Corgi Golden Retriever – Need To Know Facts About This Mix

Updated: February 13th, 2023

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The adorable golden retriever Corgi mix is a fairly new designer breed that is becoming increasingly popular with dog lovers across the globe. It’s really no wonder why so many people are falling in love with these pooches, as they look like golden retrievers with shorter legs!

Friendly and affectionate, golden Corgis make wonderful companions that love to cuddle! Their energetic and playful nature makes them an ideal choice for people of all ages and families with children who are looking for a faithful and silly dog to keep them company.

Although they are intelligent and capable of learning commands and tricks fast, these doggos are also known to be free thinkers thanks to their Corgi parentage. This can make training a bit challenging at times but not impossible.

Corgi retrievers are active, playful, and silly dogs that are always up for a play session and some fun. While they are high-spirited and energetic, these pups are still suitable for apartment living and make fantastic pets and companions to urban dwellers.

However, this is all just the tip of the iceberg, and there are still many things you should know before bringing this mix home. Stay with me until the end of this article to find out more about the Corgi retriever’s temperament, health, nutrition, grooming needs, and other interesting facts!

What Type Of Dog Is A Corgi Golden Mix?

The Corgi golden retriever mix is a fairly new designer dog breed developed by crossing a purebred golden retriever with a purebred Corgi. This cute mix goes by several names, including golden retriever Corgi, golden Corgi, Corgi retriever, and Corgi golden retriever.

Golden Corgis may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started to intentionally mix Corgis and golden retrievers in the late 1990s. Breeders initially mixed these two breeds to combine their friendly, playful, and people-oriented natures. As interest for designer dog breeds grew, the breeders continued creating more golden Corgis.

While both Corgis and golden retrievers are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Corgi retriever is a mixed breed, so they are not recognized by any major canine kennel club.

Mixed breed dogs are always full of surprises, as they don’t have set, breed-standard traits like their purebred counterparts. A Corgi and golden retriever mix will inherit a variety of traits from their two distinctive parent breeds. To get a better idea of the golden Corgi’s traits, you will have to first look at its parent breeds.

Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is a medium-to-large gun dog originally developed in Scotland to retrieve shot waterfowl without damaging the birds. Compared to other breeds, the history of the golden retriever is still rather new, as this breed was developed in the 19th century.

Goldens are still used by hunters to retrieve shot game birds, though they are more commonly kept as pets. They are one of the most popular breeds in existence thanks to their kind, trusting, people-pleasing, and loving nature. If you are thinking of getting any type of a retriever dog, know that you’ll gain a smart, highly trainable, and affectionate family dog.

Welsh Corgi

The Welsh Corgi is a small type of herding dog that originated in Wales. The first thing you should know about Corgis is that there are actually two separate breeds – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

There are several physical differences between these two types of Corgis. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is overall larger, and their tails are of a different shape and were often docked. The Pembroke, on the other hand, is the more popular of the two types and is more commonly used for crossbreeding with the golden retriever and other breeds.

While they were originally bred and used as herding dogs, Corgis can also be amazing watchdogs due to their alert nature. At home, they are lively, smart, and affectionate canines that form strong bonds with their people and make superb family pets.

Corgi And Golden Retriever Mix Appearance

Considering that goldens and Corgis are nothing alike, mixing the two is like tossing a coin – you can never know how their offspring will turn out! With that said, you can generally expect your mix to be less stocky than a Corgi and have shorter legs and a longer back. The face and the head shape will typically resemble that of a retriever, and the dog’s ears can either be floppy or erect.

Size, Height & Weight

Since the Corgi golden mix is a relatively new dog breed, there are no set standards when it comes to size. That being said, since they are a mix between a Corgi and a golden retriever, you can expect your pooch to be medium in size. In most cases, they are around 10 to 18 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 30 to 60 pounds. Keep in mind, though, that some Corgi retrievers can be smaller or larger than this average.

Coat & Color

Since both parent breeds have a double coat, it’s safe to assume that the Corgi retriever mix will also inherit a double coat. Golden Corgis usually have long and thick double coats that are more suited for colder climates. Having so much fur puts these pups at risk of overheating, so you should learn about hot weather safety tips for dogs and avoid taking your mix out during the hottest part of the day depending on your location.

Corgi retrievers can inherit coat colors from either of their parents or have a mix of these colors. Depending on the coat colors of its parents, a golden Corgi mix can sport many different colors and color combinations. The most common are:

• Golden
• Tan
• Fawn
• Red
• White
• Black
• Brown

Corgi Golden Retriever Temperament

It’s hard to predict the exact temperament of any mixed breed dog, and the Corgi retriever mix is no different. Your designer hybrid can take more after a retriever or be a mirror image of its Corgi parent. To get a better idea of what character traits your mix will exhibit, try to meet both of its parents and spend some time interacting with them.

