The Corgi Border Collie mix is a medium-sized breed created by breeding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Border Collie. While the breed hasn’t been around for long, it’s grown immensely popular among active families and those with homesteads and farms.
As both breeds are herding dogs, you can expect a very active and energetic dog capable of forming strong bonds with its owners and always on the lookout for its next adventure. Most suited for those with a house and yard or a large plot of land, the Corgi Border Collie will run for England and snuggle up delightfully on the couch.
Image credit: liloandsully
If you’ve been looking for a herding dog or an adventurous four-legged pal to take with you on hikes but that’s small and low-maintenance enough for your busy schedule, then the Corgi Border Collie mix may be the right dog for you.
Corgi Border Collie Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 25–30 pounds |
| Height: | 13–18 inches |
| Lifespan: | 14–18 years |
| Coat colours: | Black, blue, grey, sable, red, white – or a combination of two or three. |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, energetic, active, loyal, hardworking, independent, easy to train. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, farmers, active single individuals. Not suitable for the elderly. |
What Does a Corgi Border Collie Mix Look Like?
Like all other mixed breed dogs, the Corgi Border Collie will borrow from both parent breeds regarding its physical appearance. It will likely have a long-haired double coat with a long bushy tail.
It will likely be a medium-sized dog with shorter legs than your traditional Collie – and may have a shorter snout, owing to its Corgi genes. Its ears will likely be either floppy, pointed, or half-erect.
Photo: Instagram
They most commonly have brown eyes and black noses. You can expect white markings to present themselves in the coat colors, which can be a variety of color combinations.
The History of the Corgi Border Collie Mix
Unfortunately, as with most designer dogs, the Corgi Border Collie doesn’t have an extensive history to draw upon. We don’t even know when it came to be, by whom, or how. Therefore, we’re resigned to drawing from its parent breeds to tell us more about the Corgi Border Collie.
We suspect that the Border Collie Corgi may have been created due to accidental mating, or perhaps on purpose, sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s, when crossbreeding of dogs reached peak popularity in the United States.
By then, both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Border Collie were already well-established herding breeds, and it’s possible that a breeder looked at both and thought, “What would happen if we bred them together?” The result was an active, spry, intelligent, beautiful-looking dog that won the hearts and homes of many Americans.
The History of the Border Collie
Let’s start with the history of the Border Collie. The Border Collie was raised along the English-Scottish border. “Collie” comes from an old Celtic word for “useful.” The Border Collie was first named as such in 1915 by James Reid, the Secretary for the International Sheepdog Society.
It is thought that the modern Border Collie originated from a dog named Old Hemp, born in 1893 in England. Old Hemp was a black dog with the white markings typically associated with the Border Collie.
He was a quiet, quick dog to which sheep were responsive. Used for herding and breeding until his death in 1901, he is thought to be the progenitor of the pure-bred Border Collies of today.
The Border Collie has maintained their herding breed/working dog status worldwide and is still used on many farms to herd cattle and flocks of sheep. The Border Collie has also established itself as a fantastic family pet, fitting in perfectly with active families all over.
How Popular Are Border Collies?
The Border Collie first came to the United States in the 1890s, according to the United States Border Collie Club, and was used extensively as a herding dog during the Westward expansion.
Today, Border Collies remain useful in farming capacities and as family pets. They took 38th place in the American Kennel Club’s most-popular dog rankings of 2021.
Who Are Border Collies a Good Dog For?
Due to their high energy and activity levels, the Border Collie best suits active family units or those living on a farm or homestead. The Border Collie can either be utilized as a farm asset or have plenty of room to roam freely – they don’t make good couch potatoes!
Due to their herding tendencies, though Border Collies make great family companions, they might also try to ‘herd’ your children, so be aware of this and work on training them not to do so.
How Did Border Collies Come About?
Border Collies were first bred along the English-Scottish border sometime in the 18th century, though exact dates are hard to come by.
