Do you like surprises? Personally, when it comes to dogs, I don’t like surprises at all. I like breeding Boxer to Boxer and knowing that I’ll get Boxer puppies. That said, though, I’m fully aware that designer breeds are increasing in popularity and that some people just love the idea that their new best friend might not be all that predictable! Take the Corgipoo, for example.
What is a Corgipoo? It’s a mix of Corgi and Poodle and could take on the characteristics of either breed to one degree or another. To see how different one Corgipoo can be from another, click here. To learn more about Corgipoos, keep reading!
Corgipoo Dog Breed Overview
How does a Corgipoo surprise you? Well, the first way is when it comes to size. Depending on whether the Poodle in the mix is a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle (the Standard Poodle is hardly ever used in breeding Corgipoos), you could end up with a dog that weighs as little as 12 pounds, or as much as 40 pounds! If size matters to you, insist on seeing both parents. This shouldn’t be a problem, as Corgipoos are common enough that there’s usually no need for the owner of the bitch to seek out a stud that’s outside of the immediate area.
In terms of temperament, it’s likely that you will have a dog that loves to be active and adores being around kids. However, you could also end up with a couch potato that wants nothing more than to snuggle with you all day. The temperament of the parents can go a long way to giving you an idea of which way your Corgipoo puppy will go.
As to origin, we really don’t know a whole lot. Corgipoos aren’t an old designer breed, but at some point during the overwhelming interest in breeding Poodle mixes, the Corgi owners got in on the act. Nobody has ever said “This was my idea!” and in fact, the first Corgipoo may not have been anyone’s idea – it might have happened by accident, as is the case with many hybrids.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is very much of the opinion that the breeding of Corgipoos is an accident. Or, if not an accident, at the very least a bad choice. The AKC does not recognize the Corgipoo as a breed, and it’s unlikely that it ever will. The Designer Breed Registry does, however, recognize the Corgipoo, along with many other designer dogs.
Most likely, the Corgipoo originated in the 1980s, along with any number of other Poodle crosses. The idea, back in the day, was that the Poodle’s relatively hypoallergenic coat would be passed on to hybrids, although why people didn’t just keep on breeding Poodles if they wanted hypoallergenic dogs is a mystery.
Whatever the motivation for breeding Corgis and Poodles, one thing is indisputable – this is a really cute cross! There can be a lot of variance in appearance, though. Some Corgipoos will have standing ears, and others, floppy ears. We’ve already talked about weight and how it can vary. Simply stated, with the Corgipoo you’re crossing two very different breeds, and the results can be very different – each Corgipoo is unique!
Corgipoos are typically healthy dogs since they’re no different from most other crosses in that the health issues that can plague either parent breed are typically bred out when the breeds are crossed. They can, however, be prone to obesity. For that reason, it’s important to feed a Corgipoo a high-quality diet – usually, any premium dog food formulated for small breeds will do. Given the typically short legs of the Corgipoo, it’s also a good idea to add in a supplement containing chondroitin and glucosamine.
Your Corgipoo may never develop any health problems. However, a few things to consider are a tendency toward bloat, kidney disease, and Addison’s disease. Again, though, these disorders will very likely be bred out and nothing to worry about. Keep them in mind, but don’t obsess.
As to exercise, Corgipoos do very well on just a couple of walks a day.
Corgipoo Puppies
Corgipoo puppies aren’t much different from any other breed when it comes to training. You need to start early with “potty patrol,” showing your Corgipoo that you want him to do his business outdoors. This means putting him outside as soon as he wakes up in the morning, and before he goes to bed at night. It also means taking him outside about half an hour after he eats or drinks.
Obedience training is also important. You want your Corgipoo puppy to know that he should sit, stay and come when you ask him to. This is what keeps him safe in traffic and other dangerous situations. If you want to go it alone when it comes to training, that’s fine – there are all sorts of websites that will help you learn how to obedience train yourCorgipoo, and there are also any number of books that you can buy. You can also enroll your Corgipoo in obedience classes, where you and your dog can interact with other dogs and humans.
You can also take your little friend to visit neighbors, to the mall, out on walks, to the dog park (once his shots are up to date) and anywhere else that he might meet other people and other dogs. Knowing how to get along with others is absolutely vital when it comes to raising a good canine citizen.
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Corgipoo Breeders
One of the saddest things when it comes to designer dogs is that every time a hybrid becomes popular, there are tons of horrible people who want to jump on the bandwagon and make a lot of money with no regard whatsoever for the well-being of the dogs they’re breeding. It’s no different with the Corgipoo. Puppy mill operators are going to get in on the act.
