The Welsh Corgi Pembroke, having spent hundreds of years as a farm and companion dog, finally found his way into small agricultural shows in Wales during the 1800’s, but it was not until 1925 that classes were provided for them. At that stage, the Cardigans and Pembrokes were shown together. In 1928 they were officially recognised by the Kennel Club in the UK, and the first Challenge Certificates were awarded. The two breeds were separated on the Kennel Club register in 1935.
Start at the bathing stage where you need to decide whether you want just more shine or more coat. Double coated breeds often don’t have enough undercoat due to shedding. If it is more coat, then use the Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo at a ratio of 3:1 (3 parts water to one part shampoo). Should you require shine as your primary objective, then use the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo used at the same dilution rate. Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo can be used for legs etc. For stained whites use the Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo.
Corgis love to play in the yard and at times their whites can suffer. Use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok this product is one of our proudest achievements in helping to maintain a white stain free coat. It’s not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but with the use of modern technology and high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin, This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes. For greater effect leave on longer before rinsing.
The corgi is a head and ears breed. Care must be used so try Plush Puppy Let’s Face It – what the dog showing world has needed for way too long. Another one of the famous Plush Puppy products with the latest technology and the highest amounts of naturally sourced ingredients has developed a product that is a must! This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s no tear formula with the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro-Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean soothes, adds moisture, aids healing, and anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy of rinsing yet complete cleaning.
Don’t be concerned about using a different shampoo for different parts/areas of each dog. Each shampoo is specifically formulated to do something different. Where you need more coat use Body Building, where you would like added shine (topline and head) use All Purpose. Remember Herbal Whitening has toning qualities for not just whites but intensifies colour to red and black areas.
The other issue arising with the Corgi’s coat is the texture. The standards call for coarser or harsher outer coat and penalises a fluffy coat. Thus, one needs to avoid anything that will cause softening or fluffiness. (Not to be confused with some fullness where required.) Now the trick is to not use a conditioner as such. Conditioners are acid balanced and tend to flatten and soften. Now the alternative procedure for hydrating and keeping the coat supple without softness is to oil. Use the wonderful Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil at a dilution rate of 1-2 teaspoons to one gallon or 4 litres of water. This oil is amazing and is all natural and made from Evening Primrose Oil, Calendula Oil, and other natural fine oils. It is water-soluble and will not make the coat greasy or gluggy. Apply this mix straight after the coat has been shampooed and rinsed then apply, leave the oil in the coat, don’t rinse out. This gives a wonderful, healthy shine and vigour to the coat.
Then the drying process – decide whether you want more volume and texture and if so, use Plush Puppy Volumising Cream at 1 tablespoon to 500ml water and apply and dry. Also available is Plush Puppy Volumising Spray is a ‘Ready to Use’ for quicker, easier and fuller coat results. Perfect either before blow-drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the show. A light even spray, brush in until dry or use a dryer. Produced for easy use and scientifically balanced for all coat types. This is a hair thickener to add volume – not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable as it leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel.
The major dilemma with most exhibitors was that they wanted to rid their dogs of the wavy areas on the toplines near the tail. The standard does accept some waviness, but it is preferable to have a straighter coat have done it well.
If more straightening is required, then use the Plush Puppy Swishy Coat at 1 tablespoon 500 ml of water depending on how much straightening is needed. The more water, the less intensive it will be. You can apply this directly from the jar to the coat but please ensure you apply evenly and don’t waste it! I find diluting with water makes it easier to get through this quite thick coat and doesn’t leave it lying on the top layers only.
The major factor is the blow-drying process itself. Whilst some coats that needed help with a product, the major factor is the direction in which the coat is blow-dried. To straighten a wavy topline, simply use a Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush or the flat of your hand and push the coat in the opposite direction of the growth pattern. The coat is now to be blow-dried forwards – towards the head. Switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush a half bristle/half dialon just a magic brush and finish off for a smoother straighter finish. Once the dog shakes and the coat falls back into line, the coat will now be straighter or perfectly straight if you
Drying correctly and often is key to keeping any double coated breed in coat. Using a force dryer not only dries the coat but causes and loose coat to be removed and hence developing a “roll” to the coat and therefore reduces any major coat drop. Drying the coat quickly saves time and effort. A revolutionary innovative Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray that combines the latest active ingredients together to dramatically reduce drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. FAST is probably the most technically advanced formula in the Plush Puppy Range to date
Dry all forwards towards the head as outlined previously. For those who want a little more harshness to the coat for that, all-weather feel nothing beats our Plush Puppy Ruffy Tuffy for instantly adding texture and hardness. Just spray on and blow dry or brush dry.
On show day apply Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream is a great cover for stains or discolouration. Excellent on “red” area on worn elbows and to the white on the muzzle. When you really need to cover stains your whites or intensify white areas. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer. Next is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost, a better & innovative approach to the usual methods of white chalking/adding powder to coats. Clings well and doesn’t clump. Adds crisp white tone and cover to all coats without creating harshness. The whitest, brightest powder around. Clings – all day. Fine & Easy to use. A little goes a long way. Naturally sourced – no chalk or talc. Use instead of chalk. Can mix with your usual white powder. Best for glamorous perfect whites. Never gets clumpy, even when wet. Apply with the Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover.
Plush Puppy Wonder Wash is a great standby for a waterless/no-rinse shampoo when dramas occur last minute. Spray, lightly foam up with hands and towel dry. Just brilliant. Add also a light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb just to the topline held at a distance of 12 inches/30 cms for a last-minute sheen and a very light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust to the topline, pants prior to the Shine and Comb.
They are both a great little dog and have such fabulous personalities. It is no small thing that royalty has served to make the Corgis a well-known dog amongst the public and given everyone the opportunity to see them. They may be small but they can make a huge ring impact and the show scene owes much to the presence of the Corgi.