Recommended Products for Corgis

We created this page to make shopping for your Corgi easy.  The items below are all items that we have used here with our Corgis or have been recommended to us by past buyers.  Please click on the links or product photos to learn more or purchase the product. 

 

Food & Supplements

Just like in humans, nutrition plays a major role in the health of dogs.  We recommend feeding a high quality food throughout the life time of your dog to ensure that they get the nutrition they need.  We also believe that supplementing with probitoics, vitamins and fish oil will set your puppy up for a long healthy life.  

Corgi between 2 food bowls

Puppy essentials

We believe that nutrition is strongly corelated to the health of your puppy.  Our plan is simple. 

1.  Feed a high quality puppy food.

2.  Add beneficial probiotics to strengthen the immune system

3.  Add essential vitamins and minerals to strengthen the immune system.  

Our puppies eat Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken & Rice under one year.  There are two versions of this food. One is just kibble and the other has shreds or pieces of dried chicken. I prefer to start puppies out on the kibble only variety and switch to the version with shreds once they are a bit older.   

We believe in rotating food flavors in our puppies. This gives them variety and some research shows that rotating protein sources may reduce the risk of allergies and food intolerances that might become a problem in adulthood.  We simply suggest rotating flavors (protein sources) through puppy hood.  Thankfully, this puppy food comes in several flavors.

If you are adamant about changing brands, we recommend that you wait until they have had time to adjust to their new home then gradually make the change.  

Just like in humans, a healthy gut biome, helps boost immunity and keeps puppies healthy.  All of our dogs are fed a probiotic daily.   We love FortiFlora because dogs love the taste and it is easy to feed – just add 1/2 to 1 packet to their food once a day.

Our puppies and dogs receive NuVet vitamins to strengthen their immune system and ensure they get all needed nutrients. My dogs and puppies love the taste of this vitamin – actually it is the only vitamin that my dogs will eat.  This product was developed by veterinarians and is produced using human grade vitamins and minerals.  These vitamins are not sold in stores.  When ordering, if you are asked for a code, use code 148999.

Our puppies leave us taking 1/2 of a vitamin daily.

Adult nutrition

We normally transition puppies to a quality adult dog food when they are around 1 year old.  Not all dog foods are created equal, in fact there most dog food companies do not perform research trials on the food that they produce.  Feeding a high quality dog food has been shown to extend the life of pets and reduce some diseases including those that dogs are genetically predisposed to.  We continue adding a good probiotic like FortiFlora and NuVet vitamins to ensure that our dogs are as healthy as possible.  To help with shedding we start adding fish oil around 6 months of age.

 

We feed and recommend Purina Pro Plan, Purina’s top dog food.  This company is committed to nutrition with a team of scientists, nutritionists and veterinarians on staff. They have created and tested over 140 formulas targeted for every life stage of dogs and this food is recommended by many veterinarians.  

 

We recommend Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Adult food for your grown Corgi.   This food contains kibble along with shreds of real meat that our dogs love.  There are multiple flavors including chicken, beef, lamb, salmon and turkey that dogs love.  It also comes in a variety of sizes from 5 to 47 lbs. which allows you to try different flavors and switch between flavors for variety too. 

Adding fish oil to your dogs food daily can help with shedding. It also makes their hair shiny and soft.  We simply add one pump to their food daily starting around 6 months of age.

Other high quality food options

Another good dog food for Corgis is Hills Science Diet. In the past I have fed both the adult version and the puppy version

The only food that I would stress that you do not feed is Blue Buffalo.  I known of several instances where dogs on this food developed pancreatitis and died.  Please talk to your veterinarian and do some research before you switch.

 

Toys

We often get asked about our dogs’ favorite toys.  Our dogs like toys that crinkle, have realistic fur and make a sound. 

As babies, we have a variety of toys with different textures and sounds.  We trade out toys every day so they have a different toys to play with each day.

