Pembroke & Cardigan Welsh Corgi Forums

AlexMom · 12-20-2009, 09:03 AM

Hi All~
I'm new to the forums, but I need your help.

In my families quest to find our perfect little Corgi, we found a reputable breeder who had some puppies that could not be shown so she planned to sell them as pet puppies with a spay/neuter agreement. After getting to know her via email she said she may have had a better option for me. An older couple had purchased a pup in August and determined he was much too active for them. He was 6mths old, already neutered, shots, crate/house trained, health guaranteed etc. She said if I wanted him it would be no charge, they just wanted a good home for him.

Skipping ahead, I picked him up with all his paperwork and he is a doll! We LOVE HIM!!! She said he was being fed Science Diet, but if we wanted to change it that would be fine. She suggested that anything sold in Wal-Mart she wouldn't recommend. Well on our way home we stopped at Target because I was sure they would have Science Diet. They didn't and it was really late so I grabbed a bag of this food call Beneful. It looked to be really good and I'm somewhat of an amateur. Well a week later Alex is shedding a lot more then I've ever noticed before. My son was rubbing his back and you could see the hair coming off. I took him out his crate and his rope toy was covered in hair and it has never looked like that after being in the crate with him. I gave him a bath and figured I'd brush the loss hair away in the bath and the brush just kept filling up. I rushed to PetSmart and picked up the Science Diet since that is the only thing I could think of.

I'm so worried that I did something wrong. Can someone tell me if it could be anything else. If it is the food, how long before things start to go back to normal.

Meg · 12-20-2009, 09:14 AM

Corgis shed ALOT. And depending on where you live if it is just starting to get colder he could be getting his winter coat. I am no expert - just read a lot. So I would think it is just the usual coat changes as long as there are no bald spots.

Jane Austen · 12-20-2009, 09:22 AM

Don't beat yourself up, you could not have done anything that would do permanent damage to the dog. It is probably stress from changing homes that is making his fur shed more than normal. Besides that is one thing you have to accept with Corgis is that they do shed a lot. Daily grooming will cut down on the fur becoming a problem to you.
Welcome to gocorgi and the world of Corgis. June

AlexMom · 12-20-2009, 09:41 AM

Thanks for the responses! I assumed the shed a good deal already, but it was very manageable when he first got here. It just all of a sudden went into overdrive.

I feel better and I'll keep an eye on him since I've changed the food.

glencorgi · 12-20-2009, 10:28 AM

Most probably you are just experiencing the joy <LOL> of his first blowing of coat (also known as shedding). Just the time of year with the addition of the stress involved in changing homes (even good things can be sources of stress).

For an idea of how much a corgi can shed, check out this link, Spock Shedding
Shedding

If you are seeing something along those lines, then that is "normal." <VBG> Get out your brush and comb and begin. You can put the fur outside for the birds to line their nests.

A tip to looking for quality foods; read the ingredient labels. You want to see meat as a first ingredient and try to avoid corn. As for some quality foods that ARE available at Walmart - Purina One, IAMS Natural, Natural Life Lamaderm can all be found there. They aren't the top end of the premium foods available, but they are good foods and reasonably priced.

In sending home rescues I have to factor into account what is available to the new home, what they are wanting to spend and then I make recommendations/suggestions for a quality food based on availability and budget factors. (Science Diet nor Beneful would be on "my" list.

)

Debbie

AlexMom · 12-20-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glencorgi

In sending home rescues I have to factor into account what is available to the new home, what they are wanting to spend and then I make recommendations/suggestions for a quality food based on availability and budget factors. (Science Diet nor Beneful would be on "my" list.

)

Debbie

Yeah I'm going to call the breeder today because I believe she suggested Science Diet because that is what the previous owners had been feeding him for 4 months, and It's also listed in the "Thank You Letter" I received from them.

But in the breeder "Things you should know" letter in the packet she sends home with new owners she listed "Blue Buffalo Puppy - Chicken w/ Plain Yogurt as her preferred food, and she sends a small bag home with each puppy. I don't want to keep changing his food though.

glencorgi · 12-20-2009, 02:14 PM

Blue Buffalo is a much better choice and at six months you can start to transition him to adult food, <imo>

Debbie

glencorgi · 12-20-2009, 02:15 PM

Blue Buffalo is a much better choice and at six months you can start to transition him to adult food, <imo>

