Corgi German Shepherd Mix: Facts, Traits, & More

You love the idea of a stately German Shepherd guarding you and yours at your country mansion. Then, of course, you remember that your home isn’t exactly a country manor but rather an apartment near the park. If you still love the German Shepherd’s look and personality but want an active companion in a smaller package, consider the Corgi German Shepherd mix, which has a nickname almost as cute as her fluffy britches. Known in some circles as the Corman Shepherd, this blend of herding breeds is as personable as she is adorable.

Parent Breeds

The “Corman Shepherd” is a mix of Pembroke Welsh Corgi and German Shepherd Dog. While not a breed but a blend of two purebred dogs, this crossbred pup fits perfectly in an active family.

Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgis date back to the early 1100s when visitors to Henry I’s kingdom brought Belgian herding dogs to Wales with their masters. The Belgian dogs, similar in type to the preexisting Cardigan Welsh Corgi, were bred with the older type Corgi. Although these crosses blurred the lines between the two types, efforts to preserve the two kinds as distinct breeds increased in the 1800s, and the two breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, are still separate today.

“Heeling” is most effective when the dogs are used with a species that tends to move in one herd, like cattle or sheep. The low-set Corgi was bred to be able to duck quickly if an angry cow decided to throw a kick in his direction. Corgis weigh up to thirty pounds and stand ten to twelve inches at the shoulder. With a foxy face and long body, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a longtime favorite of equestrians.

Corgis are fearless enough to bite at a bull’s heels but are loyal and loving family dogs, too. High-energy dogs who need plenty of exercises, Corgis are intelligent and trainable. The Pembroke’s thick, weather-proof double coat sheds daily as well as seasonally, so a daily brushing with a slicker brush may be necessary to keep down the amount of shed hair in the house.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are extraordinary family companions. Loyal and courageous, German Shepherds are also gentle with their human families. GSDs possess an air of regal. Their character is legendary, and their calm yet fearless demeanor makes them incredible protectors, willing to put their lives on the line for the ones they love.

As large as they are, with male GSDs up to ninety pounds and twenty-six inches at the shoulder, they make excellent service dogs for individuals with special needs. A German Shepherd can even be trained to calm his handler, applying gentle pressure by sitting on his person’s feet, putting his paws in their lap, or lying gently against their body.

The breed originated from sheep herding stock in Germany. The cavalry officer who decided to create the breed came across a four-year-old dog with a wolf-like appearance and tremendous nobility of character. After World War I, in both the United States and Great Britain, fanciers changed the breed’s name due to anti-German sentiment (the origin of the breed name Alsatian). The breed’s reputation as a war dog and the famous canine movie star Rin Tin Tin ensured the breed’s popularity spread.

Corgi German Shepherd Mix

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi German Shepherd Dog mix is sometimes called the Corman Shepherd. Although not a breed, the cross is becoming more common as dog lovers discover this fun-loving blend that captures the best of the German Shepherd in a Corgi-size body with a dash of the Corgi’s irrepressible attitude.

Temperament

Blending two high-stamina breeds produces a pup that needs a lot of opportunity for exercise, and both the Pembroke and GSD’s work ethic drive them. The Shepherd’s instinct is to watch and protect, but the Corgi’s instinct is to push and move. Both breeds are intelligent and trainable, so your Corman Shepherd is bound to be a quick learner if stubborn from his Corgi side.

Size & Appearance

When two breeds of such different heights are crossed, your pup may inherit either breed’s legs. There may be variation within the litter. Ten to fifteen inches might be the average height of this blend, but that means as many individuals will be much taller as much shorter. Weight will vary, too. German Shepherds and Corgis have similar musculature and bone structure, although the Corgi’s body is blockier.

Coat & Colors

The Corgi German Shepherd’s coat is thick and luxuriant. He needs daily brushing to reduce hair around the house. Bathing your Corman helps remove more loose fur during the transition between seasons. Corgi GSD crosses sport a mix of the colors of both parent breeds, ranging from golden through sable brown to nearly black, with markings like the GSD.

Both the Corgi and the German Shepherd have thick coats that shed seasonally. Your blended pup will handle the weather well, but his boisterous outdoorsy nature means he’ll often carry in the great outdoors on his coat. Daily brushing with a slicker brush and occasionally using an undercoat rake during shedding season should keep his coat healthy and radiant.

Exercise & Living Conditions

Because both parent breeds are naturally hard workers, plan to provide your Corman pup at least two periods of brisk daily exercise to keep him healthy, body and mind. He’ll enjoy walking with you around the block and especially appreciate a safely fenced yard where he can run and play to his heart’s content. A towel by the back door to wipe off the leaves and grass on his coat and dry his furry paws help with everyday cleanup.

Because your blend comes from working breeds on both sides, your pup will benefit from access to a safely fenced yard. Spend time each day with him and try to get the two of you at least an hour’s brisk walk to alleviate boredom. The time together will benefit you both.

