Corgipoo – The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Poodle Mix

The Corgipoo is a mix between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Miniature Poodle, hence the cute name!

Sporting very short stout legs and incredible amounts of energy, they have the potential to be very outgoing dogs.

With both the Corgi and the Poodle being very popular small dogs, the Corgipoo has raised a little bit of interested in the puppy buying world.

But there are a lot of important things you should be aware of and understand before you jump right in to choosing a Corgipoo.

Designed Dog Controversy

As the Corgipoo is a mix of two recognised purebred breeds, it is a “designer dog”.

There has been a lot of controversy around designer dogs.

Pedigree fans believe they are generally less healthy than purebred dogs.

There are accusations that many designer dogs come from less than reputable breeders looking to make a quick buck.

However, according to a study that analysed over 27,000 dogs found that purebred dogs were more at risk of genetic disorders.

Another study seemed to show that crossbreeds seemed to live longer lives than their purebred counterparts.

With a crossbred dog living 1.2 years longer on average than a purebred.

This is thought to be the result of genetic diversity promoting better general health.

Health Matters

Providing they are bred intelligently and raised in a good environment, designer dogs are not inherently less healthy than purebreds.

We have written an article exploring common misconceptions comparing purebreds and mutts here if you would like to read further into the topic.

Advocates of purebred dogs state that crossbred dogs are a more risky venture in other ways too however.

Mixed breeds can inherit traits of either or both parents, a purebred puppy on the other hand can be a lot more predictable.

While true, some owners are happy to take that risk and love the random element to their dog’s character.

Another issue brought up is that the breeding is less regulated, meaning there may be more of a chance of running into a bad breeder.

However, some of these issues can be applied to purebred dogs too.

Regardless of whether you are buying a purebred or a crossbred dog, it’s always recommended you check the health of the puppy’s parents and the trustworthiness of the breeder.

So let’s take a look at how to give yourself the best chance of a happy health Corgipoo.

Origins of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Corgi originated from an ancestor who in the year of 1107 was introduced into Welsh lands by master craftsman from what is now known as Belgium.

These dogs were specifically bred to herd cattle and sheep.

In the 1800s, the genetic line split into two distinct breeds; the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

A favourite of the Queen of England, who hasn’t been without a Pembroke Welsh Corgi since 1933!

Origins of the Poodle

The Poodle is the national dog of France but despite this the breed originally came from Germany over 400 years ago.

They were excellent water retrievers due to their incredible intelligence and swimming ability, and because of this they were used for duck hunting within lakes.

Its trademark coat served as protection against the elements during this task, and later on allowed it to reach the life of luxury among nobles all over Europe due to its extravagant appearance.

The Corgi Poodle Mix – Everything You Need To Know

The Corgi Poodle cross is a recent and modern mixed breed, and therefore it can be rather hard to predict what to expect.

Corgipoo puppies could take after either parent (or land somewhere in between) with their appearance, temperament, and health issues so it is very important to have a good amount of knowledge on both parent breeds.

Corgi’s also have some structural health issues which are important to take into account when considering a cross breed.

Corgipoo Size

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small dog, ranging from 10-15 inches in height.

Their short height is due to a type of dwarfism called achrondroplasia,  which makes their leg length very short in comparison to their body. Sadly this can come with some serious health issues, which we’ll look at later on.

The size of the Poodle depends upon the type.

The Toy Poodle stands up to 10 inches tall, the Miniature at around the same size as the Corgi, and the Standard can reach heights of around 22 inches.

Therefore, if it is a Corgi Toy Poodle mix or a Corgi Mini Poodle mix, you may find the resulting Corgipoo to be kept small. A Standard Poodle mix could result in a much taller dog.

Corgipoo Weight

The weight of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is up to around 30 pounds, while the Standard Poodle can reach weights of up to 60-70 pounds if male, and 40-50 pounds if female.

A Miniature Poodle will only reach weights of 6-9 pounds, while the Toy will reach 15-17 pounds.

The Corgipoo is most commonly bred from the Miniature Poodle and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The weight of the Corgipoo is reliant on which type of Poodle is in the cross.

A Standard Poodle mix could result in a much heavier set dog, whereas a Mini or Toy Poodle mix could create a very light Corgipoo.

Characteristics of a Corgipoo

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has short stout legs, keeping their body low to the ground.

They have erect, slightly rounded ears and a fox-like head.

They have a thick double coat, with typical colors being red, sable, fawn black and tan with or without white markings.

The Poodle on the other hand stands on tall legs and are much higher up off the ground than the Corgi.

They carry themselves with dignity and sport cute floppy ears.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Poodle of course is their coat.

Curly, dense, and naturally corded, the coat can either be kept long or clipped to a short trim.

The Corgipoo could either have long or short legs, or somewhere in-between.

Their ears could be either erect or floppy.

As a result of the cross, Corgipoo’s generally end up with a double coat.

Is the Corgipoo hypoallergenic?

This is dependent on which parent the Corgipoo’s coat takes after.

They can be possibly hypoallergenic if their coat takes after the Poodle parent.

However, if the Corgipoo’s coat takes more after the Corgi it could shed up to a moderate amount, causing allergies.

Temperament of the Corgipoo

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a lovely, affectionate dog who is lively and outgoing.

They make fantastic dogs for companionship and are rarely needy.

On the other side of the cross, the Poodle stands tall and elegant.

Very active themselves, they make for highly intelligent companions with a very proud demeanour.

As both dogs have similar facets within their temperaments, you can count on the Corgipoo being a very companionable and active dog.

