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The Corgi Lab mix, also known as the Corgidor.
If you are a dog lover who has spent any time on social media, then you may have come across the viral joke that a corgi dog mixed with another breed is really just that other breed in the shape of a corgi.
But before you run out to find a corgidor to add to your family, it’s important to do your research to learn about this adorable mixed breed.
In this article, we take a closer look at all things corgidor, including common physical characteristics, typical personality and temperament, and potential health issues.
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Corgi + Labrador Retriever = Corgidor
The adorable corgi Labrador is a medium-sized mixed breed that results from pairing a Welsh corgi with a Labrador retriever. This adorable canine can also be called a Labrador corgi or a corgidor.
Though all dogs are individuals, you can expect your corgidor to inherit certain physical and mental traits from its two parent breeds. Before welcoming a corgidor into your family, it is helpful to learn a little bit about both the Labrador retriever and the two types of Welsh corgi.
The Corgi
The two types of Welsh corgis are the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Pembroke Welsh corgi.
Both corgis are very similar, though corgi enthusiasts are quick to point out their differences.
Cardigan Welsh corgis, for example, tend to have smaller eyes and larger, rounder ear flaps than the Pembroke Welsh corgi. Cardigan corgis are also larger and can weigh as much as 10 pounds more than the Pembroke.
But perhaps the most obvious difference between the two types of corgis has to do with their tails. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard for the Pembroke Welsh corgi is a docked tail, so most have their tails docked within three to five days of their birth.
Though some Pembroke corgis are born without tails, they are rare and not considered the standard. Meanwhile, the AKC standard for the Cardigan Welsh corgi does not include docking the tail. Both types of corgis can be bred with Labradors to produce corgidors.
Originally bred as cattle dogs and used to herd livestock, corgis are better known today as loving family pets. Still, both corgi types retain their work ethic and willingness to be trained. They are small, yet active dogs. Corgis are also affectionate and are especially well known as being good with children.
Corgis have long-haired topcoats and thick undercoats. This double coat means heavy shedding, as well as regularly scheduled grooming appointments.
Both corgi types grow to be about 10-12 inches in height, and even the larger Cardigans don’t usually weigh more than 40 pounds. Corgis are usually two-toned and can come in white with red, fawn, sable, black, or tri-color.
Queen Elizabeth II of England has bred, raised, and loved Pembroke Welsh corgis since her childhood, and this partly explains why Pembrokes rank as the 13th most popular breed of dog in the United States. The less popular Cardigan ranks just 68th in U.S. popularity.
The Labrador Retriever
The corgidor’s other parent breed is the Labrador retriever, which consistently ranks as the most popular dog breed in America.
Labs have been bred and trained to catch waterfowl from the very beginning of their existence. However, today most families choose the Labrador because of its gentle nature, brimming energy, and eagerness for activities ranging from swimming to running.
Generally speaking, labs are good with children and other pets.
Officially, Labrador retrievers come in yellow, black, and chocolate colors (colors such as “fox red” and “silver” exist, but remain controversial). Their double coats are thick and water repellent, so shedding is something to expect.
Labs typically weigh between 55 and 80 pounds and can stand as tall as 24 inches.
How To Recognize A Corgi Lab Mix
There are many who suggest that Labs and corgis have been purposely crossbred for farming purposes since the early 20th century. Both breeds originate as farming dogs, so while this theory is certainly possible, it is mainly conjecture.
But the unclear origins of the corgidor are one of the reasons it is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed of dog. This means there are no true breed standards for the corgi Lab mix.
Indeed, even though predicting what a mixed breed will look like can be tough, that is especially true when it comes to predicting the appearance of a corgi lab mix!
Size
The full-grown size of a corgidor will greatly depend on the size of its Labrador parent, and whether its corgi parent was a smaller Pembroke corgi or a larger Cardigan corgi.
Corgis tend to weigh anywhere from 26 to 38 pounds, while Labradors typically weigh between 55 and 80. This sizable difference means that corgi Lab mixes can weigh anywhere between 30 and 60 pounds!