Debbie

chrismunkrn · 12-20-2009, 02:26 PM

Welcome and Congratulations! I remember when we first brought Blizzard home (he was 4 months old)...he didn't shed...I thought people posting about epic Corgi shedding were nuts. OH MY...when he blew his coat...*poooffff* fur everywhere!!! He lost a fair amount of fur and I was worried too until I read the posts again. Corgis shed...A LOT! Enjoy the little fellow, you may be seeing normal Corgi coat blow! =)

Dillydoodle · 12-20-2009, 02:52 PM

I would definately transition him off the beneful - i agree that blue buffalo is a much better food...

glad you were able to take in this little guy and that you are happy with him. The shedding, as everyone has already mentioned, is normal for this breed... invest in a good vacuume cleaner LOL! I always thought it was kind of odd that when I was initially trying to find out info about the breed, everyone mentioned the shedding, mean, most dogs shed... i expected that... then i got my first corgi... and 6 months later i realized what they were all talking about !

Emilie

AlexMom · 12-20-2009, 03:05 PM

Well I bought the Science Diet last night and just opened it this morning :-( I was mixing it with the Beneful to slowly transition him. He's only had one feeding like that. Should I trash the Beneful, and transition him with the Science Diet/Blue Buf. mix? Kinda unsure about how to do this now?

Louwants · 12-20-2009, 03:39 PM

Donate the dog food to a shelter. That way it doesn't go to waste.

AlexMom · 12-20-2009, 05:20 PM

Ok! So I went to PetSmart and picked up the Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice. The Sales Rep was there and she gave me a thorough 30 minute rundown of the product.
I'll start transitioning him per her instructions over about 2 weeks. I also picked up a slicker brush that is suppose to work really good to help with the shedding hair. I'm bummed that they didn't have a book about Corgis so I'm gonna pick one up on Amazon.com tonight. Thanks again for all you guys help!

Liam's Mommy · 12-20-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexMom

Ok! So I went to PetSmart and picked up the Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice. The Sales Rep was there and she gave me a thorough 30 minute rundown of the product.
I'll start transitioning him per her instructions over about 2 weeks. I also picked up a slicker brush that is suppose to work really good to help with the shedding hair. I'm bummed that they didn't have a book about Corgis so I'm gonna pick one up on Amazon.com tonight. Thanks again for all you guys help!

If you want a good book that also supports corgis get the book from CorgiAid. It talks about grooming and generally corgi care, along with cute stories. I just got the book as a gift for my mom who owns a corgi too. It is really a neat book. You can get it from here: Everything Corgi: A Book to Benefit CorgiAid

Dillydoodle · 12-20-2009, 07:28 PM

A really great book to get about the pembroke is "pembroke Welsh corgi -family friend and farm hand" here it is on amazon:

Amazon.com: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Family Friend and Farmhand (Howell Best of Breed) (0021898451521): Susan M. Ewing: Books

Good luck with your transition to the new food... doing it over the course of two weeks, you really should not have any tummy issues...
Emilie

12-20-2009, 09:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
AlexMom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	Corgi just started losing hair Hi All~ I'm new to the forums, but I need your help. In my families quest to find our perfect little Corgi, we found a reputable breeder who had some puppies that could not be shown so she planned to sell them as pet puppies with a spay/neuter agreement. After getting to know her via email she said she may have had a better option for me. An older couple had purchased a pup in August and determined he was much too active for them. He was 6mths old, already neutered, shots, crate/house trained, health guaranteed etc. She said if I wanted him it would be no charge, they just wanted a good home for him. Skipping ahead, I picked him up with all his paperwork and he is a doll! We LOVE HIM!!! She said he was being fed Science Diet, but if we wanted to change it that would be fine. She suggested that anything sold in Wal-Mart she wouldn't recommend. Well on our way home we stopped at Target because I was sure they would have Science Diet. They didn't and it was really late so I grabbed a bag of this food call Beneful. It looked to be really good and I'm somewhat of an amateur. Well a week later Alex is shedding a lot more then I've ever noticed before. My son was rubbing his back and you could see the hair coming off. I took him out his crate and his rope toy was covered in hair and it has never looked like that after being in the crate with him. I gave him a bath and figured I'd brush the loss hair away in the bath and the brush just kept filling up. I rushed to PetSmart and picked up the Science Diet since that is the only thing I could think of. I'm so worried that I did something wrong. Can someone tell me if it could be anything else. If it is the food, how long before things start to go back to normal.

