Cardigan Welsh Corgis are packed with personality, and with their big ears, little legs, and hearts full of love, they make excellent family pets. But before you fall in love with their adorable charm and bring one home, it’s very important to understand the costs involved with owning one. There’s more than just the initial purchase price to think about, and with essential products and ongoing care needs, welcoming a Cardigan Welsh Corgi into your home can set you back hundreds of dollars each year. So, to make sure you’re 100% confident you’re able to take care of them properly, we’ve put together this guide that will show you exactly how much you can expect to spend.
The initial cost of bringing a Cardigan Welsh Corgi into your life depends on where you get your pup from. For instance, you’ll spend anywhere from $3,000 to $4,500 for a well-bred puppy from a registered breeder, while adopting a Cardigan Welsh Corgi comes with much lower fees averaging around $300 – $600.
You might also find puppies for sale at lower prices than this, but you should consider this a red flag. These puppies are usually being sold by unregistered breeders who skip essential health care tests and prioritise profit over the wellbeing of the puppies and their parents, which isn’t only unethical but can lead to medical issues later in the dog’s life. So, to be certain you’re doing it the right way, only ever buy through a registered breeder or a rescue shelter.
The price of buying a Cardigan Welsh Corgi from a registered breeder in Australia is around $3,000 – $4,500. There are several things that determine where within this price range a puppy sits, which we’ll explore in more detail later. But, as an example, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy that meets certain breed standards will be priced higher than a pet-quality dog.
Finding a Cardigan Welsh Corgi in an adoption shelter can be a challenging task since they aren’t commonly surrendered, but if you have stumbled upon one, you can expect to pay between $300 and $600 in adoption fees. This fee will usually cover the cost of vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, too, saving you even more money in the first year of ownership. Just remember patience is key, and you’ll likely spend more time looking for a Cardigan Welsh Corgi up for adoption compared to going to a breeder.
As we mentioned before, there are a few different factors that go into determining how much you’ll pay for your Cardigan Welsh Corgi, including:
One of the biggest factors that contribute to the cost of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the breeder’s reputation. Good breeders who have conducted extensive health screenings to check for genetic issues common in the breed (such as progressive retinal atrophy) will charge more because the costs of these tests need to be covered in the price of the puppies. Now, while this does make the upfront price higher, you do have the security of knowing your new pup is less likely to suffer from health issues moving forward, potentially saving you more money on vet care in the future.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis bred from strong bloodlines are also priced higher towards the $6,000 mark, especially if their ancestors have a history of excelling in dog shows or herding trials. Also, show-quality puppies that meet Dog Australia’s strict breed standards will always come with a higher price tag than pet-quality dogs, even if you’re not planning on entering them into competitions. The reason for this is pretty simple – they’ll have better health and temperament traits, which is something worth investing in.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis comes in a variety of beautiful coat colours, and some are rarer than others. Blue merle, in particular, is extremely rare and much sought after, which naturally means puppies with this coat colour will be priced higher, especially since this colour is allowed in the breed standards when showing. But, if you want to keep prices lower, puppies with more common coat colours like sable, black and white, and tri-colour tend to be less expensive.
Their tail also influences the cost, and unlike their Pembroke cousins, who are often born tailless, Cardigan Welsh Corgis have naturally long, fluffy tails. In this show world, a well-plumed tail that aligns with the breed standard can be a sign of excellent genetics, which makes these puppies more expensive. Some registered breeders also take special care in selecting parents that will produce puppies with particularly full, beautiful tails, which comes at a cost that will be picked up in the price of the puppies.
That’s how much you can expect to pay for your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. But before their little legs walk into your home, you’ll need to pick up some essentials. Here’s how much you’ll likely spend:
There are also ongoing maintenance costs you’ll need to cover once your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is in your life, which add to the expense. Here’s what you need to know:
Cardigan Welsh Corgis may be small, but they have big appetites! Proper nutrition is the key to keeping them happy and healthy, and an adult weighing the ideal 10kg – 14kg will need between 300g and 600g per day. This means, over the course of a month, you could spend between $60 and $300 when following these diets:
It is important to note here that these are only estimates, and the amount you’ll pay will vary depending on your Corgi’s age, health, and sex. Likewise, the brand you choose and the ingredients it contains will affect the price. For the best advice, we recommend speaking to your vet about diet types and portion sizes.
Another annual expense you’ll need to consider is vet care. This isn’t just for any illnesses or accidents your Cardigan Welsh Corgi might suffer from, but preventative care to keep them healthy year-round. These costs can come to:
Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a thick, double coat that sheds all year round, so regular upkeep is needed. Some of this can be done at home, but you’ll still need to arrange occasional trips to the groomers for deeper cleaning. The costs of this can be:
You’ll also need to invest in some training classes unless you want your Corgi’s intelligence to develop into behavioural problems! There are lots of different classes and courses available, depending on your needs, but here’s a basic rundown of what you might pay:
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are an amazing breed, but just like any other dog, they have needs that you’ll need to be comfortable covering financially for their entire life. And, keeping in mind that they have a fairly long lifespan of 12 – 15 years, you’ll be footing the bill for a long time. But, if you can afford to pay for their food, vet care, grooming, and everything else, you’ll be getting an endlessly loyal and loving companion.
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