Corgis have captured the hearts of animal lovers the world over. They are adorable, with their tiny legs and intelligent faces, and they make great companions to all sorts of humans.
Pomeranians have always been among the most popular dog breeds. They are feisty and fun, compact enough for an apartment and small-space living, and territorial and protective of their people.
Many specialty breeders have recently encouraged new hybrid designer breeds in recent years. It was only a matter of time before someone combined a corgi and a Pomeranian and wowed us with a CorgiPom puppy!
The Corgi
Small but muscular legs, a body that is long and low to the ground, a proud, broad chest, and cute pointed ears- the physical characteristics of a corgi are easily identified. They are almost universally intelligent, brave, and athletic.
The corgi breed is actually made up of two distinct breeds, the Pembroke Welsh corgi (which is the most popular of the two) and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. They originate from Wales, a small country in the United Kingdom.
It is suspected that Corgis are descended from two very different types of dogs from two different areas: Vikings brought Swedish Vallhunds to Wales in the 10th century, a few years later Flemish weavers brought the ancestors of modern-day schipperkes, and the two together created the Corgi.
Bred as working dogs and used to herd large cattle and sheep, they are deceptively fast and strong for their size. They are agile and light on their feet, able to switch direction and avoid oversized hooves without hesitation.
Fully grown Pembroke Welsh corgis are only about 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh in at around 30 pounds.
They are a hardy and healthy breed overall and live an average of 12 years but can live up to 15.
Their fur consists of a double coat, which means they have a fluffy, warm, down-like coat against their skin and a second coarse waterproof coat on top. Both coats will shed through the year and corgis experience a major shed twice a year. They do require brushing several times a week and may need a trim a few times a year.
Corgis come in many different colors, but almost all Pembroke Welsh corgis have a so-called ‘fairy saddle’ on their backs. This is a patch of fur different than the rest of the body in color, growth pattern, and texture.
According to British legend corgis are a gift from the woodland fairies and that the markings are leftover from generations of being ridden, fairies undetected, through the human world.
In keeping with historic tradition, most corgis had their tails docked at just a few days old. This was originally done to ensure their safety while working on the farm; the potential for damage to be done by thousands of pounds of running cows is not to be underestimated.
Soon the government started enacting exceedingly strict tax laws that included pets- unless a dog was a working breed, you had to pay exorbitant fees to keep him. Noticing that most farm dogs had docked tails, the people starting docking their household pets tails too. This apparently fooled the tax assessors.
As an unintended side effect of the new tax laws being introduced, it quickly became clear which socioeconomic class a person with a dog belonged to: docked tails meant you were poor while dogs with long tails signaled wealth.
Dogs quickly became a fashion statement for many. The nobility of Europe latched on to the idea and ran with it. Small lap dogs started popping up in palaces across the continent.
Queen Elizabeth II is a great example. She adored the Pembroke Welsh corgi and had around 30 of them in her lifetime. She even requested one in particular be at her bedside when she died.
Tail docking is often seen as cruel and unnecessary and is now illegal in many countries.
The corgi declined in popularity for several years after a strict ban on tail docking was announced. They were actually put on a list of vulnerable native British species for a decade!
They experienced a resurgence in registration numbers because of their popularity on social media and on the screen- many people have seen the Netflix show “The Crown” and purposely seek out corgi puppies!
Many current celebrities are also contributing too. Betty White and Stephen King are passionate and outspoken about the breed.
It is no surprise that they are popular. Corgis are highly intelligent, bond quickly with their humans, and are eager to please them, making them easy to train. They make great family pets but need lots of open space to run. If they are not properly exercised every day they may become destructive and try to escape.
Corgis are a type of herder that controls animals by nipping at their heels. If your corgi is not well-trained and well-socialized from an early age, he may attempt to ‘heel’ children and other animals (even those larger than him).
They are burly, tough, energetic little dogs that require a good deal of organized activity. They enjoy staying busy and having work to do. Many owners attempt to exhaust their corgis and find themselves needing a nap long before their dog does!
The Pomeranian
In Central Europe, in the northwest part of Poland and the northeast portion of Germany, there is a region named Pomerania.
While you may not recognize the place itself, if you are a dog enthusiast you may immediately be able to tell what breed of dog comes from this region- the Pomeranian!
In that area of the world, Pomeranians are known as “Zwergspitz” which means “dwarf spitz”. Classified as a toy breed of the spitz-type, these dogs are descended from much larger spitz dog stock- they are closely related to sled dogs, like huskies and Akitas, and even share DNA with wolves. Pomeranians are the smallest spitz type dogs.
Pomeranians became fashionable lappets in the 1800s; by 1888 Queen Victoria of England had imported several of them from Italy. At one time, she actually owned 35 and died with one by her side.
