Golden Retriever Corgi Mix: Golden Corgi Breed Information & Puppy Prices

If you’ve ever seen a Corgi Golden Retriever Mix, we can bet that your heart melted in a second. These adorable dogs often look like Golden Retrievers with small legs. Their cuteness had made them increasingly popular in the last decade or so.

Golden Retrievers are some of the most sought after dogs in the United States.  Corgis are also quickly climbing the list, making this mixed breed an awesome option for families or older people that want a dog with the friendliness of a Golden Retriever, but a pup that’s smaller in size like the Corgi.

These dogs are known for their friendly temperament and adorable appearance. However, there are a few things you should know about these dogs before you rush out to buy one.

Appearance

Mixed breed dogs can inherit any trait from either parent. They do not have set traits and appearances like purebred dogs do. Getting a mixed breed is a lot like flipping a coin.

The Corgi Golden Retriever mix can look like either parent or be a strange mix between the two. To figure out how this dog might look, let’s take a look at each parent breed.

Corgi Appearance

While there are two different kinds of Corgis, we will be referring specifically to the Pembroke Corgi, as this is the most common variant in America.

The Corgi is best known for their short legs and large, pointed ears. Their head has been described as “foxy” in appearance.

The Corgi’s short legs are the result of a genetic mutation. While their legs are their defining feature, they are also the cause of a variety of health problems, which we will discuss later.

Their coat is nearly always reddish, with the sides and hunches of the dog appearing slightly lighter.

These dogs are pretty uniform in appearance, but there are a couple “flaws” that are known to exist. Some Corgis are born with very long coats. They are usually called “fluffies.” Others are born with diluted coat colors and are called “bluies.” These dogs are usually sold as companion animals because they cannot be showed in most dog shows.

Some Corgi’s are born with their tails short or missing completely. Others have their tails docked, especially if they are working dogs. Many dogs who are companions, however, do not have their tails docked.

Golden Retriever Appearance

Golden Retrievers are well known. They are the third most popular companion dog in America due to their friendly temperament.

These are medium-large dogs with weather repellent coats. They were bred to retrieve game after it had been shot, so their coats are designed to protect them from the elements. The top coat is wiry, while the lower coat is softer.

These dogs come in a few different variants depending on where you live. There is a distinct “American” version and then a separate “British” version. The British type is more muscular, while the American type tends to be quite lanky. The American type also has darker colored coats, though they come in the same general colors.

No matter the type of dog, however, they have the same general features. Their coats come in varying shades of gold, hence their name. The coat is usually medium-length. Care is taken to ensure that it doesn’t get too long, as this can be a problem in the field.

Puppies are typically lighter than adults, so you don’t really know what color you’re getting when you choose a puppy. The dog’s coat can change shades at various points in its lifetime.

Corgi Golden Retriever Mix Appearance

The Corgi Golden Retriever Mix can come with a variety of different traits.

Their legs can be short. However, they will never be as short as an actual Corgi’s. Depending on the Corgi parent however, this mixed breed may not have short legs at all.

Typically, a good breeder will be able to give you some idea as to the size of the puppy’s legs. You can also tell leg length after a puppy is born, though you will not be able to see exactly how tall they are until they are grown.

Their coats will typically some sort of golden color. The exact color depends a lot on the Golden Retriever parent. The best way to get an idea of what a puppy will look like when grown up is to look at its parents.

Temperament

While most purebreds have common personality traits, this is not necessarily true for mixed breeds. Genetics play a pretty big part of how a dog acts. However, the environment they grow up in also plays a role.

Socialization at an early age is vital. Puppies should be introduced to a variety of different sights and sounds at an early age. The more they interact with the world when they’re growing, these lower the chance for aggression when they get old.

With that said, genetics can still predisposition a dog to act in a particular way. Let’s take a look at the personality of each parent breed to see how this mixed breed might act.

Corgi Temperament

Corgis love their people. They are affectionate and bond readily to their family. They will likely follow you around the house.

They have a strong desire to please their people, which makes training decently easy. It is not difficult to get them to do what you want them to. They are also decently intelligent, though not as much as some other breeds.

These dogs were originally used as herding dogs. However, they have been utilized for a number of other jobs as well. They are occasionally used as watchdogs due to their high level of alertness and usually quiet nature. They only bark when necessary, which makes them suitable for apartments.

Because of this dog’s herding instinct, though, they are not the best choice for homes with children. They might instinctively bite at a child’s heels on an attempt to “herd” them. This can be quite frightening for the child and can progress into aggression if the situation is not handled correctly.

They might also try to herd other animals. They don’t really chase cats as much as they try to herd them.

Socialization can curb some of these instincts. However, they will never completely go away.

Golden Retriever Temperament

The Golden Retriever temperament is one of the big reasons they’re so popular. Like the lab, they are often described as friendly, outgoing, and affectionate. They make good family pets, even if you have children or other animals.

They are agreeable with everyone and do not tend to bond only to their family members. They are not particularly protective or territorial. In most cases, they don’t mind people coming over to their home or interacting with their owners.

Their trusting nature makes them poor guard dogs. However, this also means that they are very unlikely to be aggressive, though they still require socialization to avoid fear-driven aggression.

Golden Retrievers are also very intelligent. They perform well in obedience training and pick up in commands easily. Furthermore, they like to appease their owners, so it is not difficult to get them to perform their commands.

These are active dogs, but they can sit still when required. They are not typically hyperactive as long as they get the appropriate amount of exercise.  They are quick to learn and goldens crate train very easily as long as they have a crate with an appropriate amount of space.

Corgi Golden Retriever Mix Temperament

You can expect this mixed breed to be friendly and people-pleasing. Both the Corgi and the Golden Retriever are laid back, friendly dogs, so it is likely that their puppies will be too.