Generally, you can expect your golden Corgi to have the following traits.

Intelligent

Considering both goldens and Corgis are smart dogs, you can expect your mix to be intelligent as well. This means training your golden Corgi should be relatively easy as long as you are patient and persistent.

Dogs that take more after their Corgi parent can be stubborn and may test your patience on more than one occasion. Still, no matter how irksome your mix is behaving initially, just stick with the training and stay patient and positive. Underneath the Corgi’s bull-headedness is an exceptionally smart dog that can excel at obedience training and even be willing to learn tricks.

As an offspring of two working breeds, your Corgi retriever will react best to a treat-based reward system and positive reinforcement training techniques. Corgi retrievers are highly motivated by food, so arm yourself with the best dog treats for training and keep training sessions short and sweet.

Avoid using training methods that use punishment and harsh corrections when training your Corgi and golden retriever mix. Besides being ineffective at teaching your dog anything, these training methods can make your pooch afraid of you, push them into aggression, and cause irreparable damage to your bond.

Playful

Often described as being spunky and silly, golden Corgis love to play so much that they can be borderline annoying! To fulfill your dog’s need for play, reserve time for several shorter playing sessions every day. Playing and interacting with your dog is a great way to strengthen your bond and will also help keep your mix mentally and physically stimulated.

Unlike most other dogs, the Corgi golden mix remains playful well into adulthood, so be prepared to have lots of dog toys close at hand. Besides offering them a variety of toys, you should also get involved and play with your pooch every day. Games such as flyball, fetch, tug-of-war, hide and seek, and Frisbee are entertaining and will be an instant hit with your mix.

Without interactive toys and daily play sessions, most golden Corgis will find other ways to entertain themselves. However, you may be terrified to find out what your dog considers fun! When their needs aren’t met, Corgi retrievers can easily become bored and frustrated and will turn to destructive chewing and digging to have some fun and stay busy.

If you want to come back from work and find your home and belongings in one piece, play with your pooch often and stock up on dog toys.

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Affectionate

Although some of them can be quite hefty in size, all golden Corgis are under the impression that they are lap dogs! These pooches will try to jump into your lap and snuggle with their people every chance they get. If holding such a big dog is more than your legs can bear, start training your retriever mix not to jump on people or their laps from a young age.

This mix is an excellent choice if you are looking for a cuddly, affectionate, and loyal companion who will be there to offer you love and support when you need it most. Furthermore, while they are friendly towards everyone, golden Corgis form the strongest bonds with their people and have much love to give.

Herding Dog

Depending on how much your mix takes after its Corgi parent, you can expect it to possess herding instincts to some extent. It’s not uncommon for them to try to herd younger children or other pets at home and even use heel-nipping to round everyone together.

In this case, nipping shouldn’t be viewed as aggressive behavior. However, you’ll need to start curbing all unwanted herding habits from a young age. If not dealt with early on, your dog’s herding instinct can be very frightening for children and even escalate into aggression if the issue isn’t handled properly.

Training and socialization can help curb some of these instincts and teach your dog that corralling people and children is unacceptable. Remember to use positive reinforcement and treats in training instead of yelling and punishing your dog for expressing their basic instincts.

Friendly

Both the golden retriever and the Corgi are people-oriented and friendly dogs, so it comes as no surprise that their mixed breed offspring tend to be just as friendly (or even more so). Golden Corgis are gregarious and spunky dogs that like to spend time with people and aren’t shy to approach strangers with a wagging tail.

These pups don’t discriminate and can become fast friends with children, adults, and seniors. As pets, Corgi retrievers get along with the whole family and are the happiest when they are involved in their owner’s daily activities.

Due to their outgoing and social nature, this mix makes a great family dog and can be a great addition to homes with children and other pets. As long as there are people with whom they can spend time, interact and play, the golden retriever Corgi mix will be a happy camper.

Golden Retriever Corgi Mix Health Problems

Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier than their purebred counterparts. This is mainly because crossbreed dogs have a larger gene pool, which makes them less likely to inherit serious genetic defects.

Having said that, both the golden retriever and the Corgi are affected by a number of different health problems. While the retriever Corgi is considered a generally healthy designer hybrid, they can still be affected by the same health problems that are often seen in their parent breeds.

This doesn’t necessarily mean your mix will inherit any of these conditions, but it’s best to be aware of any potential issues before you welcome a dog home.  The most common health problems seen in this mixed breed are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cancer
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Cataracts
• Intervertebral disc disease

The best way to minimize the chance of any of these problems is to get your golden Corgi puppy from a reputable breeder. Furthermore, special care should be taken to prevent your mix from jumping on and off the furniture or stairs, since their long bodies make them prone to intervertebral disc disease.

