluffy corgi puppies. It’s not good for their coat or their health – as their fur helps regulate their temperature.

If long fur isn’t your things (which is fine!), you should opt for a short-haired corgi instead.

Do Fluffy Corgis Stay Soft?

Yes. The long hair of a fluffy corgi does not bristle over time.

As long as you take good care of your corgi's coat, it will continue to stay soft and fluffy as they age.

Buying a fluffy corgi

We have a HUGE guide on how to buy a corgi. The advice for both short and long-haired corgis is very much the same.

However, here a few bonus questions specific to fluffy corgis.

How do I buy a fluffy corgi?

You can find fluffy corgis from reputable corgi breeders. You will need to visit them or have a conversation with them to find out if they are able to get you a fluffy corgi.

How much does a fluffy corgi cost?

A fluffy corgi should cost approximately the same as a regular corgi. A good breeder will not attempt to market them as a rarity or a specialty, despite being less common.

You should expect to pay anywhere from USD$500 to USD$2500 for a healthy fluffy corgi puppy.

Do you (MyFavCorgi) have fluffy corgis for sale?

We are not a seller of any corgis – so we don’t have fluffy corgis for sale.

Final Thoughts on Fluffy Corgis

No matter your corgi preference – short or long – these are the facts you need to know about fluffy corgis.

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