12-20-2009, 02:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
chrismunkrn Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 987 Member's Picture Albums	Welcome and Congratulations! I remember when we first brought Blizzard home (he was 4 months old)...he didn't shed...I thought people posting about epic Corgi shedding were nuts. OH MY...when he blew his coat...poooffff fur everywhere!!! He lost a fair amount of fur and I was worried too until I read the posts again. Corgis shed...A LOT! Enjoy the little fellow, you may be seeing normal Corgi coat blow! =) __________________ Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among stars. Les Brown

12-20-2009, 03:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
Louwants Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newark, Ohio Posts: 597 Member's Picture Albums	Donate the dog food to a shelter. That way it doesn't go to waste. __________________ Lou Ann "A corgi smile cures all ails" Duncan Donut http://www.dogster.com/dogs/288774 Chloe http://www.dogster.com/dogs/288750

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12-20-2009, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
Meg Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Windham, NH Posts: 47 Member's Picture Albums	Corgis shed ALOT. And depending on where you live if it is just starting to get colder he could be getting his winter coat. I am no expert - just read a lot. So I would think it is just the usual coat changes as long as there are no bald spots.

12-20-2009, 09:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jane Austen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: .Massachusetts Posts: 1,157 Member's Picture Albums	Don't beat yourself up, you could not have done anything that would do permanent damage to the dog. It is probably stress from changing homes that is making his fur shed more than normal. Besides that is one thing you have to accept with Corgis is that they do shed a lot. Daily grooming will cut down on the fur becoming a problem to you. Welcome to gocorgi and the world of Corgis. June

12-20-2009, 09:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
AlexMom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	Thanks for the responses! I assumed the shed a good deal already, but it was very manageable when he first got here. It just all of a sudden went into overdrive. I feel better and I'll keep an eye on him since I've changed the food.

12-20-2009, 10:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
glencorgi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 4,057	Most probably you are just experiencing the joy <LOL> of his first blowing of coat (also known as shedding). Just the time of year with the addition of the stress involved in changing homes (even good things can be sources of stress). For an idea of how much a corgi can shed, check out this link, Spock Shedding Shedding If you are seeing something along those lines, then that is "normal." <VBG> Get out your brush and comb and begin. You can put the fur outside for the birds to line their nests. A tip to looking for quality foods; read the ingredient labels. You want to see meat as a first ingredient and try to avoid corn. As for some quality foods that ARE available at Walmart - Purina One, IAMS Natural, Natural Life Lamaderm can all be found there. They aren't the top end of the premium foods available, but they are good foods and reasonably priced. In sending home rescues I have to factor into account what is available to the new home, what they are wanting to spend and then I make recommendations/suggestions for a quality food based on availability and budget factors. (Science Diet nor Beneful would be on "my" list. ) Debbie

12-20-2009, 02:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
glencorgi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 4,057	Blue Buffalo is a much better choice and at six months you can start to transition him to adult food, <imo> Debbie

12-20-2009, 02:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
glencorgi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 4,057	Blue Buffalo is a much better choice and at six months you can start to transition him to adult food, <imo> Debbie

12-20-2009, 02:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dillydoodle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,275	I would definately transition him off the beneful - i agree that blue buffalo is a much better food... glad you were able to take in this little guy and that you are happy with him. The shedding, as everyone has already mentioned, is normal for this breed... invest in a good vacuume cleaner LOL! I always thought it was kind of odd that when I was initially trying to find out info about the breed, everyone mentioned the shedding, mean, most dogs shed... i expected that... then i got my first corgi... and 6 months later i realized what they were all talking about ! Emilie

12-20-2009, 03:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
AlexMom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	Well I bought the Science Diet last night and just opened it this morning :-( I was mixing it with the Beneful to slowly transition him. He's only had one feeding like that. Should I trash the Beneful, and transition him with the Science Diet/Blue Buf. mix? Kinda unsure about how to do this now?

12-20-2009, 05:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
AlexMom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6	Ok! So I went to PetSmart and picked up the Blue Buffalo Lamb and Brown Rice. The Sales Rep was there and she gave me a thorough 30 minute rundown of the product. I'll start transitioning him per her instructions over about 2 weeks. I also picked up a slicker brush that is suppose to work really good to help with the shedding hair. I'm bummed that they didn't have a book about Corgis so I'm gonna pick one up on Amazon.com tonight. Thanks again for all you guys help!

12-20-2009, 07:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dillydoodle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,275	A really great book to get about the pembroke is "pembroke Welsh corgi -family friend and farm hand" here it is on amazon: Amazon.com: The Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Family Friend and Farmhand (Howell Best of Breed) (0021898451521): Susan M. Ewing: Books Good luck with your transition to the new food... doing it over the course of two weeks, you really should not have any tummy issues... Emilie

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Corgi just started losing hair