The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix is a small, mixed-breed dog with plenty of energy and a zest for life that typifies the get-up-and-go energy frequently found among smaller mixed breeds. Despite having the genes of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, which tend to be somewhat ameliorating for the energy levels of high-energy breeds, this is not necessarily the case with the Corgi Cocker Spaniel.
The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix loves to play and will be happiest when kept active. As a hybrid breed, this small dog will embody the best qualities of both parent breeds, inheriting the active nature of the Cocker Spaniel, and the friendly temperament of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Image credit: cocker_corgi
As a designer dog breed, we’ll dive into the history and temperaments of both parent breeds, to tell us more about the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cocker Spaniel, and why one might want to mix the two breeds to create the Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix.
Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix – At a glance
| Weight: | 20–25 pounds |
| Height: | 12–13 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Coat colours: | Tan, white, black, blue, brown, cream, fawn, sable, brindle, pied. |
| Temperament: | Lovable, friendly, active, energetic, stubborn, mischievous. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, active single individuals, active elderly couples or single individuals. |
What Does a Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Look Like?
The Pembroke Cocker Corgi will borrow much of its physical appearance from both parent breeds. Curiously, many Corgi Cocker Spaniel mixes have deep blue eyes, but their coat colors come in a variety of colors.
They will likely have the short legs of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and may have an elongated body, like the Corgi. They’ll likely have a long tail, which may curl in the back.
Image credit: cocker_corgi
As with most designer breeds, their physical appearance is a toss-up to predict exactly, but you can bet that they’ll look a little like one parent breed and a little like the other.
The History of the Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix
Like most designer dog breeds, their history is a little spotty; we don’t know exactly when the Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix was created or by whom. Like most mixed breeds, the Corgi Cocker Spaniel likely appeared sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
During this period, crossbreeding was gaining popularity in the United States and resulted in curious crossbreeds that you’ve probably heard of. The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix was one such mix caught up in the craze.
The History of the Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a type of dog that refers to two different breeds: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. The term “spaynel” was first noted in Spain in the 14th century – it is possible that spaniel-like dogs were the progenitors of the first “field spaniels” as they were known.
The English Cocker Spaniel came first – of course – and was first noted in the early 19th as a “field spaniel,” which were spaniels used for hunting. The term “Cocker” refers to their use of hunting woodcock.
In the late 19th century, there were very few requirements for a dog to be known as a “Cocker Spaniel” – in fact, they only had to weigh below 25 pounds – with the exception of the King Charles Spaniel, which was notably smaller. Larger dogs than those weighing 25 pounds were classified as “Springer Spaniels”.
Cocker Spaniels are known for their high prey drive and were originally tasked with flushing birds out of low-lying areas and into the air to be shot. As a hunting breed, they needed to light on their feet and have enough agility and speed to keep up with birds.
How Popular Are Cocker Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels began their existence in the United States with a female Cocker Spaniel named Obo, who was shipped from England to the U.S. in 1879 while pregnant. Throughout the years, the offspring of Obo were bred with other small game hunting dogs to produce the American Cocker Spaniel.
The American Cocker Spaniel is noticeably different in size to the English Cocker Spaniel and has a domed head, and a shorter muzzle.
For 25 years, the American Cocker Spaniel was the most popular dog in the United States between 1936 and 1952, when the Beagles took the top spot. Known for being excellent family companions, both the American and English Cocker Spaniels have maintained a mid-level popularity rating throughout the years in the United States.
In 2021, the American Cocker Spaniel (classified only as a Cocker Spaniel) ranked as the 29th most popular dog in the United States, whereas its English counterpart ranked the 43rd most popular.
Who Are Cocker Spaniels a Good Dog For?
Cocker Spaniels are well known for being a friendly family pets. Though their activity levels are high, given their hunting history, their size makes them perfect companions for the aging individual who can keep up with their run-and-gun nature.
Cocker Spaniels are loyal pets who love being part of their owner’s every waking moment. Because of this part of their personality, they can often suffer from separation anxiety – this can lead to destructive behavior because they become bored from the lack of mental stimulation.
