Corgi German Shepherd Mix: Your Complete Guide
What happens when you bring two of the most beloved breeds together? Breeding a German shepherd and corgi results in what is known as a corman shepherd. Other names used to refer to corgi-German shepherd mixes are German corgi and corgi German shepherd.
This designer breed first emerged in the early 2000s, when breeders started breeding Pembroke Welsh corgis and German shepherds to combine their characteristics. The result is a pup that has the elegant looks of a German shepherd and has the physical stature of corgis. These dogs are medium-sized and have short legs inherited from their corgi parents. Corman shepherd dogs are intelligent, independent, and quite protective in nature.
To learn more about this interesting breed, read ahead.
A Quick Look at the Corgi German Shepherd Mix
For a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs, take a look below.
| Weight/Height | 30-70 pounds / 17-20 inches |
| Coat Type | Straight or wiry medium-length coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Energetic, playful and gentle |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
What Is the History of Corgi German Shepherd Mix?
Corgi German shepherd dogs aren’t very well documented throughout history, as they are not purebred. It is possible that corman shepherd dogs existed before being discovered as a designer breed, but they became popular in the recent decades.
Around this time, breeders began crossing a German shepherd parent and a Pembroke Welsh corgi dog. The idea was to combine the loving, affectionate nature of corgis, with the intelligence and loyalty of the German shepherd. Their physical traits also combine into a pup that is of a proud stature and medium build.
The parent breeds both have illustrated backgrounds, with histories going back centuries. German Shepherd dogs originate from Germany, bred in the late 1800s by Max Von Stephanitz. Von Stephanitz promoted the breed for its obedience and service dog traits. German shepherds were recognized as an official breed in 1908 by the American Kennel Club.
As for the Pembroke Welsh corgi, this dog originated from Wales in the 10th century. These dogs were beloved by Welsh farmers and were used as barnyard dogs. You’d find them in nearly every farm in Wales around the 1850s.
The corgi has evolved from its origins as a herding and farm dog to becoming a well-pampered indoor pet dog in the modern day. The breed still retains herding instincts from their ancestors, which are passed down to the hybrid corman shepherd dogs.
What Do Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Look Like?
Corgi German Mixes are medium-sized dogs with an appearance that blends the traits of the German shepherd dog and the Pembroke Welsh corgi. Since the breed is a mix, their appearance can vary depending on traits inherited from parent dogs.
Typically, corman shepherds have a sturdy, compact build with short legs. Their upright, confident stance is inherited from their German shepherd parent while their cute nose and expressive eyes are from their corgi side. They have a strong muzzle and large ears that point up.
You’ll also find that corman shepherds can have two kinds of tails, either a long one like a German shepherd or a short one like a corgi’s. Both are characteristic of the breed, and vary because of the parent mix.
In terms of their coat and coloring, corgi German shepherd mixes have a dense double coat that grows to a medium length. These pups are also heavy shedders, so they have high grooming requirements. Commonly, their coats are black, tan, and fawn, but other colors include sable, red-white, and brown.
What Size Is a Corgi German Shepherd Mix?
Corgi German shepherd mixes are medium-sized dogs, and their height and weight can vary significantly. Their typical weight range is between 15 to 20 pounds, while in terms of height, they stand between 15 and 20 inches. Since this is a new hybrid breed, there are no official measurements for their size.
What Is a Corgi German Shepherd Mix’s Coat Type and Length?
Corgi German shepherd mixes have a dense double coat that is inherited from their parent breeds. German shepherds and corgis both have thick, double-layered coats that vary in texture and length. As a result, all corman Shepherds have a lot of fur, but the texture, color, and length of their coat can be different.
The double-layered coat has a weather-resistant quality, protecting the dogs from cold weather and rain. The undercoat is soft, fluffy and provides insulation to the dog, while the overcoat tends to be thick, coarse and acts as a barrier. The top layer has protective properties, preventing mud, dirt, water, and weather elements from going to the skin.
If you feel a corman shepherd’s coat, you’ll find that it is firm and straight. Some pups have a slightly wavy texture, but the fur mostly has a straight appearance. In terms of length, the fur is usually between one to three inches, but it can be longer depending on the gene influence. If a corman shepherd pup inherits strongly from the German shepherd side, it is likely to have a longer coat.