We stay away from highly stuffed toys because dogs can tear them open and eat the stuffing which may cause an impaction that could require surgery. Please supervise your dog if they are playing with a stuffed toy to ensure that they do not tear it open and eat the stuffing.

Keeping your dog’s mind active can also reduce boredom.  Interactive toys like Hide a Squirrel and Bob a Lot treat dispenser keep dogs occupied and can significantly reduce boredom.  My theory is that a bored Corgi is a bad Corgi.  Bored dogs become destructive so plan of keeping your Corgi active both mentally and physically.  

I prefer to buy toys online and not in stores where other dogs may have mouthed a toy.  I cringe at the thought of a dog picking up an illness from a slimmed toy in a store. 

Bark Box can be another great option for your pup. I am a HUGE BarkBox fan!

Corgi Puppies playing with toys
Leslie Favorite
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Why I like Bark Box

  1. Your pup will get a themed box every month which contains toys and treats. 
  2. When there is something in the box that your pup does not like (treats or toys) they will replace the item. 
  3. My dogs love when the box arrives and what is inside. 
  4. They toys are pretty durable.  They encourage play with crinkle and squeaky sounds and different textures. They love getting a new treat too that we can train with. 
  5. Just like kids, you will find that pups will get bored with their toys and will become super excited with a new toy or chew.

    For special discounts click on the offer below.

Leslie Favorite
5/5

Favorite toys - all stuffing free

These are extremely tough flatties that last a long time.  They have no stuffing and are a favorite here.

Leslie Favorite
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These lightweight flatties have 2 squeakers and comes in a 3 pack. They have no stuffing

These cute flatties have multiple textures and come in multiple cute designs.  They have no stuffing.  

These exciting flatties have both a squeaker and crinkle tentacles for extra fun.  They are a favorite here.

Leslie Favorite
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When you place an empty water bottle in this toy it will make a crackle sound that dogs love.  The medium and large size toy holds an empty water bottle for crackle fun.  Make sure to remove the lid of the bottle and replace when needed. 

This jiggler flattie has crinkle in the head & tail and a jigglerz sound maker in the body. There are also multiple designs. 

This crinkle flattie contains crinkle material which our pups love along with a squeeker.

Interactive & active play toys

Leslie Favorite
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Fill the Bob-a Lot with kibble and it will keep your pup entertained for a long time.  This is the best treat dispensing toy that I have found and I have had dogs paly with it for a long time. 

With the Hide A Squirl interactive toy, dogs have to figure out how to get the squirrels out of the tree trunk so it acts like a puzzle.  The squirrels are stuffed so make sure to supervise.  

This ball giggles and makes enticing giggle sounds as it wobbles back and forth.

Dogs that love to fetch will love this doggie soccer ball.  This ball has tabs that your dog can use to carry it.  It also has a bell inside to add noise.  Our dogs that like to play fetch love these.

Food puzzles make your dog think in order to get hidden treats.   Choose from 4 levels of difficulty.

A stuffed Kong is a great way to keep your pup occupied.  You can stuff them with treats or kibble.  Add a sticky substance like peanut butter or yogurt to make it more of a challenge or take it to the next level by freezing it while stuffed.  There are lots of great ideas on the web for this one.  The medium size works great for Corgis.

This automatic ball launcher is fun for dogs that love to fetch.  Train your dog to drop the ball in the top and it launches it over and over.  It also has an adjustable distance setting.

These Liki mats attach to the side of a crate.  You smear yogurt, peanut butter or anything else that is sticky on it and it will keep your puppy occupied for a long time. 

Teething Aids

Corgis are chewers and puppies need to have “chewy” items to help with teething.  I normally get 4 inch Bully Sticks from this company. Make sure to supervise your pup while chewing. 

Leslie Favorite
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Nylabones are a classic long lasting chew item for puppies to soothe gums.  Some dogs like them while others prefer a natural chew item.  

Pig ears are a great natural tasty chew item.  These work well with younger puppies who are light chewers. 