What is a puppy mill? It’s a ranch operated by assholes. People who don’t give a damn about dogs, and only care about the money they can make. They don’t care if their breeding stock never lives anywhere outside of a cage, and they don’t care if they breed sick puppies. If they lose half a litter due to bad sanitation and poor health care, that’s fine as long as they’ve made enough money on the puppies that lived – there will be other litters. And when the breeding stock ends up too sick and debilitated to produce more litters, that’s no biggie – the puppy mill operator will just let the breeding animals starve to death.
If you think this doesn’t happen, you’re very wrong. It happens every day, and those pet shops that have cute puppies in cages are buying from puppy mills. Please, don’t buy from pet shops. If you’re looking for a Corgipoo, check out local breed clubs – they’re your best source.
Corgipoo Price
Right now, Corgipoos are on the low end of price when it comes to designer breeds. Some will cost you in the thousands, but the Corgipoo right now comes in at anywhere between $350 and $850.
Corgipoo Rescue
Sometimes dogs end up in rescue facilities because of behavioral issues. Usually, when this happens it’s actually the fault of an owner who had no time for them and couldn’t be bothered with training and socialization. Occasionally those issues can be due to bad breeding – in other words, it’s still the fault of at least one of the humans in the equation.
Sometimes fault can’t really be apportioned – perhaps the dog’s owner died, or had to enter a nursing home. Corgipoos are no different from other dogs in that they could end up in a rescue facility, wondering why they’re there, and feeling lost and alone. If you can find it in your heart to rescue a Corgipoo in such circumstances, then you are a very special person.
Be careful, though, when looking for Corgipoo rescues. There are scammers out there who will be only too happy to play on your heartstrings with stories of perfectly lovely Corgipoos who need to be rescued. Your best bet, if you’re looking for a Corgipoo rescue, is to investigate local breed clubs. If you insist on looking online, tread very carefully. Check reviews and look at Google images to make sure the dog you’re considering hasn’t shown up on more than one website. It’s also a good idea to copy and paste some of the site’s text into your search engine, again to be sure that it’s not on multiple sites.
Corgipoo Temperament
Corgipooshave a lot of energy, but they also love to cuddle and get along with just about anyone – kids, old people, other dogs – they’re good with all of them. Mostly, though, Corgipoos want to be with humans. They want to run and play with you during the day and cuddle up with you at night. They want to sleep on your bed with you and wake up with you in the morning. In short, they want to be with you!
Corgipoos should never be left outside for long periods. Deprived of human companionship, they can become depressed and destructive.
Corgipoos are high energy dogs and can be quite mischievous. However, if you provide them with the right amount of exercise, they’ll be great companions.
Corgipoo Lifespan
Corgipoos are typically long-lived dogs. Assuming that you provide your Corgipoo with regular veterinary care, good food and enough exercise, you can expect him to live anywhere from 12-14 years.
Common Questions
Are Corgipoos hypoallergenic?
No. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. However, Corgipoos don’t shed much and can be good for people who have allergies to dog hair. If you have severe allergies, though, you’d be better off to forget the Corgi in the equation, and just go with a Poodle.
Are Corgipoos companion dogs?
Yes. Corgipoos are very friendly and loving and make great companion dogs.
Do Corgipoos shed?
All dogs shed – it’s essential for a healthy coat and skin. Corgipooos don’t shed much, though.
Where to buy a Corgipoo?
Avoid online ads – most of them are scams. If you’re looking for a Corgipoo, local breed clubs are your best bet.
Do Corgi mixes shed?
See above – most Corgi mixes don’t shed much. Usually, almost any Corgi mix will be just fine with a weekly brushing.
What is the best Corgi mix?
There’s pretty much no such thing as a bad Corgi mix. A Corgi mixed with any other breed can be a very good dog.
Do Corgis bark a lot?
Corgis can be very barky. You can train them not to bark, though. There are a lot of websites that will help you learn how to “de-bark” a Corgi. Just do a bit of vigorous Googling and be patient.
What is a Corgi mixed with?
A Corgi can be mixed with any other type of dog. Dog DNA is dog DNA, simply stated, so there’s no such thing as a dog breed that can’t be mixed with another dog breed. Corgis have been mixed with Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Chihuahuas, Huskies, German Shepherds, Pugs and any number of other dog breeds.
Are Corgis aggressive?
They can be. Corgis are herding dogs, and accordingly, can want to be very dominant. They require firm but kind handling.
Conclusion
Does the Corgipoo sound like the right dog for you? These little dogs can be aggressive if they get a lot of personality from the Corgi side and might not always be the best choice for households with other dogs and/or small children. On the other hand, they’re smart and savvy, and beyond intelligent. They’re a good fit for people who enjoy a bit of exercise followed by snuggling. If you choose a Corgipoo, you’ll be choosing a loving companion who will give you many years of loyalty and devotion.
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Sources:
“https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/corgipoo/“
“https://www.designerbreedregistry.com/“
“https://simplyfordogs.com/puppy-mills/5-reasons-puppy-mills-must-stopped/“