Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Cardigan Welsh Corgis Live. Cardigan Welsh Corgi Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
- How Old is Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years
- How Long Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi Live Long
- Conclusion on Cardigan Welsh Corgi Life Expectancy
How Long Cardigan Welsh Corgis Live. Cardigan Welsh Corgi Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is from 12 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 53 pet Cardigan Welsh Corgis lived.
From the study, it was found that Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a average lifespan of 12.1 years. Furthermore, the study found that Cardigan Welsh Corgis can live for as long as 16.5 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Cardigan Welsh Corgis are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Urogenital Disease: Problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, and/or reproductive organs
- Infectious Disease: Problem caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
- Respiratory Disease: Problems with lungs and breathing
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Cardigan Welsh Corgi to make your Cardigan Welsh Corgi live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is in human years? Then, check out our Cardigan Welsh Corgi age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Irish Terrier Lifespan | 14.80 |
| Cairn Terrier Lifespan | 14.00 |
| Basenji Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Norwich Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Miniature Pinscher Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Manchester Terrier Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Welsh Terrier Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Puli Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| Irish Setter Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Field Spaniel Lifespan | 11.60 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lifespan | 11.30 |
| German Spitz Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Finnish Spitz Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Airedale Terrier Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Basset Fauve de Bretagne Lifespan | 10.40 |
| Irish Water Spaniel Lifespan | 9.33 |
| Japanese Chin Lifespan | 9.25 |
| Spinone Italiano Lifespan | 9.00 |
Common Causes of Death in Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Cardigan Welsh Corgi, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
-
Neoplastic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 22.3 percent of all deaths in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Cardigan Welsh Corgis (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Cardigan Welsh Corgis is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Cardigan Welsh Corgis is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Cardigan Welsh Corgis is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Cardigan Welsh Corgis with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s gums look pale.
-
Neurologic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 17.0 percent of all deaths in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
-
Urogenital Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Urogenital problems most often involve infections and blockages, which various degrees of seriousness.
Urogenital Disease is responsible for 15.2 percent of all deaths in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Causes of Urogenital Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Probably, the most important urogenital issue seen in intact female Cardigan Welsh Corgis is the pyometra. A pyometra is an enlarged, pus-filled uterus caused by a severe bacterial infection. A pyometra is several times larger than a regular uterus and is a life-threatening condition. To treat a pyometra, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s uterus must be removed, which is a difficult and expensive surgery. Another urogenital infection seen in both female and male dogs is urinary tract infections, which are very similar to human UTIs. If left untreated, UTIs can ascend up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys, which can also be life-threatening. If you notice that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is urinating much more or less frequently than usual, or if the color or smell of the urine seems different from normal, you should talk to your veterinarian. Another common urogenital issue in male Cardigan Welsh Corgis is urinary blockages, which (as the name suggests) is when there is something stuck in the urinary tract which prevents the Cardigan Welsh Corgi from urinating. If you see your Cardigan Welsh Corgi lifting its leg and trying to urinate but nothing is coming out, you should call your veterinarian. Cancer is also a major urogenital issue in Cardigan Welsh Corgis, just like it is in humans. Urinary incontinence can also be an issue in both male and female Cardigan Welsh Corgis, just like in humans.
How to Prevent Urogenital Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
The only way to completely prevent a pyometra is by getting your female Cardigan Welsh Corgi spayed. Another major benefit to spaying your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is that it dramatically reduces her risk of breast cancer. A spay is a major surgery and does tend to be a bit more expensive than a neuter, but a pyometra surgery is probably 3-4 times more expensive and dangerous than a regular, routine spay. Neutering your male Cardigan Welsh Corgi will also dramatically reduce his risk of prostate cancer and urinary blockages, especially as he gets older. If the spay and neuter estimates from your regular veterinarian are a little out of your price range, low-cost high-volume (LCHV) spay and neuter clinics are also an excellent option. If you find that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is prone to blockages even though they are sterilized, there are many diets and supplements like this that can help. There are also diets like this and supplements that can help with urinary incontinence, but if these don`t work, your veterinarian can also prescribe prescription medications.
-
Infectious Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
There are many types of infectious diseases: bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. Different diseases have different causes and they affect different parts of the body. For example, E. coli causes an infection in the intestines which can cause diarrhea in humans and dogs, whereas Demodex is a parasite on dog skin.