Puppy Fav
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Cow hooves last for a long time.  you may want to choose an odor free variety.  

Antlers are a long lasting chew for super chewers and adults. They are very hard and can break teeth so I only use these with super chewers.

Cow ears are a natural tasty chew item for puppies and dogs.  These work well with older puppies or dogs who are more aggressive chewers. 

Yak Cheese is a special treat here.  It is another natural long lasting chew item for older puppies and dogs.

At home

Crates

I am a firm believer of crate training.  Crate training works with potty training by teaching your puppy to “hold it”.  Crate training also gives your dog its’ own place to go when it gets tired or needs a break.  Crates come in two basic types – plastic or wire and both have advantages.  Even if you plan to let your dog sleep in bed with you later, crate training is a great idea for puppies.

Plastic crates may be sturdier if you plan on containing your dog in a crate.  When purchasing a plastic crate, I look for ones that are sturdy, bolt together and are around 28-30 inches long like a Petmate crate. The downside of a plastic crate is that some dogs will chew on them and they can not be divided like a wire crate. 

Wire crates may have a divider that you can adjust so you can buy one crate that your puppy will grow into.  If you choose a wire crate, I would look at buying one with heavy wires that has a divider so you can make it larger as your puppy grows. I like the Midwest wire crates.  You probably need one that is around 30 inches long.  They come with either one door or two doors and some have a door that folds up out of the way. 

You may want to use a towel in the bottom of the crate while your puppy is young and change to a crate pad as they get older.  Our puppies are used to sleeping on a crate pad in a wire crate with the doors open. Make sure to buy a pad that fits your crate and is machine washable. 

Beds

My dogs sleep on raised beds.  The Kuranda beds are expensive but they last.  The fabric is not exposed on the edges therefore dogs can not chew on it.  We use the Kuranda bed with metal-covered corners for extra chew protection and 40 oz solid vinyl sleeping top.  Our smaller dogs sleep on the Small (30 x 20) size while our larger dogs sleep on the medium (35 x 23) size.  They last for years and you can replace the tops if needed.   Our dogs also like Donut beds but get too hot to spend all night sleeping in them. 

Corgi laying on a bed

Crates, Mats & Beds

A 30 inch wire crate will give adults plenty of room and comes with a divider that can be used with puppies and moved as they grow so you only buy one crate. These crates will fold down for storage.

The garage door style crate has a door that folds up over the top instead of swinging open. These crates will fold down for storage.

Hard sided crates are sturdy and bolt together.  These are often used as travel crates.  

All of our dogs have a Kuranda bed.  Corgis are hot natured because they are double coated and will not normally sleep in a padded bed but will sleep on a cool tile, concrete or wood floor. Because these beds are elevated they are cool.  I have both the PVC and Aluminum frames with the heavy duty vinyl.  I have both the 30×20 and 35×23 sizes.  The smaller size fits most Corgis but I do have some larger dogs that love to stretch out and they need the larger size. 

These beds are more expensive but they last forever.  I have never had one destroyed, they are easy to clean and can also go outside.  If you do have a corner or leg that gets chewed up they also sell replacement parts which I love.  There are many imitation beds on the market but none match these beds.

Leslie Favorite
5/5

Pens & Gates

This is a sturdy pen that completely breaks down and can be set up in multiple shapes. These are also great for camping trips.  If you plan on using a pen after puppyhood these framed panel pens are great.

Leslie Favorite
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This puppy pen folds up and can be staked to the ground outside.  The 24 inch  height works for most Corgis. 

Baby gates are a great way to keep puppies out of areas within your house.  You can move this model from room to room. I have used mine for many years. 

If you are looking for a permanent gate this is one that is easy to install and lasts well.  I have 4 of these and love them.

The 18 inch crate bed will work when you use the divider in a 30 inch wire crate.  Bored puppies may chew this bed which has stuffing so you may choose to use a towel or blanket.

These Donut beds work well for adults but not puppies who tend to chew them up.  Once your puppy has stopped chewing they might enjoy one of these. 