Training should be moderately easy for these canines. They are quite intelligent and enjoy training. We recommend about 15 minutes or obedience training a day to keep them stimulated while also curbing any negative behaviors they might have.

While these dogs are not prone to aggression, socialization is still important. Dogs who are socialized properly have a much lower chance of becoming aggressive.

This breed will not have guarding instincts, but fear-driven aggression is still possible. The best way to avoid any possible fear problems is to introduce them to a variety of different situations, people, and animals.

It is doubtful that this mixed breed will retain the majority of their herding instincts, so you typically don’t have to worry about nipping behavior.

This mixed breed should do well with people of all ages as well as other animals and pets. They are very friendly dogs if socialized early.

Health

For the most part, mixed breeds are healthier than their purebred counterparts. This is because mixed breeds come from a larger gene pool. The bigger the gene pool, the less likely they are to inherit genetic defects.

Most purebred dogs come from a very small gene pool. In fact, most purebred dogs were likely the result of inbreeding. Dogs from smaller gene pools are more likely to inherit traits that are much rarer in the general population- like the Corgi’s small legs, for instance.

While these traits often set purebred dogs apart, they often result in negative health effects.

This is true for the Corgi. Their short legs are what defines them as a breed, yet they also cause a variety of health problems.

Luckily though, mixed breeds are less likely to inherit these potential problem traits. Still, there are a couple of diseases the Corgi Golden Retriever Mix is prone to, and it is important for you to be aware of them before deciding whether or not to adopt.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

Intervertebral disk disease, often shortened to IVD, is a back problem that is common in specific dog breeds. This disease occurs almost exclusively in breeds with short legs and long backs, such as the Corgi Dachshund mix.

In these breeds, the long back is not supported properly by the legs, which can cause excess spinal pressure. The dog’s back almost begins to resemble a rope bridge – drooping in the middle.

This causes inflammation in the spinal column and can lead to degeneration of the vertebrae in the spine. This inflammation can press on the nerves, which results in IVD.

When IVD occurs, the dog usually experiences pain, paralysis in its lower body, weakness, loss of bladder control, and eventually the inability to feel pain in the limbs at all.

Usually, the dog will suddenly have weakness in their back legs and lose mobility. They might express that they are in pain. As the disease progresses, the paralysis will become worse. They will slowly lose the use of their legs until they eventually cannot feel them at all.

The prognosis for this disease is mixed. It can sometimes be treated in mild cases with oral anti-inflammatories. Crating a dog and preventing movement has also been successful. The less a dog moves, the more likely it is that the inflammation in their spinal cord will go down. Surgery is also a common treatment, though it is normally only used as a last resort.

Early treatment is very important in all cases. Nerve damage will continue until the inflammation is under control. The faster the inflammation is reversed, the more likely the dog is to recover.

If the dog does improve, they will likely go on to live a full life. It is not uncommon for them to develop this condition again. However, once owners know the signs, they are more likely to get them treatment faster, which usually results in recovery.

Even if the dog retains some of the weakness, they can still live a full life. With things like dog wheelchairs, even fully paralyzed dogs can have a good life. The biggest problem with full paralysis is the possible loss of bladder control, which means the dog will also have to wear a diaper. This is also not uncommon for dogs who have gained full use of their legs back.

Grooming

The amount of grooming this mixed breed requires depends on how much hair they have. Those with longer hair will need more regular brushing and will likely shed more, while those with shorter hair will require less brushing.

Overall, however, these are decently low maintenance dogs. They do not require regular trips to the groomers and are usually only need to be brushed a couple of times a week.

These dogs shed year around. However, they will shed particularly bad at least twice a year. This is called “blowing” their coat. During these periods, they will shed nearly their whole lower layer of fur and often have visibly less hair when they’re done.

We recommend taking them to the groomer during these times. A thorough brush from a qualified groomer will make the dog feel better and save your couch.

On top of the regular brushing, these dogs will need their nails clipped. Overgrown nails can be quite painful for a dog, so it is important to keep them cut to a proper length. You can do this at home or have it done professionally by a groomer.

They will also need their teeth brushed a few times a week. We know that brushing a dog’s teeth is hardly ever easy, but with enzymatic toothpaste designed for dogs, it can be done quickly and effectively.

If your dog has floppy ears, you will need to check them regularly to ensure they are not infected. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and ear mites, so it is important to keep an eye on them. Cleaning them regularly with a wet cotton ball is not a bad idea, especially if their ears have been previously infected.

Exercise

Despite their small size, these dogs have a lot of energy. Both their parent breeds were designed to work, so they have the endurance needed to get their jobs done.

They will require regular walks and playtimes. A fenced-in backyard is useful, but not absolutely necessary. They can make decent apartment pets if they get the required exercise each day.

On average, you can expect these dogs to need about thirty minutes of moderate to intense exercise a day. On top of this, they will also need to play off-and-on throughout the day, though not intensely.

These dogs also need regular mental stimulation. They are quite intelligent, and therefore need to be kept entertained. Otherwise, they will try to make their own fun – which will often get them in trouble.

Regular obedience training is the easiest (and cheapest) way to accomplish this. Plus, while your dogs are enjoying the learning challenge, they’re also learning skills that can be helpful outside of training.

If regular obedience training isn’t possible or your canine needs more stimulation, puzzle toys are another way for them to stay busy. Simple games like hide-and-seek are also possible with these canines and are a fun way for younger children to get involved.

Final Thoughts

The Corgi Golden Retriever mix can make a wonderful family dog. They are friendly, easy to train, and don’t have many health problems.

As long as you have the time to keep up with these canine’s activity levels, they can make wonderful pets in a variety of homes and families.