The Adorable Corgi German Shepherd Mix

The Corgi and the German Shepherd are both highly sought-after dog breeds, so it comes as no surprise that this hybrid dog is so appealing.

The German Shepherd and Corgi mix, also known as the Corman Shepherd, is a very intelligent dog, which is what is hoped for when you breed two smart dogs together.

But is a Corgi German Shepherd mix the right kind of dog for your family?

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the two breeds that go into creating this dog, as well as the mix itself, so you can make a more informed decision as to whether a Corman Shepherd will be a new addition to your household.

What Is A Corgi German Shepherd Mix?

Corgi Shepherds are a designer dog breed that results from the breeding between a German Shepherd and a Corgi.

There are two different breeds of Corgis, the Pembroke Welsh and the Cardigan Welsh.

Here, we will be referring to the Pembroke breed because this is the Corgi breed that is most commonly used to breed a Corman Shepherd.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a descendant of other small herding dogs that were brought to Wales in the 1100s.

These happy and affectionate dogs are now among the most enjoyable of small house dogs because they are strong, athletic, and active herding dogs that are loving companions but not too needy.

The original breed was crossbred with other dogs, as they were recognized as being good cattle drivers.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis were working dogs that could be found in the military and working alongside the police.

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Known to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite breed, these dogs are now commonly associated with the British royal family.

The German Shepherd is a medium to large working dog that originated as a mixture of several German herding dogs in the 1800s.

They are famous for their intelligence, work ethic, and high trainability.

Known to be a smart and loyal guard dog, the German Shepherd is one of America’s most popular dog breeds.

Today’s German Shepherd is most often a family pet or a part of military or police personnel rather than being a herder, putting their intelligence and courage to great use.

The planned breeding of the Corgi and the German Shepherd to create a designer crossbreed is relatively new — only about 20 to 30 years old.

The goal of creating this dog is to combine the appearance and temperament of both of their parent breeds.

What Does A German Shepherd Corgi Mix Look Like?

This medium to large sized dog has short legs resembling a Corgi which makes him appear to be very sturdy. However, he does have a well-balanced frame due to a relatively long neck that balances with the length of the dog.

This dog’s neck is slightly arched, and it blends well into his shoulders.

An undesirable breed may have a very short neck that makes him look heavy or a long and thin neck.

Ideally, his body has a well-sprung ribcage that is egg-shaped and moderately long. His ribcage should slightly taper at the loin.

Corgi German Shepherd mix

His topline is firm and level and may have a small depression behind his shoulders caused by carrying a heavy coat on his neck that leads into a shorter body coat.

The German Shepherd Corgi mix has a slightly flat head, dark, almond-shaped eyes, and long pointy ears.

His coat resembles that of a German Shepherd’s as it’s dense, short or medium in length, and easy to brush.

This hybrid breed can be any mix of colors, including black, white, gold, and various shades of brown.

The Corgi German Shepherd Mix

How Big Does A Corgi German Shepherd Get?

Males of this breed grow up to weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, while adult females are slightly smaller, weighing in between 50 and 70 pounds.

When it comes to height, you can expect a significantly shorter dog than a purebred German Shepherd because in almost all cases, this mixed breed is notably “dwarfed” by the short stature of their Corgi parent.

Males grow to be a bit taller than females, measuring between 24 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders, while females are 22 to 24 inches tall.

As with all hybrid breeds, predicting their size largely depends on the size of the dog’s parents.

Grooming Your German Shepherd Corgi

These dogs have a dense double coat that is prone to shedding, especially during the spring season.

Most of these dogs will also experience moderate shedding throughout the year due to their coat that resembles that of a German Shepherd.

This means that this breed is not considered hypoallergenic.

If you’re able to keep up with light brushing on a regular basis, you can handle the amount of fur that your dog sheds.

Brushing your dog regularly can also help with bonding and limit the amount of hair that you find on your furniture.

Bathing is also an important part of grooming these dogs, but it only needs to be done on an as-needed basis.

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It is important to use gentle products that are manufactured for dogs because German Shepherd Corgi mixes can have sensitive skin.

It is also important to check your dog’s ears weekly because the size of them increases the risk of developing an infection.

Wipe your dog’s ears each week to get rid of any dirt that has accumulated.

Make sure to brush your dog’s teeth every day to maintain their dental hygiene.

When it comes to their nails, you can space out clippings to about once a month, especially if you take your dog on walks on hard surfaces on a regular basis.

Temperament of A Corgi Shepherd Mix

Every dog has his own individual and unique personality, which is largely impacted by their training and socialization.

However, there are some traits that both German Shepherds and Corgis have that you can expect to see in a puppy born of these two breeds.

First, these dogs are smart and can be easily trained if you are familiar with basic training principles and you work with your dog in a consistent manner.

However, due to their intelligence, this mixture can be stubborn and strong-willed.