Cocker Spaniels are great fits for active owners, as they love to be outdoors. Cocker Spaniels also aren’t known for their aggression, so they’re also a good fit for families with children.
How Did Cocker Spaniels Come About?
The Cocker Spaniel’s exact origins are a bit of a mystery, but they were initially noted in Spain in the 14th century. Bred originally as a hunting breed, the Cocker Spaniel was used by English bird hunters to flush out low-lying birds. Known for their speed and agility, the Cocker Spaniel was favored by English bird and small game hunters for centuries.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Cocker Spaniel?
The crossbreeding history of the Cocker Spaniel is hard to come by – it’s mostly been lost to the sands of time. However, many popular Cocker Spaniel crosses likely appeared sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s as crossbreeding became popular in the United States. These include:
- German Shepherd Cocker Spaniel Mix (Shepherd Spaniel)
- Doberman Cocker Spaniel Mix (Dobocker)
- Bernese Mountain Dog Cocker Spaniel Mix (Bernese Spaniel)
- Poodle Cocker Spaniel Mix (Poodle Spaniel)
The History of the Corgi
The Welsh Corgi is an ancient breed that has its origins in Wales in the 12th century. Brought over from Belgium by Flemish weavers who relocated from Flanders (modern-day Belgium) to the Welsh countryside, the Corgi was originally a herding breed.
The weavers settled in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, hence the name “Pembroke Welsh Corgi.” The Pembroke Welsh Corgi became well known and liked throughout the United Kingdom as they grew to be companion pets and were replaced by larger, stronger dogs for herding cattle – such as the Border Collie.
The much beloved Corgis would eventually find a royal home – attracting the attention of the Queen Mother and, later, Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen would keep more than thirty Pembroke Welsh Corgis during her lifetime.
Outside the Royal Household, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has maintained steady popularity, but so has its Welsh Corgi cousin – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Developed in Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Wales, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has never quite achieved the popularity of their Pembroke Welsh cousins. Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a slightly different coat color pattern than the traditional Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but are otherwise identical.
How Popular Are Corgis?
Welsh Corgis are very popular dogs worldwide, but particularly in the United States – whether it’s their cute fluffy butts, or their adorable faces, or their laissez-faire approach to life. Both of the Welsh Corgi breeds, the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh exhibit similar personality traits that make them desirable pets for almost anyone.
In the United States, the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis were recognized as a single breed until the 1930s, when the American Kennel Club recognized the Cardigan Welsh as a separate and distinct breed, thanks to the efforts of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America.
Given this recognition, their popularity is ranked separately in the AKC’s annual popularity rankings. In 2021, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi ranked as the 67th most popular dog in the United States. Meanwhile, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranked as the 11th most popular.
Who Are Corgis a Good Dog For?
Whether you’re talking about the Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh Corgi – Corgis are generally viewed as a wonderful choice for almost anyone looking for a companion pet.
Due to their size and generally calm nature, Corgis do quite well with apartment living and are favored among seniors. However, Corgis will also fit in with an active family unit, as they enjoy being outdoors and benefit hugely from regular exercise.
How Did Corgis Come About?
The Corgi was first brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the 12th century. They were originally kept as herding dogs but, over the centuries, have transitioned to being family pets. Thirty Pembroke Welsh Corgis were even kept by Queen Elizabeth II during her reign and were stalwarts of the Royal Family.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Corgi?
The Welsh Corgi has frequently been a very popular crossbreed for many years, mostly due to their temperament – the friendly, relaxed, laissez-faire approach to life is a real hit among many people! They require moderate exercise but aren’t likely to run you ragged. People also enjoy the physical appearance of the Corgi, present in many hybrid breeds.
Crossbreeding of dogs began in the 1960s in the United States (as a commercial enterprise) and gained huge popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. This, we suspect, is when the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was first crossed with other breeds. There are many different Corgi mixes, but here are a few of the most popular.
