Tracking Corgi Puppy Growth
Tracking Corgi Puppy Growth. Bringing a Corgi puppy home is an exciting adventure, especially for families with children. Corgis, with their stubby legs, big ears, and endless energy, are natural charmers. But along with their irresistible cuteness comes the responsibility of ensuring they grow up healthy and strong. Tracking your Corgi puppy’s growth isn't just important for their health; it’s also a fun and educational way to engage kids in caring for their new furry sibling.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the key stages of Corgi puppy growth, how to track their progress, and how to involve your children every step of the way. Plus, I’ll throw in a few personal stories to help illustrate just how special—and sometimes chaotic—those early days can be!
Why Tracking Corgi Puppy Growth is Important
Growth is a sign of good health, and monitoring it helps you make sure your Corgi is on the right track. While Corgis are small dogs, their growth during the first year is rapid, especially in the early months. Tracking weight, height, and development milestones helps you detect any potential health issues early. It also allows your vet to adjust your Corgi’s diet, exercise, and care to meet their changing needs.
And let’s face it, kids love to see how fast their puppy is growing! Encouraging them to help with regular weigh-ins or marking their pup’s height on a growth chart adds a fun layer to the responsibility of caring for their new friend.
The Corgi Puppy Growth Timeline: What to Expect
0-8 Weeks: The Early Weeks
Most Corgi puppies spend the first eight weeks with their breeder. At birth, they weigh around 1-3 lbs and grow rapidly during this time. By the time they're ready to come home, they'll likely weigh between 5-8 lbs.
During these weeks, the breeder handles early health care, including the first round of vaccinations. This time is critical for socialization, so it’s important the breeder exposes the puppies to various sounds, smells, and touches. When our family got our Corgi, I remember visiting the breeder and watching our puppy, Bandit, wobble around on his chubby little legs. He was curious but shy, and I knew we had to help him adjust to his new surroundings when we brought him home.
8-12 Weeks: The First Weeks at Home
Bringing your Corgi puppy home is exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Around this time, your puppy will weigh about 8 lbs and will be full of energy and curiosity. They'll also be learning to adjust to new routines—feeding times, potty training, and exploring their new environment.
Tip: Let your kids help set up your Corgi’s space! My kids loved arranging Bandit’s bed, toys, and food bowls in his little corner of the house. It made them feel like they were preparing for a new family member.
At this stage, your puppy will start bonding with the family. Letting kids gently handle and play with the puppy helps build trust and comfort. Just remind them that Corgis, like all puppies, can be a little nippy during this time as they start teething!
12-16 Weeks: The Growth Spurt Phase
Between 12 and 16 weeks, your Corgi will go through a noticeable growth spurt, likely weighing between 10-15 lbs by the end of this stage. Their little legs will still be short, but their body starts to lengthen, giving them that iconic Corgi look. You’ll notice more confidence and independence as they explore their world.
Teething Alert! Your Corgi will be going through the worst of their teething around now. I’ll never forget how many shoes Bandit chewed through during this phase. Make sure to provide plenty of chew toys—trust me, it’s a lifesaver! We even let our kids pick out a few toys, which made them feel more involved in caring for Bandit’s needs.
3-6 Months: Ranking Period
By now, your Corgi is developing a clear personality. They are also likely to test boundaries. This is the time to reinforce training and ensure they know their place in the family’s “pack.” Consistency is key, so make sure the whole family is involved in training.
Behavioral Changes
- Expect some defiance or testing of limits, which is natural at this stage.
- Continue socialization by exposing them to new experiences and environments.
Anecdote - Bandit became a little rebellious at around five months old. He started ignoring the “come” command whenever he was outside. With consistent training (and a few extra treats), we got him back on track.
6-12 Months: Adolescence
As your Corgi approaches their first birthday, you’ll notice that their growth slows down. By this point, they should be around 22-30 pounds, which is typical for an adult Corgi. This stage can also bring some “teenage” behaviors, like stubbornness or testing limits again. Stay patient—this phase will pass, and you’ll have a well-rounded adult Corgi before you know it.
