Corgipoo (Corgi & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts & Traits
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Just when you thought the Corgi couldn’t get more adorable, here comes the Corgipoo to give them a run for their money. As a mix of two of America’s most popular dogs, the Welsh Corgi and the Poodle, the Corgipoo quickly gained attention for their unique charm. There’s much to love about this adorable hybrid, as we’ll explain in this look at the Corgipoo’s temperament, care, and traits.
Breed Overview
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
| Weight: | 15–25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Black, fawn, red, sable, silver, gray, blue, brown, apricot |
| Suitable for: | Families, committed first-time owners |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, intelligent, outgoing, playful, trainable, adaptable |
The Corgipoo, or Corgidoodle, is one of the doodle mixes that have come into vogue in the last 3 decades due to the Poodle’s desirable temperament and low-shedding coat. They are typically crosses of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with either a Standard Poodle or, more commonly, a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
As such, they can inherit an unexpected mix of personality traits, colors, and coat types. One thing you can count on is a highly intelligent, biddable, athletic, and eager dog the whole family will love.
Corgipoo Characteristics
Corgipoo Puppies
Corgipoos are newer designer dogs and less common than established hybrids like Labradoodles, Bernedoodles, or Goldendoodles. As with all doodles, properly vetting breeders for practices around genetic testing, training and socialization before adoption, and living conditions is crucial in obtaining a dependably healthy dog. Breeders should offer you access to the dogs and parents to assess their pedigree. Health testing should be comprehensive, covering issues inherent to both breeds.
Due to the doodle’s popularity, unethical breeding and unrealistic owner expectations have put many dogs in need of a good home. Checking shelters and rescues is an excellent idea for anyone wanting to make a life-changing difference for a dog and offer relief for the animal advocates caring for them.
You can find many local and nationwide doodle rescues online. Although there aren’t any dedicated to Corgipoos, there’s always a decent chance of finding one if you’re willing to look hard enough. Training and socialization should be consistent and start early to stave off undesirable quirks like the Corgi’s nipping and aggression.
They’ll be full of energy and wonder at a young age. Offering plenty of play and bonding time and maintaining a frequent feeding schedule with high-quality puppy food will ensure proper development through the first year as they mature.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Corgipoo 🧠
The Corgipoo comes from two working dogs and inherits a sharp intelligence and aptitude for training. Corgis supply an affectionate, bold personality, with a big dog’s confidence and warm nature, while the Poodle tempers some of their willfulness with an eagerness to please.
Both can be prone to barking to varying degrees and need socialization to be less wary of strangers. Their doodle hybrids are fun-loving, clownish, and joyous, a delightful blend of complementing personalities.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Corgipoos are highly people-oriented and subsequently make excellent family dogs. They’re playful, friendly, protective, and loyal to their pack. Inheriting the Corgi’s short legs, they’re also less of a threat around small children during playtime.
Although they may also take on some of their nipping tendencies and intolerance for rough play, the Poodle’s gentle nature can quell aggressive behaviors. Smaller Miniature and Toy Poodles are often feistier, while Standard Poodles lend more calm, tolerant temperaments.
Corgis and Poodles are sensitive and typically do better with older, more responsible children. They play well with youngsters when properly supervised. Having more people in the house is ideal since their sensitivity can lead to anxiety if they lack stimulation or spend too much time alone.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽
Corgipoos have a few underlying tendencies that may make them clash with other animals in the house. However, they can easily coexist with dogs, cats, and other animals. Corgis and Poodles are highly adaptable, so their relationship with other furry housemates is primarily up to you. Poorly socialized dogs will be uncertain around strange animals and can quickly give in to their urge to chase.
Things to Know When Owning a Corgipoo
With their size and trainable nature, living with a Corgipoo is easy whether you live in a city apartment or rural farmhouse. They’re energetic but can thrive with daily walks and indoor play.
The Corgipoo’s intelligence and desire for attention are the trickiest traits to satisfy. Training can be incredibly efficient, but mischief and stubbornness can appear when they lack consistency and a firm yet gentle leader. Enrichment will be essential. They’re prone to separation anxiety, leading to irritated barking and destructive behaviors, and need frequent mental stimulation via toys, puzzles, and games when left alone.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Corgipoos don’t need much food, only about one cup daily, with the exact amount depending on their size. Working with your vet is the easiest way of addressing any food sensitivities and planning a feeding program as they move from being a puppy to an adult.
As Corgipoos can be heavily treat-motivated, you must carefully monitor how much you reward your dog throughout the day. Treats should account for no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
Exercise 🐕
Corgipoos are high-energy canines, but they’re not the type to run for miles every day. Needing about an hour of daily exercise, you can take them on walks or jogs to burn them out.