This condition typically happens in dog breeds with short legs and long bodies. The lack of proper support causes excess spinal pressure over time, which leads to inflammation in the spinal column and the degeneration of the vertebra in the spine. The inflammation presses on the nerves and causes intervertebral disc disease.

Due to this condition, you must be very careful when exercising and playing with your Corgi retriever. Start training your dog not to jump from a young age, and also play with them on the grass instead of hard surfaces such as concrete.

A golden retriever mixed with Corgi has an average life span of 10 to 13 years, so be prepared for a long-term commitment before you bring one of these dogs home.

Corgi Retriever Mix Dietary Needs

An ideal diet for a Corgi retriever should be formulated for a medium-to-large breed with high energy. Look for foods that are made from high-quality ingredients and contain all essential vitamins and minerals a dog needs to stay healthy. Since golden Corgis can pack on the pounds easily, you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and avoid free-feeding your dog.

A Corgi retriever’s dietary needs will change as they get older – from puppyhood to adulthood and again later in their senior years. Once you bring your golden retriever Corgi home, feed them high-quality puppy food, and change their diet to an adult formula when they reach one year old.

Corgi Golden Retriever Grooming & Care

Golden Corgis have long and thick double coats that shed a lot all year round. To keep the shedding to a minimum and prevent mats and tangles from forming, brush your mix three times a week. Otherwise, you’ll have to vacuum and clean your house more often to stay on top of all that loose hair.

Besides losing a steady amount of hair all year round, this mix also blows its entire coat during spring and fall. During the shedding season, you may need to brush your mix every day to reduce the amount of hair that will end up on your furniture and floors.

When it comes to bathing, your dog’s lifestyle and tendency to get dirty will be the determining factors. Generally, once every two months will suffice, but you can do it more often if your pooch likes to roll in the mud. Always opt for natural dog shampoos that won’t dry your dog’s skin or damage their coat.

The rest of their grooming needs are fairly basic. This includes regular nail clipping, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning. If your mix has floppy ears, you’ll have to check them weekly to ensure that they are not infected. Dogs with floppy ears are also more prone to wax buildup, ear mites, and infections, so do your best to ensure your dog’s ears are always clean and dry. Here are our top picks of the best dog ear cleaners.

FAQs About The Corgi Retriever

How much is a golden retriever Corgi mix?

Corgi golden retriever puppies typically cost between $1,000 and $2,000 per dog. However, the exact price can vary significantly and depends on a lot of factors, such as the breeder, supply and demand in your location, and the dog’s pedigree and coat color.

Since Corgi retrievers are still relatively rare, be prepared to spend some time researching breeders and even potentially traveling to another state for your puppy.

How long does a golden retriever Corgi mix live?

Golden retriever Corgis have an average life span of 10 to 13 years. These mixed breed dogs are generally healthy but can still be prone to the same health problems that are seen in the golden retriever and Corgi breeds. Take your dog to regular veterinary check-ups to detect any potential health problems early.

Do Corgi golden retriever mixes shed a lot?

Corgi retriever mixes have thick double coats that shed a lot! These dogs also go through a shedding season when they blow their undercoats. During spring and fall, retriever Corgis lose obscene amounts of hair and have to be brushed every day to keep the shedding under control.

Do golden retriever Corgi mixes like to swim?

Both Corgis and goldens have an affinity for water, so there is a good chance your mix will like water, too.

However, while retrievers are great swimmers, Corgis may have trouble navigating deep waters due to their barrel chests, long bodies, and short legs. Since golden retriever Corgi mixes often inherit the Corgi’s build and short legs, they are better off splashing in shallow waters rather than attempting to swim.

Do golden retriever Corgi mixes make good service dogs?

Corgi golden retriever mixes make good therapy and service dogs thanks to their friendly, affectionate, and trainable natures. As the offspring of two working dog breeds, the Corgi retriever loves to have a job to do and will concentrate fully on any task given. This makes golden Corgis great service dogs that can work as guides for the blind or hearing dogs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Conclusion

The cute, loving, and outgoing golden retriever Corgi mix is still fairly rare, but it’s becoming one of the most popular mixed breeds to have! This medium-sized dog has inherited the best traits of its parenting breeds, the golden retriever and Corgi. The breed’s selling points are:

• Ultimate lap dog
• Remains playful their entire life
• A great family dog

If you still aren’t completely sold, remember that golden Corgis love to cuddle and are always in the mood to spend more time with their people!

Do you have a golden retriever Corgi? Why did you decide to get this mixed breed?

Share your experience owning this wonderful mix with us and our readers in the comment section below!