Mixed Breeds

Dachshund Corgi Mix: Dorgi Breed Information (Puppy Prices & More)

Emma Braby Picture

Last Updated: September 13, 2022 | 8 min read

Dachshund Corgi Mixed Breed Dog - Dorgi

What do you get when you cross a Dachshund with a Corgi? A Dorgi of course! Queen Elizabeth II of England is a big fan of Corgis and has had over 30 in her lifetime, and now they’ve all sadly crossed the rainbow bridge she has two Dorgis of her own. The Dachshund and the Corgi are quite different from one another, but also have some striking similarities. This is why they make such an excellent mixed breed pup!

Both Dachshunds and Corgis have become popular mixed breed dogs over recent years, with corgis being extremely popular when mixed with huskies and also with beagles.

So, there must be something to these pooches to achieve the royal seal of approval! The Dorgi might be another relatively new designer mixed breed, but he is proving to be popular and it looks like he is here to stay, so let’s take a closer look.

History

The Dachshund is also known as the sausage dog due to his long hot-dog shaped body. Despite his humorous and cute looks he was originally bred as a hunting dog in Germany; he was slightly larger back then than he is today. Dachshund in German literally translates to Badger Dog, and this was primarily what he hunted, and he was even used to hunt wild boar in packs. He has wide paddle-shaped paws perfect for digging into the ground to catch prey, as well as having loose skin to help him slide through tight tunnels.

The Dachshund is now a popular family pet all over the world and has been ranked number 12 out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club (AKC). His iconic looks and vibrant personality have enthused many dog lovers and he makes a great family pet for children and adults alike.

There are 2 types of Corgi: the Pembroke and the Cardigan, both similar in looks and named after towns in Wales in the UK. He is favored by Royalty all over the world, but particularly famous for being Queen Elizabeth II favorite breed, not only has she owned a lot of them but there is also an animated film dedicated to the ‘Queen’s Corgi’ that is being released this year! Unbeknownst to most people’s general knowledge (even mine and this blew my mind!) the Corgi was, and still is, used for herding cattle. This fearless little guy is quick, agile and intelligent.

The Corgi is also a popular family pet and the AKC has ranked this pooch just behind the Dachshund at number 13. The Corgi’s behind is also particularly famous and has a cult following with over 518K ‘Corgi butt’ posts on Instagram, and a favorite hashtag amongst fans is #corgibuttsdrivemenuts!

Combine these two delightful dogs and you have one seriously cute and fun pooch on your hands!

Appearance

Despite being low to the ground with short legs, these guys will turn heads in any room! The Dorgi is a small dog and has a similar body to that of his parents:

  • Height: 8 – 12 inches
  • Weight: 15 – 28 pounds
  • Popular coat colors: Golden, dark brown, brown, brown and white, black and tan or black
  • Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years

This plump dude might be small and fluffy, but he is sturdy. His coat can come in any combination of the above popular colors, and his fur can either be smooth, long or wiry like the Dachshund, or short and dense like the Corgi. Excitingly, his coat is like Forrest Gump’s chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get next in this genius genealogy.

Temperament

Both of his parents are full of life and playful and this guy is no different. Dorgis are mischievous little pups who love nothing more than to be the center of attention. He will happily play tug of war, but remember, if he can overpower a Badger he isn’t to be underestimated! And when he is done playing, he is happy to jump up on the sofa for a snuggle with his master and this is when you will see his sweet-natured side.

Dorgis are a very vocal breed and his bark can be loud and piercing, if he wants something, he will let you know. He is also quite the guard dog because of this! From behind closed doors his bark doesn’t sound like it belongs to a little guy, so rest assured his bark will put intruders off for sure. He will alert you to passers-by and will be the first dog to bark in the doggy playground, albeit from excitement. He is well suited to apartment life if you can lower or train his bark out of him, but if you can’t be prepared for complaints from your neighbors.

Dorgis are a very happy social breed who love to get involved in everything, however, he is known to suffer with separation anxiety, a trait which he inherited from his Dachshund parent. He is known to not cope very well on his own for hours on end, so if you must leave him longer than 4 hours or so then this may not be the breed for you. Soothing music or anti-anxiety medication can help to alleviate his anxious symptoms, but this pooch is more suited to those who can spend a lot of time with him.

If you must leave the house, then why not take him with you! He is an adventurous playmate and being quite small you could take him almost anywhere, even carry him in your handbag if he will let you. Ensure that you allow for extra time on your outing because the Dorgi is cute, but boy he sure knows it, and he will stop for attention from anyone and everyone.

Health

Dorgis are generally quite healthy dogs. There are just a few things that you need to watch out for in particular to their breed:

IVDD affects 25% of Dachshunds and the exact number is unknown in Dorgis as he is relatively new, but he can inherit this problem so it’s always good to be clued up on this health issue. IVDD is a degenerative disorder in the spinal discs, and basically means that the discs become dry and brittle and then it can’t absorb the energy, or cushion like they are supposed to. From here painful bulges or increased breakages will most likely occur, and if it is left untreated, surgery will be required to avoid paralysis.

IVDD is particularly prevalent in dogs of a short and long frame, because of the amount of movement their spine must forgo. For example, most dogs can take a flight of stairs without issue, but because a step can be the same height of the Dorgi itself it can be quite damaging to the spine. As the Dorgi is slightly taller than the Dachshund by several inches it shouldn’t be as much of an issue, but because the Dorgi is still short and long, and is particularly bouncy and energetic, it’s still important to be aware of it. Jumping from heights, such as beds or garden walls, should be avoided at all costs!

