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How Long Do Corgis Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Written by: Oliver Jones

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Oliver Jones

How Long Do Corgis Live? Average Lifespan, Data & Care

Corgis are Welsh dogs that are strong, athletic, and affectionate. Originally used as herding dogs, Corgis make loving family pets that are happiest when they have an activity to do.

Corgis are surprisingly agile given their unique body shape. These long dogs are set low to the ground on short, muscular legs.

There are two types of Welsh Corgi: the Pembroke and the Cardigan. Pembroke Corgis almost always have docked tails. Cardigans have long, bushy tails. Aside from that, telling the two apart can be difficult.

Corgis have an average lifespan of around 12–15 years. Not every Corgi will have the same lifespan, and different factors can affect their longevity. Each individual dog requires care suited to their needs. Let’s look at how long Corgis live and why.

divider-pawWhat’s the Average Lifespan of a Corgi?

There’s no exact way to tell the lifespan of each Corgi. While their average lifespan is 12–15 years, this can differ according to the individual dog’s health, genetic makeup, and quality of life. Small dogs have a reputation for living long lives, but there are exceptions to every breed.

When you welcome a Corgi into your home, you want to do the best that you can to provide them with everything that they need to live long, happy, and healthy lives. There are several things to consider when caring for a Corgi.

welsh corgi pembroke winks
Image By: RikiEnot, Shutterstock

Why Do Some Corgis Live Longer Than Others?

1. Nutrition

Your Corgi’s nutrition plays a large role in their overall health. Feeding them high-quality, protein-packed food is the first place to start. Most of the ingredients listed on the packaging should be recognizable and familiar to you. If you can’t calculate your dog’s daily dietary needs yourself, your vet will be able to tell you how much to feed your dog at each meal.

Nutrition for each life stage of your Corgi is important for the health of your dog. Puppies have different dietary requirements than adult dogs. Adult dogs have different dietary requirements than senior dogs. The life stage should be stated on the food’s label so you know which one to pick for your dog’s age.

In addition to feeding your Corgi healthy food, the amount that you feed them should be monitored. Corgis can quickly become overweight if they’re fed too many calories. Obesity can lead to health issues that shorten your dog’s lifespan.

Treats are acceptable, especially during training, but Corgis shouldn’t have too many. Treats are added calories that can also lead to obesity. To avoid this, you can add the number of calories per treat into your dog’s daily caloric intake to make sure you don’t exceed it.


2. Living Conditions

Proper living conditions are vital for any animal to have a healthy life. Shelter is the first important need for an animal to live well. Corgis should not be exposed to the elements for extended periods. They are hardy dogs that can tolerate cold weather, but that doesn’t mean they can live in it permanently.

All Corgis should have a clean, dry place to live. Being cold and wet can lead to illnesses in pets, just like in people. Dogs can suffer from frostbite, hypothermia, and infections. They should also have access to clean water and fresh food at all times. If dogs are forced to live outside and find their own water, they can wind up drinking from contaminated puddles and becoming ill.

Just like Corgis shouldn’t ever be too cold, they shouldn’t be too hot either. Dogs can experience heatstroke. The tolls that the environmental stressors take on their bodies can ultimately shorten their lives.

If your Corgi is kept inside, they should be given regular chances to go outside to potty and get some exercise. At least once a day, your dog should get exercise either on a walk or playing in an enclosed area, like a backyard.

Your home should be safe and comfortable for your Corgi. If they are constantly living in fear, depression, or anxiety, this can affect their lifespan. If you have a naturally nervous dog, providing them with places to feel safe and secure when they want to retreat can help them overcome these feelings.

Keeping your dog in a climate-controlled environment with fresh food and water daily, opportunities for exercise and play, and a safe place to sleep will help keep them healthy.

Your Corgi should also see the vet regularly to watch for and diagnose any health issues that are beginning or may begin. Early detection can help keep your dog healthier longer.

Corgi puppy
Image by: autopilotkodyma, Pixabay

3. Size

Usually, the larger the dog, the shorter their life expectancy. Corgis are considered small to medium-sized dogs, and they have a life expectancy of up to 15 years. A toy poodle is said to have a long lifespan, coming in at 18 years. Since Corgis don’t get very big, they won’t have to deal with many of the health issues that large dogs do. This helps add to their longevity.


4. Sex

The sex of your Corgi does not significantly affect their natural lifespan. What may affect them is whether they are spayed or neutered. Dogs may be able to live happier lives if they are altered because they have less aggression, fewer behavioral issues, and a lower risk of certain cancers.

