Even though panting is a natural way for Pembroke Welsh Corgis ( like any other breed) to cool themselves down, heavy or excessive panting may be an indicator of some health issue or behavioral problem.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis pant when they are hot, thirsty, or exhausted after playtime. Panting is also normal in Corgis when they are excited, scared, anxious, or out of their comfort zone. Heavy panting though will occur if Pembroke suffers from health issues like heart disease, respiratory issues, allergy, and metabolic problems. It’s important to detect excessive panting and discover the cause so you can treat the underlying issue.
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Is It Normal For Pembroke Welsh Corgis to Pant a Lot?
Since Pembroke Welsh Corgi is not classified as a Brachycephalic or flat-faced dog, there isn’t a natural predisposition to heavy breathing. It must be something else that causes your dog to breathe heavily.
What Is My Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breathing Heavily?
Heavy or excessive panting in dogs is usually pain or some other health issue-related. But also can be associated with several behavioral problems like anxiety, stress, phobias, fears…
Pembroke Welsh Corgis may pant excessively due to several health issues such as :
- Cushing’s disease ( characteristic for 7+ years old Corgis, other symptoms are increased thirst, urination and appetite, reduced activity, and hair loss)
- Heart disease (obese Corgis are at greater risk of getting heart disease. Other symptoms are weakness, coughing, and abdominal swelling)
- Respiratory distress ( other symptoms occasional coughing, blue discoloration of the skin, blue gums, nasal congestion)
- Chronic pain ( other symptoms are sensitivity to touch, grumpiness/moodiness, depression, lack of appetite, limping)
- Metabolic disorders ( other symptoms are lethargy, poor appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss)
- Allergies ( other symptoms are itchiness, vomiting, red, inflamed skin, sneezing, swelling of the ears, eyes, eyelids, and lips)
If Pembroke Welsh Corgi is dehydrated for some reason, apart from excessive panting, he will also show the following symptoms: loss of appetite and skin elasticity, lack of energy, dry-looking eyes, dry nose, dry and deep red, sticky gums.
How To Know If My Corgi Is Breathing Heavily?
In order to discover if your Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a panting problem, you need to know what is considered a normal breathing rate for dogs. The non-panting breathing rate, at rest, is about 15-40 inhalations and exhalations per minute.
A Corgi that suffers from abnormal breathing and heavy panting can take up to 10 times that many breaths per minute.
Heavy panting in Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually accompanied by snorting, coughing, snoring, rasping …
Also, note that a dog normally pants with an open mouth. If you realize that your Pembroke is panting with a partially open mouth or with a closed mouth that should be a warning sign.
Normal panting doesn’t last long, not more than a couple of minutes. If your Pembroke breaths heavily for more than 10 minutes, you should seek a vet’s help.
Follow these steps to find out if your Pembroke Welsh Corgi panting is abnormal or excessive :
- Take note when the panting is happening. Normal panting is characteristic for dogs after physical activity/play time or some kind of excitement and high temperatures, of course. A healthy dog has no reason to pant in the absence of these factors.
- Look at the position of his/her mouth, is it open, partially open, or closed? During normal panting, it should be open.
- Does your Pembroke have any other symptoms along with panting? Do you find him lethargic or not willing to eat. Can he walk around? What is the color of his gums ( pale, bright red, or pink) Does he has any signs of illness like vomiting or coughing? If he does, go to the vet, since excessive panting could be a sign of some underlying health problem.
- Put your ears up, what does your Pembroke’s panting sound like? Has it changed lately? There is the condition called Laryngeal paralysis which is not precisely characteristic of Pembrokes but any breed ( middle-aged and older dogs) can suffer from it, and it makes the panting sound of the dog more pronounced. If you find your Corgi’s panting sound different than it used to be, you should definitely consult the vet, even though your pet doesn’t have any other symptoms.
- Does your Pembroke Welsh Corgi breathe fast even at rest or while sleeping? If he does, observe his stomach muscles. If they are engaged to help him breathe you should definitely contact the vet.
Important note: Normal panting in Pembroke Welsh Corgi is slow, relaxed panting. If your Pembroke pants heavily but slowly- the reason is heat. If he/she pants quickly and that panting is accompanied by whining or yawning, the reason is most probably anxiety or some kind of fear. It’s called behavioral panting.
How To Calm A Pembroke Welsh Corgi That Pants A lot?
To calm your Pembroke from panting, you need to know the reason for heavy breathing. If it’s normal panting, don’t sweat about it.
Bear in mind that Pembroke Welsh Corgi doesn’t tolerate heat so well. They are doing well if the ambient temperature is between 20-30c ( 68-86F) but if it goes above that, your Corgi will have a problem coping with it. So never leave your dog outside on hot, sunny days. Never leave your Pembroke in a parked car and of course moderate your Pembroke’s physical activity.
If he is outside make sure he has some shady place if he needs a rest and that has unlimited excess to fresh water whenever he desires.
If your Pembroke Welsh Corgi pants excessively try to calm him. You can talk to him in a soft tone and with a reassuring voice.
If you know that firework or thunderstorm freak out your dog so he is panting too much, do keep him away from those sounds, keep him inside, lower the blinds, put some relaxing music on, stay with him…
Remember if your Pembroke Welsh Corgi breaths heavily even if it’s not hot or he hasn’t had any physical activity you should see the vet. If your dog follows a certain pattern in panting but is accompanied by other symptoms you should definitely consult the vet.
Good luck!