In 1912 three dogs (out of twelve on board) were rescued from the first-class section of the Titanic: one was a Pekingese and two were Pomeranians. They belonged to two particularly wealthy passengers, speaking to their status as the coddled, spoiled dog of choice for rich people.
Mozart and Chopin each owned a Pomeranian. So did Michelangelo, who painted the Sistine Chapel while his dog sat on a silk cushion and patiently watched.
Sir Issac Newton took his for walks every day and wrote love letters to his dog.
Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, often mentioned his Pomeranian in his personal correspondence.
Teddy Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, owned a Pomeranian only he could control on a leash.
Some current celebrities own them as well- Paris Hilton, Gwen Stefani, and Eva Longoria, for example.
Many owners choose to have multiple Pomeranians, which makes them cuter: a set of two is called a ‘puff’ while a larger group is called a ‘tuft’!
Pomeranians are known as high-maintenance pets, but that does not deter prospective owners!
Pomeranian senses are constantly on high alert, which makes them great service dogs but also makes them intense and prone to excessive barking. They may be more likely to develop anxiety as well.
These are tiny dogs with a big dog attitude problem. They may be aggressive towards humans and other animals in an effort to prove themselves as the alpha, and they may get defensive and aggressive when faced with a potential threat to their territory or things.
When considering a Pomeranian’s temperament, it may be prudent to remember that they are descended from large feral pack dogs that split from wild wolves around 15,000 years ago. They still have some of that energy lingering in their genes.
Pomeranians are not just little terrible dictators, though- they are intelligent and playful and make great family pets if they are carefully trained and socialized from a young age. If not, they can become stubborn and willful and manipulative.
They do not require much in the way of exercise, but they still need a lot of time from their humans. They are forceful in getting their social needs met and enjoy being the constant center of attention.
They can be extraordinarily small even into adulthood, standing just a few inches tall and weighing in at a mere two to seven pounds.
They have a double coat (a throwback to their spitz-type sled dog days!) that is hard to manage if left unkempt. They require a thorough brushing every single day to minimize the mats and knots in their top coat. They also require bimonthly hair trims.
Pomeranians, like most similar breeds, shed small amounts year round with two much larger shedding periods: one in the spring and again in the fall.
Their coats come in an astounding array of colors and patterns, though the most common is an orange-tan color accented with cream. The AMC currently accepts 23 different color combinations for show. The breed originally had primarily white hair, another fact that points to their history as northern working dogs.
Their rear ends are fuzzy and fluffy and their tails are plumed at the top. They also may have a ruffle of fluff around their necks (very similar to an Elizabethan fashion collar) that is characteristic of the breed and functions like a scarf that humans wear when it is cold.
Overall, a well-bred Pomeranian, when fed a high-quality diet and taken care of, is going to be a sturdy, healthy pet, with an average lifespan of about 12 to 15 years.
An interesting fact: Pomeranians have the smallest average litter size of any dog breed, at 1.9 puppies per birth. Pomeranians are also significantly more likely to give birth to twins, which is rare in the canine world, but unless a human is there to document the birth it is largely unknown if two dogs are twins or just siblings.
Introducing the Corgipom To Your Family
Congratulations. You have decided to adopt a corgi Pomeranian into your life!
Get ready for an adventure!
Corgi Pomeranian mixes, affectionately called the Corgipom, are perky, friendly, and confident and will make your life much more fun. They are scrappy and lively and beautiful, and will forever be enriching your life in more ways than you can imagine.
Because of the wide variety of ways a certain genotype (the way the DNA bases are put together) can present, your dog’s phenotype (the way those genes express themselves) can be anywhere among a spectrum with mostly Pomeranian traits at one end and mostly corgi traits at the other.
Generally speaking, when any breed is mixed with a corgi, the resultant puppies will have the appearance of the second breed and the body shape and size of a corgi. Corgi genes are primarily dominant and most hybrids take after them physically and personality-wise.
The Corgipom is not a standard breed and does not have standard breed characteristics, so it is absolutely essential to seek out as much information as you can about the bloodlines on both sides. Try and find out:
• The health history of both parents, including veterinary shot records and any chronic illness treatment
• The health records of the litter (including if the puppies have been dewormed or have had their first rounds of vaccinations)
• How the puppies are socialized and any aggression issues with the adults
• How long the breeder has been in business and if they care for any other types of animals on the same property (which can be essential in diagnosing any disease your puppy may develop)
• How long the puppies were nursing and when they were weaned
Your breeder will also have several questions for you. Any dog lover will want to make sure the puppy is going to a good home and that the family and lifestyle are suitable for the breed. Answer truthfully; it is better to figure out the differences between you and your potential dog now instead of when you are on your own with him and have no guidance.