There’s a similar wide range when it comes to a corgidor’s height. Corgi Lab mixes who favor their corgi parent could stand 10 to 13 inches in height, while a corgidor that favors its Labrador parent might stand as tall as 21 to 24 inches.
Coloring
As described above, both corgis and Labradors come in a variety of colors. Any of these color combinations can appear in a litter of corgidors.
Typical Personality And Temperament Of A Corgi Lab Mix
As much as they differ in height, weight, and color, corgis and Labs vary even more in terms of temperament. This can make predicting a corgidor’s personality a challenging task.
Both corgis and Labs are popular family pets. They are playful and fun and don’t require as much maintenance as many other breeds. Both breeds are also very loyal to their family members, and they are excellent with children. Corgidors tend to inherit all of these characteristics.
However, corgidors also inherit some more challenging traits, mainly from their corgi parent. It’s worth being aware of these potential temperament traits before deciding on a corgidor as your family pet.
Like corgis, corgidors can exhibit territorial and aggressive behaviors (though it’s important to note that these behaviors aren’t usually aimed at its immediate family). These tendencies stem from the corgi’s history as a herding dog and are typically limited to nipping at objects when they move or keep it from getting its way.
Corgidors might also inherit the corgi’s tendency to bark. Granted, this does make the corgidor a good candidate for the position of guard dog.
If you find yourself with a corgidor, but hope to avoid the nipping and barking, then it’s important to properly socialize your dog at every opportunity.
Are Corgi Lab Mixes Easy To Train?
Many owners of corgi Lab mixes report that their dogs are easy to train. This makes sense considering both Welsh corgis and Labrador retrievers have been bred as working dogs for centuries. Such a history gives corgidors a clever brain and an inherent willingness to please.
Puppy classes and consistent positive reinforcement at home will go a long way in instilling in your corgidor its basic manners. However, if you notice your corgi Labrador mix is taking after its corgi parent with lots of nipping and barking, it may be worth booking a few sessions with a professional in-home trainer.
Are Corgi Lab Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Welsh corgis and Labrador retrievers are two of the most popular family dogs in the U.S., and for good reason.
Both breeds love to feel like part of the pack and are happy to be with their human family members whether lazing on the couch or hiking through the forest. Both types of dogs are also loyal to and gentle with even the youngest members of their family. It seems corgidors take after their parents in terms of being good family dogs.
Still, it’s important to remember that young children should never be left alone with a dog of any breed, nor should they be allowed to tug on a dog’s ears or tail, disturb it while it’s sleeping, or sit on its back. Corgis and corgidors do have nipping tendencies, and being medium-sized dogs, their teeth are about level with the face of a young child.
How Long Do Corgi Lab Mixes Live?
Both types of Welsh corgis can live 10 to 13 years, while Labrador retrievers have an average lifespan of about 12 years. A healthy corgidor is likely to live 10 to 12 years.
A corgidor that lives as many as 13 years will have healthy genes and will have had a family that took excellent care of it. A corgidor that lives fewer than 10 years will likely have experienced trauma, serious injury, or health issues.
Generally speaking, dogs that are smaller in size and weight live longer than dogs that are bigger and heavier. Because corgidors can vary dramatically in their size, one corgi Lab mix could have a longer potential lifespan than another.
How To Take Care Of Your Corgi Lab Mix
Taking good care of your corgidor will be the best gift you can give your dog over the course of its life.
Puppy Care
If you get your corgidor as a puppy, then it will be important to schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible. Your new pup will need its first rounds of inoculation against potentially dangerous maladies like the parvo virus, canine influenza, and rabies.
Once your corgidor puppy has received all of its vaccinations, you can take your new dog outside on walks.
It is just as important to socialize your corgidor puppy as it is to vaccinate it. Socialization is important for dogs of all breeds and sizes, as it often sets the precedent for the puppy’s comfort around people and animals as an adult dog.
To make sure your corgidor is friendly towards anyone it meets, introduce it to as many men, women, and children as possible.
Grooming
Both Labrador retrievers and corgis have thick coats that shed all year round. It’s almost a certainty that their mixed breed offspring will also shed.
Brushing your corgidor two or three times a week can do wonders for managing the fluff, as will regularly scheduled appointments with the groomer.