These waterproof covers are great to  protect your bed, sofa, floor or other areas. 

To prevent back issues, Corgis need stairs or a ramp to access beds and couches. These stairs are nice, wide and stable.  

Food & Water Bowls plus more

I prefer stainless steel bowls because they are so easy to clean in a dishwasher and do not break.  These bowls come with or without non-skid bottoms. I recommend a medium-sized bowl that holds approximately 2 quarts.

If your puppy inhales his or her food without taking the time to chew you might consider a Slow Feeder bowl.  Lick mats are great tools to help keep a puppy occupied while getting a bath or just keeping them occupied.  

I prefer stainless steel bowls because they are so easy to clean in a dishwasher and do not break.  These bowls come with or without non-skid bottoms. I recommend a medium-sized bowl that holds approximately 2 quarts.

Leslie Favorite
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These non tip stainless steel bowls stay in place and can not be easily flipped or tipped over.

Slow feed bowls have partitions that help slow down dogs who inhale their food.  If your puppy inhales its food this is a great tool to slow them down while eating.

Liki mats can keep your dog entertained for some time.  Smear with peanut butter, cream cheese, yogurt or bananas to distract your dog during baths or keep them busy. 

Potty box, washable potty pads & hanging bell

Your puppy will be litter box trained and will be used to going to the bathroom outdoors.  I use a 24 x 24 inch rabbit tray to hold litter.  For litter, I purchase pelletized alfalfa pellets (shown below) or hardwood pellets.  Pine pellets used in horse stalls may cause allergic reactions in some dogs.  I am able to purchase all of these items at Tractor Supply.  I realize that you may not have this store in your area so I have listed an alternative tray and some pelletized paper products that can also work.  In my experience, I find that the paper pellets become sticky when they get wet.

View the video below of my suggested pen set up.  

I prefer washable pee pads.  Puppies often think that the disposable pee pads are toys and shred them. 

I also suggest Bell Training your puppy to alert you when they need to go out to the bathroom.  You can purchase a bell that hangs from a doorknob or simply attach a piece of string to a bell and hang from a doorknob. A Bell Training Guide will be included in the Buyers Resources section. 

Alfalfa Pellets that are used as litter in puppy litter boxes

This is what we use with our puppies.  Harman Corgis will leave with a sample.

I purchase mine at Tractor Supply.

Rabbit tray that is used a a puppy litterbox

I use a rabbit tray as a litterbox.  Make sure to sit this on top of a washable pad to prevent damage to floors in case they miss the box. 

These paper pellets made just for dogs. If Alfalfa pellets are not an option, try these.

Washable hospital pads do not get ripped or destroyed by puppies like disposable pads.   These are a good quality pad that will protect your surfaces.

Leslie Favorite
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Train your dog to ring these potty bells when they need to go out.  We love that some of our dogs are bell trained.

Accidents will happen and the key to cleaning up an accident is using an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners break down urine and completely remove all smells. 

Collars, Leashes, ID Tags & Harnesses

When it comes to collars, even though your puppy is microchipped it will need a collar with ID tags.  ID tags that dangle often get hung on things and can get pulled off.  For that reason, I like the slide on collar ID tags or collars that are personalized with your information.  For standard collars, I like the Lupine brand.  They are sturdy yet lightweight, washable, come in many colors and designs and can be adjusted 8-10 inches.  My adult females wear 3/4 to 1 inch wide collars that are 12-22 inches long.  Lupine collars are guaranteed even if they are chewed. My adult males wear 1-inch wide Lupine collars that are 16-28 inches long.  I find that the buckles last longer on this brand and I love the fact that they will replace a collar.

