Last Updated on April 19, 2023
Corgis are the beloved companions of the Queen and one of the most popular dogs in the world. They are known for their playful, affectionate personalities, adorable good looks, upright ears, fluffy tails, short legs, red coats, and big eyes.
They are adaptable in different environments and even with other animals and people. Corgis are very smart and easy to train. They love attention and, of course, are so cute.
If you’re thinking of becoming a parent of this breed, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the cost of a puppy and what to expect in terms of maintenance costs throughout your pet’s life.
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How Much are Corgi Puppies?
The initial cost of a new Corgi puppy may vary from $500 to $2,000. If it is an exceptional pup and the owner is going to present it at shows, it might even reach $10,000.
A 6-month-old pup will cost much less than an 8-week-old Corgi as most pet owners want to get a puppy as young as possible. A large commercial breeder will also ask much more than a small-time or hobby breeder.
Should you buy a puppy or an older dog?
Buying a Corgi puppy will cost a lot more than getting an older dog, as the initial cost is high for the first year, especially if you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder.
Puppies are also expensive because of all the initial vaccines and other necessary medical expenses to ensure your dog stays healthy.
With an older dog, training will also have been done in the first year, and he should have had all his essential vaccinations, so an older dog can be cheaper and more manageable.
That said, they might have a hard time connecting with a new owner as they are very loyal to their families.
Are small Corgis more expensive than large ones?
Because miniature doggies are rarer and extra cute; they may cost about double the price of a standard-sized one. That said, there isn’t actually such a thing as a miniature purebred Corgi.
Smaller dogs, often marketed as mini Corgis, are likely not purebreds and are penalized by the AKC.
If you are looking for a smaller pup, instead consider the Pembroke Welsh Corgi over the Cardigan Welsh Corgi – a smaller variant but still a purebred dog.
Check out this video of an adorable Pembroke Welsh pup playing fetch.
How Much Does a Corgi Cost from a Breeder?
Reputable breeders will likely present you with pups with superior lineage. They will range anywhere from $2,000 up to $10,000.
This depends on the breeder’s reputation, location, breed lines, and various other factors.
How to find a reputable breeder and avoid puppy mills?
Buyers should ask for referrals from their vet and trusted friends. Local breed clubs can be contacted, or you can even attend a dog show in your area and chat with breeders from different breed clubs.
One can even go to the AKC website to find breeders in your area.
To ensure you’re not buying a dog from a puppy mill, it’s best to ask the seller if you can visit their home. Puppy mills will always refuse to receive you as they usually care more about profit than their dogs’ living conditions and health.
To help you find a reputable breeder in your area, you can consult the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America website or the American Corgi Club or get a start on your search for the perfect pub by looking up the breeders below.
- Royal Ridge Corgis, Southern Missouri
- Overo Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Austin, Texas
Adoption Fee for a Rescue Corgi
You might be lucky enough to rescue and adopt a Corgi for free, but that is only very seldom.
Normally, the fees for adoption range from $250 to $600, however, this depends on the age and medical background of the dog. If the puppy is still very young, it may scale up to $750.
The workers at rescue centers work as volunteers but your fee will go towards the expenses of looking after your dog while he is at the shelter, providing food and basic health care, including keeping his vaccinations up to date and even providing sterilization.
While it can be difficult to find a purebred dog at a rescue centre, you may be lucky enough to find one looking for a home with these breed-specific rescue organizations.
- East Coast Corgi Rescue (Washington, DC)
- Top of Texas Corgi Rescue (Amarillo, Texas)
- Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Corgi Rescue (North Hollywood, California)
Factors Affecting the Price of a Corgi Puppy
As you can see, a Corgi puppy can have a wide range of prices, depending on various factors. Breeding lineage, the breeder’s reputation, health checks, color, gender, and more are all taken into account when choosing a puppy.
1. Bloodline and breeder’s reputation
While Corgis cost around $1,000 to $2,000, those from champion bloodlines could be sold for up to $3,500 and even more.
The purchase fee of this breed from a reputable breeder will always be higher. That said, good breeders will present a dog with the best bloodline to match breed standards and create the healthiest puppies.
