Corgi grooming · Buyer’s guide
Best Brush for a Corgi: The Rake, Brush and Comb Kit
Quick answer: no single brush does it all for a corgi. Use an undercoat rake for loose undercoat and a slicker or bristle brush for routine brushing. Finish with a metal comb.
Brush at least weekly. In a heavy shed, a daily once-over helps catch the hair before it hits your floor.
Heads up: we sell the Shedding Season Plan mentioned here.
You vacuumed this morning. By dinner, little fur tumbleweeds are rolling under the table again.
Your corgi looks the same size as always. So where is all this hair coming from?
It is coming from the undercoat. The wrong brush skims over it, and the hair keeps falling out on its own schedule.
Who this is for: Pembroke or Cardigan owners facing a first big shed, or a brush that isn’t keeping up.
What is the best brush for a corgi?
A small corgi grooming kit beats one brush. Use a rake for undercoat, a slicker or bristle brush for routine brushing, and a metal comb last.
The Pembroke has a thick, weatherproof double coat, the AKC says. A soft undercoat sits under a coarse outer coat.
The undercoat is what ends up on your couch. Your tools need to reach it without tearing the outer coat.
| Tool | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Undercoat rake | Teeth reach down through the outer coat and lift loose undercoat out. | Shedding season and heavy areas: pants, ruff and sides. The AKC says a rake helps strip out the undercoat. |
| Slicker or bristle brush | Picks up loose surface hair and smooths the coat. | Routine brushing, with a light hand. The AKC suggests a slicker. A breed club judge prefers a bristle brush. |
| Metal comb (greyhound style, wide and fine teeth) | Shows you what is left. If it snags, you found a tangle the brush missed. | The last step every session. One corgi show judge rarely uses a brush at all. |
| Rubber curry brush | Grips loose hair on the surface. | Bath time, or a dog who dislikes metal tools. It works on surface hair, not deep undercoat. |
| Bladed deshedder | A fine edge pulls hair from the coat. | Owners disagree here. If you use one, keep strokes short and few. |
Not sure your corgi has a typical coat? Take our free dog coat quiz before you buy anything.
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How often should I brush my corgi?
At least once a week, and more during a shed. A daily once-over removes a lot of hair before it spreads through the house.
For the Cardigan, the AKC says a good brushing at least once a week keeps the coat healthy. For the Pembroke, it suggests a daily once-over with a comb and a slicker.
One breed club judge says a daily comb-out takes no more than 10 minutes. That only holds if you keep up with it.
Skip a few weeks during a shed, and the first session will take far longer.
When is corgi shedding season?
Corgis shed some hair every day. The heavy shed, called blowing coat, is usually heaviest in spring. Watch your own dog, not the calendar.
The AKC says the Pembroke sheds more in late spring and early summer. A Mayflower Corgi Club article says corgis blow coat seasonally, usually heaviest in spring.
Blowing coat means the dog drops its undercoat. You will see clumps lift out when you part the fur.
Shedding hard in fall? Use the same routine whenever the clumps start.
Is the shedding coming with bald spots or symmetric hair loss? Then it may not be normal shedding. See your vet.
How do I deshed my corgi?
Work in sections with the coat’s growth. Rake loose undercoat first, then brush lightly, then check everything with a metal comb.
- Start dryA bath can loosen dead hair in a shed. The AKC says your dog must be completely dry before brushing begins.
- Optional: blow it outFor show prep, the breed club judge blow-dries while combing after a bath. One corgi blog says its high-velocity dryer blows out loose undercoat.
- Get lowSit on the floor with your corgi on its side. Short legs make this easy.
- Rake or comb the heavy areasStart with the back legs and pants. Lift the hair with one hand and work a small section down.
- Move forwardDo the sides, then the ruff around the neck. Turn your dog over and repeat.
- Brush lightlyUse a slicker or bristle brush over the whole coat. Light pressure, short strokes.
- Finish with the combRun a metal comb through every area. A snag means a tangle the brush missed.
Comb with the direction the coat grows, or at a right angle to it, the breed club article advises. It also says to rarely brush backward.
On the belly and armpits, use a comb and go slowly. These areas need a gentle hand.
