Corgi German Shepherd Mix Care Guide: The Perfect Family Companion?

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Headstrong, bubbly and energetic are the three words we would use to describe this unique cross breed.

As their name suggests, this is a mix breed of the Welsh Corgi and the German Shepherd. They have many names, but they are mostly called the Corman or the Corgi German Shepherd Mix.

This pooch is incredibly loyal and is the perfect companion for families.

They will definitely turn heads, as they are very cute and have a unique look about them. With both parent breeds looking so different, there is no two Corgi German Shepherd Mixes that look the same.

Intrigued? Of course you are! Keep reading to learn more about this mix and what makes them so great…

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What is a Corgi German Shepherd Mix? (Overview)

Corgi German Shepherd Mix

The origin of the Corgi German Shepherd Mix is not known, but it is widely agreed that this is a fairly recent cross breed.

They are a perfect mixture of protective guard dog and bubbly entertainer, and will spark life into every room they enter.

The average price of a Corman varies between $250-750.

Being very active, they need a lot exercise each day – so if you are the laidback type of family, this is not the dog for you.

The German Shepherd is the 2nd most popular breed in America. They are part of the herding group in the American Kennel Club, as they were bred to herd cattle in Germany since the late 1800’s. More recently adopted new jobs in the police and military.

Now the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a world-famous breed, thanks to Queen Elizabeth II. They were bred to herd sheep in Europe since medieval times. The breed can be traced back to 1107 AD, in what is now northern Belgium.

Let’s take a look at their appearance now before reviewing their temperament and how to train them.

Corgi German Shepherd Mix Appearance

A Corgi German Shepherd Mix

There is no doubt that a German Shepherd and a Corgi look very different, so what would their crossbreed look like?

Imagine a Corgi-like dog with German Shepherd features. But also imagine a German Shepherd sized dog with Corgi features. The Corgi German Shepherd Mix’s appearance is very difficult to predict.

No two will look the same.

What we do know is that this mix will have a pointed muzzle, with a dark nose on the end of it. They will have long pointed ears and dark, almond shaped eyes.

They will likely have smaller legs than the average GSD, thanks to the Corgi genes.

Height and Weight

A Corgi German Shepherd Mix is likely to be a small to medium sized pooch.

Typically the Corgi will weigh up to 30lb and stand at 12 inches tall, and the German Shepherd will weigh around 65-90lb and stand at 24-26 inches.

This mix is sure to have an unpredictable size, and can be around 25-70lb and stand up to around 12-15 inches.

Colors

The coat color of a Corgi German Shepherd Mix is incredibly varied, as they can inherit any color from their parent.

Corgis come in 4 different colors in their AKC breed standard, these include: Black with Tan, Fawn, Red and Sable.

However, the most likely color will be the GSD colors, with deep browns, golden and tanned hues, and yellowish tones.

Coat

The most likely coat your Corgi mix will inherit is a double, medium length coat.

Their undercoat will be dense, and their outer-coat will be coarse and weather resistant. The coat can either be straight or wavy, and they might have extra tufts of hair on their legs and on the ears – they can also have thicker fur on the back of their neck.

This hybrid will shed seasonally, so regular brushing will be needed.

Personality and Temperament

A Corman

Both the Corgi and the German Shepherd are both spirited, friendly and energetic pooches. So you should expect this mix to be no different.

Just like any other cross breed, we can’t definitively say what your Corgi x German Shepherd personality will be, but looking at the parent breeds will help.

Let’s look at the Corgi first. This pooch is small but has a large personality – these are happy dogs that want to be involved in everything. They are full of energy and love to play. Corgis are also very strong willed, meaning they like doing things their way. They love having their independence and might form their own rules, they can become very stubborn at times.

The German Shepherd also gets along with their family easily, and can become very protective and loyal to their family members. They will quickly become a companion for life, forming a strong bond with you.

German Shepherds have a very strong guarding instinct, and are territorial and may patrol their home, looking out for intruders and potential problems. If they spot something amiss you will most certainly hear about it!

Their guarding instinct is useful, but it can make having visitors over difficult. You should socialize your Corgi German Shepherd Mix from an early age to avoid this behavior.

So what can we say about this cross breed then?

It’s safe to say that this pooch is very people orientated – they are bubbly and love to be the center of attention. They enjoy every moment with their favorite people, so playing and cuddles are always on the menu.

The Corgi German Shepherd Mix will be sweet-natured but can be wary of strangers. This is a GSD personality trait, and can be nipped in the bud pretty quickly by providing them with socialization.

Both the German Shepherd and the Corgi are herding dogs, meaning they have an instinct to nip at their playmates heels to herd them. They are most likely to herd small children, but this is not an aggressive trait. This can also be trained out quickly when they are a pup.

Is A Corgi German Shepherd Mix A Good Family Dog?

This dog is a great family companion who wants a fulfilling lifestyle, with plenty to do and people with the play with – who is better than a big family to provide that!

They will love to play with children, matching their energy and entertaining the whole family.

