Corgi Lifespan: How Long Do Corgis Live?

The Corgi is an absolutely adorable dog. They are best known for being an incredibly playful, outgoing, and even protective dog breed. This is what continues to make them such a popular pet dog breed. 

Corgis are instantly recognizable by their distinct body shape as well. Their long bodies and short legs make them hard to ever mistake for other dog breeds. As such a popular breed, you may have been interested in taking one home to be a part of your family. In that case, you may have wondered about the corgi lifespan and how long this breed lives?

In this article, we’ll discuss the average corgi lifespan as well as how you can extend the life of your pet Corgi!

How Long Do Corgis Live?

Corgis live an average of 12-15 years. The Corgi lifespan is particularly long, especially when compared to the average longevity of purebred dogs, which is eleven years. Another factor that comes into play is the fact that smaller dog breeds also live longer than larger ones. It has also been noted that female Corgis will often outlive males by one or two years. 

Welsh corgis are classified into two breeds: Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. The average lifespan between the two breeds is actually relatively the same. Cardigans averaged 12 years and 2 months of life, whereas Pembrokes averaged 12 years and 3 months.

Many Corgis eventually pass away from cancer or kidney failure. This is why taking good care of your Corgi is absolutely necessary. 

So now that we’ve uncovered the Corgi lifespan, what does the Corgi life cycle look like? How do they go from puppy to adult? Let’s find out! 

The Average Corgi Life Cycle

Curious about how newborn Corgis become the lovable dog that all of us know? Let’s explore the Corgi life cycle and how they grow. 

Newborn Puppies 

Corgis are considered newborns from the start of their lives until about 4 weeks. Like all other dog breeds, Corgi puppies are born are blind, deaf, and unable to regulate their own body temperature. This is why they rely so much on their mother. Their mother will nurse them and keep them warm during the first month of their lives. After 2 weeks, Corgis will begin to open their eyes and start moving around. 

Puppies 

After one month, a Corgi is now no longer considered a newborn. From one month to about 6 months they are puppies. Mothers will be less willing to nurse them at this point as their teeth will begin to nip at her. At this age, Corgi puppies can be taken care of without the help of their mother. At about 2 months old, Corgis will begin to interact with their environment even more. This is when Corgis will want to start socializing as well! At this age, they are playful, full of energy, and interested in learning all about their surroundings.

Young Adults 

Once a Corgi reaches a year old, they are fully mature. However, even though their body is mature, that doesn’t mean that their behavior will be. This is also the age when training is the most important. Male Corgis may begin mounting female Corgis. Or you may find that your male Corgi is suddenly much more aggressive and territorial. Female Corgis, on the other hand, may begin to urinate around the house on a frequent basis in order to attract possible mates. Since Corgis are still growing and learning at this age, it’s important to reinforce good behavior and allow them to explore! 

Adult 

At the age of 4, your Corgi will have reached their largest physical size. At this point, your Corgi will no longer grow. Adult Corgis are much harder to train as they may become fixed in their behavior. At this age, taking care of the Corgis health and getting them sufficient amounts of exercise are of the utmost importance. 

How To Extend The Life Of Your Corgi 

As stated, the Corgi lifespan is actually quite long compared to other dog breeds. If you happen to have a Corgi or are looking to get one as a pet, then you can rest assured that the average Corgi is a pretty healthy dog. However, they are vulnerable to certain health conditions that can negatively impact their quality of life. If you’re interested in keeping your Corgi as healthy and happy as possible, then we’ve got some tips for you. 

Here are some of the top things you can do to help with your Corgi’s lifespan: 

• Adequate amounts of exercise. As a herding breed, Corgis love to move around and to have something to do. Since they are small with longer backs, they are able to put on weight easily. This extra weight gain can eventually cause back pain and back issues for them. Making sure that your Corgi goes on daily walks, anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour will keep them in shape. 
• Keep them mentally stimulated. Corgis love to have a task to do. They’re incredibly intelligent and are used to herding animals. Provide your Corgi with ample mental stimulation so that they don’t grow bored and restless. Games, dog training, as well as playing and socializing with other dogs are all great ways to keep them entertained! 
• Feed them a healthy diet. A Corgi’s diet will have a big impact on their health and their weight. When it comes to feeding them a healthy diet, it’s important to keep certain things in mind. A majority, roughly 50 to 75%, of a Corgi’s diet should be meat protein. The remaining should be 15 to 18 percent fat, and 25 percent carbs. 
• Take grooming seriously. Another way to extend your Corgis lifespan is to take care of their coat. The Corgi has a medium-density double coat and making sure to do a brush through at least once a day will help with removing dead hair. Making sure that their hair is cut shorter during the hot summer months is a great way to make sure they stay cool. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Natalia Fedosova/Shutterstock.com