Okay, so folks ask me how I keep my little Corgi buddy, Winston, looking so spry. It wasn’t magic, took some real work and paying attention, lemme tell ya.
When we first brought him home, he was a tiny whirlwind. But as he grew, I noticed he was starting to look less like a loaf of bread and more like a meatloaf, if you catch my drift. Corgis can pack on pounds fast, and I knew that’s bad for their little backs and joints. That got me thinking, gotta get serious about this.
Figuring Out the Food
First stop, the food bowl. I used to just scoop what looked like a reasonable amount. Big mistake. I grabbed the bag he was eating, looked at the feeding guide, got out some measuring cups, and actually started measuring his portions. Like, exactly. Twice a day, same amount each time. We cut way back on treats too. Switched to small, low-calorie training treats, and used bits of carrot sometimes. He didn’t seem to mind too much after a while, honestly.
Getting Him Moving (Carefully!)
Next up was exercise. Corgis have energy, but those short legs and long backs mean you gotta be smart. No crazy jumping off furniture – we actively discouraged that. We started with consistent walks. Not marathons, just good paced walks twice a day, morning and evening. Let him sniff around, do his business, get his heart rate up a bit. We also found he loves fetch, but we play it on flat grass, not hard surfaces, and we don’t throw it super far. Just enough to get him trotting back and forth. Mental games helped too, like hiding treats or using puzzle toys. Kept his brain busy.
Dealing with the Fur
Oh man, the fur. Corgis shed like it’s their job. I quickly learned that brushing wasn’t just about keeping the house clean. It helped me check his skin, feel for any lumps or bumps, and just keep his coat healthy. I got one of those undercoat rakes – game changer. Started doing a quick brush every day, and a more thorough one a couple of times a week. It really cut down on the tumbleweeds and he seemed to enjoy the attention.
Regular Check-ins
This one’s simple: we go to the vet. Regular check-ups, yearly shots, flea and tick prevention, the works. I see it as preventative maintenance. Catching something small before it becomes a big problem saves a lot of heartache and money down the line. The vet weighs him each time too, which helps keep us on track with his food and exercise.
So yeah, that’s basically it. Consistency is key.
- Measured food portions.
- Sensible, regular exercise.
- Consistent grooming.
- Regular vet visits.
It wasn’t like a one-time fix, it’s just what we do now, day in and day out. Winston’s active, happy, and at a good weight according to the vet. Took some effort to get the routine down, but seeing him healthy makes it all worth it. It’s just part of owning a dog, especially a breed with specific needs like a Corgi.
