Written by Dr. Marcelle Landestoy, DVM
A major factor that may discourage potential pet parents from deciding to get a Corgi is the cost involved.
It’s not so simple to account for the potential expenses of owning a Corgi, given that there are so many.
It is relatively inexpensive to own a Corgi compared to other dog breeds. For most pet parents, caring for a Corgi will cost a minimum of $100 per month. This monthly cost excludes optional expenses and one-time purchases.
This article will provide you with a thorough and detailed breakdown of all the expenses involved in owning a Corgi.
I will mention everything your dog will need; I will also include some expenses related to optional items near the end.
Stick around to find out exactly how expensive it is to own a Corgi.
Food and Supplements
Let’s start with the simplest of these expenses: Your dog’s diet and nutrition.
Generally speaking, dogs do very well on a diet with lots of high-quality proteins and fats. Corgis are no exception to this.
It’s important to look for foods that have high-quality animal protein as one of the primary ingredients.
Vegetables are great secondary ingredients. Avoid grains, as they may irritate your Corgi’s digestive system.
The addition of certain vitamins and minerals has a positive effect on your dog’s overall health.
They help your dog fight off disease and maintain a strong immune system. Most dog foods will have these essential nutrients included in their formula.
In addition, Omega-3-rich salmon oil is known for being a great nutritional supplement for dogs (and humans, too!).
As you might imagine, the difference in dogs’ size, weight, metabolism, and activity as they grow older can cause their dietary requirements to vary considerably.
I will be dividing this section into three other categories for puppies, adults, and seniors, respectively, so that you know what to expect in all three of these stages of your Corgi’s life.
We will also look at any unique dietary requirements that Corgis might have and discuss whether there is anything particular you need to pay attention to in your dog’s diet.
Puppy
Although Corgi puppies eat less than adults overall, You should feed them more frequently because their weaker digestive systems find it hard to digest large quantities of food at once.
If your puppy is only a few months old, you can feed them up to four times a day.
You can reduce the number of mealtimes as they get older.
After they reach the age of six months, three meal times a day should suffice.
As they approach 12 months of age, adjust their meal times to twice a day.
Vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus are especially important to the health of young Corgis as they are still growing rapidly.
Deficiencies in this stage of life are more likely to lead to growth impairments, diseases, and disorders later on.
Puppy food will typically have an abundance of these nutrients.
Still, there’s always the option of providing dietary supplements for your puppy.
As for food options, dry kibble, wet dog food, and even raw food are acceptable as long as they have sufficient protein content (at least over 22.5%, according to the AAFCO).
Just be aware that raw food needs to be stored properly, or it will spoil fast.
The consumption of spoiled raw food can be a health risk to dogs, especially when they are puppies.
For the price analysis, let’s consider that your puppy eats, on average, one cup of dog food a day, spread out over three meals, until they reach adulthood (which is a very reasonable estimate).
Please note that these values are meant to be a rough guideline.
You should consult your vet to obtain a more specialized dietary guideline for your Corgi.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dry Puppy Food | $20-$60 | $40 |
| Fish Oil Supplement (optional) | $5-$10 | $7.5 |
Adult
Your Corgi is considered to be an adult at one year of age. At this point, you should be feeding them once or twice a day.
You should gradually transition your Corgi into eating adult dog food once they reach one year of age.
Their digestive systems are much more robust once they’re fully grown, allowing you to be more relaxed in selecting their diet.
However, you should continue to maintain a high standard for nutritional quality (especially protein!).
Fish oil supplements are an easy way to ensure that your Corgi is consuming enough Omega-3 fatty acids on a regular basis.
On average, an adult Corgi weighs about 25 lbs and eats around 1.5 cups of dry dog food a day (spread out over one or two meals).
The number of calories and the amount of food a dog needs daily can change in certain scenarios.
If your Corgi is pregnant, ill, or has been neutered, be sure to inquire about changes in dietary requirements with your vet.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dry Adult Dog Food | $30-$90 | $60 |
| Fish Oil Supplement | $5-$15 | $10 |
Senior
Fortunately, the difference between the dietary consumption of adult and senior dogs is marginal.
The amount of food they need per day does not change by much.
Corgis generally reach their senior phase of life at around ten years old.
You may consider opting for senior dog food at this point.
This food has a different nutrient profile and has lower calories than regular dog food.
The price of senior dog food is very similar to the price of adult dog food made for Corgis.
Fish oil supplements are often recommended for senior Corgis lacking sufficient Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
Keep in mind that you need to start paying more attention to health concerns as they appear and address them appropriately.
For this, it’s best that you have a vet to get in touch with whenever necessary.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Senior Dog Food | $30-$90 | $60 |
| Fish Oil Supplement | $5-$15 | $10 |
Grooming and Hygiene
Your Corgi will need regular grooming and care to maintain proper health.