Caring for your Corgipoo

Corgipoo’s will do just fine with high quality dog food.

However, with all dog breeds obesity can be a real problem, so take care and keep an eye on your dog’s calorie intake.

As for grooming, a daily brush will be necessary for a Corgipoo.

If they take after the Poodle they will not shed a lot, so they will require a thorough daily brush to prevent the fur from matting.

Poodle grooming is a serious business.

If they take after the Corgi, they may shed up to a moderate amount and will require a daily comb before their fur ends up all over your house!

As with every dog breed, be sure to keep an eye on their nails, trimming them as necessary. Dental health is just as important too, with their teeth needing to be brushed regularly.

Health Issues

The Corgipoo can inherit health issues prevalent in either parent breed.

Therefore, it is important to know what common genetic issues both the Corgi and the Poodle suffer from.

Canine Degenerative Myelopathy is an issue which can affect the Corgi, a spinal cord disorder which causes gradual paralysis.

Most dogs with this condition are euthanized within a year of diagnosis.

Corgi’s are also at risk from blood disorders, such as Von Willebrand disease.

An issue which can affect both the Corgi and the Poodle is Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

This is a disease which can cause blindness in dogs at a young age.

Don’t turn a blind eye to health issues

Another genetic disorder which can affect both dogs is Hip Dysplasia.

This is a problem with the hip joint that can cause osteoarthritis, and severely affect the dog’s ability to walk.

Again, it is very important to check these issues are not a problem for either parent.

Poodles can also tend to suffer from Epilepsy, which may be able to be passed down genetically.

Corgipoo puppies could possibly inherit these health issues from their parents.

It’s incredibly important to be sure that the parents of a puppy are completely healthy and free of these conditions before buying.

Corgi dwarfism comes with some very sad health problems, including serious spinal issues.

Although your mix might not be so badly impacted by these, we simply don’t have enough data at the moment to know for sure.

You will need to decide whether you are happy to invest your love, time and money in a puppy that is bred to be a structure that might cause them to suffer as a result.

Exercising and Training your Corgipoo

Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Poodle are active dogs with a lot of energy to spare.

The Corgipoo cross will be no different, and it’s recommended you make sure to take them out for long walks regularly to keep them exercised and happy.

Sadly, Corgis and their mixes may have health problems which make living up to their lively nature difficult.

As for training requirements, both the Corgi and the Poodle take well to positive reward based training.

The Poodle in particular is incredibly intelligent and quick to learn.

The Corgipoo should be rather easy to train due to its parents.

It is recommended you train your Corgipoo from a young age, as they have a tendency to be rather destructive if not.

Slowly exposing them to new people and other dogs throughout their puppy life will also help them mature into a happy, friendly adult dog.

The Ideal Home for a Corgipoo

Both the Corgi and the Poodle are very friendly, companionable dogs providing they have been raised well.

They love interacting and playing with people, including children provided that they are well socialized and have been bred from friendly parents.

A Corgipoo would do well in a medium sized family where they are properly exercised daily.

A large fenced back garden would be a perfect environment for them to play and exercise, as they are definitely not the couch potato type.

Owners of Corgipoos could possibly run into separation anxiety issues if they are not dealt with early on in life. It may be better for a Corgipoo to live with a family where they will not be left alone for long periods of time.

Finding and Purchasing a Corgipoo Puppy

When it comes to purchasing a Corgipoo puppy, there are multiple precautions you must take.

While there are plenty of good, honest breeders around there also exist bad breeders who do not care about the welfare of the litters they are producing.

To be sure that you are purchasing a healthy puppy, make sure to ask about the medical history of the parent dogs.

With the Corgi and the Poodle, the most important health tests they will have needed to pass recently is a Hip Evaluation and Eye Tests.

Ask to see physical proof.

It’s also important to check whether the Corgi in particular has had a blood test and a genetic test.

Asking whether the Poodle parent has had any previous seizures in the past is also a good idea.

Ideally you will want to meet both parent dogs before a purchase, so you can see for yourself that they are healthy and friendly.

When it comes to the short stature of the Corgi, you will need to make your own mind up about whether you are happy for your puppy to inherit this potentially uncomfortable and even life limiting condition.

Are They Right for Me?

Corgipoos have the potential to be a loving, loyal addition to a family.

They require a moderate amount of exercise, and usually prove to be very intelligent and easy to train dogs.

However there are some serious health problems you will need to consider.

They can sometimes require a moderate to high amount of maintenance due to their needs for exercise and grooming.

Only choose a Corgipoo if you are sure you can put in the time daily to care for them.

And are happy to pay for full insurance cover to protect them and you in the case of expensive vets bills that they could suffer from.

References

Bellumori, TP, et al, Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27254 cases (1995-2010) Journal of the American Veterinary Association, 2013

O’Neill, DG, et al, Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England The Veterinary Journal, 2013

The American Kennel Club

Awano, T, et al, Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis PNAS, 2009

Mattoso, CRS, et al, Prevalence of von Willebrand disease in dogs from São Paulo State, Brazil Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2010

Oberbauer, AM, et al, Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds PLOS one, 2017

Licht, BG, et al, Clinical characteristics and mode of inheritance of familial focal seizures in Standard Poodles Journal of the American Veterinary Association, 2007

Black, L, Progressive retinal atrophy Journal of Small Animal Practice, 1972

Swiderek et al. 2015. Inbreeding in Pembroke Welsh corgi Population in Poland. Annals of Animal Science.