This Is How Much A Corgi Should Weigh
Pembroke Corgis who are 10-12 inches tall should be between 25 and 30 pounds full-grown. Males should be 27 to 30 pounds, and females 25 to 28 pounds.
Cardigan Corgis who are 10.5-12.5 inches tall should be between 25 and 38 pounds full-grown. Males should be 30 to 38 pounds, and females 25 to 34 pounds.
Are you a Corgi owner or are you thinking of getting a Corgi as a pet? These lovable dogs make fantastic companions but be warned… they are very food-orientated!
It is far too easy to overfeed your Corgi, which can lead to other health issues down the road.
This article explores all you need to know about how much a Corgi should weigh.
Key Takeaways:
- Different types of Corgis have different weight expectations
- Corgi puppies’ weight changes weekly
- Adult Pembroke Corgis should weigh no more than 13kg, with adult Cardigan Corgis no more than 17kg
- Tips on losing weight
How Much Should A Corgi Puppy Weigh?
Before we look at the ideal weight range for a Corgi puppy throughout their adolesence, first let’s compare the weight of Cardigans vs. Pembrokes.
Cardigan Corgis are naturally slightly bigger than Pembrokes. Fully grown, they can stand up to 12.5 inches tall, compared to 12 inches for a Pembroke.
In terms of weight, a male Cardigan Corgi can weigh up to 38 pounds. A male Pembroke can weigh up to 30 pounds. That’s a difference of 8 pounds or 3.6kg!
This means that a Cardigan Corgi puppy may be slightly bigger than a Pembroke Corgi puppy of the same age.
Here’s a rough guide to how much your Corgi puppy should weigh as they grow:
- 4 weeks – 4-10lbs
- 8 weeks – 9-15lbs
- 12 weeks – up to 17lbs
- 6 months – 18-25lbs
- 1 year – 22-35lbs
If you are concerned that your puppy is underweight, speak to your vet. If your puppy is overweight, implement changes to their diet and feeding schedule to help them shift the pounds.
Check out the best food for Corgi puppies (as recommended by other owners!)
What Is A Good Feeding Schedule For A Corgi Puppy?
Puppies need regular small meals to effectively grow. This means that you must feed your puppy small meals throughout the day, rather than one big meal at night like you might feed a fully grown Corgi.
A good feeding schedule for a Corgi puppy to maintain weight gain and growth is to start off feeding them once every 3-4 hours. As they grow, you can reduce this down.
Your Corgi breeder will advise you on how much, and when, to feed your new Corgi puppy for the first week or two after you bring them home.
A Corgi puppy feeding schedule might look like this:
- 3-6 months – feed 1 cup of kibble per day spread over 3-4 mealtimes. Mix the kibble with some warm water and a tablespoon of plain yogurt (great for the digestive system) or canned dog food.
- 6 months onwards – feed ½-¾ cup of kibble per day split into two servings (morning and afternoon) to make your Corgi feel like they’re getting more. You can add some chicken or oily fish as a nutritious topper.
If you’re bringing your Corgi puppy home before 3 months (say at 10 weeks), speak to the breeder about the feeding schedule they recommend.
How Much Does An Adult Corgi Weigh?
Pembroke Corgis who are 10-12 inches tall should be between 25 and 30 pounds full-grown (11-13.6kg).
- Pembroke males should be 27 to 30 pounds (12-13.6kg).
- Pembroke females should be 25 to 28 pounds (11-12.7kg).
Cardigan Corgis who are 10.5-12.5 inches tall should be between 25 and 38 pounds full-grown (11-17kg).
- Cardigan males should be 30 to 38 pounds (13.6-17kg).
- Cardigan females should be 25 to 34 pounds (11-15.4kg).
A Pembroke Corgi weighs around 11kg as a female and 13kg as a male.
Your Cardigan Corgi will weigh up to 15kg as a female and 17kg as a male.
How Long Should A Corgi Be?
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi is somewhere between 14 to 17 inches long.