Color dilution alopecia is a skin condition that was, again, inherited from the Dachshund parent, and this is characterized by losing patches of hair and changes in skin color. It is not a serious condition, however it can be uncomfortable to your pup and it doesn’t look particularly pleasant. It cannot be cured but it can be treated with creams and medications.

Exercise

As both the Dorgi’s parents are originally hunting and herding dogs he does need a fair bit of exercise despite their smaller frame. At least 60 minutes of exercise a day will suffice, that includes walkies and playtime.

As the Dorgi can be quite anxious if left alone it would also be a good idea to invest in toys aimed at mental stimulation, such as treat filled puzzle toys. Not only will this keep their anxious minds occupied whilst you are gone, but it will also give their intelligent brains a workout. If the Dorgi is bored or anxious then he will almost definitely become destructive and will try and breakout of the house and commence a search for his master!

Grooming

The Dorgi’s grooming routine is entirely dependent on his coat type. If his fur is short and soft, then it will require minimal grooming. If he has longer or more wiry fur, then daily brushing will be required to ensure that knots do not form, and to keep it as smooth and healthy looking as possible.

Although his Corgi parents are known to be heavy shedders the Dorgi isn’t quite as heavy, but again it will be entirely dependent on your dog’s type of coat. Either way, regular brushing will help to minimize this and keep your house as clean and as hair-free as caninely possible.

Nutrition

The Dorgi is known to put on weight rapidly if his diet isn’t strict. Knowing what you should feed him is important, and make sure you stick to it. Don’t be tempted to feed him too much unhealthy human food because you will soon have a spherical doggo on your hands. Not only this, but gravity will pull on any extra weight around his middle and turn him into a banana shaped pooch. Funny as that may sound, this is extra weight his spine really could do without!

It is recommended to feed him 2 cups of food daily. Good quality grain free is recommended for a Dorgi as this is the best food for his skin and coat to try to counter those conditions mentioned earlier. As the Dorgi has a small stomach rich meats or wet food should be kept as a treat.

Training

Good news, as the Dorgi is food oriented he can be trained easily and will pick up commands quickly. However, don’t be put off if your Dorgi goes through periods when he doesn’t listen to you, this is his stubborn streak coming out that he inherited from his Dachshund parent, he will soon come around! Try to commit to obedience training as soon as you can, to avoid a diva Dorgi.

As the Dorgi can be particularly barky and standoffish with other dogs it is good to socialize him as soon as you can. Try to ensure that every experience with another animal is as pleasant as possible and treat him appropriately. Once the Dorgi knows that the other animals are no threat then he will stop barking and just play with them until he runs out of steam.

As the Dorgi can be quite anxious on his own he will soon learn when you are about to leave him. Therefore, it will be beneficial for you to create a routine whereby you lower his anxiety as much as possible. For example, put calming music on, give him his medication if you need to, and create minimal fuss when you leave to show him that you leaving is not a big deal! It is also helpful to leave him for shorter amounts of time and then gradually increase it as you need to, again this will minimize his distress.

Positive reinforcement training is key as with any dog, but be careful on treat sizes, and as soon as you think your Dorgi has learnt the command, wean them off treats gradually. Otherwise he will become porky and spoilt, and no one likes a hefty hound.

Puppy Prices

On average the Dorgi pup costs around $500 from a reputable breeder and can be a cheaper alternative to the Corgi or the Dachshund who start around the $1000 mark. The Dorgis only have a litter of 2 -5 pups once a year if successful, and as there aren’t a lot of Dorgi breeders yet, he can be in short supply.

As he is small and he doesn’t particularly eat a lot of food monthly food costs aren’t too high either, so compared to some other dogs the Dorgi isn’t too harsh on the purse strings.

Final Thoughts

The Dorgi is a fantastic dog, a real crowd-pleaser, fun, energetic and bouncy, but he has an equally big heart and loves to snuggle up to his master at the end of the day.

As long as you can spend quality time with this guy and not leave him at home alone for too long, then you’re on to a right royal relationship!

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12 Comments

  1. Carmela Jordan

    I’m so interested in finding a Dorgi, it’s the perfect dog for me. I’m looking in West Palm Beach area. Thanks, if anyone can help me.

  2. Danette Isaacs

    I’m looking for a “dorgie” puppy in the Houston, TX area, any information would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank You!

      1. Do you have 2 Dorgi sisters available? Do you have any pictures? What is the cost? I just lost my 17 year old Dorgi and now wanting some more dogs.

      2. My Peanut passed away Oct 6, from auto immune disease. We are retired and have alot of love and time to give a pooch. If you have or will have Dorgi puppies I would be interested in buying one. Please let me know. Thank you, grieving pet owner. A house is not a home without a dog.

  3. My Lilly is now almost 11 months. 13 lbs. She has been a real challenge in training but a very loving lap dog. You have described the Dorgi to a tee. She loves to go to the DOG PARK and loves to socialize but is still somewhat shy with larger dogs but comments from other dog owners saying they never saw a dog run so fast.

  4. Ferne Winborne

    Well, you hit the nail on the head. I found a pup 15 years ago that I fell in love with. He was in a shelter and grinned at me haha. That’s all it took. I have had so many people ask what kind he was and always my answer was “good question”. Low and behold last year my husband sees the Queen’s Dorgi and my husband runs in to show me.

    Our Ray-bob is a Dorgi! He’s long-haired, silky smooth hair, low to the ground, splayed feet, and adorable. 15 years later I am still in love with him. He is probably about 17, going blind and deaf. The Vet assures me he is happy and pain-free and he still has his dog smile!

    As you said, likes to be with me, barky, smart, funny and a great rear waddle! Thank you for writing about them!

    1. Thanks for your comment, Ferne! We appreciate you stopping by to share your experience with the breed!

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