Alternatively, a fenced-in area is excellent for training, playing fetch, or flexing any underlying herding knack with a herding ball. Indoors, their active minds need ample stimulation with activities like food puzzles and games of hide and seek.
Training 🎾
Corgipoos are easy to train and eager to learn if it means a fun time with their owner. Socialization might be the more critical focus to reduce aloofness and potential aggression. Working on shyness will also help these sensitive dogs become less attached and dependent on you for their mental state.
Crate training will make a significant difference in your dog’s comfort, as will enrichment. Puzzle toys and chews should always be available. Training should start early and be an ongoing part of how you bond with your dog. Obedience training provides an excellent mental workout, and giving your Corgipoo jobs around the house will keep them enthusiastic and focused.
Grooming ✂️
The Corgipoo’s grooming needs vary depending on the filial generation and the simple randomness of genetics in crossbreeds. An F1 Corgipoo can have straight to wavy hair and reduced shedding compared to the Corgi. Still, the double coat can bear a significant influence, making many Corgi-Poodle mixes a poor pick if you’re expecting a low-shedding dog.
Despite them being less hypoallergenic than backcrossed doodles, one benefit of inheriting the Corgi’s short coat is a lower chance of needing haircuts, saving you time and money at the groomer. Brushing a few times weekly will keep them mat-free and release dead hair.
Daily brushing will be necessary to prevent tangles if the Corgipoo develops more of the Poodle’s curly hair. A mix that is predominantly Poodle may need professional grooming a few times annually. As Corgipoos often develop drop ears, weekly checks and cleaning will be essential in preventing infections.
- See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos
Health and Conditions ❤️
Mixed dogs often avoid the unique health issues specific to their parent breeds, but crossbreeding can also broaden the list of potential maladies. With that in mind, proper testing is crucial, which entails thoroughly vetting your breeder to ensure they’re covering genetic disorders common to either breed, such as hip dysplasia or von Willebrand’s disease.
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Patellar luxation
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Addison’s disease
- Bloat
Male vs Female
Male and female Corgipoos don’t differ significantly in size or temperament. Males tend to be a bit larger, though this mix’s enormous variety of outcomes allows for plenty of sizable females. Personality-wise, females seem more astute to some, often entailing a more stubborn, independent attitude.
3 Little-Known Facts About The Corgipoo
1. “Corgipoo” Has Many Meanings
Predicting a Corgipoo’s form and temperament is challenging due to the parent breeds’ diversity. It isn’t simply the Toy/Miniature/Standard distinction on the Poodle side that makes a difference. While most of us imagine a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Poodle mix, it could be a Cardigan Welsh Corgi adding their DNA to your Corgipoo.
Though both Corgis are short-legged cattle herders in their native Wales, the differences are vast. The long-tailed Cardigans are a much older breed with German Teckel lineage, which is the same line that gave us the Dachshund.
Pembrokes are a Spitz breed, similar to wolfish Huskies and fox-like Pomeranians. As you can expect, a bit of cheekiness is standard for either dog. Cardigans are generally more relaxed and reserved, while Pembrokes inherit more of the Spitz’s outgoing and effervescent nature.
2. They’re Not Hypoallergenic
The original selling point that ignited the doodle trend was the low-shedding coat, and most people expect their dog to be perfectly friendly to allergy sufferers. It’s surprising, then, when they see a Corgipoo for the first time, sporting a short double coat with only light furnishings and drop ears, indicating their Poodle parentage.
As an incomplete dominant trait, the shedding gene will have an impact even when the dog only receives one allele. Though they’re cute, a Corgi-Poodle mix is hardly a practical choice if you want to keep the fur out of the house and avoid the allergies that come with it.
If you are set on a Corgipoo, a backcrossed mix (F1B) or a Corgipoo-Corgipoo mix (F2) has a 50% chance of achieving the non-shedding curly coat. With the rarity and recency of the breed, finding responsible breeders offering these Corgipoos will be challenging. Buyers must be wary of breeders selling Corgipoos with a more typical doodle look to ensure their pedigree is as advertised.
3. Corgipoos Appear in Numerous Colors
Marrying two breeds will give you an entire rainbow of possible coat colors, and the Corgipoo is no exception. The Poodle already appears in every shade of gray and warm apricots and reds. Sable and fawn work their way in with the Corgi’s influence, and if there’s Cardigan Welsh Corgi in the mix, you may even see brindle and merle patterns.
Final Thoughts
Corgipoos are an offbeat mix of two active, intelligent, and keen dogs. Though some of their parents’ traits can seem incompatible, the result is a loving and exuberant dog with an enormous heart despite their small stature. As a rare breed, the Corgipoo can be a real diamond in the rough for a loving family looking for their next pet.
Featured Image Credit: JLSnader, Shutterstock