Infectious Disease is responsible for 15.2 percent of all deaths in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Causes of Infectious Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgi
All infectious agents fall into two categories: the ones that invade the body from the outside, and the ones that are living in or on the body that experience an overgrowth. For example, staphylococcus aureus is a normal bacteria found on the skin; however, it can cause skin infections if its growth gets out of hand. Both types of infectious agents can be stopped by the body`s immune response. Internal infectious agents can also be prevented by probiotics.
How to Prevent Infectious Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
If your Cardigan Welsh Corgi seems like they are not doing well, you should take them to the veterinarian so they can decide if your dog needs antibiotics, fluids, a dewormer, or other therapies. When your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is well, you can support their immune health through nutrition, probiotics like this and vitamins.
-
Respiratory Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Respiratory diseases includes asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other conditions. May also be related to left-sided heart failure and other cardiovascular issues.
Respiratory Disease is responsible for 9.8 percent of all deaths in Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Causes of Respiratory Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Some lung conditions can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Other lung conditions, such as asthma, can be related to allergies and genetic conditions. Some breeds (called brachycephalic breeds) are more susceptible to breathing problems. These breeds appear to have their noses and snouts kind of squished into their faces. Although they are very cute, these breeds can have serious breathing problems throughout their lives which may require surgery. Additionally, dogs and cats can often get colds and other upper respiratory infections because of stress. Common causes of stress in dogs include separation anxiety, thunderstorms and other loud noises, the introduction of other animals into the home, and more.
How to Prevent Respiratory Disease in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Respiratory diseases can be prevented by supporting the immune health of your Cardigan Welsh Corgi, by making sure you feed your Cardigan Welsh Corgi a good, nutritious dog food brand, give them plenty of exercises, and help them live in a stress-free environment. There are several options for supplements and therapies that can help reduce stress in your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Some Cardigan Welsh Corgi do really well with thundershirts, which are snug shirts that swaddle the dogs and help them calm down during thunderstorms and other stressful events. Furthermore, Cardigan Welsh Corgis that are anxious with loud sounds might also benefit from calming supplements, such as Anxiety TFLN. For general anxiety, the supplement Composure or Composure Pro might help calm your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s nervousness. Some Cardigan Welsh Corgis do really well with supplements, but just like with people, supplements do not work for everyone. If you are not seeing results after a few weeks of putting your Cardigan Welsh Corgi on a supplement to calm anxiety, you should talk to your veterinarian about behavioral therapy and stronger medications.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Cardigan Welsh Corgis
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Cardigan Welsh Corgi offsprings by only breeding Cardigan Welsh Corgi that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Cardigan Welsh Corgi has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Cardigan Welsh Corgi for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Cardigan Welsh Corgi a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Cardigan Welsh Corgis for:
How Old is Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 12.1 years.
Cardigan Welsh Corgis are small-sized dogs. Cardigan Welsh Corgis weigh 25 to 38 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Cardigan Welsh Corgi in converting Cardigan Welsh Corgi age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s human age. If you do not know your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s up-to-date human age.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s human age based on your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 19 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 59 |
| 12 | 63 |
| 13 | 67 |
| 14 | 71 |
| 15 | 75 |
| 16 | 79 |
How Long Do Cardigan Welsh Corgis Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 12.1 years. In human years, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi lives for 63 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years?
A 1-year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 12 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years?
A 4-year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 30 years old in human years.
How Old is 5-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years?
A 5-year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 35 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi in Human Years?
A 6-year old Cardigan Welsh Corgi is 40 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Cardigan Welsh Corgi live a long life:
-
Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Cardigan Welsh Corgi fit and make it live longer.
-
Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Cardigan Welsh Corgi does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Cardigan Welsh Corgi will have a shorter lifespan than a Cardigan Welsh Corgi that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Cardigan Welsh Corgi high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Check out our Cardigan Welsh Corgi feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Cardigan Welsh Corgi from being overweight here.
-
Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Cardigan Welsh Corgi existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Cardigan Welsh Corgi has access to clean water whenever your Cardigan Welsh Corgi needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Cardigan Welsh Corgi. See our Cardigan Welsh Corgi water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
-
Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Cardigan Welsh Corgi might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
-
Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
-
Vaccinations: Always make sure your Cardigan Welsh Corgi is up to date on its vaccination.
-
Dental Hygiene: Your Cardigan Welsh Corgi’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Cardigan Welsh Corgi teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Cardigan Welsh Corgi Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Cardigan Welsh Corgi`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.