Corgipoo

There are many reasons why popular breeds are combined to produced a designer dog. Sometimes it’s for temperament, sometimes it’s to heighten physical attributes in working dogs, and sometimes it’s simply deliver a dog with a compounded cuteness that is absolutely irresistible. The Corgipoo falls into the latter category. This mix between a Corgi and a Poodle has been bred specifically to melt your heart and they’ll do it every time. The Corgi is the Queen’s favorite dog, while poodles are a staple in many North American families. These dogs are known pranksters, and by adding the poodle into the mix, we get something that might just be even more adorable (and hypoallergenic) than either parental breed.

Corgipoos are one of the tricksters in the dog world, but thankfully their antics are generally adorable. These stubby-legged imps seem to enjoy their antics and take into account that it’s tough to get mad at them due to the cuteness. They will get away with murder and you will love them for it. That’s what happens when designer dog breeds are created purely for maximum cuteness. So, is this lovable hybrid the right dog to bring home to your family? There’s only one way to find out. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. All will be revealed shortly.

The Corgipoo is a mix between a corgi and a poodle – and they are sure to melt your heart.

As with most designer dogs, there is quite a bit that we still don’t know about the origin of the Corgipoo. This is a relatively rare and recent hybrid, which only makes matters more complex. You see, Corgipoos are what’s considered a designer dog, meaning they were created from two already established AKC recognized breeds. But, even though their parents are AKC purebreds, these dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any of its international counterparts. They are seen as mixed breed dogs before anything else, and their ‘unpredictability’ makes it impossible for major organizations to acknowledge them as a part of their roster. It’s a shame, but that’s the nature of these organizations. Only once a hybrid breed has had enough generations to have established stability and predictability are organizations like AKC willing to welcome them into their ranks.

While there have been no breeders that stepped up and claimed the Corgi Poodle mix as their own, it’s safe to assume that the origin of the Corgipoo ties in with the rest of the ‘doodle’ mixes. In the late 1980s, it became all the rage to crossbreed other breeds with Poodles, in hopes the hypoallergenic coat gets passed on to the offspring (amongst other things). It’s clear that the Corgipoo is also a part of that trend, so it’s highly likely that the breed was created sometime in the last 20 years. Other than that, there’s sadly little known about when and how breeders started to specifically focus on the Corgipoo. Sadly, there simply isn’t much of a documented history for designer dogs, so we’ll likely never know how the Corgipoo started it’s journey to capture the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.

Corgipoos are a cross between a Corgi and a Poodle. They can either be Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and standard or toy Poodles. The variance between the mixes leads to difference in size and shape based on which parent breed’s genes prove to be dominant in their offspring. This can be wildly unpredictable, even amongst puppies born in the same Corgipoo litter. Some have floppy ears, while others have stand up ears. The same goes for weight and leg length. This unpredictability in terms of looks and behavior is typical for first generation crossbreeds such as a Corgipoo. The direct crossing of two different purebred dogs always has inconsistent results and you can never know with certainty which of the two breeds will be more influential in the mix. In other words, every Corgipoo is unique. While this can be a problem for dog owners who like to know exactly what they are getting, some would argue that this is one of the breed’s appeals, rather than the other way around! After all, every Corgipoo is unique and there will never be another dog on the planet quite like yours.

Even though these hybrids are rare, there are multigenerational Corgipoos as well. These are Corgipoos with a greater percentage of one breed in the mix. For example, they might be 75 percent Corgi and 25 percent Poodle. It’s easier to predict the traits of multigenerational designer dogs before they are born, because it’s much more obvious which of the parental breeds will be predominant in the offspring’s genes.

Corgipoos need a high-quality and well-balanced diet to stay happy and healthy. Like all dogs, they too need variety in their diet and many different nutrients (from meat-based proteins to vitamins). The safest and most convenient way to provide this nutrition for your pooch is to opt for premium dry food for dogs. The Corgipoo will do well on formula suited to his size, activity level, and age group (puppy, adult, senior). In most cases, high-quality small breed kibble is the best choice.