What Is a Corgi German Shepherd Mix’s Temperament?
Corgi German shepherd mixes have an interesting temperament. They inherit elegance, poise, and loyalty from their German shepherd side, while the corgi side passes down an excitable and affectionate nature. These dogs are also highly intelligent and are quick learners. They are also eager to please their owners, looking to earn their approval through obedience and tricks. As a result, corman shepherds are easily trainable dogs.
These dogs also have a stubborn streak as they are independent and expressive. They also bark a lot, but these characteristics can be managed with proper training.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Good With Kids?
Generally, corgi German shepherd mix dogs are great with kids.They are loyal and affectionate with kids and often act as protectors. They are vigilant watchdogs that will accompany their little humans and also look out for their safety. They are also quite fun as they are energetic and love engaging in playtime.
The behavior of these pups around children also depends on how they are trained and socialized. Since they have herding instincts, they can exhibit behaviors such as nipping at heels, which can be uncomfortable for small children. As a result, it is better to keep corman shepherds supervised around toddlers and young children.
The individual personality and training of your dog also influence how good they are with kids.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Good With Other Animals?
Corgi German shepherd mixes are friendly and mostly get along well with other animals. However, since they have herding instincts, there can sometimes be issues when they interact with smaller animals. They have a dominant side which can make them bossy around other animals.
However, it isn’t impossible for corman shepherds to live with other pets. If you already have pets, it can help to introduce the animals slowly to each other, and observe how they respond. If your pup is not very well socialized to interact with other animals, they might be territorial at first. You can train your corman shepherd to coexist with other pets in the house.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Aggressive?
Corgi German shepherd mixes have a protective temperament, but they are not aggressive by nature. These protective instincts can manifest in behaviors such as barking at strangers and other animals or nipping at ankles. You can train your pup to minimize these behaviors. Additionally, if you properly socialize your dog, it can further help with overprotectiveness and herding behaviors.
Do Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Bark?
These dogs are known to bark frequently. Their parent breeds, German shepherd dogs, and corgis also bark quite a bit. This comes from their roles as service dogs and herding dogs, which means most of the barking is to make their owner attentive to something they notice. These pups are also easily excitable and bark during playtime.
You can provide your dog with training to reduce barking, especially if you live in an apartment or a shared housing.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Affectionate?
These dogs are very cuddling and bond with their owners really well. In fact, if they don’t get attention and love from their humans they can become bored and feel anxious. These dogs also have unique personalities, so some corman shepherds will be clingy, while others enjoy being more independent. For the most part, they enjoy being petted, but they’re also content simply coexisting around their family.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Intelligent?
Corgi German shepherd mix dogs are a highly intelligent breed. These dogs inherit their intelligence from their parent breeds. German shepherds are known for their problem-solving and learning abilities. On the other hand, Corgis are known to be great at independent decision-making. This combination results in a pup that is a fast learner, responds very well to training, and loves solving puzzles.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Energetic?
Corgi German shepherd mixes are very energetic and they need lots of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. You will have to dedicate at least one to two hours to exercising them. This can be in the form of walks, playtime, or training. They also enjoy playing games such as fetch, tug-of-war and puzzle games.
If they are bored, they can develop destructive behaviors such as excessive barking or chewing.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Easy to Train?
Corman shepherds are one of the easiest dogs to train due to their high intelligence. They are also eager to please their owners, making them fast learners. These pups also have high energy and great stamina, so they’re suitable for agility courses and advanced obedience training.
You might also encounter a few challenges when trying to train your corgi German shepherd mix. They are quite strong-willed, and can be stubborn at times. You will have to use positive reinforcements and rewards-based training methods for the best results.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Good Watchdogs?
This designer breed makes one of the best watchdogs because of their protective and herding instincts. They can also be territorial, and alert their owners in the presence of strangers or threats. They are also highly attentive to any unusual sounds or movements, and bark to notify of potential dangers.
While they make for great watchdogs, corgi German shepherd mixes are not good guard dogs. This is because while they are fearless and attentive, they are not aggressive by nature.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Good Service Dogs?
