The Corgi Saint Bernard mix is a medium-sized mixed breed dog created by breeding the larger-than-life Saint Bernard with the smaller, affable Pembroke Welsh Corgi. As with most designer dog breeds, where one of the parent breeds is significantly larger than the other, the Saint Bernard female will have to be the puppy-carrying part of the mixture.
The “Saint Corgnard,” as it is sometimes called, is a relatively new designer dog breed, appearing sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s, as crossbreeding became popular throughout the United States. The Corgi Saint Bernard is an unlikely mix that produces a medium-sized dog with plenty of energy that loves to be outdoors but is equally equipped to be a cuddle buddy with its double coat of fur.
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As not much is known about the Corgi Saint Bernard, we’ll dive deeply into both parent dogs to tell you where the Saint Bernard Corgi mix came from and why they make such fantastic companion dogs for the active, outdoorsy family.
Corgi Saint Bernard mix – At a glance
| Weight: | 35–40 pounds |
| Height: | 12–14 inches |
| Lifespan: | 9–13 years |
| Coat colours: | Brindle, fawn, red, black, tan, or a combination thereof. |
| Temperament: | Calm, friendly, gentle, active. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, active single individuals. Not suitable for the elderly or apartment living. |
What does a Corgi Saint Bernard mix look like?
Like most designer dog breeds, the Saint Bernard Corgi mix will inherit the physical characteristics of each parent breed and while it can be difficult to predict their physical appearance exactly, the Saint Corgnard will likely inherit the short-leggedness of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Image credit: puppy_doh
Beyond that, you can expect a trademark black nose – like the Corgi – and a smaller head and shorter snout from its Welsh Corgi genes. The rest of the dog – including its medium-length coat, large paw pads, bushy tail, and triangular, floppy ears will likely resemble that of the Saint Bernard.
The history of the Corgi Saint Bernard mix
The Corgi Saint Bernard mix is a relatively new mixed-breed dog whose exact origins are difficult to place. However, like most mixed-breed dogs, it’s thought they originated in the 1990s and early 2000s. Likely crossbred to blend the temperament of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with the physical beauty of the Saint Bernard.
The history of the Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard was originally bred in the Swiss Alps, specifically by the monks of the hospice of the Great St. Bernard Pass, a mountain pass in Switzerland. The hospice was built by and named after Bernard of Menthon, who received their first dogs in the late 17th century, with the earliest accounts from British explorers naming the Saint Bernard, “The Alpine Spaniel.”
The Saint Bernard was used as a rescue dog for centuries, aiding the monks in rescuing climbers who had gotten stuck in the surrounding mountains. In the early 19th century, an avalanche nearly wiped out all of the breeding Saint Bernard dogs in the area. To avoid extinction, the remaining Saint Bernard’s were transported to Newfoundland and bred with Newfoundland dogs, in an attempt to preserve the breed.
Following this crossbreeding, the Saint Bernard unfortunately lost much of the instincts, strength and stamina that made them so useful as mountaineering rescue dogs. However, they did became incredible companion pets for many Canadians and Brits, who loved the Newfoundland crosses.
How Popular Are Saint Bernard?
The Saint Bernard arrived in the United States at the end of the 19th century, likely shortly after they were initially crossbred with Newfoundland dogs. Despite their colossal size, this highly intelligent breed caught on quickly with the American public and was mostly used as a farming dog. The American Kennel Club classified it as a Working Dog.
The Saint Bernard, written as “St. Bernard” by the AKC, achieved high popularity levels in last year’s popularity rankings. They were the 43rd most popular dog in the United States in 2021.
Who Are Saint Bernard a Good Dog For?
Owning a Saint Bernard is a massive responsibility, because they are massive dogs. About the height of a German Shepherd but three times the average weight, if you’re going to own a Saint Bernard, you’d better have the housing space and the yard space to give this dog plenty of exercise.
Saint Bernard’s are wonderful dogs for families that are active and outdoorsy. Despite their crossbreeding destroying their utility as mountaineering dogs, they still love to be active and outdoors, hiking and generally being with their owners.
Saint Bernard’s are not good dogs for those who live in apartments or don’t have the necessary physical fitness to control and regular exercise a dog of this size. However, the Saint Bernard may be the perfect family pet for those with families who like to be active.
