What Is a Fluffy Corgi?

Fluffy corgis are everywhere online, and a lot of people ask me what makes them different. The short answer is that a fluffy is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a longer coat. Here is the longer answer, based on ten years of raising them at our farm in Missouri.

What makes a corgi fluffy?

Fluffy corgis carry two copies of a recessive long-coat gene. When both parents pass it on, the puppy has longer, softer fur with feathering on the ears, chest, legs, belly and tail. A dog with only one copy looks like a standard corgi but can pass the gene to its puppies.

That is why you will sometimes hear about a fluffy carrier.

Is a fluffy corgi a real Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

Yes. A fluffy corgi is a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi that can be registered with the AKC. The difference is the coat. The size, build, herding instinct and sweet nature are the same as any other Pembroke.

In the show world, the long coat is treated as a fault in AKC conformation, so fluffies are generally not shown there. They do well in pet homes and in performance sports.

How big do fluffy corgis get?

Fluffies are the same size as other Pembrokes. Females are typically 26 to 28 lbs full grown and males 28 to 32 lbs. They are sturdy little dogs with short legs, long bodies and a lot of energy.

The coat can make a fluffy look bigger, but under all that fur is the same athletic herding dog.

What colors do fluffy corgis come in?

We raise tri-color, sable, and red and white fluffies. Tri-colors are black, tan and white. Sables have a tan or red coat with darker tipped hairs, and red and white dogs have a red coat with white markings. Color availability depends on the pairing, so tell me what you are hoping for.

Read more in our guide to corgi colors, and see the dams and sires on our Our dogs page.

Do fluffy corgis need more care?

They need more brushing than a short-coated corgi, especially behind the ears and in the feathering of the legs and tail. A few brushing sessions a week keeps the coat tidy and cuts down on loose hair around the house. Plan on more during the two big shedding seasons.

Beyond the coat, the care is the same as any corgi: measured meals, daily exercise, training and regular vet care.

Where did the fluffy coat come from?

The long coat is an old trait in the breed that shows up when both parents carry the recessive gene. For many years it was simply a surprise in some litters. Today, breeders who choose fluffy pairings on purpose use DNA results to know which dogs carry it, so nothing is left to chance.

That planning is how I can tell families which colors and coat types to expect from a given pairing.

Is a fluffy corgi right for your family?

If you enjoy brushing, do not mind some extra fur on the furniture and want a smart, affectionate companion, a fluffy is a wonderful choice. If you want almost no grooming, a smooth-coated Pembroke may suit you better.

Whichever coat you choose, you are getting a herding dog that needs exercise, training and company. Fluffies are not lap ornaments, even if they look like plush toys.

What should you ask a breeder about fluffies?

Ask which parents carry the gene, what genetic and OFA testing they have, and what the health guarantee covers. Ask to see photos of the adults at full coat. Ask how puppies are raised and what is included in the price.

Our fluffies are on the Our dogs page, and the Puppies page shows the current litter.

Common myths about fluffy corgis

One myth is that fluffies are a different breed. They are not. Another is that a fluffy is the result of mixing with another breed. A fluffy corgi is a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi that inherited the long-coat gene from both parents, and the gene can be confirmed with DNA testing.

A third myth is that fluffies are fragile. They are sturdy herding dogs with the same drive and stamina as any Pembroke, and they love to play outside in the weather.

Are fluffies healthy?

The coat gene itself does not make a corgi less healthy. What matters is the health of the parents. Every breeding adult here is genetically tested for DM, vWD1 and EIC, and we keep earning OFA certificates on hips, elbows and eyes working toward CHIC numbers.

Ask any breeder for those results. Every puppy here has a two-year health guarantee. If you would like to meet our fluffies, call or text me at (660) 234-5656, or request the Puppy Questionnaire.