Spaying female Corgis reduces their risk of mammary, uterine, and ovarian cancer. This procedure also guarantees that the dog cannot have any puppies. A female Corgi repeatedly having puppies can also limit her lifespan.

Neutering your male Corgi reduces his risk of testicular and prostate cancers or conditions.

red welsh corgi pembroke cute dog lying down on a dog bed
Image by: Jus_Ol, Shutterstock

5. Breeding History

Female Corgis that are overbred can have their lifespans cut short due to the stress on their bodies and health issues that may occur with each pregnancy and delivery. Corgis with a history of heavy breeding may have shortened lifespans because of it.

Additionally, the Corgi’s own breeding history is important to know. Puppies bred from parents in poor health can inherit genetic conditions and diseases. Reputable breeders take the time to health check their dogs before breeding them. They limit the chances of the puppies having any illnesses or diseases.

If your puppy is the result of parent dogs that passed down genetic conditions, these can shorten your Corgi’s lifespan.


6. Healthcare

Regular vet checkups are crucial to keep your Corgi healthy. Some illnesses start and progress slowly. A veterinarian can monitor the health of your dog and notice if health issues are developing.

Dental care is included in healthcare. Don’t forget to keep your pup’s teeth clean and healthy! Rotten teeth can cause infections, abscesses, and pain. Infections lead to an overgrowth of bacteria that can flow from your dog’s mouth throughout their bloodstream. This can lead to kidney and liver disease, heart disease, and even jaw fractures. If white blood cells are trying to clear the infections in the mouth, they can erode the supportive structures of the jaw. Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy is a simple and often overlooked way to support their overall health and longevity.

Sick Corgi
Image by: Nataliya Vaitkevich, Pexels

divider-paw

The 4 Life Stages of a Corgi

Puppy

Corgis are considered to be puppies from the time that they are born until they reach sexual maturity. During puppyhood, Corgis are learning about the world around them, socializing, and getting adjusted to their lives. They are establishing routines and learning commands.

Different dog breeds reach sexual maturity at different ages. With Corgis, the males reach sexual maturity anywhere from 6 to 8 months old. Females usually experience their first heat cycle around 9–11 months old.


Junior

This stage ranges from 6 to 12 months old. Your Corgi can reproduce but isn’t fully grown yet. It’s an awkward stage that is also called the “teenager” stage of dog years.


Adult

Once your Corgi stops growing, they will be considered an adult dog. They will look like a fully grown dog and lose many of their puppy behaviors. This stage occurs from 1 to 7 years old.


Mature Adult/Senior

Dogs are considered to be mature or senior when they are over 7 years old. Their needs are different at this stage, and they may be starting to experience health issues. They may require different diets and exercise methods.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Image by: Welshea, Shutterstock

How to Tell Your Corgi’s Age

The first way to tell your Corgi’s age is to look at them. Adult Corgis are 10–12 inches tall and weigh approximately 23–28 pounds. If your Corgi is smaller than this, they are likely still in the puppy stage. As Corgis age, they not only get taller but also wider. They can keep filling out until they reach 3 years of age.

Corgi puppies will have all their teeth by the time that they are 6 months old. Looking at their teeth can help determine their age during puppyhood and young adulthood. As they age, it can get harder to determine. The amount of tartar on the teeth can help veterinarians guess an age, but some dogs develop tartar and dental diseases earlier in life than others. Small dogs, like Corgis, tend to have more tartar on their teeth than large breeds. Generally, clean, healthy teeth indicate a younger dog.

Fat deposits and muscle deterioration occur over time. As a Corgi ages, their spine will become more visible on their back. Senior dogs also have greying hair and cloudy eye lenses.

divider-pawConclusion

Corgis are loving family companions with lifespans of up to 15 years. They make wonderful additions to any household and can live happily for many years with the proper care.

Genetics, breeding, diet, and living conditions all affect any dog’s lifespan. Regular vet checks will keep your dog healthy and determine if any health issues are beginning. Catching any illnesses early can help slow their progression or stop them completely.

Dental care is important to pay attention to with your Corgi. If they have infected or rotten teeth, it can lead to illnesses elsewhere in their bodies.

Even if you don’t know the background of your dog, such as how they were bred or what health conditions their parents had, they can still live a long and happy life. You can help them achieve this by giving them the best quality of care to keep them as healthy as possible.

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Featured Image Credit: ElfinFox, Pixabay

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