How Did Saint Bernard Come About?
The Saint Bernard was originally bred by monks in the Swiss Alps to aid in mountain rescues. Unfortunately, a series of avalanches in the mid to late 19th century nearly wiped out the Saint Bernards that were used for breeding, causing the breed to be on the verge of extinction.
Saint Bernards were transported to Canada and bred with Newfoundland dogs to preserve the breed. This crossbreeding, unfortunately, resulted in them losing much of their capabilities as mountaineering rescue dogs.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Saint Bernard?
The first instance of crossbreeding the St. Bernard came in the mid to late 19th century, when they were crossbred with Newfoundland dogs to preserve the breed. Later crosses occurred around the same period, though these were with the Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, and English Mastiff, along with various Shepherds and herding dogs such as the German Shepherd and Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
The Saint Bernard was also crossed with the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by the Russian Armed Forces in the late 19th century to produce a mixed breed called the “Moscow Watchdog,” which is still used today in military service in Russia.
Some popular Saint Bernard crosses include:
- Saint Bernard Newfoundland Mix (Saint Bernewfie)
- Saint Bernard Labrador Retriever Mix (Labernard)
- Saint Bernard Great Pyrenees Mix (Saint Pyrenees)
- Saint Bernard Poodle Mix (Saint Berdoodle)
- Saint Bernard Akita Mix (Saint Kita)
The History of the Corgi
The Welsh Corgi has a long and storied history in the British Isles. Beginning in the 12th century, when they were brought over to Wales by Flemish weavers, who used them as a herding breed for centuries, to help them herd sheep and other cattle.
Over the centuries, the Welsh Corgi was replaced as a herding breed by larger, stronger dogs such as the Border Collie, but quickly found a home among the British public and even among royalty. Famously regal dogs, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II owned more than thirty Corgis during her lifetime. More specifically, she owned the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the “O.G” of Corgi breeds, and although the Pembroke’s appearance has doubtlessly changed a little from the Corgis that first came with the Flemish in 1107 A.D., much of their physical characteristics remain the same.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does, however, have a cousin. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi was developed in Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Wales. This breed is almost identical in physical appearance to the Pembroke Welsh, except for their color pattern.
The Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis were brought to the United States in the early 20th century and were classified as the same breed by the American Kennel Club until 1935.
How Popular Are Corgis?
The Welsh Corgi’s popularity in the United States is likely down to its likability as a breed. It has a family-friendly temperament and is known for being a loyal and affectionate breed. This, coupled with its popularization thanks to Netflix’s “The Crown,” has made the Pembroke Welsh Corgi one of the most popular pets in the U.S.
In 2021, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranked as the 11th most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Corgis a Good Dog For?
One of the reasons why the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is so popular is because they’re great dogs for almost anyone! Their overall size and demeanor make them perfect pets for the young and old alike, including those living in apartments.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have moderate energy levels, often requiring moderate exercise and walks, including games involving mental stimulation. Corgis often get bored if their brains are not regularly exercised!
Welsh Corgis have a friendly, pleasant, gentle demeanor, which makes them wonderful family pets, with the possible exception of those families with small children. Due to their herding instincts, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi may try to ‘herd’ and nip at smaller children – so be aware of this and correct it immediately.
How Did Corgis Come About?
Welsh Corgis were originally brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the 12 century, who brought their Corgis with them when they moved to the Welsh countryside. Originally settling in Pembrokeshire, the Corgis were used as cattle herding dogs for centuries before becoming loyal companion pets of the British public.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Corgi?
The Welsh Corgi has long been a popular crossbreed. Despite its dwarfism genes, its other redeeming character traits are often why they’re chosen as a parent breed. While it’s likely that (in the United States, at least) the Corgi was first crossbred during the 1990s and early 2000s, other Corgi mixes like the Dorgi (Dachshund Corgi mix) and the Cojack (Corgi Jack Russell Terrier) were created long before the late 20th and early 21st century.