The “Collie” in the Border Collie’s name means “useful” in Gaelic. They were initially used as a herding breed to help shepherds herd cattle and sheep in the Scottish and English highlands.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Border Collie?
The Border Collie has doubtlessly been a popular crossbreed throughout its history. Still, one of the earliest was likely the creation of the Welsh Sheepdog – which was crossed with the Border Collie and another herding dog of unknown origin to create the Welsh Sheepdog.
Beyond this, other popular Collie mixes include the Border Springer (Border Collie Springer Spaniel mix), the Borador (Border Collie Labrador Retriever), the Bordsky (Border Collie Husky mix), and of course, the Collie Corgi.
The History of the Corgi
The “Corgi” is a name given to two different types of Corgis – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi – the most popular Corgi breed that’s been around since the 12th century, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi – a later breed that was bred from the Pembroke Welsh but developed in Cardigan, Wales.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, on the other hand, was developed in Pembrokeshire. It’s the most popular of Corgi breeds and the most popular breed to create Corgi mixes like the Collie Corgi.
Initially used as a herding dog (despite its small size), the Pembroke Welsh Corgi found favor among royalty, becoming dogs of Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, and The Queen Mother. Beyond that, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi found great popularity in the United States and the UK as an active family pet – far from their herding roots.
How Popular Are Corgis?
Because of their friendly nature, calm demeanor, and generally happy-go-lucky approach to life, Corgis have become one of the most popular dogs in the United States.
Currently, Corgis are split into the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi by the American Kennel Club. In 2021, the Pembroke Welsh was the 11th most popular dog in the United States, with the Cardigan Welsh coming in at 67th most popular.
A third Corgi breed unrecognized by the AKC – the “American Corgi” is a crossbreed between the Pembroke Welsh and the Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Although crossing two Corgis is a bit of a faux pas in the breeding world. Thus, the American Corgi is much less popular and available for purchase or adoption.
Who Are Corgis a Good Dog For?
Corgis are known as loyal, loving family pets with lots of energy. Despite their history as cattle dogs, they seldom take on such a role today – they’re exclusively companion pets rather than working dogs.
Corgis have many desirable traits for a family pet but are also popular among the elderly, likely because they’re small and easy to walk with. Corgis are very obedient and, despite having an independent streak, are relatively easy to train.
How Did Corgis Come About?
Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a history that stretches back to the 12th century, when they arrived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with their Flemish masters, who had relocated to Wales from modern-day Belgium.
Corgis were originally herding dogs but have since become firm favorites of the family environment. They are now favorite family pets, preferring a life with active owners, as they have tremendous exercise requirements.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Corgi?
The Corgi’s first mixing may have been with other dogs to produce the Cardigan Welsh Corgi early on in their lives – although the Cardigan Welsh Corgi was developed in the Cardigan region of Wales.
Other Pembroke Welsh Corgi mixes have included the “Dorgi,” a Dachshund Corgi mix – famously created by Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen bred her Pembroke Welsh Corgi with her sister Margaret’s Dachshund. There’s also the Corgipoo (Corgi Poodle) and the Cojack (Corgi Jack Russell Terrier mix).
Most reputable breeders who breed the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with another dog are looking to capitalize on this prevalent dog breed and the personality traits that make a great designer dog parent.
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of dog ownership’s most important aspects is knowing what temperament your dog is likely to have. Will it be an active dog? Will it be good with children (if you have a family)?
Does it have any potential anger issues or separation anxiety problems? Is it going to be energetic to the point of annoyance or aggression?
These are important questions to know the answers to before searching for your next dog. You would like to know these answers to decide which dog fits best with what you want in a dog and what will suit your family’s habits best.
What is the Temperament of the Corgi Border Collie Mix?
For many people, the Collie Corgi will suit them well if they’re looking for a high-energy breed that loves to run. If you’ve got the space to set your Collie Corgi free for a few hours, that’s where they’ll be happiest.
You can expect your Collie Corgi to be a loyal and protective dog.