2. Registration papers and pedigree
Another very important factor to consider in determining the cost of this breed is its lineage. If the puppy came from a trustworthy and undisputable bloodline, it may be much more expensive.
Registration papers are offered by good breeders and are proof that your pup is purebred which makes it easy to be accepted as part of a kennel club.
Such dogs can then join organizations uniquely for Corgis, such as dog shows. Of course, these pups will be more expensive.
3. Health screenings and medical expenses
The health screenings that your puppy and the parent dogs have done by a breeder can be added to its initial purchase fee.
Good breeders add health guarantees to the buyer, which greatly impacts the price but can save you a lot of money in the long run as you will be assured that your pet is free from any genetic diseases.
4. Age
Younger Corgis are more expensive than older ones, and financially, it would be more affordable to buy an older dog.
Puppies not only require more input financially but also more attention; however, most people prefer to buy young puppies, and so demand drives prices higher.
5. Gender
Like most dog breeds, female Corgis are easier to train because they are more focused. Then again, spaying is more expensive than neutering. So, for the owner, gender doesn’t really affect the price of this breed too much.
6. Coat color and markings
Coat colors also have an effect on how much people pay for this breed. Trends in Corgi coat colors sometimes change, and then people only want puppies in that specific color.
The higher the demand for these color combinations, the rise in market prices.
Rare-colored Corgis, such as sable or merle dogs, can also be very pricey.
Kennel clubs give more favor to purebreds in special color combinations and have specific requirements in terms of color for dogs to be accepted, so be sure to check these if you plan to show your dog.
Initial and Long-Term Ownership Costs
Other than the initial cost of buying this breed, there are additional expenses that an owner should budget for, such as the essential supplies you would need for your dog, like a bed and food and water bowls.
The first-year expenses of owning this pup can come to around $3,700.
Aside from the initial purchase fee that you will pay for your puppy, you need to budget for all the expenses your dog will incur throughout his lifetime.
These include things like grooming and food expenses as well as the price of pet supplies, toys, and of course, regular visits to the vet and ongoing medications.
1. Veterinary Costs
During the first year, vet costs might come up to $500 to $600 for your puppy.
This will include deworming, vaccines, thorough checkups and examinations, and also fecal examination. Spaying or neutering will add another $50 to $500.
After the first year, the yearly expenses will drop quite a bit if the doggy stays healthy but may increase in your pup’s final years as older dogs are more prone to diseases.
Common health issues and estimated costs to treat them
There are quite a few common Corgi health issues. You may be able to avoid him contracting some of these ailments by getting health tests done at the breeder, as some of these diseases are genetic.
Here are some common problems that plague this breed and how much it would cost to treat them.
- Degenerative Myelopathy – $2,000 to $4,000.
- Hip Dysplasia – $1,500 to $2,200.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy – $1,700 to $2,300.
- Cardio Myelopathy – $1,500 to $3,500.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease – Surgery costs $1,500 to $4,000, excluding x-rays.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease – $500 to $3,000.
- Dental Disease – $400 to $800.
- Allergies – Preventative medication from $80 to $2,000 per year.
2. Dog Food Expenses
Like with any other dog breed, it is of utmost importance that your pup gets the best nutritional dog food to keep him happy and healthy.
Owners can prepare to spend about $6.50 to $14.50 for a puppy and $5.60 to $19.50 for an adult dog per month. Of course, the doggy will need some more treats, which can be anything between $3 and $20 per month.
Learn more: 19 Best Dog Foods for Corgis
3. Training Costs
Experts recommend professional training for Corgis. These costs can reach between $1,050 and $1,400.
Training commonly includes crate and potty training, barking, and positive leadership. They should also be trained in basic obedience and socialization.
4. Dog Grooming Prices
Taking your dog to a groomer is very convenient but also costly.
Depending on the groomer, the owner will have to pay about $40 to $60 per visit, and they should be taken to the salon about every 4 to 8 weeks, although you should be able to brush him at home yourself as well.
During shedding season, they will probably need more frequent visits or more regular brushing, even daily.