 

Since Corgis’ heads are the same size or smaller than their neck and body it is super easy for them to pull out of a collar.   If you plan on walking your dog I would suggest a harness.  It may be best to try a harness on in the store and check for size.  Our puppies will be used to a harness like a voyager step in dog harness shown below.  I like these because they are easy to put on puppies and cheap. They will probably need an XXS to XS (Cat size harness) when you first get your puppy (contact Leslie for the current size they are wearing) but they will outgrow them fast therefore I would not spend a lot of money on the first harness that you purchase.

 

If you are using the training videos provided in the Buyers Resource section, you will see a “Long Line” used.  There are many available for under $10.

 

If you plan on taking your Corgi swimming, make sure to get a doggie life vest.

The Voyager harness is easy to use on small puppies.  Most Corgi puppies will wear a XS at 9 weeks of age.  

Leslie Favorite
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These long leashes  come in lengths from 15 to 50 feet.  Long lines are often  used in training and recall exercises.  They may also be used to give your pup some freedom yet ensuring that they are always nearby by attaching it to your pup’s harness and your belt loop with a carabiner clip. 

Lupine collars are our favorite brand.  They are very durable, light weight and come in a variety of colors and prints.  The company will even replace a collar if it becomes damaged. 

Leslie Favorite
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Flat tags attach directly to the collar so they are harder to lose and are quiet.

We like personalized collars because tags can get caught on objects and be pulled off of collars. 

Another personalized collar option including your phone number. 

The Rabbitgoo dog harness comes highly recommended from many of our customers like for adults.  Make sure that you get the correct size for your dog.

The Ruffwear float coat life  jacket is highly recommended by several of our customers.  Make sure that you get the the correct size for your dog.

Grooming

I do not recommend washing your dog more than once a month unless they get into something nasty and smelly. Washing too often can dry out their skin.  What I do recommend is getting puppies used to bathing by putting them in the sink or tub and just getting them wet.  All of our puppies get this bathing experience several times before they leave out care.  

I always get asked what shampoo that we use on our puppies.  We use Isle of Dogs Tearless Puppy Shampoo or Chi tearless shampoo.  They also offer options for adult dogs.  We use the adult Isle of Dogs, Chi or FURminator deShedding shampoo and conditioner for our adults. 

On adults, the Zoom Groom along with conditioner can help loosen hair.  I also like the Cowboy Magic products.  To make brushing go easier, rub a dime size amount of Cowboy Magic detangler between your hands then rub through your dogs hair after bathing.   

For dogs that get nervous, attach a Likki mat that has suction cups on the back to the side of the tub to give them something to do while you bathe them.  

Washing

CHI puppy shampoo smells great and the scent lasts a long time. It is a nice thick shampoo so you use less than other brands. This is one that we use here. 

Isle of Dogs puppy shampoo is another one smells great and the scent lasts a long time. It is a nice thick shampoo so you use less than other brands. This is one that we use here. 

This Zoom Groom brush helps remove dead hair while bathing.

This Likki mat has suction cups on the back so you can adhere it to the tub while giving a bath.  Smear with peanut butter, cream cheese, yogurt or bananas to distract your dog during baths.  

We think that Furminator Ultra deShedding Conditioner  helps reduce shedding.  We use it after bathing with shampoo.  

I like Isle of Dogs shampoos because they are thick and they have a great fragrance.  Check out their latest fragrances like Red Berries & Champagne, Jasmine & Vanilla and Violets & Sea Mist. 

I like CHI Dog Shampoo because it is thick and it has a great fragrance.  I normally use the deep moisture variety. 

I rub a pea size amount of Cowboy Magic detangler between my hands then through the wet coat of my dogs before combing.  

Brushing

I start puppies out with a soft bristled brush just getting them used to something touching their body and holding still during brushing.  Once they are around 12 weeks old, I use a comb to remove loose hair.  When they are around 6 months old their hair will be long enough to brush with a rake comb. 

 For adult dogs, I recommend daily brushing with a comb or rake. The hair coat can vary depending upon genetics, type of food fed and environment and sometimes one brush will work better on one dog than another.

After washing I like to condition then use a greyhound comb with coarse and fine teeth to help remove dead lose hair.

