Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Why is My Corgi So Small? 5 Likely Reasons

welsh corgi pembroke puppy on its owners arms

Welsh Corgis are beautiful dogs and highly recognizable whether you have a Cardigan or a Pembroke. Whichever you have, or even if you have a miniature, it’s important to know that these dogs grow very quickly and will reach their full size in just a year. This should make it easier to tell if they are falling behind, especially if you can estimate their mature size based on breed.

There could be several reasons your Corgi seems a bit smaller than others, from their genes to genetic abnormalities. Most are very common and could be how your puppy is, or they may need routine care, like deworming.

Whatever the cause for their small size, it’s essential to understand it so you can put your worries to rest and get back to enjoying the companionship and cuddles that Corgis are known for.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

The 5 Reasons Why a Corgi is So Small

1. Their Breed

Only two Corgi breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club, both of which are different in size and stature. Male Cardigan Corgis can weigh as much as 38 pounds when fully grown, while female Pembroke Corgis only up to 30 pounds. Females are typically a little smaller.

Miniature Corgis aren’t officially listed as a breed but are often found at breeders and pet stores as much a smaller version. Because there are no breeding standards, weights, and overall sizes can vary greatly. If adopted as puppies and not purebreds or listed explicitly as a miniature, you may not know until they reach full size.

Corgi playing with a ball toy
Image Credit: Elena Rogulina, Pixabay

2. Genetics

Like humans, dogs get many physical traits from their parents, grandparents, and so on. This could be their coloring, ear size, stance, and tail curvature. More often, though, it’s their size and stature. If you know more about a Corgi pup’s parents, you have a better idea of how big they might get when fully grown.

If both are on the small size for their breed, it’s safe to assume that their pups will be as well. While this isn’t always the case, and bigger dogs can breed smaller puppies and vice versa, it’s a great way to judge a dog’s full-grown size.


3. Parasite Infection

Many parasitic worms can be troublesome to dogs, especially growing puppies. One of the most common and easily spread parasites is roundworms. These worms live inside the intestines, feeding on partially digested food. Once the worms get ahold of it, your puppy cannot digest it themselves, robbing them of the nutrients you’re providing them.

Puppies unable to digest adequate nutrients may not grow as quickly, and severe roundworm infections that aren’t treated as soon as possible could result in stunted growth. If you notice your puppy with a bloated belly or experiencing stomach upset with excessive gas, you’ll want to see their vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent any long-term effects.

owner giving medicine in capsule to corgi dog
Image Credit: megaflopp, Shutterstock

4. Malnutrition

While malnutrition could be attributed to parasites or a medical condition, which their vet should be able to diagnose, it could simply be a case of malnutrition. Feeding a poor diet or not enough food for the puppy’s size and weight can lead to slow growth, eventually leading to your Corgi being small as an adult.

The best way to avoid this is to find high-quality puppy food designed for their breed or size. You can ask for a brand recommendation from a veterinarian. Puppy formulas are designed to give added nutrition important for dogs still growing quickly to help support their bones, joints, muscles, eyes, immune system, and more.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1


5. Portosystemic Shunt

A portosystemic shunt (PSS) is rare in dogs, but a puppy can be born with the disorder that results in poor weight gain and failure to meet specific growth milestones as they develop. Adult dogs can also acquire PSS over time due to chronic or acute liver damage.

This dysfunction creates an abnormal vein between the intestines and the heart, bypassing the liver, which is required to digest food and absorb nutrients. It’s most common in the pups who seem to be the “runt” of the litter, but other symptoms can vary widely, from increased thirst to neurological symptoms. The only way to treat PSS is a surgical correction.

Welsh Corgi Pembroke laying on training pads
Image Credit: KaryB, Shutterstock

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

How Do You Know Your Corgi Is Too Small?

Corgis are fast-growing puppies, especially compared to other dog breeds. Most are nearly full-grown by the time they reach 1 year, whereas many other breeds reach size maturity at around 2 years old, some even older.

Because they grow so quickly, you may notice them slow or stop growing when they are still young and feel something has gone wrong. Rest assured, they’ve just reached their full, or nearly full, size. What size should that be? Let’s take a look.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

welsh cardigan corgi-pixabay
Image Credit: Rosewait, Rosewait, Pixabay

The Cardigans are the largest of the Corgi breeds. Males could range from 30 to 38 pounds when fully grown, while females are smaller and range from 25 to 34 pounds. Although there is a weight difference, both genders could be between 10 to 13 inches in height, giving them a short stance.

They differ from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in several ways, like being a bit more laid back and quiet.


Pembroke Corgi

pembroke welsh corgi out in the fields
Image Credit: MolnarSzabolcsErdely, Pixabay

The Pembrokes are quite a bit smaller than their Cardigan cousins. Adult males are typically only between 26 and 28 pounds, with females just slightly smaller at 24 to 26 pounds. They are a bit shorter as well. Males should be 12 inches tall, and females only reach 10 inches.