4. Pet Insurance Costs
Throughout Corgi’s life, medical tests, and procedures will be necessary to ensure your dog’s health. This may let you spend a lot and therefore it’s advisable to have medical insurance.
Pet Insurance can cover medical expenses such as vet visits, routine checkups, dental care, lab tests, and vaccines, but it’s mostly for any unexpected illnesses and accidents.
You can expect to pay around $500 to $600 a year to get good quality medical insurance for your pup, but it will give you peace of mind that he will be taken care of and there will be enough support when the unexpected happens.
5. Environmental Maintenance
Environmental maintenance does not take a big chunk out of a pet owner’s budget. The only expenses here are to buy poop bags as well as a poop scoop. This will cost you about $5 a month for the bags and a one-time $30 for the scoop.
6. Entertainment costs
Corgis are very playful and energetic but they are easily entertained with simple items like a piece of rope, a ball, or just interaction with their human family.
They love toys but are rather rough on them, so it’s good to buy good-quality toys that last longer. These toys might cost about $50 a month.
7. Pet Supplies
The cost of supplies for a Corgi puppy can be between $150 and $650 as an initial investment to buy the needed items for welcoming him into your home.
After that, only replacements and a few necessary ongoing items, like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, a few new toys, and poop bags, are all that will be needed to buy.
Depending on the quality of the items you buy, you can expect to pay between $55 and $260 yearly in supplies.
Additional Expenses that Come with Owning this Breed
Additional costs are something to be prepared for, although they might not be dealt with on an ongoing basis. These can include pet daycare, priced at $40 to $130, or pet sitting, which has a service fee from $50 to $80.
These are both essential if you work out of the home every day.
You may also decide to get your pup microchipped and need a license depending on your area or decide to register him at the Kennel Club. These once-off costs are typically between $30 and $80.
Average Monthly Expenses
The average monthly cost for an adult Corgi can range from $117 to $251, depending on your area and your vet.
Certain items will have to be restocked or replaced monthly like food and toys, while special medical services will continue as long as your dog lives.
Annual Expenses
A Corgi can cost his owner about $750 to $1,800 each year. Expenses for the first year can add up to $3,700. After this, the owner will still have to budget for about $1,140 per year.
As your dogs grow older, these expenses can increase, as they are prone to different diseases.
The figures above only factor in essential needs like training, medical costs, supplies, food, treats, grooming costs, microchips, and licenses.
There might be extras like pet insurance, spaying or neutering, daycare, or unexpected medical costs.
Lifetime Expenses
In terms of long-term ownership, the total amount of expenses for looking after your Corgi can be as high as $17,300 to $21,000.
This accounts for essentials like supplies, training, food, treats, grooming, medical expenses, licenses, and microchipping him.
There can also be additional costs involved like spaying and neutering, pet insurance, boarding facilities, and a dog walker or sitter.
These additional costs can drive up the long-term ownership expenses from $60,000 to $138,000 as they can live up to 14 years.
Corgi Dog Price Range Summary
Corgi Category | Price Range |
Purebred Puppy | $1000 – $2000 |
Show-quality Puppy | $3500+ |
First-Year Total Costs for a puppy | $3700 |
First-Year Total Costs for an adult dog | $750-1800 |
Adopting an older dog | $250-600 |
Conclusion: Should You Buy a Corgi?
If you can afford to buy and maintain a Corgi, it will bring lots of joy and entertainment to your home.
Corgis are affectionate, cuddlesome, intelligent, and energetic little dogs that easily fit into all sorts of families. They make excellent watchdogs as small as they are, but boy can they bark!
When looking for a pet, buying one from a reputable breeder is best. Although these puppies are typically the most expensive, they come with health certificates, so you can be assured they are free of any genetic diseases.
While they may cost more initially, they can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Do you have a Corgi at home? Did you get him from a breeder, or did you adopt your dog? We would love to learn more about you and your pet in the comments below.
Janine is an experienced content writer and travel journalist based in Cape, Town, South Africa.
Raised by a bundle of botanists, researchers, and biologists, she is passionate about things related to the animal kingdom, including, our furry friends. However, as a terrible allergy sufferer, she is limited in her pet selection and so has grown up surrounded by curly-haired Poodles.