Corgis tend to shed quite a lot of hair, which needs to be brushed off regularly.
It is advisable to brush your Corgi’s fur once a day, but you can also make do with a few times a week.
As for the other aspects of grooming, such as nail trimming, dental care, and baths, you can hire a grooming service to give your Corgi some special treatment.
If you wish to leave your dog’s grooming (other than brushing, which you should do regularly) to an outside source entirely, expect to use a grooming service once every two months.
Bathing
You should bathe your Corgi once every one to two months.
You can bathe them sooner if they get dirty, but too much bathing can irritate their fur and coating.
A dog grooming service can take care of bathing for you by giving you a professional cleaning service.
The bathing supplies you will need to wash your dog yourself are usually the shampoo (regular, flea, or medical) and conditioner.
The table below shows the average prices of bathing supplies and compares them to a standard grooming service price.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Bathing Supplies | $15-$25 | $20 |
| Hiring a Grooming Service | $40-$60 | $50 (once per month) |
Nail Trimming
Nail trimming is most commonly included with a bath if you hire a grooming service.
You’ll only need some nail clippers if you do it yourself, which will cost you next to nothing over time.
You can expect a pair of standard nail clippers to cost you anywhere from $10-$30.
Corgis usually need their nails trimmed at least once a month.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Nail Clipper | $10-$30 (one-time payment) | – |
| Nail Trimming Service | $5-$15 | $10 (once per month) |
Hair Care and Trimming
For proper shedding management, brush your Corgi once a day. This prevents their hair from falling everywhere around the house.
If you want to get your dog’s hair trimmed and deshedded professionally, grooming services will do that.
Trimming your dog’s hair to achieve a particular look is probably best left to the professionals.
Your Corgi should have their hair groomed every one to two months.
However, this value can go up in the shedding seasons of spring and fall, when corgis are known to shed hair at their maximum rate.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Hair Trimming and Deshedding Service | $30-$60 | $45 (once per month) |
Dental Care
Dental care for your Corgi will mainly involve regular brushing.
Try to make it a habit to brush daily (or at least two times a week) to remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth.
It is hard to understate how important dental hygiene is for your Corgi (and all dogs).
Dogs are very susceptible to tooth and gum disease. In this case, prevention is much better than treatment.
To put this into perspective, dental disease is the most common problem in dogs.
It is estimated that 80% of all dogs suffer from dental disease by age 2.
A tooth cleaning service is often included by default in a proper grooming service; however, if you only wish to have your dog’s teeth brushed, it will likely cost you around $10.
Brushing your Corgi’s teeth, just like their fur, is something you should do regularly yourself, as it would be impractical to have a grooming service do that for you daily.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Tooth Cleaning Service | $10-$20 (each time) | Depends on how often you avail the service |
Veterinary Care
Active and regular veterinary care is one of the most important elements to helping your precious Corgi live a long, healthy, and happy life.
While not dangerously susceptible to diseases overall, there are some causes for concern when it comes to the health of a Corgi.
Corgis are highly susceptible to obesity. They love eating, and owners often cannot stop themselves from treating their Corgi excessively (their cuteness can be overwhelming!).
Like other dogs, periodontal disease, infections, and parasites are a risk for Corgis.
To learn more about the risk factors associated with Corgis, refer to this article.
Checkups and Vaccines
Regular checkups ensure that your dog is living their best life. In addition, vaccines are vital to preventing otherwise devastating illnesses, such as rabies (which is 100% fatal once symptoms manifest).
It is recommended to carry out routine checkups at least annually in the absence of health problems.
If your dog has a health condition, consult a vet for guidance. Do not delay getting them medical attention whenever necessary.
The common illnesses in your locality will play a major role in determining which vaccines your Corgi will require.
DHPP and rabies are some of the more common vaccines administered to dogs.
Puppy
Most vaccines are administered when dogs are very young. This is one expense to be aware of in the early stages of your Corgi’s life.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Checkups | $50-$250 | $12.5 (Once a year) |
| Vaccinations | 50-150$ (One-time) | – |
Adults and Seniors
Most necessary vaccines have been administered by the time your Corgi reaches adulthood.
Only the need for booster shots remains. Some dog parents opt for a titer test to determine whether there is a need for a booster shot.
Others go for booster shots yearly.
The law requires pet parents to keep their dogs vaccinated against rabies in the U.S.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Checkups | $50-$250 (once a year) | $12.5 |
| Booster Shots and annual vaccinations | $50-$150 | $8 |
Insurance
Unfortunately, Corgis are vulnerable to some genetic disorders, especially in the spine. They also tend to suffer from elbow and hip dysplasia.
