Corgis are Queen Elizabeth‘s favorite breed of dog. And frankly, we can understand why! Their friendly, smiling faces, long bodies, and fluffy coats are irresistible. But there is one type of Corgi that isn‘t talked about a lot, and it is the Cowboy Corgi. So, what is the difference between a Corgi and a Cowboy Corgi?
When we talk about the Corgi breed, we can‘t forget to mention mixed breed Corgis. There are so many Corgi mixes, we have the Chihuahua Corgi Mix, German Shepherd Corgi Mix, and even the Cowboy Corgi mix!
But, what is a Cowboy Corgi and what is the difference between a Corgi and a Cowboy Corgi? In this article, we will answer those questions and detail their cost, grooming, and health!
What breed is a Cowboy Corgi?
The first question many people ask when they hear about Cowboy Corgis is what breed they are. Well, they are not a separate breed, but a mix. You see, the Cowboy Corgi, also known as the Corgi Blue Heeler mix, is a mix between a Pembroke Corgi and an Australian Cattle Dog. You will only get Corgi Cattle dogs if you mix a Pembroke Corgi and an Australian Cattle Dog. That is because the two types of Corgi are very different.
Source: Instagram (@bandit_the_cowboycorgi)
So, before we get deeper into the topic, we need to briefly make the distinction between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Despite looking and acting very similar, these dogs are in many ways different.
Differences in appearance
The most obvious difference lies in their appearance, specifically their tails. Cardigan Corgis have tails that are long and fox-like, while Pembroke Corgis have their tails docked so that they are shorter and closer to their bodies. Besides that, Cardigans are slightly larger and have heavier bones.
Now onto the coat colors. The Cardigan Corgi allows for a wider range of permitted coat colors including brindle, black and white with brindle or tan points, red and sable with white markings, blue merle, and much more. On the other hand, the Pembroke Corgi only comes in red, sable, and tricolor with white markings for its coat.
Differences in personality
Cardigans are known for their relaxed attitude and softer demeanor. Cardigans are also low-energy animals who, although they wouldn’t refuse a lengthy trek, are also very content with a little jaunt around the yard.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis, on the other hand, are the more sociable variety. They are active, social (often to the point of being exuberant), loving, joyful, and even comical.
If you want to read more about the differences between the Pembroke and Cardigan Corgi check out our article “What are the two types of Corgi?”
Cowboy Corgi Parent breeds
The Cowboy Corgi is a designer breed and obviously, they are not accepted by the American Kennel Club, but its parent breeds are! Now we will take a closer look at both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Australian Kettle Dog or also known as the Blue Heeler.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Source: Unsplash
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are available in four distinct coat colors and patterns, are easy to train, and are always ready to learn new things. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi stands between 10 and 12 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 27 to 30 pounds. He has short but powerful legs, muscular thighs, and a deep chest that prepare him for a long day’s labor. Despite being built long and low, they are surprisingly swift and nimble. Which makes them perfect herding dogs.
Despite its small size and short legs, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a breed of dog that was originally developed to herd cattle, sheep, and horses. This breed is known for its high level of activity and intelligence. They are also excellent with both children and other animals which makes them great family dogs.
Australian Kettle Dog
Source: Instagram (@heelerclub)
The Australian Cattle Dog or Blue Heeler weighs between 35 and 50 pounds and is a medium-sized dog. His height, from paw to shoulder, ranges from 17 to 20 inches. The Blue Heeler is most often a solid shade of blue, but it may also have blue markings or be spotted. Their chest and neck are occasionally tan, and the hue may also be observed on their forelegs.
Australian Cattle Dogs have a lot of energy and need to be mentally and physically stimulated all the time. If he’s lonely or bored, he might do something bad. He chews and tears up things he shouldn’t very often. If you decide to get an Australian Cattle Dog, you will need to keep it busy and tired. It’s simple if he’s tired, he’s less likely to cause trouble.
The Australian Cattle Dog will protect what he thinks of as his territory. He is quite shy around strangers, but this isn’t always a bad thing. Nevertheless, he is loyal to his owner and family. Once he finds his master and his pack, the Australian Cattle Dog loves to go everywhere with them. In fact, it’s a punishment for them to be away from the people he loves.
Cowboy Corgi Appearance
Now that we know what its parent breeds look like, we need to discuss what the Cowboy Corgi looks like and how big they can get.
A little disclaimer, when two different kinds of dogs have a litter together, you can’t tell what the puppies will look like.
They could look like either of their parent breeds. Or they might look like an equal mix of both. But to give you an idea of what the Cowboy Corgi might look like, we’ll talk about some of the designer dog‘s most common features.
Cowboy Corgi coat
Generally speaking, they inherit the standard short stature and long body corgis are known for. Usually, they have pointy ears and a docked tail. Both of the breeds that went into making the Cowboy Corgi have a double coat that is somewhere in the middle in terms of length and thickness. It helps keep the dogs warm on cold winter days, but it also makes them shed a lot more than usual.
So, Cowboy Corgis have a thick double coat with an undercoat that protects them from the weather and an outer coat that is longer than the undercoat.
Cowboy Corgis tend to lose a lot of furs, just like their parents. Throughout the year, they also go through times when they lose their undercoats completely. “Shedding seasons” are what people call these times, and they can happen anywhere from once to twice a year. During these periods of time, it‘s a good idea to brush your Cowboy Corgi every day. Also, because they shed so much, they are not good for people with allergies.
How big do Cowboy Corgis get?
This designer dog is on the smaller side. Most of the time, they are 13 to 20 inches tall and weigh between 26 and 40 pounds. But a Cowboy Corgi’s weight and size can also be affected by things like its gender, age, overall health, and even its genes.
Despite their small size, they aren’t a good fit for small apartments. These little dogs still have high energy requirements. After all, they are herding dogs who would feel best in a smaller house with a large yard. If you have a busy lifestyle and live in the country, they would be a fantastic addition to your family as a pet.
Common health issues of both parent breeds
A quick look at the health situation of both parent breeds tells us that the Cowboy Corgi has a long list of possible issues that might affect them, such as hip dysplasia, cataracts, deafness, and much more.
Let‘s take a closer look at the common health issues of the Cowboy Corgi and its parent breeds.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common problem with a dog’s bones. It usually affects large breeds, but it can also happen to smaller dogs. This is a genetic condition in which the dog‘s thighbone doesn’t fit tightly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both of their back legs, while others don’t show any outward signs of discomfort.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – PRA
Atrophy refers to the partial or total wasting of a physical portion. In this example, the eyes of the dog. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is really a set of degenerative disorders that impair your dog’s photoreceptor cells. Essentially, the cells die off over time, ultimately resulting in blindness.
Other health conditions a Cowboy Corgi might inherit from its parent breeds are:
- Deafness – If your dog doesn’t come when you call it, acts disobedient, barks too much, sleep more, and jumps up when you startle it, it may be slowly losing its hearing.
- Cataracts – When the lens of the dog’s eye clouds, it’s called a cataract. This may be due to a shift in the lens’s water balance or to alterations in the lens’s proteins. A hazy lens prevents light from reaching the retina, resulting in blindness.
- Degenerative Myelopathy – A degenerative disease that affects the spinal cord. Over time, the dog will lose the ability to move and control his or her bladder and bowels.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease – This makes it hard for the blood to clot, which can cause anemia and blood loss. Your dog could even bleed to death.
How much do Cowboy Corgis cost?
When it comes to designer dogs they can sometimes be more expensive than purebred canines. This is the reason why some people chose to buy their dog (purebred or not) from breeders with questionable ethics or puppy mills. But, this is a terrible mistake. No matter how much you want a specific breed or designer dog, you should never opt for buying from backyard breeders or puppy mills.
The puppies from backyard breeders or puppy mills were raised in horrible conditions, and as a result, many of them were born with birth defects and had serious health problems. So our advice is to do your due diligence and research any prospective breeders thoroughly and get as much information as possible.
Similar price to their parents‘
Now, if you are interested in buying a Cowboy Corgi you are in luck because these dogs are not that expensive. Compared to other designer dogs Cowboy Corgis are fairly cheap. In fact, there are a lot of dog breeders who specialize in making these dogs, so it won’t be hard for you to find one.
Their price is typically between $2,000 and $2,800, although this may vary greatly depending on the repute of the breeder you choose to get them from.
Generally speaking, the prices of Corgi Cattle Dogs are comparable to those of their parent breeds.
On the other hand, if you are prepared to spend some time searching through local shelters as well as the internet, you just may be able to adopt one of these adorable pups.
What is the best Corgi mix?
We‘ll admit, this is a very mean question to ask, but it is also a very frequently asked question. Many people wonder what the best Corgi mix is. Now, the truth is, there is no answer. Every Corgi mix that exists has certain traits that would be appealing to someone. One trait all of them have in common is that they are fully devoted to their owner, endlessly loving, and are great companions.
But, to make the decision somewhat easier for you, we will briefly go over the traits of the most popular Corgi mixes.
1. Chihuahua Corgi Mix
The Chihuahua Corgi mix is well-behaved and very social.
Like their name suggests this is a mix of the Chihuahua and Welsh Corgi. This crossbreed weighs between ten to 20 pounds. Their height ranges from seven to twelve inches at the shoulder. The Chihuahua Corgi mix is well-behaved and very social. They are friendly and outgoing and love everyone. Besides that, they fit right into any family, big or small, and make great family companions. ƒ
2. Corgi Husky Cross
The Horgi is a loyal and smart dog.
A Corgi Husky mix is a cross between the Siberian Husky and the Welsh Corgi. The mix is also called Horgi and is between 13 and 15 inches tall and weighs between 20 and 50 pounds.
The cross of these two breeds is a loyal and smart dog. They are sweet and loving, but they don’t make good guard dogs because they are simply too nice.
3. German Shepherd Corgi Mix
Many Corman Shepherd enthusiasts describe their mixed breed dog as a spunky, goofy, loving pup who has a lot of energy to burn.
