Corgipoo (Corgi Poodle Mix) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Corgipoo is a hybrid breed, a cross between a Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Miniature Poodle. These cheerful little dogs inherit the best traits from both their parent breeds and are just as loyal, affectionate, and playful, with a unique, adorable appearance. The Corgipoo came about due to the popularity of breeding designer dogs in the last few decades, with the Poodle in particular being a common choice for creating designer breeds.

Breed Overview

Poodles, to the surprise of many owners, were originally bred for hunting, and their thick, curly coats helped protect them from icy water and marshes. They swiftly became popular companion animals, leading to the development of the adorable miniature Poodle that we see today. Corgis have a regal history, as they have been a staple part of the British royal family since the early 1900s, but they were originally bred for herding. They are popular companion dogs that make wonderful family pets.

Both these parent breeds have a long history of close companionship with their human owners, and the Corgipoo is an ideal family dog as a result. If you’d like to find out more about this adorable little pooch, read on for an in-depth guide!

Corgipoo Characteristics

Corgipoo Puppies

The Corgipoo is an adaptable dog that does well in various environments, whether an apartment, neighborhood, or farm. They are social and affectionate dogs that make ideal family pets but are great companions for individuals too. Indeed, there are few situations that these little dogs don’t fit into, and with their ease of training and gentle nature, they can make wonderful companions for almost any owner.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Corgipoo

The Corgipoo is most well-known for their pint-sized, adorable appearance, but there is more to these little dogs than meets the eye. These dogs are sweet and gentle as they come, with an affectionate and loving nature that makes them the epitome of what a lapdog should be. Their affection and friendliness extend to everyone they meet, whether perfect strangers or other dogs they come across. Of course, they are intelligent and intuitive pooches too, and they will swiftly pick up on any untoward behavior from new faces.

They are active, energetic dogs, although this usually comes in short bursts, and they enjoy a cuddle on the sofa just as much as a romp around the yard. This energetic nature can also lead to mischievous behavior at times, but with training and the right amount of exercise, this is rarely an issue. Since these dogs are social and get so attached to their owners, they will suffer from separation anxiety when left alone even for short periods. If you’re away from home frequently, this is unfortunately not the dog for you.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

Corgipoos are excellent family dogs and get along with just about everyone they meet—friends, family, and strangers alike! They are great with children and will spend hours playing in the backyard. While they are active and easily excitable, they are generally fine even around young children and are never aggressive unless mistreated. If they have the right training and socialization, it’s difficult to find a dog more suited to family life.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Corgipoo’s friendly nature extends beyond humans and to other animals too. They are friendly dogs that love to meet other dogs in the park or on walks and are seldom aggressive. Other dogs in your home will be their best friend and never seen as threats by your Corgipoo.

The only time that these dogs may show territorial aggression is with their owners, as they can become so attached to their owners that they occasionally become overprotective. Even with their hunting and herding history, these dogs have low prey drives, and with the right socialization and training, they should not have a problem with any other pets in your home.

Things to Know When Owning a Corgipoo

Now that you are more familiar with the Corgipoo’s temperament and character, let’s look at the essential care requirements for these adorable little pooches.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Corgipoos are small dogs with just as small appetites. They will do best on a diet formulated for small dog breeds, and high-quality dry foods are ideal for them. They’ll need around 2 cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Try to purchase high-quality food that is free from filler ingredients and unnecessary calories, as these dogs are prone to getting overweight and need food that is as nutrient-rich as possible. The same goes for treats, and you’ll need to carefully monitor their food intake to avoid obesity.

Always check the ingredient list on the foods that you choose and make sure that an animal-based protein is listed in the first three ingredients, preferably at the top. Simply assessing the protein content on the label is deceptive because the protein may come from plant sources, which are not the best protein sources for your pooch. As with any dog, make sure they have access to fresh, clean water at all times.

Exercise 🐕

Corgipoos are surprisingly active and energetic little dogs and need at least 1–2 hours of exercise every day. This can be split into two sessions: a jog and a brisk walk, for example, and a play session in the backyard with toys, followed by training. Since Corgipoos are such small dogs, they do tire out rather quickly, so it’s better to split exercise sessions to avoid overexertion, but your pooch will likely let you know when they’ve had enough, anyway!