How to Train a Corgi German Shepherd Mix

Corgi and German Shepherd Playing

Corgis like to make their own rules, so this could be the same for your Mix. Don’t let their stubbornness get the best of you.

Keep a firm and consistent training style, using positive reinforcement. Give them a reward when they follow your command or stop an unwanted behavior, such as nipping at children’s heels.

Be confident, as dogs can sense when you are stressed out, which can possibly stress them out.

Do not punish your pooch, as this can encourage their bad behavior as they love attention, no matter what type.

Socialization is needed with this dog, especially if they are wary around strangers. They are protective of their family and can be unpredictable. It’s best to introduce them to new people, situations and experiences when they are puppies as often as you can.

When socializing them, ensure it is a positive experience by giving them treats.

Corgi German Shepherd Mixes can get bored easily, so be sure you always make time to play with them, anything from tug-of-war or fetch will enrich their day.

Give them plenty of toys that they can destroy, rather than your furniture. Give them puzzle feeders and really test their intelligence.

Caring for a Corgi German Shepherd Mix

Corgi

A dog like this is best suited for families who are active, but still enjoy occasional lazy nights watching TV.

This cross breed will thrive in any loving home: singles, couples, empty-nest homes or homes with young children. They need an owner that does not mind a challenge, someone who can make time for them, and be there most of the day.

Their coat needs regular maintenance to keep it clean, tidy and looking their best.

Exercise Requirements

This cross breed is very playful, energetic and loves to spend time outside.

At least 60 minutes of activity a day will be needed, but they always have more energy to burn.

Regular exercise routines are important as it can stop your Corgi German Shepherd Mix from getting bored and frustrated – it also stops them from becoming overweight.

Take your pooch on a long walk around the neighborhood, or visit a local dog park and meet more furry friends.

Grooming and Shedding

Corgi German Shepherd Mixes can be heavy shedders, so it’s best to brush them every other day. Regular brushing promotes natural oils and helps to remove tangles and matting.

They can be seasonal shedders, meaning they will have a major blow out in the summer months.

Make sure to take time to check their ears for debris, brush their teeth (which should be brushed at least twice a week) and trim their nails.

Don’t worry about giving them baths, unless they are very smelly or dirty. Too many baths can destroy your dog’s natural oils, used to protect their coat.

Feeding and Diet

Feeding plans are very important to a dog’s general health, if you are unsure what to feed your Corgi German Shepherd Mix, always ask a vet.

Choosing what to feed your dog is a personal choice, as long as they are getting the basic nutritional needs: protein, dietary fats, vitamins and minerals.

Many people choose to feed their dog high quality dry food.

Make sure to check the product’s ingredients, if they have artificial filler ingredients like corn-syrup, don’t give them to your dog. You can also mix up your dog’s meals by adding fruit and veg to their diet. This gives them much needed minerals and vitamins.

How much you feed your dog is dependent on their weight. So if your Corgi German Shepherd Mix is 30lb they will need around 1.5 cups of kibble a day, or at 60lb they should have around 3 cups a day.

Divide their food into two meals, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Known Health Problems

As the Corgi German Shepherd Mix is a cross breed, they have more genetic variance and less chance of inheriting genetic disorders.

They are typically healthy, happy dogs, but they are still prone to developing some health issues. These include:

  • Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: This is when the joints in their hips and elbows don’t develop properly and can cause pain, difficulty walking and arthritis.
  • Bloat/Gastric Torsion: This is when the stomach twists and air becomes trapped. It occurs when dogs eat too fast or exercises straight after eating. To avoid this, invest in a slow feeder bowl and keep the bowl at ground level.
  • Eye Disorders: Cataracts is most common in this cross breed.
  • Obesity: They are also prone to becoming obese, so be sure you keep an eye on their diet and don’t feed them too many treats!

How Long Does a Corgi German Shepherd Mix Live?

A healthy Corgi German Shepherd Mix will live for 12-15 years.

Quick Breed Summary Table

Breed Characteristics
Size:12-15 inches
Weight:25-70lb
Lifespan:12-15 Years
Coat:Double, medium length coat
Color:Various – most likely to have deep browns, golden and tanned hues
Do They Shed:Yes – moderately
Temperament:High spirited, friendly and energetic
Intelligence:Very intelligent
Socialization:Okay with other dogs and pets, will need socialization
Destructive Behavior:Will chew when bored, lonely or frustrated
People Skills:Aloof with strangers, but will warm up when encouraged
Good with Children:Great with kids, loves to play
Activity Levels:Very active – minimum of 60 minutes of exercise a day

Summary

There is no doubt that this is a very unique cross breed.

No two Corgi German Shepherd Mixes will look or act the same. There is definitely potluck with this dog, and every result is a winner!

They prefer active families, who have no issue with walking and brushing them every day.

As they don’t like to be alone for too long, they will want a family who can spend most of the day with them. If this ticks all your boxes, this could be the dog for you.

Let us know in the comments section below…