These Corgi mixes include:
- Corgi German Shepherd Mix (Corman Shepherd)
- Golden Retriever Corgi Mix (Golden Corgi)
- Poodle Corgi Mix (Corgipoo)
- Boxer Corgi Mix (Borgi)
- Chihuahua Corgi Mix (Chigi)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
Researching what type of dog you want is part of the process of owning a dog. Asking yourself important questions about why you want a dog and what function the dog will serve in your family, whether or not you want an active breed or one with a more relaxed physical exercise threshold…
All of these questions will eventually lead to you the right dog for you and your family. Ideally, you want to assess what type of family you are – are you the active, outdoorsy unit that enjoys outdoor activity, whatever the weather? Or are you more homely, with the occasional outing on the weekend?
Getting a dog that will fit into that lifestyle is key to finding happiness and companionship with any dog. A Siberian Husky will not be very happy in a small space without a yard to run in or easy access to a dog park. Likewise, a Pug isn’t going to be accompanying you on mountainous hikes every weekend.
Doing temperamental research on specific dog breeds will help you decide on a breed come adoption or purchasing time. Failure to prepare yourself by asking these questions and doing this research could well lead to an unhappy outcome for you, your family and the dog.
What is the Temperament of the Corgi Saint Bernard Mix?
Luckily for most owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Saint Bernard are two dogs with similar temperaments. You can expect your Corgi Saint Bernard to be as gentle and loving with kids and other pets, though it may also inherit the herding nature of the Corgi (we spoke about this earlier). With a Corgi parent breed, you may also experience some stubbornness during training, as Corgis tend to be fiercely independent.
Is The Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Friendly?
The Corgi Saint Bernard comes from two very friendly parents! While the Corgi is less of a slobber monster than the Saint Bernard, both will shower you with love and affection in their own way. You can expect their resulting mixed-breed to be an equally friendly pet!
Is The Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Easy to Train?
The Corgi Saint Bernard should be relatively easy to train – as both dogs are fairly used to following commands. However, you might see some stubbornness, thanks to their Corgi parent breed.
How Much Can A Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Corgi Saint Bernard mix is between 35 and 40 pounds.
How Tall Can A Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Get?
The average height of a Corgi Saint Bernard mix is between 12 and 14 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Bernorgi! These include:
- Basset Hound
- English Bulldog
- Chow Chow
- Border Collie
Does the Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Shed?
Given that the Corgi Saint Bernard has a double coat, you can expect them to be a year-round shedder, though their fur tends to be medium-density, so you may experience moderate shedding. This shedding can be mitigated with regular grooming. You can do this yourself, although your pup may benefit from professional grooming at a grooming parlor every so often.
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Require?
The Corgi Saint Bernard is a very exercise-friendly animal. Being that both parent breeds were used for both rescuing humans and herding cattle, you can anticipate that these excellent family dogs will need daily exercise.
At least 45 minutes of daily exercise should be worked into an exercise routine that includes mental simulation and other forms of play.
How Long Can a Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Corgi Saint Bernard mix is between 9 and 13 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Have?
- Hip dysplasia (Hip joint inflammation)
- Cataracts (Eye condition)
- Epilepsy (Congenital neurological condition)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) (Spinal disc compression disease)
How Can You Find a Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Puppy For Sale?
One of the first things you should consider before purchasing a Corgi Saint Bernard mix is whether or not you would prefer to adopt one instead. There are thousands of puppies that are languishing in animal shelters and vet clinics across the country that need a loving home.
If you aren’t successful in your search for an excellent family pet in-person, you should consider searching online instead. Try searching at AdoptAPet.com to find your perfect Corgi Saint Bernard mix!
How Much Does a Corgi Saint Bernard Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Corgi Saint Bernard mix puppy is between $500 and $1000. The high cost of purchasing a Corgi Saint Bernard is another reason to consider adoption.
If you’ve been for a Corgi Saint Bernard and have found the right breeder – consider reading our article on reputable breeders first. It will let you know about the proper conduct of a registered dog breeder and help you to avoid puppy mills.
Is the Corgi Saint Bernard Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been looking for an active, energetic, gentle giant of a dog, then the Corgi Saint Bernard might be for you!
Despite their medium sized coat, their fluffier coat makes them fantastic cuddling companions and although they may be small, their mighty personality makes them a wonderful fit for almost any family unit,
However, if you’re sure that the Corgi Saint Bernard isn’t for you, consider reading our other breed guides to find a more suitable mixed-breed dog for you and your family.