Corgipoo Dog Breed

The Corgipoo is undoubtedly a "designer dog" mix. Because of the variations within the parent breeds (either Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and either Standard or Toy Poodle), these dogs can be from toy- to medium-sized--but every Corgipoo is bred to be a companion dog. As such, dogs of this breed are great with families of any size, singles, or seniors--but they're typically quite mischievous, so they may require some extra attention and/or training. Here are some advantages and drawbacks to owning this breed:

PROS:

• Highly intelligent
• Extremely personable
• Fairly easily trained
• Typically hypoallergenic
• Moderate maintenance requirements
• Adaptable to apartment life
• Low to moderate exercise needs
• Great with kids and other pets
• Good health
• Great for first-time owners

CONS:

• Tricky and rambunctious; normally require obedience training
• High tendency for obesity
• Low watchdog abilities
• Might be difficult to housetrain
• Difficulty in predicting full-grown size of puppies

The Corgipoo is a small- to medium-sized hybrid with a wiry, double-layered, medium-length coat that exists in a wide variety of colors. Dogs of this breed are a mix of Welsh Corgi (either the Pembroke or Cardigan variety) and Poodle (either Standard or Toy). A majority of Corgipoos have Toy Poodles as one parent, so most of these dogs are small-sized, but a few have Standard Poodle parents, and are thus somewhat larger.

Corgipoos are friendly, affectionate, and a known "prankster" dog breed. They're highly intelligent, which makes them easily trained--and odds are, they're going to need it! Dogs of this breed may not obey commands, not because they're stubborn, but because it's more fun not to do so. A Corgipoo owner may find that one of their slippers has disappeared, then discover it under the bed after the dog hid it there. Experts recommend using typical, consistent training methods with these dogs--but they also suggest utilizing "regimented" daily schedules; feeding, exercising, and training a Corgipoo at the same time each day, they say, will regulate the dog's mindset, and may minimize its mischievous ways.

Dogs of this breed are high-energy--but they tire out comparatively quickly. A long walk (or jog), or an hour or so of vigorous playtime, will be enough for these dogs to sleep well each night.

There are four distinct variations of Corgipoos, depending on a particular dog's parent breeds:

• Cardigan Welsh Corgi-Toy Poodle mix: Toy- to small-sized; 9-11 inches at the shoulders in height, 15-25 pounds in weight
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi-Toy Poodle mix: Same as above
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi-Standard Poodle mix: Small- to medium-sized; 14-18 inches in height, 32-40 pounds in weight
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi-Standard Poodle mix: Same as above

(Note: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi-Poodle mix is sometimes referred to as the Cardoodle Poogi.)

A majority of Corgipoos have a Toy Poodle as one parent, so most are small-sized; while Corgipoos with Standard Poodle parents do exist, they are a bit rare. Typically, the four variants have the same coat: medium-length, double-layered, and wiry. The major difference in the Cardigan and Pembroke mixes is in coat color. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a tendency for darker fur, so its Corgipoo offspring will normally have the same characteristics.

Corgipoos are pretty healthy dogs, and are prime examples of "hybrid vigor," in which a crossbred dog will retain the best health attributes of its parent breeds. Even so, a few Corgipoos have tendencies for eye issues like cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), along with Von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.