Training Focus
- Reinforce good habits.
- Continue physical and mental exercise to keep them stimulated.
Anecdote - Luna hit her “teenager phase” around 8 months and would try to steal food off the counter when we weren’t looking. After a few weeks of reinforcing the “leave it” command, she learned to behave. Well, most of the time!
How to Track Your Corgi’s Growth
Tracking your puppy’s development can be an enjoyable task for the whole family. Here’s how to do it:
- Weighing Your Puppy
A quick weigh-in every couple of weeks is a great way to monitor growth. For small puppies like Corgis, you can use a regular household scale. First, weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the puppy, and subtract the difference. I let my kids do the math—it became a fun game for them.
Keep a growth chart handy and compare their weight with breed-specific growth charts, which you can easily find online.
- Measuring Height and Length
To measure height, use a tape measure to measure from the ground to the puppy’s shoulders. For length, measure from their nose to the base of their tail.
Kids love hands-on activities, so have them mark their puppy’s height and length on a wall or in a scrapbook. My family created a Corgi growth wall chart, and the kids couldn’t wait to mark Bandit’s height every month.
- Assessing Body Condition
Puppies should be neither too thin nor too chubby. A simple way to check this is by feeling your puppy’s ribs. You should be able to feel them under a slight layer of fat but not see them. If your puppy feels too squishy, they might be gaining weight too quickly.
Engage your kids by explaining what a healthy Corgi looks like. Show them how to feel the puppy’s ribs and explain why it's important to prevent overfeeding. Our kids were eager to help with this once they understood how it affects Bandit’s health!
Common Growth Concerns in Corgi Puppies
- Overfeeding and Obesity
Corgis LOVE food. They’re notorious for their hearty appetite, and it’s easy to overfeed them, especially when kids are giving out treats. Corgis are prone to obesity, which can lead to joint issues, especially given their long backs and short legs.
Pro Tip: Use small, healthy treats and make sure kids understand the importance of sticking to portion sizes. We made it a rule that our kids could only give Bandit one treat per training session, and they had to ask us first.
- Joint and Bone Health
Corgis grow rapidly in their first few months, and this growth puts pressure on their joints. Avoid high-impact activities like jumping on and off furniture. Instead, encourage gentle, supervised play.
When Bandit was around six months, he would try to jump off the couch, which worried me given his short legs. We ended up buying a small ramp to help him get down safely—something the kids thought was hilarious but also important!
- Delayed Growth
If your Corgi seems smaller or lighter than expected, it might just be that they’re growing at their own pace. However, if growth seems significantly delayed, consult your vet to rule out any health issues.
Making Growth Tracking Fun for the Family
Create a Growth Scrapbook
Let your kids take pictures of the puppy every month and compare them over time. Include notes about their weight, height, favorite toys, and any milestones, like the first time they learned “sit” or went on their first walk.
We did this with Bandit, and it became a treasured keepsake. Now, whenever we flip through the scrapbook, the kids laugh at how tiny Bandit once was!
Set Up a Height Chart
Just like you might track your child’s height on a doorframe, do the same for your Corgi. This visual cue helps kids see the progress their puppy is making.
Celebrate Milestones
Each time your puppy hits a new growth milestone—whether it’s losing their baby teeth, learning a new trick, or finishing teething—celebrate! Give your Corgi an extra belly rub or a special treat. These moments help your children bond with their new companion and feel proud of their contributions to their puppy’s development.
Conclusion: Growing Together with Your Corgi
Watching your Corgi puppy grow and change is a magical experience, especially when shared with your children. Not only will they learn responsibility, but they’ll also develop a deeper bond with their new four-legged friend. Tracking your puppy’s growth helps ensure they are developing as they should, and it provides valuable insights for your vet during checkups.
Remember, every puppy grows at his/her own pace, but with proper care, love, and attention, your Corgi will grow into a healthy, happy adult dog who will be a loyal family member for years to come.
And trust me, as someone who’s been through the whirlwind of puppyhood with Bandit, these early days fly by—so enjoy every moment!