You will want to allow your dog to have some freedom as long as they are safe, while also being firm in teaching the most important behavioral skills.

Doing both of these things will let you strike the best balance.

They are also extremely loyal, as their parents are both known to be loyal dogs.

German Shepherds and Corgis have both been bred at times with the intention of guarding those who take care of them.

This can lead to dangerous situations if your dog is not well socialized.

Corgi German Shepherd mixes are prone to biting if they feel like they or their family is facing a threat.

Corgi German Shepherds are hard-working and have a strong need to please those who take care of them.

They feel the need to live with a purpose and are therefore able to give their full attention or focus on one thing at a time if needed.

If these dogs become bored or are left alone for a long period of time, they may start to bark excessively.

With their alpha personalities, they need to have a strong leader to keep them in check.

Their energy needs to be focused with purpose and direction for them to thrive and be a contributing member of your family.

When these dogs are well socialized as puppies, they will be confident and eager as adults to explore the world.

They often stay distant with new people, but this can be mitigated with early training.

How to Train A Corgi German Shepherd Mix

This hybrid breed is generally easy to train because they are so intelligent.

However, their feelings of independence could lead to some stubbornness, but if you are firm and can be consistent, you can end up with great results.

When it comes to training a German Shepherd and Corgi mix, destructive behavior, herding issues, and socialization are common issues that arise.

However, if you stay dominant, these dogs will respect that and obey your commands and training efforts.

Your training efforts and socialization should begin early when your dog is still a puppy.

This will help you to bring out their best at an early age and sway their herding tendencies.

This early training also teaches your dog to get along with people, children, and other dogs.

Is a Corgi Shepherd a Good Family Dog?

Depending on your family, this dog may be the perfect family dog for you.

They thrive when they are a part of a family with an active lifestyle, especially those who regularly take adventures in the outdoors.

This is simple to do for families with large yards or properties that are large enough for a lot of outdoor, off-leash play for the dog.

If you work long hours and your home is left unattended for most of the day, your dog may become bored and destructive.

The Corgi German Shepherd mix loves being involved with organized canine sports, so if this is available in your area, this dog may be especially great for your family.

However, if you have small children, this might not be the right dog breed for you.

With older children, these dogs can fit right in if you want a reliable protector for your family who is smaller than other guard dogs.

It is best if you have an experienced dog handler in your family before adding a Corgi and German Shepherd mix to your home because these dogs look up to a leader who is smart, brave, and faithful.

Health Concerns for the Corgi German Shepherd Mix

These dogs are generally healthy, but there are a few health concerns as is the case with all other pets.

The primary health concern noted on this breed is bloat, allergies, back and joint pain, and eyesight problems that increase with age.

These dogs get bloated when their stomachs twist in a variety of places, leading to excruciating pain that can cause wailing.

This stomach twisting can also lead to restlessness and irritability.

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Corman Shepherds are prone to dysplasia, which is a painful condition where their elbow joint pops in and out of place.

Because this is so uncomfortable, this may lead to irritability in your dog.

Cataracts can also be a problem for these dogs.

They start at birth and progressively worsen with age, leading to blindness. Finally, allergies are a common health concern.

These dogs can be sensitive to environmental changes, pollen, and dust.

How Much Is A Corgi German Shepherd Mix Puppy?

Corgi German Shepherd mix puppies can vary in price depending on who the breeder is and the exact lineage of the dog.

Some can cost as little as $250, while others are closer to $800.

However, it is important to beware of dogs sold for a seemingly low price, as they may be coming from puppy mills.

Where to Buy A Corgi German Shepherd Mix

When looking for your Corman Shephard puppy, you must be careful about the potential of working with a backyard breeder who takes advantage of the designer dog trend.

Irresponsible breeders run puppy mills and do not treat their dogs with respect.

Start your search with breed rescue groups that are dedicated to protecting these dogs and removing them from at-risk situations.

Volunteers typically run these groups and foster these dogs until the right home is found.

Corgi German Shepherd mix

You also want to check the animal shelters in your area to see what kind of dogs they have available.

If you decide to go with a breeder, look for evidence that the breeder is involved with showing or competing with one or both of the parent breeds in competitions, etc., and have health records for their dogs.

It is also important that they welcome you to tour their breeding facility or home so you can see the conditions in which the dog has been living.

Responsible breeders will also be concerned about your training skills and ability to provide the dog with a good life.

They will often offer a return policy that requires you to surrender the Corgi German Shepherd mix back to them if it ends up to not be a good match with your family.

Is this the breed for you?

There are some factors to consider when adopting a Corgi German Shepherd puppy.

There are health concerns that can be inherited from the parent breeds, and there is always a chance that these intelligent dogs may display stubborn behavior that is hard to train out of them.

However, these dogs are charming in nature, and if you can train them properly and care for their needs, you will be rewarded with a loving and loyal family pet.

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