Their appearance is also a bit different, with a shorter coat, different tail typically docked, and varying colors.


Miniature Corgi

Portrait of cute puppy corgi
Image By: KDdesignphoto, Shutterstock

Miniature Corgis have no established breeding standards. Instead, many breeders have been trying to create smaller versions that potential dog owners may find appealing, with no clear lineage.

With many breeders each working separately in different ways to create these smaller Corgis, it is difficult to know that you have a miniature and not a Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi unless you have AKC certification or other proof your puppy is purebred.

If you know your puppy is a miniature, you may not be aware of the breeds used to create their small size, making it difficult to estimate their size when full-grown and to know if they are, in fact, too small for their breed.

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Final Thoughts

If you have concerns about your Corgi’s size, schedule a visit with their vet. They will be able to diagnose or rule out any more severe medical conditions contributing to it, as well as provide treatment if necessary.

However, many Corgi pups are small simply because of their breed or genetics.

See also: 


Featured Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Why Is My Pomeranian Spinning in Circles? 4 Likely Reasons

Today’s Pomeranian is a tiny dog breed that is kept primarily as a companion dog. Traditionally, however, the breed weighed as much as...

6 Egyptian Dog Breeds (With Info & Pictures)

Egypt is home to some of the world’s oldest dog breeds. The ancient Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to domesticate dogs....

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Carolina: On & Off-Leash Places

South Carolina is one of the most popular beach destinations. Whether it’s Myrtle Beach or Sullivan’s Island, there’s much to do on the...

Can Dogs Get Braces? Needs & When to Get Them

Dogs don’t commonly walk around with braces like humans do, so it’s no surprise that most people rarely see them. You might be...

More related

13 Belgian Malinois Pros and Cons: Traits & Characteristics

The Belgian Malinois is a world-class working dog known for their energetic nature. They are a special breed that thrives in an environment...

Will Baking Soda Kill Fleas? Our Vet Explains

One of the common pitfalls of pet ownership is that they often come with unwanted hitchhikers. Once fleas have invaded, it can be...

German Longhaired Pointer Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

If you’re searching for a purebred dog that loves to hunt and is still friendly, affectionate, and gentle, then the German Longhaired Pointer...

Cane Corso English Bulldog Mix: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Cane Corso and English Bulldog mix isn’t a purebred, but that doesn’t mean they’re not great dogs. They’re extremely intelligent, loving, and...

Keep reading

What Is Hypoallergenic Dog Food Made Of? Vet-Verified Ingredients

If your dog is struggling with symptoms of food allergies (more on those later), your vet may suggest changing to hypoallergenic dog food. But what exactly is hypoallergenic dog food made of? Typically, hypoallergenic diets for dogs are made from...

labrador retriever eating from a bowl

6 Foods High In Thiamine for Dogs: Vet-Approved Vitamin B1 Sources

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient for dogs and humans. Dogs require it for carbohydrate metabolism, optimal growth, and efficient nerve function. Because dogs’ bodies don’t store the nutrient, they need to obtain it through what...

French bulldog eating from a bowl

What to Feed a Dog With Cancer: Safe Foods & Homemade Recipe

The experts chime in on on what to feed a dog with cancer — and what foods to avoid at all costs....
A man cooking with his dog.

7 Best Wet Dog Foods to Mix With Dry in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Wet and dry food has benefits and drawbacks, prompting many dog owners to mix the two to get the best of both worlds. Your dogs get the fun mix of textures that stave off food boredom, and you get the...

dry and wet cat food on white background

Can Dogs Eat Barley? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Info

In recent years, higher-quality diets have been at the top of devoted dog owners’ minds, with ingredients like grains coming under sharp scrutiny. As consumers latch onto trends like gluten-free diets, many extend those values to their dog’s food, often...

Can Dogs Eat Barley

What Foods Are Dangerous for Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Fruits, Veggies & More

Fruits and vegetables are a necessary part of a human’s diet, but did you know that they can play a role in your dog’s diet too? Unfortunately, not all fruits and veggies are safe to give to your dog, and...

is chocolate bad for dogs

How To Thaw and Serve Frozen Dog Food: 6 Expert Tips (Vet Answer)

Choosing the right food for your dog can get pretty complicated. Not only are there hundreds of different brands and thousands of varieties of traditional dry and wet foods lining pet store and supermarket shelves, we also have options like...

frozen pet food in containers

Can Dogs Be Vegan? Vet Approved Advice & Safety Tips

Responsible dog owners always want to make smarter, more ethical choices to improve their pet’s physical and mental well-being. With growing awareness around the eco-sustainability and health perks of vegetarian and vegan diets, it’s natural to wonder how a change...

The dog sits near a bowl of food and licks his tongue, dry food and fresh vegetables and fruits