Besides walks and jogs, you’ll need to engage in regular play sessions with your pooch too. Interactive play with sticks, balls, and other toys will be a great way to bond with your pooch and exercise them at the same time.

Training 🎾

Corgipoos are generally easy dogs to train, but with their high energy, they can quickly become mischievous and even destructive without proper training. You should begin training your Corgipoo on the day that you bring them home, as even at this young age, they will be receptive to basic commands.

Socialization is an often overlooked aspect of good training, and it’s vital to begin it as early as possible too. We highly recommend positive reinforcement training methods because these dogs are highly sensitive and do not respond well to harsh training methods. Such methods will only serve to make your pooch obedient out of fear and not serve in bonding and trust. Positive reinforcement training is ideal because these dogs are eager to please and will respond well to rewards!

Grooming ✂️

Depending on the coat that your Corgipoo inherits, they may have the short, straight coat of the Corgi or curly, thick coats of Poodles or somewhere in between. Short coats will only need brushing once a week or so to remove any dead hair, whereas thick, Poodle-like coats will need daily brushing to avoid knotting and matting. You’ll need to check their ears regularly for any signs of infection and try to keep them dry and clean at all times. Other than that, you’ll need to brush their teeth every other day and trim their nails every 6–8 weeks.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Like all hybrid breeds, Corgipoos benefit from hybrid vigor, the result of mixing two purebred dogs and creating a healthier, hardier dog overall. Still, like all dogs, Corgipoos are susceptible to common illnesses and may even inherit some of the genetic issues that their parent breeds suffer from. Corgis commonly suffer from back and joint issues due to their height (canine degenerative myelopathy), Poodles are prone to Addison’s disease, and both breeds are susceptible to hip dysplasia, all of which may potentially affect your Corgipoo.

Male vs. Female

If the Corgipoo sounds like the breed for you, you’ll need to decide whether a male or female is the right choice to bring home. It’s important to remember that all dogs are unique individuals, no matter their sex. Their personality is largely dictated by their upbringing and environment rather than whether they’re male or female. The differences are further lessened once you’ve spayed or neutered your dog, a procedure that most experts recommend unless you intend on breeding.

There are few differences between males and females, although males tend to be slightly needier of attention and females are more independent and happy to do their own thing. If you have any dogs at home already, you may want to consider getting a Corgipoo of the opposite sex to reduce the chances of possible fighting.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Corgipoo

1. They Are Extremely Intelligent

The Poodle is largely recognized as the second most intelligent dog in the world. This assessment comes from the best-selling book The Intelligence of Dogs by neuropsychologist Stanley Coren. The top-ranked dogs could learn commands in five repetitions or fewer and obey them 95% of the time. Corgis are no slouch when it comes to intelligence either, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranked 11^th on the same list. With parents like these, you can bet your Corgipoo will be super smart too!

2. They Are Surprisingly Vocal

You wouldn’t expect it when you first lay eyes on the tiny and adorable Corgipoo, but these dogs have quite a bark on them. They are talkative dogs that are always telling their owners what they want, often not stopping until they get it!

It’s also worth noting that these dogs are known to be yappers, barking at every small movement or sound in an attempt to alert their owners, making them a challenge if you have close neighbors. With their parent breeds’ history of herding and hunting, these dogs primarily use their voices to communicate, but with training, this can be mitigated to a large degree.

3. They’re Great for Owners With Allergies

The dense, curly coat of the Poodle is known to be somewhat hypoallergenic, and thus, is great for owners with allergy issues. This trait extends to Corgipoos too, and combined with the fact that they shed very little, it makes them an ideal little companion for allergy sufferers.

Final Thoughts

The Corgipoo is an adorable pooch, with a gentle, docile temperament and a ton of love to give. These dogs are ideal family animals because they are rarely aggressive, great with children, and small and easy to look after. Since these dogs are so intelligent and eager to please, they are generally a breeze to train and enjoy the process thoroughly. While they are usually not aggressive, they can be overprotective of their owners at times, and this may lead to excess barking and yapping occasionally.

As far as family dogs go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better fit than a Corgipoo. These little pooches are low-maintenance, affectionate, and adorable pooches that can fit seamlessly into almost any home.

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay