Honestly speaking, the idea of a Corgi German Shepherd took a while for me to wrap my head around when I first heard about them. However, one look at those little perky eared beauties, and I was sold. This is one of the newer mixed breed options in the world of designer doggies and it is already making waves.
If you are considering getting the Corman Shepherds as they are commonly referred to then you have to educate yourself on everything it takes to raise the unique pups. The good news is that we have compiled all the information you need to prepare for and raise a happy Corgi German Shepherd mix.
A Corman Shepherd is a mix between a Corgi and a German Shepherd. During the process of breeding, a German Shepherd is chosen to carry the puppies due to the size differences between the two breeds. Corgi German Shepherd mixes are known for their short stature, perky ears, facial coat markings.
In the sections below, we will go into greater detail about all the aspects of taking care of your designer doggy from health considerations to grooming. That way you know exactly what you are in for before you make your decision. First off, let us take a closer look at how to identify a Corgi German Shepherd mix.
What Is A Corgi German Shepherd Mix?
The best way to predict what a Corgi German Shepherd mix will look like is to have a base knowledge about the contributing breeds’ appearance.
Corgis are known for their short stature and long torso. This build is comparable to the dachshund also known as a sausage dog. Corgis also have very distinct head structures and facial features. They have equilaterally proportional triangular heads and medium, perky ears with rounded tips. They also either have absent or docked tails.
German Shepherds on the other hand are large dogs that can grow up to 25 inches in height with a proportional build. Their heads are dome-shaped with large, perky ears. They also have very distinct facial markings known as the “black mask” which is most evident in tan or brown and black German Shepherds. The 46th POTUS happens to have both of these German Shepherd varieties.
Corgi German Shepherd mixes grow as large as 12 to 16 inches or taller and 20 to 70 lbs in weight. Their short stature makes them significantly smaller than the German Shepherd parent. However, the longer legs put them in a higher height bracket than the Corgi parent.
More often than not, they take after the German Shepherd’s facial features with a dome-shaped head and long snout. The ears are always perky and usually medium-sized like the Corgi but may be larger.
When it comes to the coat and markings, most Corgi German Shepherd mixed doggies inherit the German Shepherd’s traits with tan and black coat combinations. They also have the signature black mask to varying degrees with some having it over the whole face while others only over the dog’s snout.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Corgi German Shepherd Mix? Common Health Problems Of A Corgi German Shepherd Mix
German Shepherds have a lifespan of about 9 to 13 years. Corgis, on the other hand, can live for 12 to 15 years. The resulting Corman Shepherd leans more to the Corgi side of the family with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years which is quite long in the dog world.
Like most other mixed breed dogs, Corman Shepherds tend to be very healthy. However, they may occasionally suffer some diseases which affect the quality and length of their lives. Here are some of these conditions.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
IVDD is often a result of the short stature and disproportionately long torso inherited from the Corgi parent. In serious cases, the slipped discs could result in chronic pain and even paralysis for the pooch.
Gastric Volvulus
This is a condition where the gut twists on itself. It results in all sorts of issues from bloating and indigestion to constipation. If not handled promptly, this could lead to life-threatening consequences. So make sure to keep an eye out for your doggy’s bowel patterns.
Obesity
Short stature dogs are generally more prone to obesity. The high appetite that the Corgi German Shepherds have plus their risk of mobility issues make them very likely to develop the metabolic disease.
Cataracts
These doggies also suffer eye conditions like cataracts. These often affect one eye at a time and could cause blindness if they are not removed. Other eye problems you have to look out for include progressive retinal atrophy and blindness due to complications of obesity like diabetes.
How To Take Care Of A Corgi German Shepherd Mix
Corgi German Shepherd mixed dogs have very many care needs. These will ensure you not only get along wonderfully with your furry best buddy but that you also give them the best chance at a long and happy life. Here are some of the most important care tips in this case.
Keep Your Dog Active
With the herding history from both sides of the family, Corman Shepherds love nothing more than being outdoors and staying active. Failure to include this in their care will leave them frustrated and possibly destructive. Therefore, set aside 15 to 30 minutes of playtime or walk outdoors together every day to keep the little doggy happy and well-behaved.
Start Training As Early As Possible
For the most part, Corgi German Shepherds are social dogs and are rarely aggressive. However, they need to be trained from an early age to prevent outbursts when they meet new people or when they feel threatened.
They also tend to get more stubborn and single-minded as they grow older which may make training then a little harder.
Go Organic With Your Choice Of Meals
With diet-related issues from gut problems to obesity, it goes without saying that what you feed your dog matters a lot. Organic options provide healthy amounts of the most important macro and micronutrients for the pooch.
Try Pet Plate, which is widely known for using all-natural ingredients and including supplements like salmon oil and taurine to boost the immune system.
Invest In Bone And Joint Supplements
These will help prevent issues like slipped vertebral discs, joint dysplasia, and complications like arthritis. We recommend you check out the Doggie Dailies Glucosamine soft chew bone and joint supplements. With compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM, your dog will get the much-needed boost to improve the function of joints and reduce any pain from skeletal health issues.
Does A Corgi German Shepherd Mix Shed As Much As Their Parents?
Both Corgis and German Shepherds are considered moderate to heavy shedders. They both have long and thick, double-layered coats. While the length does not necessarily make them shed any more than shorter-haired dogs, they are more prone to the formation of mats.
As a result, you will have to brush your dog’s hair on a regular basis. We suggest a 2 to 3 times per week brushing schedule to get rid of any knots and mats to prevent excessive shedding. It is also wise to use a good quality brush in order to de-shed the doggy effectively.
For this, try the DakPets Pet Grooming Brush. Its thick, stainless steel bristles make it ideal for combing through the thick coat on the Corgi German Shepherd mixed dog. On the other hand, the ergonomic rubber handle makes it a lot easier to handle. That way, you have a nice, firm grip even as you struggle with any particularly stubborn mats.
In addition to brushing, you could minimize the amount of shedding in your house by actually getting rid of the fur from different surfaces in your home. Vacuuming and lint rollers work well with fur on surfaces like furniture, carpeting, and bare floors.
However, it may not be as effective considering how much it sheds. You want to get rid of stray pet hair in the air as well. For that, we suggest using a good air purifier. TaoTronics HEPA Air Purifier is easily one of the best options for the job here with its three-stage filtration system and automation capabilities.
Other than that, just make sure to wash the dog once every month or two while brushing teeth and clipping the nails as needed and on a regular basis.
Temperaments Of A Corgi German Shepherd Mix
As with any other features from health to build, the Corgi German Shepherd mixed dog takes after both parents in terms of temperament. Here are some of the key features you may find with the designer doggy.
Fiercely Loyal
Both parents are known for being very loyal and protective and it shows in the resulting mixed doggies. While they are not necessarily aggressive, they can bark at and even bite at anyone they deem as a potential threat to their owners.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
It takes a Corman Shepherd a while to warm up to unfamiliar people. This comes in handy if you want a guard dog in addition to the companionship. If you do not, simply socialize them from an early age and they will learn to get along with strangers.
Eager To Please
Training Corgi German Shepherd dogs can be super fun and rewarding because these dogs really aim to please. They are very obedient and with their high intelligence tend to pick up very easily on new tricks and commands.
Confident
Corgi German Shepherd dogs are not aggressive but they can definitely hold their own. Their confidence makes them fantastic guard dogs as they do not easily back down even when threatened.
Intelligent
The high intelligence of these dogs is to be expected considering the fact that the parents are two of the smartest dog breeds out there.
Affectionate
This comes more from the Corgi side of the family. The dogs love to snuggle up with their owners and respond very well to positive reinforcement through praise.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Corgi German Shepherd Mix? A Corgi German Shepherd mix will set you back about $250 to $750. This varies from breeder to breeder with some charging as much as $1,000. It also depends on the type of corgi used. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are rarer and may therefore be more expensive if used in the breeding process.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mix Aggressive? Contrary to popular belief, Corgi German Shepherd mixes are not very aggressive especially towards humans. However, they are fiercely loyal and may get a little agitated if they feel you or other family members are in danger. They also occasionally show aggressive behavior towards other dogs especially if they are not socialized early.
Are Corgi German Shepherd Mix Kid Friendly? Both Corgis and German Shepherds have herding histories. Though they may not be aggressive, they are a little rough and may come across as a little intimidating to children. However, with early training and socialization, your Corgi German Shepherd mix will definitely be kid-friendly and therefore the perfect addition to the family.