- Welsh Corgi Australian Shepherd Mix (Auggie)
- Welsh Corgi Pomeranian Mix (Corgi Pom)
- Welsh Corgi Poodle Mix (Corgipoo)
- Welsh Corgi Dachshund Mix (Dorgi)
- Welsh Corgi Blue Heeler Mix (Cowboy Corgi)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important things to research before adopting or purchasing a dog is what it’s temperament is likely to be. Mix breed dogs usually adopt the temperaments of both parent breeds, and this can make it a little more difficult to predict the temperament of a hybrid breed.
If you’re looking for a specific type of dog, then you’ll want to know whether that dog will fit well into your family unit. For example, if you are an active family that likes to hike and be outdoors and are looking for a companion pet, then you’ll want to research what types of dogs are most likely to have active, outgoing temperaments.
Suppose you are mostly a homely family and are looking for a companion, or live in an apartment and don’t have a house and yard. In that case, you’ll want to look for smaller dogs that don’t require as much activity and are unlikely to suffer from separation anxiety – or exhibit destructive behavior – particularly if you’re in a rental situation.
Doing your research regarding temperaments will better prepare you for owning a dog with a temperament that may be doesn’t exactly match your own – but can be trained – or, prepare you for overcoming certain temperamental mismatches.
Failure to adequately research temperaments, and getting a dog that’s a temperamental mismatch to you and your family could result in the dog needing to be re-homed, which is an outcome nobody wants.
What is the Temperament of the Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix?
The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix will adopt different parts of the temperaments of its parent breeds. This will likely mean you get a bit of a live-wire, as the Cocker Spaniel tends to be a very energetic dog, but will be friendly and jovial with strangers and friends alike, as is the Welsh Corgi.
Is The Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Friendly?
Yes! Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cocker Spaniel are renowned for being very friendly pets. Thus, you should expect their mix to be equally as friendly.
Is The Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Easy to Train?
The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix may present some training challenges, as their parent breeds can need a little extra encouragement when it comes to training. Corgis tend to be fiercely independent, whereas Cocker Spaniels are so spry and energetic that they’re often off in their own little worlds.
Positive reinforcement as a training technique is a powerful tool that can really help you to teach your dog what’s acceptable behavior and what isn’t.
How Much Can A Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix is between 20 and 25 pounds.
How Tall Can A Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Get?
The average height of a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix is between 12 and 13 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix. These include:
- Miniature Pinscher
- Boston Terrier
- Chow Chow
- Jack Russell Terrier
Does the Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Shed?
You may find that your Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix will inherit the long hair of the Cocker Spaniel – in this instance, you can expect your Cocker Corgi to be a moderate shedder. This shedding can be mitigated by weekly brushing.
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Require?
As you might expect, the Corgi Cocker Spaniel is a very active breed combo. They will likely require 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise. With the opportunity for fetch, or other such games that give them mental stimulation.
How Long Can a Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix is between 12 and 16 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Have?
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap dislocation)
- Portosystemic Shunt (Vein abnormality affecting blood supply)
- Retinal Dysplasia (Abnormal retinal development)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) (Spinal vertebrae issue)
How Can You Find a Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you begin the hunt for a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix to buy, we first recommend that you consider adopting a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix. As a hybrid breed, sometimes the Corgi Cocker Spaniel will show up at vet clinics and animal shelters as a result of accidental mating, or being unwanted by their owners.
This often affords you the opportunity to adopt one of these hybrid breeds at a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder. Corgi mixes are among the most popular mix breed dogs out there, so you’ll want to act quickly!
To help you decipher the good breeders from the bad, we’ve put together a guide on buying from a reputable breeder, which will help you avoid puppy mills!
If you strike out in-person, you can also AdoptAPet.com, to find a local mix breed in your area.
How Much Does a Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix puppy is between $300 and $600.
Is the Corgi Cocker Spaniel Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix might be the right breed for you if you’ve been searching for a mixed breed that’s an active, energetic dog that exhibits the Corgi’s friendly nature with a touch of sassiness.
If, however, you know that the Corgi Cocker Spaniel mix isn’t the right breed for you, consider reading our other breed guides to find one that might be more suitable!