Keep the first sessions short. End on a treat, and pick up where you left off tomorrow.
If the shed outpaces you, a groomer can do a full deshed. Tight mats always go to a groomer.
Slicker, pin or bristle brush for a corgi?
Any of them can work with a light hand. The AKC suggests a slicker. Some corgi owner blogs suggest a pin brush.
Writing about show grooming, a breed club judge says slickers “rip out too much healthy coat” in her experience. She rarely uses a brush, and prefers a bristle brush when she does. She says pin brushes leave a “just raked” look on the topcoat.
So whichever you own, press lightly and let the brush skim. If the outer coat looks thinner where you brush, switch to a comb.
Is a Furminator OK for a corgi?
Corgi owners disagree. If you use any bladed deshedder, keep strokes short, use few passes, and stop if your dog pulls away.
Corgi forums hold fans and critics in the same thread. That is opinion, not proof. With any deshedding tool, stop when hair stops coming out easily.
Want the full side-by-side? Read our undercoat rake vs Furminator guide.
Why an undercoat rake for a corgi sits at the center of the kit
A rake is the tool the AKC names for stripping out undercoat. That is the hair your corgi drops in a shed.
A basic rake can do the job. Look for smooth teeth and a grip you can hold for ten minutes.
A rake is not for every coat. It suits thick, medium-to-long coats with undercoat. Coat condition matters more than breed alone.
It does not stop shedding. It helps you collect loose fur during brushing. Our full undercoat rake guide covers technique in detail.
Should I shave my corgi in summer?
No. The AKC says a Cardigan with a correct coat does not need a summer trim. Its chief vet officer warns shaving can leave a dog susceptible to heatstroke.
Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer, says the coat acts as an insulator. Shaving removes that layer and makes the dog susceptible to heatstroke.
Shaving can also change the coat for good. The undercoat may grow back faster and crowd out the guard hairs, the AKC says.
Want less hair in summer? Brush out the loose undercoat instead. That is the job the rake is built for.
What should you avoid when brushing a corgi?
Don’t force a rake through mats, brush a wet coat or shave. Stop when your dog says stop.
- Forcing the rake through a mat. Stop at a tight mat. Tight mats close to the skin need a groomer.
- Brushing a damp coat. Dry your corgi fully first, as the AKC advises.
- Pressing hard. Let the teeth do the work, with light, short strokes.
- Ignoring the signals. Stop if your dog moves away, flinches or shows discomfort.
- Chasing a pile. There is no target amount of hair. Stop when it stops coming out easily.
People also ask
Do corgis shed a lot?
Yes. The AKC says the Pembroke sheds a fair amount every day, and even more in late spring and early summer.
Should I bathe my corgi before deshedding?
A bath can help in a heavy shed. The AKC says baths help loosen dead hair. Dry your dog completely before you brush.
Does brushing stop a corgi from shedding?
No. Shedding is how the coat replaces old hair. Brushing collects the loose hair so less of it lands on your floor.
Do Pembroke and Cardigan corgis need different brushes?
The same kit works for both: a rake, a slicker or bristle brush, and a metal comb. Check your own dog’s coat, since coat condition matters more than breed.
What about a fluffy corgi with longer hair?
Use the same kit, and lean on the metal comb behind the ears and in the pants. Take any tight mat to a groomer.
Michael Northcutt, PhD
Certified Pet Therapy Specialist · Certified Companion Animal Rehabilitation Therapist (CCAT) · AAPT Certification Board Member
Michael has 14 years in animal-assisted care, companion-animal rehabilitation and welfare-centered handling. He writes for owners who want clearer decisions and easier daily routines. His focus is animal comfort and honest product limits. He is not a veterinarian.
Sources
- American Kennel Club. Pembroke Welsh Corgi: grooming
- American Kennel Club. Cardigan Welsh Corgi: grooming
- American Kennel Club, with Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer. Is It OK to Shave Your Dog’s Coat in Summer?
- Stephanie Seabrook Hedgepath, Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club. Grooming the Corgi for Show
- Karen A. Moriello, DVM, DACVD. Merck Veterinary Manual. Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Dogs
Paw Pampering sells the Shedding Season Plan mentioned here. This guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian.