The Border Collie Corgi Mix is, unsurprisingly, an active dog that is the result of breeding two active breeds together — the Border Collie and the Corgi. As a hybrid dog, it can be difficult to know exactly what the Border Collie Corgi Mix is like. However, it’s parents are two very popular breeds in their own right across the United States and the Border Collie Corgi Mix has a reputation for being a wonderful family pet that is good with kids and devotes themselves to their owners.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Border Collie Corgi Mix and seeing whether they are the right breed for you, keep reading below to find out more.
History Of The Border Collie Corgi Mix
The Borgi could be bred from either the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and is one of many popular crossbreeds the Corgi has helped to create.
Both the Border Collie and the Corgi are historic herding breeds and so this mixed breed certainly retains these tendencies. As an active breed, they can be a handful for some families but their affectionate and easy to please nature makes the perfect pet for others.
The Border Collie Corgi Mix, also known as the Borgi, is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) due to the fact they are a hybrid dog and not a purebred. This means they do not have a breed standard.
Breed Origin
The Border Collie Corgi Mix is a relatively new breed of dog and it can be difficult to know where this pup first appeared. We can take a look at the origins of the parent breeds to learn more about this designer dog.
The Border Collie originated in Northumberland, on the very border of England and Scotland. The breed was developed for the purpose of herding livestock, especially sheep. The name “Border Collie” came from the simple fact the breed had been developed in a place on the Anglo-Scottish border.
These dogs didn’t become popular until the 19th century. They were loved because of their herding abilities and their intelligence, which increased their popularity greatly. They are still used as herding dogs but are more often found as companion dogs now.
The Corgi is another herding dog that originated from Wales in England. It is thought that these dogs descended from Vallhunds, Swedish cattle dogs that were brought to Wales by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries. They were recognized by the UK Kennel Club in the 1920s.
The Welsh Corgi was brought to the United States in 1936 and they have been gaining popularity ever since. They are also very popular with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Characteristics Of The Border Collie Corgi Mix
Due to the fact that the Borgi is a crossbreed dog, it can be difficult to know their exact traits and characteristics. They may take after their Border Collie parent more or they may take after their Corgi parent more.
A Borgi puppy will cost anywhere between $600 and $2000! The price really depends on the breeder. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder as the Borgi can be prone to some health issues and so responsible breeding is very important.
Appearance
The Border Collie Corgi Mix is a medium sized breed of dog. Males will usually stand between 13 to 18 inches tall and weigh between 25 to 30 lbs, while females will be smaller and stand between 11 to 16 inches tall and weigh between 20 to 25 lbs.
These cute dogs often take the appearance of the Corgi and have a slightly elongated body with short legs. However, this is not always true and will vary from litter to litter. Their ears can be pointy and erect or long and floppy, and their tail is usually long.
Coat
The Border Collie Corgi Mix’s coat can depend on which coat they inherit from their parents. The coat may be short, medium or long in length and is normally thick and straight. A longer coat is more common in these dogs.
Be warned, these dogs shed a lot! This means that they also require a lot of brushing to keep their fur in good condition, although we will go into more detail later on about grooming these dogs.
Color
The Borgi can come in a range of coat colors including black, blue, red, white, fawn, gray and sable. They may also be a combination of two of these colors. The white markings that a Corgi shows are almost always present on the Borgi.
Temperament
The Corgi and the Border Collie have relatively different temperaments, so the temperament your Corgi Border Collie Mix ends up with can be a surprise.
These dogs certainly love their family members and will want to be by your side at all times. They don’t really tolerate being left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety, which can in turn lead to destructive and unwanted behaviors.
While the Corgi is quite affectionate, the Border Collie can be quite stubborn and independent at times and the Borgi can often take this trait from their parent. You will need to be firm while training to show them who is boss, otherwise they may try to take charge of the household and show you they are the boss! That being said, they do still take affection from their Corgi parent and won’t mind cuddling up on the couch next to you.
The Border Collie Corgi Mix is known for being a very protective dog that will make sure their family is safe. They can make an excellent watchdog or guard dog and won’t be afraid to let you know if there is a stranger coming to the door. This can be helped with socialization from a young age so they learn how to act around others.
The Borgi is also a very playful and active dog. Both parent breeds are active and historic working dogs, so it is no surprise the Border Collie Corgi is too. They are intelligent too, and so also need to be kept mentally stimulated as well as physically so they don’t become bored. A good way to do this is with interactive dog toys you can engage your Borgi with. This can be great for an active household where there is a lot gong on that the Borgi can join in with.
Lifespan
The Borgi has a very long life expectancy. These dogs can, on average, live for between 14 and 18 years!
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, the Border Collie Corgi Mix is prone to some health problems. Many of these health concerns are the same issues their parent breeds are predisposed to.
– Intervertebral Disc Disease — this is when the jelly-like layer of the intervertebral discs protrudes into the spinal canal and pushes against the spinal cord. This can cause pain, paralysis or lack of bladder control. It can be treated with surgery.