Your first order of business after finding your new dog is to visit the veterinarian. He will start by doing a thorough physical examination, using his hands to feel (palpate) your dog’s abdomen, legs, and head. He may suggest a few tests, like blood work and urinalysis, to establish a baseline for future diagnostics.
Make sure you ask him as many questions as you can think up. If your puppy has not had his shots and dewormer yet, have that done. Make an appointment to have him microchipped in case he gets lost. Get him on preventatives for fleas and ticks and heartworms.
The next thing to do is research on feeding your puppy a nutritious, whole-food, high-quality diet. Many owners choose to start with a dry dog food kibble as a base and supplement from there. Try to choose a dry food that is breed or size specific. Small breed dog foods are likely a good fit for your corgi Pomeranian mix.
You may enjoy allowing your Corgipom puppy to explore human foods. Pet-safe options to try can include:
- Sweet potato
- Apples
- Potato
- Green beans
- Fresh meat, thoroughly cooked
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Plain cooked oatmeal
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Peanut butter
Corgis and Pomeranians are both high-energy active breeds that need food at regular intervals. Plan to feed your dog small meals three or four times a day- this is much better for their sensitive digestive systems than bigger less-frequent meals.
Food is one half of keeping your dog in top shape. The other side of the healthy living equation is exercise. Your new puppy will need lots of movement and may seem hyperactive at first, but his energy level will taper off slightly as he gets older.
Try and take long walks with your Corgipom every day. Go explore some new hiking trails, visit the fenced-in dog park up the road, or play ball on the beach. Any physical activity you enjoy will make your puppy happy (and tired).
A worn out dog is a well-behaved dog, so it is in your best interest to keep him from getting bored. He will quickly go from small wiggly happy pooch to desperate destructive noisy beast!
Before you plan to bring your corgi Pomeranian puppy home, it would be wise to dog-proof your home and yard.
• Install locks on all your lower kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers.
• Move any toxic household chemicals, cleaners, and dangerous foods far out of your dog’s reach.
• Make sure to pick up any rocks or sticks that could jam into his stomach while he runs.
• Remove toxic plants from the yard.
• Fence your yard in as much as possible. You may want to reinforce the space between the fence and the ground; many corgi mixes are fond of digging.
• Pick up anything that can be a choking hazard. Make sure to put away jewelry, small coins, and toys.
• Block access to cords and outlets.
Be advised that, while there are numerous perks to owning a corgi Pomeranian mix, there are also a few minor drawbacks.
Both breeds, for instance, seem to be determined to bark until their vocal cords give out. Neighbors mowing their grass, the mailman dropping off a package, passing cars- it is all worthy of drawing your immediate attention to. If you (or your neighbors) do not enjoy incessant barking, train your new puppy early and often to be quiet.
They require constant supervision with children until they are well-trained. Pomeranians are known for their tendency to snap at young kids, and corgis are natural herders and may get nippy with them.
On the flip side, being a small dog means he may not be able to stand up to the roughhousing that human kids often instigate. Both parties need guidance in learning to respect each other’s space and abilities.
Grooming is another aspect of dog ownership that many new owners are under prepared to take on. A corgi Pomeranian mix will require a lot of effort unless his coat is kept trimmed very close (in which case he may not be able to regulate his temperature as well and may be more prone to developing skin conditions).
He will require daily brushing, which can be time-consuming for you and will necessitate further obedience training (a dog running off with your brush every day, for instance, certainly does not help get his grooming time over with).
If you choose to have him professionally groomed, those costs can add up quickly. Between bathing, brushing, trimming, ear and paw checks, and nail trimming, your dog may be spending a good deal of time and money at the groomer unless you can learn some of those skills for yourself.
On the other hand, if you are prepared to take on meeting his grooming and training needs, your corgi Pomeranian mix can be an amazing companion.
They are often used as medical alert service or emotional support dogs. They can sense subtle changes in the human body earlier than some other breeds and they are constantly attuned to you and their environment.
If you or someone you love needs a service dog, check with your local organizations for opportunities to participate in training your own corgi Pomeranian mix. They may be able to answer any questions you have on certifications and laws as well.
Because of their amazing sense of smell and their unique ability to communicate clearly with their handlers, corgi mixes are often employed as watch dogs, rescue animals, or drug-sniffing dogs as well.
A corgi Pomeranian mix puppy may be your new best friend. He will be loyal and protective. They are agreeable and patient and affectionate. They love to have fun and are right at home in the middle of the action.
When given the space to develop their individual personalities, they will surely charm you and your family and friends in no time!
“If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.” – Roger A. Caras