Corgi German shepherd Mixes can be good service dogs depending on their training, socialization, and personality. Their parent breed, the German shepherd dog is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and obedience. Hence, when it comes to their temperament, these dogs are suited for roles such as service dogs or emotional support animals.
It is important to consider that since they inherit shorter legs from their corgi parents, they may not be well suited to certain tasks such as mobility support. Another consideration with corman shepherd dogs is that they can be stubborn, and are not fully suited for tasks that require complete obedience.
Overall, while they can be trained as service dogs, they are better suited to emotional support animal roles.
How to Care for a Corgi German Shepherd Mix?
Caring for a corman shepherd involves providing them with adequate exercise, mental stimulation, nutrition, and grooming. You should also aim to schedule regular vet check-ups to monitor their health and ensure that any issues are caught early. Another aspect of caring for a corgi German shepherd mix is ensuring they are properly trained and socialized. This is especially important if you have small kids or other animals.
Do You Need to Groom a Corgi German Shepherd Mix?
This breed has a beautiful luscious coat that requires significant grooming effort. These dogs are also heavy shedders, which adds to their grooming requirements. These pups need to be brushed every other day, but during shedding season, brushing every day becomes necessary. You will need special grooming tools to brush through their coat, like a rake and deshedding comb to ensure you’re getting all of the loose hair.
As for bathing, aim for once every month or so. Regular bathing is detrimental to the health of their coat as it strips the fur of natural oils. Grooming corgi German shepherd mixes also involves cleaning their ears and maintaining dental hygiene.
With corman shepherds, it is most important to have a consistent routine that works for you and your pup.
Do Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Shed?
This breed is a heavy shedder due to its thick double-layered coat. These dogs shed all year round, and need to be brushed using a de-shedding tool to remove loose fur from their undercoat. They also tend to shed more during season shifts in spring and autumn. This is known as a ‘blowout’.
Due to this, these corman shepherds are not hypoallergenic and are therefore not suitable for individuals with allergies. Having an adequate grooming routine and balanced nutrition can reduce excessive shedding, but it is typical for these dogs to shed a lot.
What Health Problems Do Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Have?
While corman shepherds are generally a healthy breed, like many other dogs they are prone to developing certain health issues. They inherit a predisposition to certain conditions from their parent dogs.
Most commonly, corman shepherds suffer from elbow or hip dysplasia, a condition where joints at the elbow or hip develop abnormally. This can cause the dog discomfort and mobility issues. Another condition found in this breed is obesity. Corgi German shepherd mixes are quite fond of food, so their diet must be monitored carefully to avoid overeating.
Other health issues to look out for include cataracts and allergies. Regular check ups at the vet can help catch any problems early on and ensure your dog is healthy.
How Long Do Corgi German Shepherd Mixes Live?
The average lifespan of a corgi German shepherd mix is 10-15 years. This is in line with the lifespan for most dog breeds in the same size range. Additionally, the lifespan of your dog also depends on lifestyle and genetic factors such as nutrition, exercise and inherited health issues. A well-cared for pup is likely to have a long, healthy life.
What Should a Corgi German Shepherd Mix Eat?
Corgi German shepherd mixes love to eat. Their corgi side makes them prone to obesity and bloating, so their diet should be planned with care and monitored well. In general, corman shepherds require a diet high in protein and healthy fats. You should also aim to include vitamins and fibre into their meals for balanced nutrition.
Feed your dog about two to three cups of nutritionally balanced kibble per day, split into two meal times. The portion size also depends on the age, size and exercise habits of your dog, so make sure to adjust the servings accordingly.
Is a Corgi German Shepherd Mix the Right Dog for Me?
Corgi German mixes are a fantastic designer breed that combines all the good characteristics from two of the most unequivocally beloved dog breeds. They are adorable, smart, affectionate and loyal dogs that bond with their families quite well.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind before you decide to adopt one. These dogs are very energetic, and are better suited for active families that can take them on daily walks or engage in activities and play. Additionally, their temperament can be a bit fickle at times and requires experience in handling dogs. Poor training practices can result in unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking and nipping.
If you prefer a low maintenance breed that’s not too active, a corman shepherd may not be the right dog for you. However, if you’re prepared to give them lots of time, mental stimulation and care, a corgi German shepherd mix is the best furry friend you can ask for.