Treatments for these disorders can be costly, so it may be a good idea to have your Corgi insured.
Some of the better-known Corgi insurance plans include spot, ASPCA, and FIGO pet insurances.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Corgi Insurance | $30-$60 | $45 |
Pet Supplies
You will, without a doubt, need some additional supplies to keep your pet happy and satisfied.
Necessary
- Chewing toys: These are especially useful when your Corgi is still a puppy and is teething. Puppies will want to bite objects as their gums hurt. You can even cool many of these toys in the fridge for an additional soothing effect.
- Treats: these are also very effective when your Corgi is still a puppy, as this is the ideal time to train them.
- A Pet Bowl: To eat food and drink water regularly.
- A Dog leash and harness: For when you take your Corgi out on walks.
Please note that you’ll also need grooming tools, which we’ve discussed above.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Chewing Toys | $5-$25 (one-time purchase) | – |
| Treats | $10-$50 | Depends on how often you treat your dog |
| Pet Bowl | $15-$35 (one-time purchase) | – |
| A Dog Leash and Harness | $30-$70 (one-time purchase) | – |
Optional
Feel free to get some optional items if you need them. Some examples include:
- A raincoat
- A sweater
- A seat cover
- A dog bed
Additional Costs
These costs are under this category because, while they are common expenses dog parents face, they do not apply to every dog parent.
You may or may not find yourself in a position where you have to purchase the following accommodations for your dog.
Dog Walker
If you can’t walk your dog yourself due to a disability, don’t have the time to do so (or simply don’t want to), you can hire someone else to do it.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dog Walker | $20-$60 per hour | $600 (for 30 minutes of walking per day) |
Daycare or Dog Sitting
You may find yourself in need of a daycare service for your dog. This is common in pet parents who lead busy lives and work regularly.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Daycare | $6-$25 per day | Depends on the number of days the service is used |
Dog Hotel
A dog hotel is an option for pet parents that need to board their animals overnight.
You might consider booking your Corgi a few nights in a dog hotel if you go on a trip.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Dog Hotel | $30-$50 | Depends on the number of nights the service is used |
Training
You can opt for either group dog training or private dog training.
The amount of time you enroll your Corgi will vary greatly depending on your particular needs and goals.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Group Dog Training | $30-$50 per class | – |
| Private Dog Training | $45-$120 per hour | – |
Microchip
A microchip can be used to identify a lost dog. It is about the size of a grain of rice and works passively.
You only have to get it implanted once.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Microchip Implantation | $40-$60 | – |
Monthly Budget of Owning This Breed
Let’s conclude by calculating the minimum monthly cost of owning a Corgi based on the factors we have read through above.
We will only consider the necessary expenses.
| Item | Range | Average Monthly Cost |
| Food | $30-$90 per month | $60 |
| Bathing Supplies | $15-$25 per month | $20 |
| Checkups | $50-$250 per year | $12.5 per month |
| Vaccines | $100 per year | $8 per month |
This expense nicely comes down to about $100 per month.
Keep in mind that this amount is only the necessary minimum monthly recurring amount and does not factor in optional expenses or one-time purchases.
References
- AAFCO: DOG AND CAT FOOD
- The Happy Puppy Site: Feeding A Corgi Puppy – The Best Schedules For Small Breeds
- Purina: How Much Should to Feed a Puppy? Puppy Feeding Chart and Guide
- HomeGuide: 2022 Dog Training Costs | Obedience Classes & Service Dog
- Canine Arthritis Resources and Education: Fish Oil For Dogs
- HomeGuide: 2022 Dog Grooming Price List | Costs By Breed & Weight
- Espree: Pembroke Welsh Corgi grooming, bathing and care
- Vet Care Animal Hospital: Breed Info | Veterinarians Greenville
- American Kennel Club: Puppy Shots Schedule: A Complete Guide to Puppy Vaccinations
- Petfinder: Dog and Puppy Vaccinations: Schedule and Costs
- Spot Pet Insurance: Pet Insurance: Best in Breed Coverage
- ASPCA: ASPCA | American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Figo Pet Insurance: Rated Best Pet Insurance Plans
- Retrievist AKC: What You Need for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Thumbtack: 2022 Average Dog Walker Cost (with Price Factors)
- Lucky Dog Bark And Brew: The Average Cost of Doggy Daycare and How to Know if It’s Worth It
- HomeGuide: 2022 Dog Boarding Costs | Day, Night, Week and Month Kennel Rates
Read my post on THE MOST COMMON AILMENTS OF CORGIS so you can plan in case your pup is affected by any of these.
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| Marcelle Landestoy Veterinary Hospital Director at UCE Dr. Marcelle is a general veterinarian with a Small Animal Medicine Specialty | Director of the UCE School of Veterinary Medicine | Certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society |