Training

A Corgi GSD will be eager to please, but that Corgi stubborn streak means you might periodically need to be sure the two of you are on the same page. Both breeds are intelligent and bred for generations to work alongside their human partner. Any herding or shepherd dog has to be able to make his own decisions, though, so he’ll have a deep independent streak. You’ll need patience and perseverance with a blend. Consistency and rewarding positive behavior are the ways to go with this blend.

Keep training sessions short and to the point. Reward your Croman quickly when he exhibits the desired behavior and then move on to the next task, as he will get bored quickly. Reward good behavior with treats and praise so he sees that doing what you want is worth his while.

Socialize your Pembroke GSD hybrid early with other dogs so he’ll be less likely to try to assert dominance toward new acquaintances. If you acquire him as a puppy and already have adult cats, he’s likely to grow up respecting them as family members. Expect the Corgi side of your blend to periodically try to move and herd your human and animal family, but the more protective German Shepherd side will push him to protect you no matter the danger.

Health

Your Corman Shepherd mix comes from two healthy parent breeds, but there are a couple of genetic predispositions to consider. Depending on the parent breeds, most mixed-breed pups will be hardier than their purebred parents. There’s a lower incidence of crosses expressing negative recessive traits when two breeds with different foundation stock are blended, which is an advantage of adopting a mixed-breed dog.

Because there’s an increased incidence of some genetically linked disorders in individuals from both breeds, pay special attention to your Corgi GSD’s growth rates. If your pup shows gait abnormalities, ask your vet to check him. Corgis and German Shepherd Dogs have a higher incidence of elbow and hip dysplasia and Degenerative Myelopathy.

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) has severe repercussions for both the dog and the owner. Dogs with DM lose coordination in the hind limbs. The disease progresses until the dog is unable to walk. Usually, individuals with DM begin to show clinical signs of the disease as older adults. Degenerative Myelopathy tends to progress more rapidly in large-breed dogs, and they may lose the ability to walk six months to two years after the initial onset of symptoms.

Joint Dysplasia

Like many larger dog breeds, Corgis and German Shepherds risk developing hip and elbow dysplasia. Choosing an adult or pup from parents tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA-tested) helps mitigate the risk. Nutrition designed for large-breed puppies is a must because dysplasia can occur from rapid growth as a puppy. Joint dysplasia in the hips and elbows typically presents as lethargy, general stiffness, and signs of pain.

Nutrition

Choose a high-quality formula that meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards and is designed for your pup’s first year. Feed for moderate growth during his first year to reduce the health risks associated with dysplasia. Feed them according to the weight chart on your food brand, and keep an eye on his body condition to adjust his intake as needed. A high-quality kibble including meat protein, fiber, healthy carbs, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals will meet your Corman’s nutritional needs.

Grooming

Your Corgi GSD blend will shed daily, especially during the Spring and Fall shedding seasons. To lighten the hair load in the house for most of the year, brush him daily with a slicker brush to pull loose hair from his coat before it ends up around the house.

Because there’s so much hair to handle with this blend, a good vacuum can make life much easier. To efficiently remove dog hair from floors and upholstery, use a vacuum cleaner that can take care of anything that lands on surfaces in your home or car. The best vacuum is lightweight, so you’ll use it frequently and versatile enough to tackle multiple surfaces in your home and elsewhere.

The Bissell Featherweight Cordless XRT also includes specialized pet tools if you prefer a lightweight, convertible stick vacuum. It converts to a handheld vacuum with a crevice tool and upholstery brush to get pet hair wherever it settles. This lightweight vacuum handles hard surfaces and area rugs handily. Carpet is a significant factor in how much hair and dander stay trapped in a room. This lightweight model may not have the power for a home with wall-to-wall carpets, so you may consider the more powerful Bissell ICONPet Edge for fully carpeted homes.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

Corgi German Shepherd blends are popular enough to get a trendy label, the Corman Shepherd. Although this mix is not purebred and cannot be registered, puppies may be in enough demand to command a high price. Online searches may lead you to breeders, but so might a quick call to local Corgi or GSD breeders. Homebred pups may be available for around $250 to $650. The price will depend on demand in the area.

Rescues & Shelters

You may be able to find a Corgi German Shepherd cross available if you search for breeds that resemble each parent. Petfinder is always a great place to get started.

As Family Pets

• Corgi German Shepherd blends are great for families with children.
• Need to be socialized with other dogs from puppyhood.
• They may chase small animals, so they must be supervised around other small furries.
• They are intelligent and learn quickly if they are interested.
• May “herd” children.
• Provide plenty of exercise to keep them healthy in body and mind.

Final Thoughts

A Corgi German Shepherd blend makes an intelligent, spirited companion for an active individual or family. Combining the handsome good looks of the regal German Shepherd with the jaunty vibe of the Corgi, your Corman pup will be the life of the party. Their thick double coats keep them comfortable in sweater weather, so even in the winter, they’re the best outdoor companions in a size that works indoors, too.