It’s impossible not to love corgis—their chubby legs, bouncy tails, soft round bodies, and adorable fox-like faces almost seem too cute to be true.
A corgi’s crowning glory is none other than its soft and silky coat, with some corgis having longer and fuller coats than others. Extra fuzzy and huggable corgis are called “fluffy corgis,” and they exist due to a special genetic mutation that causes them to have longer hair.
If you’re curious to know more about fluffy corgis and how they came to be, you’re in for a paw-some time! Keep reading for some fascinating facts about these furry friends.
What Is a Fluffy Corgi?
A fluffy corgi is a long-haired version of the standard corgi breed. Its coat is lengthier and has more volume than usual, and fur tends to feather in special areas like the underbelly, ears, chest, legs, and on the corgi’s cute bottom.
The reason why fluffy corgis are quite rare is that they’re only bred through a specific recessive gene, called the “fluff gene.” Thankfully, this genetic mutation doesn’t cause any health issues for fluffy corgis—it just gives them the extra fluff!
Lengthy coats aside, fluffy corgis and regular corgis are essentially the same dog breeds and are even born in the same litter. Just keep in mind that fluffies tend to have a higher need for maintenance if you’re a soon-to-be pet parent who’s trying to decide between the two.
All About the Fluff Gene
Long-haired corgis are the result of a genetic mutation involving the recessive FGF5 fluff gene. This gene occurs in any of the two types of Welsh corgi breeds but is most commonly found in Pembroke Welsh corgis.
The fluff gene is transmitted from parent to puppy corgis, but a puppy needs to receive both of its parents’ fluff genes to develop a long coat. That means there’s no guarantee that having one or two fluffy parents will produce a fluffy offspring.
Corgis aren’t the only canine carriers of the fluff gene, though. Spitz breeds, including the Pomeranian, Chow Chow, Alaskan Malamute, and Shiba Inu, possess the same type of long, thick, and fluffy fur as well.
Fluffy Corgi vs. Regular Corgi: What’s the Difference?
Regular corgis have medium-length coats, which the American Kennel Club describes as “short and thick.” Their undercoats are weather-resistant, and their outer coat lies flat against their tiny little bodies. Additionally, regular corgis’ fur is normally straight and only slightly wavy.
Fluffy corgis are easy to spot, especially when they’re standing beside their regular counterparts. Their coats are distinctly long, fluffy, full, and sometimes wavy, in contrast with regular corgis’ short and straight coats that lay flat.
Regular corgis tend to have longer and thicker fur on the backs of their thighs, forming “pants,” and fluffier hair on the undersides of their tails. Meanwhile, fluffies have exaggerated feathering all over their ears, chest, feet, legs, hindquarters, and underparts.
How to Tell If Your Pet Is a Fluffy Corgi
It can be a bit challenging to distinguish between fluffy and regular corgis, especially when they’re newborns. Experienced breeders with a trained eye will be able to tell right away, but it’s common to wait for two to three weeks for their distinct long and fluffy coats to appear.
Once your corgi reaches eight weeks of age, it’ll be clear whether they’re of the fluffy variety or not, especially when they sit next to their littermates. Note that some fluffies have longer coats than others, and the only way to ascertain that your pet is a true fluffy is by genetic testing.
Types of Fluffy Corgis
Fluffies can be divided into two different, yet equally adorable, breeds: the fluffy Pembroke Welsh corgi and the fluffy Cardigan Welsh corgi. These two affectionate and intelligent herding breeds both come from Wales, England, but they don’t share a common ancestor.
Before they became the cuddly household pets that they are today, Pembroke and Cardigan corgis worked with farmers, taking cattle to the grazing area and guarding the barnyard. Their big ears, watchful eyes, clever minds, and eagerness to please make them perfect for the job.
When it comes to looks, Cardigan corgis are slightly larger, curvier, and have long tails resembling fox tails. Meanwhile, Pembrokes are smaller and have a rectangular body structure. Their tails are usually docked very closely to their bodies.
Both Pembrokes and Cardigans love spending time with people and are delightful family companions. Of the two breeds, Pembrokes are more outgoing and high energy, while Cardigans can be quite reserved at first and are slightly quieter and more laid back.
Where Can You Get a Fluffy Corgi?
Although they’re less common than regular corgis, it’s still possible for you to get a fluffy corgi from a reputable breeder in your area. Due to their rising popularity, high demand, and long wait lists, it may take several weeks before you can take one home, but it’s surely worth the wait!
If you’re looking for a trustworthy corgi breeder, the American Kennel Club Marketplace and Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America are great places to start your search. You can access their directory of professional breeders and contact numbers on their official sites.
Another option would be to adopt a fluffy corgi from an animal rescue shelter, but you may have to broaden your search and spend more time locating this unique corgi variety. Try contacting the PWC Rescue Network and Southeast Corgi Rescue to find corgis in need of new homes.
How to Groom a Fluffy and Long-Haired Corgi
Fluffies need regular grooming and maintenance to keep their majestic coats healthy and free from moisture, dirt, matting, and clumping. Items to keep in your grooming kit include a gentle dog shampoo and conditioner, a Greyhound comb, a soft slicker brush, and bath towels.
Most fluffy corgis require brushing once a week, using a method called “line brushing.” Gently glide your slicker brush along the direction in which your dog’s coat grows naturally. Remember to brush your fluffy’s tail, face, head, and ears, too!
After a thorough brushing session, you can then run a Greyhound comb all over your pet’s coat. Bathe your fluffy once a month or as often as needed, using warm water and a gentle pet shampoo and conditioner. Work the conditioner in using your fingers, and rinse thoroughly.
When drying, squeeze out water from your pet’s coat and use bath towels to absorb excess moisture. Avoid scrubbing, as this can create mats on your fluffy’s coat, which can be challenging to remove. Don’t forget to brush your pet’s teeth and trim the nails as well.
Fluffy Corgis: The Perfect Cuddle Buddies
If you’re looking for a happy and huggable companion to welcome into your home, fluffy corgis are the perfect candidates. Although their attractive coats require a bit more TLC to remain fresh, neat, and tidy, the effort is more than worth it for these wonderful dogs.
All in all, fluffies offer just the right amount of cuteness, loyalty, and love—packaged in an extra dose of fluff!