Corgis tend to go through major shedding periods when the seasons change.  They will need lots of combing during this time when they lose their undercoat.  Feeding a high-quality food and supplementing with salmon oil can help.  I use a rake, greyhound comb or detangling comb depending upon their hair type.  I find that it often helps to mist your dog with water and get the fur damp before combing or you may choose to take your pup to a groomer and have them do a deshed bath.  They will be able to remove the shedding undercoat with a bath and blow dry.   

This brush combo is what I use to brush small puppies.  It is the first brush that we use to teach puppies about being brushed while their fur is still short and not as thick.

A Greyhound comb is our second step grooming tool.  I use this to remove hair as puppies start shedding baby hair.  I also use it on adult dogs for everyday combing. This comb has too teeth spacings give you several options for removing dead hair and tangles through various parts of the coat.

Leslie Favorite
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While I am not a fan of the FURminator deshedding tool which breaks the hair, I love this FURminator Rake comb.  The tips are not pointed so it does not hurt the dog as you comb and it works on most Corgi coats.  This is my go to comb for seasonal shedding. 

Leslie Favorite
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This detangling comb has two different lengths of teeth.  On certain coats this comb can remove almost all loose hair in one pass.  I like to use this along with the FURminator Rake comb.

Leslie Favorite
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Nail Trimming

It is important to trim your dogs nails.  We trim puppies nails with human fingernail clippers.

Adult dogs need their nails trimmed too.  When dogs have long nails, pressure is exerted on the nail bed causing it to be painful when the dog walks much like wearing shoes that are too short.  This can eventually cause the rotation of joints in the foot and make walking very painful for your dog.  

We use human nail clippers when puppies are small then graduate to regular dog nail clippers or a nail grinder.

These dog nail clippers are sharp for a clean smooth cut and easy to use.  They also have a safety stop.  

More than likely you will not ever cut your dog’s nails too short but if you do and one bleeds this syptic powder will stop the bleeding. 

Some people prefer to use a Dremel grinder to file down claws instead of trimming them with nail clippers.  This is a good basic set.

On the Go

Most of these products have been recommended by past customers.  

The Adaptil product is one that we use here with new moms who are nervous or worrisome and it seems to really calm down some dogs.  I know many people who use the collar or spray when traveling with their dogs. 

You will need poop bags to pick up after your pup when you are on the go.  This dispenser comes with bags and clips on your pups leash.  These are thick bags that do a good job of containing the smell.    

This puppy backpack is highly reviewed for puppies and small dogs with a reasonable price. 

This Kurgo backpack also has excellent reviews and holds dogs up to 25 lbs.  If you are a hiker or plan to use a backpack for an extended time you might look at this one.

This dog water bottle is a great travel water bottle.  It is lead proof, easy to use and comes with a carabiner clip.  

Adaptil calming collars release pheromones which can have a calming affect on dogs.  If your dog gets nervous while traveling this might be something for you to try.

A sling is a great way to carry your puppy around until they are not fully vaccinated. 

A pet stroller is for those who want to push their little one around. This stroller will hold your puppy or your adult Corgi.

Training

I can not emphasize enough how important it is to continue training with your puppy!!!  Your puppy will quickly forget everything that it knows if you do not continue on with socializtion and training.   The best solution that I have found is Baxter & Bella.  

You only pay $178 for a lifetime subscription when you use the discount code HARMAN.  This gives you access to lessons, videos, puppy classes, obedience classes and a live trainer when needed. 

This training will help you to continue teaching important concepts like potty training, crate training and general manners. 

 

Use the Discount Code HARMAN for 25% off

Give your pup something special every month

Want to give your pup something special every month?  Bark Box is a great solution. My dogs know that it is for them and get super excited each month. 

Leslie Favorite
5/5

Puppy proofing your house

What comes with a Harman Corgi

Choosing the right veterinarian

AKC Bred with Heart Banner for Harman Corgis
Good Dog
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