– Epilepsy — this seizure disorder can be treated with medication.
– Degenerative Myelopathy — this is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that can result in hind leg paralysis. There is no cure but there is treatment. It can be helped with intensive physical rehabilitation.
– Achondroplasia — this is a condition that dogs with small legs, such as Corgis, are prone to. It can be treated with medication or, in more severe cases, surgery.
– von Willebrand Disease — this is a disease that is found in both humans and dogs. It is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. It cannot be cured but it can be treated with small surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Border Collie Corgi Mix, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day to day basis is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Border Collie Corgi Mix is an active dog and therefore needs around three cups of high quality dog food every day. You should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their age, weight and exercise level.
Both the Border Collie and the Corgi are prone to gaining weight, so it is important you don’t overfeed your mixed breed or allow them to free feed. You should also make sure you are feeding them a diet that meets all their nutritional requirements. Some experts recommend a food formulated for very active dogs. Take a look at a kibble we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Border Collie Corgi Mix
Purina Pro Plan SPORT Formula Dry Dog Food
We recommend the SPORT Formula dog food from Purina Pro Plan for the Border Collie Corgi Mix. As the Border Collie Corgi Mix is an active dog, they need a lot of protein in their diet. This kibble from Purina contains 26% protein and 16% fat to help your pup maintain lean muscles and an ideal body condition.
With chicken as the number one ingredient, this food is easy to digest and helps to promote nutrient absorption. There are also many antioxidants in the recipe to support your dog’s immune system, as well as high-quality sources of carbohydrates for sustained energy. Even better, this food is manufactured in the US so you can be sure it is safe for your pup to eat.
Exercise
The Border Collie Corgi Mix is an active breed and therefore has high exercise requirements. These dogs need to be exercised for at least 60 minutes a day. If the Borgi does not get enough exercise or is stuck at home for too long, they will become bored and destructive.
Because the Borgi is an intelligent breed, they also need to be kept mentally stimulated. Playing games with their family such as brain games or dog sports is a great way to keep them active and occupied. These dogs enjoy swimming, hiking, “fetch”, frisbee and obstacle courses. You can also take them to the park where they can meet other dogs.
Family Compatibility
With both the Corgi and the Border Collie very popular family pets, it’s no wonder the Borgi makes a great addition to the household. These dogs are extremely loyal and protective of their families, making a great guard dog or watchdog. This can mean they are aloof with strangers but, fortunately, this can be fixed with correct socialization from a young age.
The Borgi is an active and playful dog that gets on very well with children. That being said, you should always supervise very young children when playing with this dog because they do have herding tendencies due to their parent’s working history and my try to herd young children.
The Border Collie Corgi Mix doesn’t like to be left alone and would prefer to be by your side all day long. For this reason, they will not do well in a family where there is no one home for hours during the day. They will, however, love to accompany the family while they’re out walking or hiking and can make a great exercise buddy!
Borgis are relatively small dogs and therefore do not need a lot of space. A yard for them to run around in is preferable, but as long as you are giving them enough exercise everyday they can be happy wherever.
Training
An intelligent breed who is eager to please, the Borgi is relatively easy to train. However, sometimes these dogs can inherit a stubborn and independent streak from their Border Collie parent that can result in them not wanting to learn. You will have to have patience and perseverance to show them that you are in charge.
Like all dogs, the Borgi responds best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats. You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
While the Border Collie Corgi Mix gets on well with their family, they can sometimes be a little aloof around strangers which can result in barking. They can also be a bully around other animals thanks to their herding nature. Therefore, proper socialization from a young age is very important for the Border Collie Corgi Mix.
You should introduce your Borgi to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a calm and controlled way from puppyhood so these dogs learn that not everything is a threat. This will also help them to grow up to be a well-rounded and adapted dog.
Grooming
It is quite common for the Border Collie Corgi Mix to have a long coat but, even if they don’t, their grooming needs are relatively high. These dogs shed a lot and so need to be brushed almost every day to loosen dead hairs. Brushing is even more important if your Borgi has a long coat, because their fur can become matted and tangled. Daily bushing will also be mandatory during the shedding season.
Thanks to the natural oils in the Borgi’s coat, it is kept shiny on it’s own. However, you will need to bathe your Border Collie Corgi Mix once a week to keep it clean. You may need to do this more frequently if they get dirty or muddy!
Try to brush your Borgi’s teeth every day to help prevent dental disease and decay. You should also clip their toenails as and when is needed.
Summary
The result of crossing two very popular dog breeds, the Border Collie and the Corgi, the Border Collie Corgi Mix is a fantastic hybrid dog that takes desirable traits from both parents. Naturally athletic and active, this pooch loves their family and just wants to spend time with their owners. While they can be stubborn and independent at times, the Borgi is easy to train and wants to please those that they love.
They make an excellent playmate to children and will certainly keep you on your toes with their liveliness and curious nature. Even better, they’re small enough that they don’t require too much space. If you think you’ve got the energy to keep up with one of these dogs, why not think about adding a Border Collie Corgi Mix to your household.