Corgi fluffy: features of the gene and the maintenance of puppies
Corgis are short dogs with an elongated body. They are popular with dog breeders and hobbyists. Sometimes the fluffy gene gets into the dog's gene pool, the animal is culled and cannot participate in exhibitions. This gene is responsible for the degree of hairiness. Welsh Corgi Pembroke and Welsh Corgi Cardigan puppies may have this gene. Puppies are on sale quite actively, since the price for them has been reduced by almost half. It is nevertheless necessary to evaluate all the pros and cons of the future pet, so as not to be disappointed in the purchase.
What is fluffy?
Fluffy is a recessive gene that can be present in parents of both sexes. If it is passed on to a puppy or puppies, they will visually differ from others in the litter with an elongated soft coat.
According to the standard, the wool of the corgi is of a short type, harsh with a very thick undercoat. Corgi fluffy doesn't have it.
Knowing the rules of the gene can determine if there will be fluffy puppies in the litter:
- if both parents are carriers, 1 out of 4 puppies will appear with fluffy;
- in the case of a standard crossing of a corgi with a fluffy carrier, the litter will be outwardly standard, but all puppies will become carriers;
- when a gene carrier and a fluffy are combined, half of the puppies will be born fluffy, half will be born carriers;
- if there is no fluffy in the litter, it is not a fact that there are no carriers among them.
Breeders concerned about improving the quality of the breed conduct DNA tests to identify carriers of the gene. For dog owners, it doesn't really matter. In any case, pedigree documents are added to the puppy. Shaggy Corgis are just as popular as purebreds. the fluffy gene makes a dog look great, but does not degrade the breed qualitatively.
There are a number of breeders who exclude carriers and fluffies from breeding, opinions on this matter are mixed. This behavior reduces the population of thoroughbred corgi, makes its immunity less resistant.
Description
After birth, only a specialist can see a Welsh Corgi in a puppy.
Fluffy will differ from its counterparts in about a month, when the fluffiness of the coat becomes apparent. The first elongated hairs will appear around the paws and ears.
Over time, the coat throughout the body will become longer. The weight of the dogs does not differ, but due to the greater amount of hair, the puppies with the gene will look larger.
Pembroke Corgi with the gene does not differ in color from the standard. Pembroke suits are very diverse, especially if the parents are of different colors. Possible Pembroke suits:
- reddish, with black strands in the paws;
- golden with or without white spots on the limbs, chest and muzzle;
- black-red & white.
Pembroke Fluffy in many ways looks more interesting, more original, more spectacular than its purebred brothers, therefore it is very popular. When choosing puppies from a litter, he may even seem the prettiest and cutest.
The Corgi Cardigan with the gene also matches the color of the purebred, if its parents are so. Possible options:
- brindle type - black-white-red;
- sable type;
- auburn with redness;
- blue merle;
- black with blue;
- marble type;
- gray-haired.
Snow-white individuals are rejected, but white spotting is allowed in the area of the tail, abdomen, paws, chest, chin.
Regardless of the presence of the gene, there are standard indicators of body weight, height for both breeds. Pembrokes grow from 25.4 to 35 cm, body weight varies from 10 to 12 kg. Cardigans grow from 26 to 31 cm, their body weight ranges from 12 to 15 kg. According to the standard, the tail should be exactly two times shorter than the body.
Corgis live with and without a gene from 12 to 15 years, but there are cases when life expectancy increased to 20 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
The first thing to be prepared for is the absence of exhibitions in the dog's life, since fluffies cannot take up space on them. This is compensated by the dog's qualities as a companion and friend. The corgi has a very docile and obedient disposition, they are playful, cheerful, cheerful. Dogs of this breed get along well with children, are sociable, love people, loyal to the owner.
Longer coat requires more care. For example, after walking in the snow, the fluffiness turns into lumps that are difficult to comb. It is necessary to unravel the wool immediately, otherwise then it will only have to be cut.
You need to purchase a special brush for combing out and clean up the coat after each walk.
In rainy weather, fluffy corgi do not look too cute. The lack of undercoat makes the dog instantly wet.
The coat dries out for a long time, and the dog can catch a cold if it is not dried.
This disadvantage is quite relative if the dog is properly cared for. If everything is done correctly, the pet will delight you with a spectacular appearance. It is recommended that you purchase special clothing for the weather to make it easier to care for your coat. You can also cut your dog's hair so that dirt and grass do not get entangled in the hairs when walking.
Maintenance and care
Regardless of the species, corgi are very active, energetic dogs. Therefore, it does not matter who you choose: Pembrokes, Cardigans with a gene or not - seemingly awkward, but extremely dexterous. They love to jump, run, walk with them a lot and for a long time, providing a sufficient amount of physical activity. This dog is not suitable for sedentary people. High-quality walking affects not only the health of the dog, but also the character, otherwise the corgi will constantly look for entertainment in the house and spoil things.
The dog is thermophilic, therefore, in cold weather with precipitation, they walk with it a little and always in overalls.High-quality walking includes games with a ball, plates. It is imperative to play with the dog.
It is very important to teach your dog not to pick up anything from the ground, rummage through the foliage, wallow in the grass. The dog can eat something harmful or get very dirty.
The main problem in caring for a fluffy is wool. The dog will have to be combed and cleaned after a walk every day. Wash the corgi as needed and be sure to let it dry in a warm room. For washing, use only special products for dogs.
It is very important to regularly check and brush your teeth, ears and eyes. The claws are trimmed as they grow back with the clipper. The use of scissors is prohibited.
Good grooming will ensure a long and healthy life for your dog. Although fluffy corgi are hardy, they often catch colds due to the lack of undercoat. Running a cold can lead to complications such as pneumonia. At the first sign of illness, the dog should be shown to the veterinarian. In addition, there are a number of diseases to which corgi are genetically predisposed:
- cataract;
- epilepsy;
- dysplasia of the joints;
- narcolepsy;
- diseases of the thyroid gland;
- poor blood clotting.
It is very important to show the dog to the veterinarian annually for examination in order to timely identify the disease and begin treatment. When diagnosed with dysplasia, caring for the corgi is more thorough, you need to closely monitor the dog, otherwise he will dislocate his paws. In addition to physical disorders, fluffies are susceptible to behavioral disorders. This is expressed in aggression or anxiety, fear.
Corgi health directly depends on nutrition, it must be balanced and of high quality.
Although the dog is not prone to allergic reactions, it is better to opt for ready-made feed... Their composition is thought out, vitamins and minerals are included. If you decide to feed your corgi with natural food, be sure to add vitamin-mineral complexes. Puppies are fed 5 to 6 times a day, gradually transitioning to two meals at 8 months of age.
It is strictly forbidden to feed the dog:
- potatoes;
- citrus fruits;
- milk and fermented milk products, with the exception of cottage cheese;
- pork;
- lamb;
- raw fish;
- oatmeal and pearl barley;
- legumes.
For information on how to properly bathe and dry your dog, see the next video.