Border Collie Corgi mixes are also very intelligent animals that require plenty of mental stimulation. So, if they’re not outside, you’ll want to keep them entertained with a good chew toy or a tug-of-war type toy.
Is The Corgi Border Collie Mix Friendly?
The Corgi Border Collie mix is a very friendly dog! Expect them to greet your friends and neighbors with the utmost enthusiasm. As the Collie Corgi is a very high-energy breed, they may become excitable around new people – which is fine, but if it reaches a point of annoyance or aggression, be sure to be firm and lay down healthy boundaries.
Is The Corgi Border Collie Mix Easy to Train?
The Border Collie is a notoriously energetic animal, which can make it stubborn and have a ‘go-your-own-way’ attitude. This will require time and patience as you train it to follow commands. The obedience (or not) of your Collie Corgi will likely depend on which set of genes it inherits.
As a puppy, your Collie Corgi may require positive reinforcement of the rules on a daily basis until they get the message.
Your Collie Corgi may also inherit a dominant trait from its Collie parent, which can be problematic with other pets – while a certain amount of interplay for a position in the pet hierarchy of the home is natural, ensuring that it doesn’t get out of hand is part of your role as the pet parent.
How Much Can A Corgi Border Collie Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Corgi Border Collie mix is between 25 and 30 pounds.
How Tall Can A Corgi Border Collie Mix Get?
The average height of a Corgi Border Collie mix can vary between 13 and 18 inches tall.
Similar Sized Breeds
Often, the Border Collie is slightly larger than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi – but the difference between them isn’t so huge that you can expect an abnormally sized dog.
Similar-sized breeds include the Shetland Sheepdog, the Cocker Spaniel, and the Brittany.
Does the Corgi Border Collie Mix Shed?
Yes! Although the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a short coat, the Border Collie is a double-coated dog that will shed heavily throughout the year. A weekly brush is always a good idea to keep shedding to a minimum.
How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Border Collie Mix Require?
A LOT. One of the most important aspects of owning a Collie Corgi is ensuring it gets the exercise it requires. As much running time as you can spare, and if you have an outdoor yard with a fence, it might be a good idea to let it run freely in there once a day. Or, entertain it with a game of fetch!
One of the main things almost every Corgi Border Collie mix inherits is its need for intense exercise. If you’re going to get a Collie Corgi, prepare to run!
How Long Can a Corgi Border Collie Mix Live?
The life expectancy of a Corgi Border Collie mix is between 14 and 18 years – making them one of the healthier mixed breeds out there!
What Health Conditions Could the Corgi Border Collie Mix Have?
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) (Spinal Cord Compression)
- Achondroplasia (Dwarfism – Bone Growth Problems)
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Progressive Paralysis)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease (Blood disorder)
How Can You Find a Corgi Border Collie Mix Puppy For Sale?
Finding a Border Collie Corgi mix for sale could be a tall order – the mixed breeds are relatively rare – however, it is possible. You might be more likely to find a Corgi Border Collie mix to adopt rather than buy.
We recommend you try your local pet store, vet clinic, or animal shelter and consider adoption first. Adoption has many benefits over buying from a breeder – particularly a puppy mill – as our article here has outlined.
If you’re unsuccessful in person, try searching online at AdoptAPet.com, you might get lucky, and there might be one in your local area.
How Much Does a Corgi Border Collie Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Corgi Border Collie pup is between $500 and $1000! Yet another reason to consider adoption over buying from a breeder.
Is the Corgi Border Collie Mix the Right Breed For You?
Perhaps you’ve been searching for an active companion pet for a while now – one to take up hills with you. Or, you’ve been looking for a farmhand in the form of a four-legged friend. If you’re looking for a family pet to surprise your kids with for Christmas, then a Corgi Border Collie mix might be the one you’re looking for!
If, however, after hopefully reading this whole thing, you have realized that the Border Collie Corgi isn’t for you – fret not! We have other breed guides for you to read!