It is also important to give your corgi Lab mix regular baths. Both Labradors and Welsh corgis enjoy swimming, but their thick, double coats easily trap chlorine and other substances that can damage their coats or irritate their skin.
Exercise
Don’t let those short little legs fool you. Corgis are energetic dogs, and when they are bred to the equally energetic Labrador, they produce little corgidors that just brim with energy.
Between that energy and their inherent desire to work and herd, corgidors need lots of exercise. Swimming, walking, and hiking are all great ways to exercise your corgi Lab mix. Many corgi Labs also participate in agility.
Bored dogs are destructive dogs, so just as important as exercising your corgidor’s body is exercising its brain. Some good ways to keep your dog’s brain sharp and occupied include allowing them to sniff on walks, chew on toys, show off their obedience, and complete puzzles for treats.
Food & Care
In addition to proper grooming and exercise, the food your dog eats will help to keep it in tip-top shape.
Choose a high-quality dog food that has at least 18% protein and 5% fat. An adult corgidor should eat about 2 ¾ cups of dry food each day. Your veterinarian will be able to help you decide on a suitable brand of food if you need assistance.
Common Health Issues Of Corgi Labs
Corgidors and other mixed breeds tend to have fewer serious health issues than their purebred counterparts. Still, there are a few issues that a corgidor could inherit that are common in its parent breeds.
- Eye issues
- Skin issues
- Epilepsy
- Joint dysplasia
- Chronic ear infections
- Back problems
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Intervertebral disk disease
You can help your corgidor stay as healthy as possible by feeding it a high-quality dog food, scheduling regular veterinary check ups, and offering lots of opportunities for exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Corgidor
How big will a corgi Lab mix get?
Just how big your corgidor gets is a bit of a toss up. Labradors are large dogs ranging in size from 55 to 80 pounds. Meanwhile, Welsh corgis are considered small dogs and typically weigh anywhere from 23 to 38 pounds. Therefore, the two breeds’ mixed offspring, the corgidor, can vary greatly in a size that’s difficult to predict.
Are corgi mixes healthy?
Like most “mutts,” corgi Lab mixes tend to be healthier than purebreds. Still, they are prone to some of the same maladies that affect Welsh corgis and Labrador retrievers. These maladies include issues with the joints and spine, skin, and ears.
To keep your corgidor in tip-top shape, it’s important to stay active and to schedule regular check ups with your veterinarian.
How much does a corgidor cost?
A corgidor is a mix between a Welsh corgi and Labrador retriever, two dog breeds that are immensely popular in the United States. For this reason, corgidors can often be found in animal shelters and in the hands of local rescues.
If you are open to adopting a corgi Lab mix, do a Google search for corgi and Lab rescues in your area. You can also use websites like Petfinder to search for corgidors in shelters throughout the U.S.
If you decide to purchase a corgi Lab mix from a breeder, then the cost will be decided by the breeder based on factors like the size of the litter, whether a puppy is male or female, or the colorings and markings. When you purchase any puppy from a breeder, it is important to find a reputable breeder.
Is a corgidor hypoallergenic?
“Hypoallergenic” has become a buzzword of late. However, dogs that are 100% hypoallergenic don’t actually exist. While there are certainly some breeds that shed hair and dander less than others, this doesn’t describe the corgidor.
Corgidors are bred from corgis and Labrador retrievers, two breeds with thick double coats that shed year round.
The Bottom Line
Corgi Labrador mixes – known also as corgidors – are intelligent, active, and irresistibly adorable. Ideal for active dog owners who understand that they’re the offspring of two working breeds, the corgidor can also make a good family pet.
Remember:
- Socializing your corgidor is important to avoid barking and nipping behavior.
- As energetic dogs, you need to mentally and physically stimulate your corgi Lab mix.
- Regularly brush your corgidor’s coat.
Though they are prone to a couple bad habits, the corgi Lab’s innate willingness to please its owner gives this cute medium-sized dog a ton of potential.
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Corgi Lab Mix: Breed Traits, Temperament, Cost, And More was last modified: August 30th, 2021 by