Corman Shepherds go by several names, including the German Corgi and the Corgi German Shepherd.
Because the German Shepherd Corgi mix is a new designer breed, there is no standard when comes to size. Most weigh anywhere between 20 to 70 pounds and range in height from twelve to 15 inches at the shoulder.
According to many owners, this is a spunky, goofy, loving pup who has a lot of energy to burn.
4. Corgi Beagle Cross
You’ve never seen a dog quite like the Corgi Beagle Mix
A Corgi Beagle mix will have a short, low build and long floppy ears. Beagis are between 10 and 16 inches tall and weigh around 10 to 20 pounds.
Beagis are great with children, so they can be family dogs. They love attention, like their Corgi parents. So living with children who will shower them with attention is a dream come true for them.
5. Corgi Pomeranian Mix
Most Corgi Pom puppies will live a long and healthy life, with their life expectancy being between 12 to 16 years.
Depending on the genes they inherit, they can be tall somewhere between 6 to 12 inches. When it comes to weight, the variety is also pretty big. Smaller Corgi Pom puppies could only weigh 15 puppies, while others may even weigh 30.
The Corgi Pomeranian mix are smart dogs with a lot of personality and sassiness! They are full of energy, and that’s why it’s so important to keep them active.
Corgi Poms also have strong herding instincts, so smaller pets may end up being herded around the backyard.
For a more detailed look into the physical traits and personality of each Corgi mix check out our article “Corgi Mix: Which One Is Right For You?“.
Seven interesting facts about the Cowboy Corgi
Cowboy Corgis are special dogs (to be fair, every dog is!) with interesting characteristics. They have many traits you would normally not find in other dogs. That‘s why we will also share ten interesting facts about the adorable Cowboy Corgi!
1. They are small but very strong!
When you see a Cowboy Corgi you wouldn‘t automatically think of them as strong or mighty dogs. But they are! Despite being only around 30 pounds heavy, their small bodies are incredibly powerful.
2. Very active dogs!
Are you looking for a couch potato dog? Then the Cowboy Corgi is not for you! Because they have this inborn double dose of herding instinct and a need for open spaces, the Cowboy Corgi needs an active lifestyle.
Cowboy Corgis are very active dogs that need lots of exercises to stay healthy. You can take your Cowboy Corgi for walks in the morning and evening.
Also, bring your Corgi with you when you go hiking or swimming on the weekends. They love to do and experience new things. Besides that, you can assign different chores to your Corgi at home, they enjoy working and pleasing their owners. This will also keep their minds occupied.
3. They are super smart but stubborn!
The Cowboy Corgi is gifted with high-level intelligence from both parents. But, with that comes the need for focused training, because they are also known for stubbornness. This can make obedience training both easy and hard at the same time. Because of that, teaching commands may go quickly, but the trouble comes with convincing your dog to actually act on them.
4. Great addition to every family!
Cowboy corgis are a fantastic addition to any family with an active lifestyle. They can do both, play with small children in the yard or go exploring in the big outdoors.
Basically, Cowboy Corgis are fantastic family dogs that get along nicely with children and have a lot of love to give to their humans.
But keep in mind that teaching your children how to play with the family dog is essential. It is important to stay on the safe side when it comes to children and dogs (especially when young children are involved).
5. Early socialization is key!
As it is with any other breed of dog, it is very important to work on socialization, especially if the Cowboy Corgi is supposed to be a family dog. Yes, they do get along with children well, but at the same time, they still have the herding tendencies they are known and bred for. If you don‘t socialize and train your dog well, they might end up trying to herd your child.
The best way to socialize your dog is to expose them to different people, places, animals, smells, tastes, and so on, from an early age.
6. Very loyal companions!
One of the best traits of the Cowboy Corgi (well, other than the fact that this is overall a very happy dog) is their unconditional loyalty. Which is another reason why you need to get them to know other people and socialize them. If you don’t do that, they will see any new person or animal as a threat and try to protect you. Even if there is no danger.
One downside of this loyalty is that they can‘t be left alone for an extended period of time. They definitely need to have someone around at all times, otherwise, they might turn to destructive behavior and aggression.
7. They are prone to weight gain
Because of their smaller package Cowboy Corgis tend to be prone to weight gain especially if they don‘t get enough exercise. So it is very important to keep their nutritional needs in mind when choosing the right diet, be it the raw diet or kibble diet, for your Cowboy Corgi. How active are they, how old are they and do they have any allergies are just some of the factors you should consider when making a diet plan for your dog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, what is the difference between a Corgi and a Cowboy Corgi? It‘s simple, the Corgi is one of the two parent breeds of the Cowboy Corgi.
But, even though that is a simple answer, this is no easy designer dog to keep in your home. They have many needs that you have to tend to. For example, their exercise requirements, socialization, nutritional needs, and emotional needs. So, before you decide that a Cowboy Corgi is the dog for you, do a lot of research to be sure that you can fully take care of them.