A Cardigan Welsh Corgi is between 19 to 22 1/2 inches long.
What Is A Good Feeding Schedule For An Adult Corgi Dog?
A Corgi becomes an adult dog between one and two years of age. By now, you should be feeding your Corgi ½-¾ cup of kibble per day.
I recommend splitting that amount into two servings, feeding your Corgi two meals per day to help them feel fuller for longer. I feed Winston at 7 a.m. each morning and then again at 4 p.m.
Find out how I helped my Corgi, Winston, lose 3kg!
Corgi Obesity & How To Manage It
Corgis are prone to obesity. They love food and too often, owners underestimate how much exercise they need.
Remember: Corgis are herding dogs! They have huge stamina and used to spend hours running round a farmyard, rounding up cattle. Some still do. They do love sleeping, yes, but they’re not couch potatoes.
Here are my top tips on managing an overweight Corgi:
1. Set a routine
Dogs thrive on routine. Sticking to a consistent feeding and exercise schedule will help them maintain a healthy weight.
2. Healthy snack alternatives
Treats are great for rewarding your Corgi or giving them something nice to eat after a long walk. But too many treats, too often, and your Corgi will be at risk of becoming obese. Dog biscuits have far more calories than a carrot or slice of apple.
So try swapping store-bought dog biscuits with healthy snacks or homemade alternatives. And whenever you do give your Corgi treats, remember to cut back slightly on their next meal. Treats should be considered part of their total calorie intake for the day (not extra).
3. Increase your Corgi’s activity level
Corgis have lots of energy to burn and require at least 45 minutes of physical exercise each day. I take Winston out on 2 walks each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. In addition to physical activity, you must give your Corgi plenty of mental stimulation, too.
They’re highly intelligent dogs that need to be challenged regularly through obedience training or puzzle toys to prevent them from getting bored.
4. Portion control
A Corgi as about one sixth the size of a human being. Now imagine giving them a portion of food that’s 1/6 the size of ours. You can start to see how much you should be feeding your dog. It’s not as much as you think!
Adult Corgis should be fed ½-¾ cup of kibble per day in total. I like to spread this across two servings, to keep Winston fuller for longer.
5. Get them a slow feeder
If your Corgi is a fast eater, they may be gobbling up the food so quickly they don’t realise they’re full! Try a slow feeder like this one that you can add easily into their dog bowl.
6. Use your eye to monitor their weight
Corgis should have a discernable waist right in front of their hind legs. They should not be one continuous oblong shape. If you can’t see a waist, it’s time to cut back on their portions.
7. Don’t fall for the puppy dog eyes
Most Corgis love food and can eat and eat… and eat! Don’t be tempted to overfeed your Corgi because they gobble up their food quickly or give you sad puppy dog eyes that you interpret as hunger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on for FAQs regarding what weight your Corgi should be.
What is the ideal weight for a Corgi?
A Pembroke Corgi should be no more than 13kg while a Cardigan Corgi can be up to 17kg. However, these are the limits. Every Corgi is different and many are leaner and lighter than those you see on social media and TV. It’s important you stick to portion control, keep an eye on their waist, and use your common sense when it comes to the weight of your Corgi. If you have any concerns, speak to your vet.
How do I know if my Corgi is too fat?
The first way to tell if your Corgi is overweight is if they have no discernible waist. If they’re struggling to run, this could also be another sign. Finally, if your Pembroke Corgi weighs more than 13kg or your Cardigan Corgi weighs more than 17kg, you should discuss their weight with your vet.
How big will my Corgi get?
Your Corgi will not become exceptionally large. They will grow to around 11-12 inches tall. If your dog is a Corgi cross, they may be taller or smaller than this, depending on the parent breeds.
Why do Corgis gain weight easily?
Not all Corgis do gain weight easily. Some are leaner than others. If your dog struggles with weight gain then try increasing their portions, change their food, or speak to your vet.
How far should a Corgi walk?
Corgis are small dogs that require at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. That may be walking or playing. Exercising your dog is important to protect them from Corgi obesity.