The compact and unusual build of these dogs makes them particularly prone to obesity. So don’t overindulge them with treats and stick to recommended portion sizes. Because of their short legs, it doesn’t hurt to add in a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement.

If you are in any way concerned about establishing or altering the diet of your Corgipoo, then it’s always wise to consult with a vet first. After all, the feeding guidelines provided by pet blogs and dog food manufacturers aren’t meant to be taken as gospel. All dogs are different, each with their own individual needs. Only your vet is qualified to determine the specific dietary needs of your personal pooch. So, always reach out to your vet before making any major changes or decisions regarding your dog’s diet. Vets always know best. That’s a fact.

Corgipoos are extremely intelligent and with training can learn a great deal of commands.

Training beginning at an early age is essential to having a well-behaved Corgipoo. Corgipoos have high energy levels and are known to be trouble-makers. Without the proper training, they can become incorrigible and destructive. Getting them into class around 10 weeks is a great way to prevent any problems. It is also important to have them on a structured schedule including both exercise and training.

Corgipoos are extremely intelligent and with training can learn a great deal of commands. They enjoy learning – and it keeps them out of trouble. They can be trained to herd, be a service/therapy dog or sighting work. Corgipoos are common in military training because of their small size, high energy and great sighting skills.

For best results, it’s important to take advantage of those early and impressional puppy days and begain training/socialization as early as possible. It would also be wise to focus exclusively on positive reinforcement and reward based training. Anything less is closer to abuse than training and will never yield the results that you desire from the process.

It’s difficult to predict the weight of the Corgipoo because of the variance of the breed. A Corgipoo can be bred from a standard poodle, a toy poodle or can be bred down from two Corgipoos. In general they weigh between 12 and 40 pounds, but can be smaller or larger. Again, designer dogs are much more unpredictable than pure bred pups.

Corgipoos are high energy companions, but tend to get along with everyone. Whether it’s kids or elderly people, the Corgipoo seems to enjoy the company of just about any human. They are friendly little creatures who enjoy the company and attention of others. It is important to socialize them at a young age to prevent any issues, but overall these are loving little guys.

Their high-energy and mischievous nature can prove troublesome, but with the right amount of training and exercise, the Corgipoo will fit into any household easily. It’s important to remember that their cute faces can be deceiving and to keep them on a strict schedule during their early years. Otherwise, these pups will use their cuteness to their advantage and walk all over their humans.

Corgipoos as a breed are not known for many health problems because crossing the poodle and the corgi tends to alleviate many of the pure bred problems. Corgis are known for back and joint problems because of their short statures, while poodles can be prone to Addison’s disease, kidney disease and bloat. But by combining the two breeds, the risk of any of these goes down exponentially. It is important, as it is with any dog, to pick a trustworthy breeder. It’s also important to maintain regularly scheduled checkups with a vet (especially as your dog ages into their elderly years) to ensure that any potential health issues are identified and treated as early as possible.

Corgipoos tend to live between 12 to 14 years.

While the breed is high energy, they are easy to tire out. The stubbiness of their legs make a quick walk enough to tire them out. It’s recommended a few short walks/runs a day to keep them even-keeled.

Corgipoos are high energy but tend to get along with everyone.

Corgipoos are recognized in the DRA – Dog Registry of America and the Designer Breed Registry. Because this considered a mixed breed, the Corgipoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Thanks to the poodle in the breed, the coat is for the most part hypoallergenic. They do have a double coat, but they do not need regular grooming as a standard poodle would. The outer coat is wiry and mostly waterproof. The inner coat is soft and fluffy. Because of this dynamic, you won’t have to call your groomer every six weeks. Typically, baths are enough to keep them clean and happy.

Corgipoo puppies are tiny fluff-balls of unknown. And that’s why we love them! Their uniqueness and undeniable cuteness are just some of the things that appeal to pet owners. But, despite their adorable looks and behavior, it’s important not to let them walk all over you. And they will try to be the leader of the pack- even when they’re just babies! To make sure your cute Corgipoo stays lovely and friendly as he grows up, provide timely training and socialization. Start as early as possible- and take baby steps!

Photo credit: dogs4ppp; ots-photo/Bigstock