Meet the Corgsky: Corgi Husky Mix

Are you looking for a cute dog with a ton of personality? Do you want a dog with brains, loyalty and courage? Meet the Corgi Husky mix, otherwise known as a Corgsky, Horgi or a Siborgi. This adorable dog is a cross between a Corgi and a Siberian Husky. In being a “mixed breed” or one of today’s “designer dogs”, the Horgi can be a big dog or a little dog. A long backed dog or a standard size back. No two Siborgi will be the same and that is part of their charm.

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The Corgi

The Welsh Corgi is not one breed of dog but two. Coming from different areas of Wales, with different histories and different ways of “working”, both Corgis are herding dogs. Though there are many similarities between the two breeds but there are many differences as well. Both breeds are herders. And they both have short legs, big ears though the Cardigan’s ears are substantially larger than the Pembroke. Both breeds are known for their strong work ethic and dominating personalities. If you don’t control your Corgi, your Corgi will control you. Both breeds are big dogs with short legs. Neither is a small dog and neither has a small bark.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, affectionately known by his fans as a “Pem”, comes from the Pembrokeshire area of Wales. This corgi is a little smaller than the Cardigan. It has a smaller bone structure, shorter legs and ears are not as big nor are they rounded like the Cardigan. Instead they are pointed. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is either born without a tail or the tail is docked. This docking is no longer permissible in the United Kingdom. The Pem has a smaller foxier, spitz type head and face.

The Pembroke is a busier, more outgoing, and usually more affectionate. They come in only a few colors such as sable or red with or without white flashes or chests. There is also a black, brown and white tricolored Corgi. In North America this corgi is better known and more popular. Most North Americans know that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the choice of the Queen of England.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi, affectionately known by his fans as a “Cardi” comes from the Cardiganshire area of Wales. Like the Pem, it is a herder and a watch dog. It has a bigger bone structure than the Pem, is longer and usually a little taller. The Cardigan will always have a tail and are believed to be descended from hounds like the Dachshunds. The Cardi has bigger, pointed ears that can overpower their heads and a stronger, larger head and face.

The Cardigan has a reputation for being more “standoffish” and less affectionate than the Pem, but they are also less busy and more laid back. They are less like to get into a scrap with another dog than the Pem is. Both breeds have big voices and deep chests and they use them. Color wise the Cardigan can come in all the same colors as the Pem but additionally can be merle, blue, or brindle.

The Siberian Husky

Very different from either of the corgi breeds is the purebred Siberian Husky though all three breeds are double coated, enjoy the snow and do well in the cold. As both types of corgis are herding dogs, the Husky is a member of the working group. They are a much stocker, larger dog than the Corgi with much longer legs. They weigh about 40-60 pounds when full grown and pull carts, work on farms in the countryside. However, their ears are large, their eyes are bright, and their personalities are outgoing like the Corgi.

The Husky is light on its feet, agile and quick. They are good at completive dog sports like agility and flyball. Like the Pembroke Corgi, the Siberian Husky comes from a Spitz heritage. They won’t bark you into oblivion as the Corgi will, but they howl instead. Watch them around fences as they can climb them, jump over them or dig under them. They are bred to hunt in packs, so they are comfortable with other dogs their size.

The Corgi Husky Mix

You might be able to image what happens when you cross the adorable corgi with the regal husky. Most people interested in a Corgsky because it is friendly, affectionate, outgoing dog with the size of a corgi and the look of the Husky.

What a Corgsky Looks Like

As with any cross breed, non-purebred dog, you can never be sure which traits will come out. You could have a tall corgi or a husky with short legs. Their color and markings can be different for every pup in a litter. Here are some of the most often found traits of a Horgi.

Sizes

The Corgsky more often is the size of the Corgi with traits from the Husky. This is what makes them popular to start with. People want a short Husky not a tall Corgi. They run between 20 and 50 pounds as the Pem is about 20-30 pounds and the Cardi is about 30-40 pounds. They tend to be long like Corgis with bushy tails and heads like a Husky.

Colors

Every puppy in a litter can be a different color and there is no way to predict what type of pups you will get. The pups could be a mix, or they could just look like one of the parents. If their genes are more Corgi than Husky, they could be red, brindle, sable, blue, merle or tri color. If their genes are more Husky than Corgi, they could be grey, agouti, or black. They could have a mask as well. On the other hand, they could be the blue or brindle of a Corgi with the mask of a Husky.

Coat

Both the Corgi and the Husky have thick, double coats and both shed. The Corgi’s coat is weather proof and about medium in length while the Husky has a heavy, longer, double coat. Both were bred to work in cold climates and deal with rain and snow effectively.

Since their coats are so similar to begin with the only real difference in the pups will be how heavy the coat is and how long it is. Both shed heavily a couple times a year. Both breeds “blow their coats” which means that twice a year you will find loose tufts in their coats and enough fur around the house to make another puppy. During this time, they need extensive grooming and daily brushing. Through the rest of the year you can probably get by with brushing them once a week.

The Temperament of the Corgi-Husky Mix

Again, it is unpredictable which breed will contribute the dominate traits to any Corgi-Siberian mix puppies. There will be a combining of the two temperaments. Remember, more than any other characteristic, temperament is greatly influenced by which Corgi breed is mixed with the Husky, as each breed of Corgi is different.

Work and Exercise

Both breeds are working dogs though the Corgis are herders while the Husky is a hunter as well as a sled dog. They have tremendous stamina as well as speed. You can be sure your Horgi will be fast as both parent breeds are known for speed and agility.

No matter the dominate breed traits, your pup will need plenty of exercise and will love to play. They will be good at agility, flyball and field trials. You will have to work with your dog to see if he is more a herder or a worker.

Corgi Husky Mix Personality

In general, however the Corgi is usually not aggressive or shy, though the Cardi is more reserved. The Corgi has a great personality and is affectionate and friendly.

The Siberian Husky also likes people, but he is alert, high energy and always ready to go. You are like to get a dog with a good personality, friendly, alert and ready to go.

Issues

Corgis and Huskies are both known to be stubborn at times so you can count on your mix being stubborn and full of spunk. The Corgi can be bossy and loud while the Husky is not. Still the mix can be a little too much personality for some folks.

Health and Physical Attributes of a Corgi Husky Mix

Health Issues

There are going to be some health issues in any dog. The advantage to the pure bred dog is there is a history of the breed, there is probably testing to rely on, and you have the breeder and the parents of your puppy to learn from.

At the same time certain breeds are more prone to different ailments than others. So, you could end up with either or both of the common ailments of each breed. However, the new breed – the mix often does not have the same issues as the purebreds. This is truer in the second generation cross breed than it is in the first.

The Corgi with its short legs and long back tends to be prone to back issues. The Corgi Husky mix will deal with this same susceptibility. Corgis suffer from a canine version of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Each Corgi breed has a different version of this disease.

Both breeds have a strong tendency to gain weight and Corgis will eat anything in their path. You cannot free feed the Corgi Siberian mix. The Husky on the other hand is prone to hip dysplasia and eye issues. Your Corgi Husky mix will have a life span of 12 to 16 years. Be sure your breeder does the available testing on both the parents. Get some documentation on the genetic testing as well.

What to Think About

Be sure you meet both the dam and sire. Observe their personalities, interactions with people and each other, and any physical issues that you can see.

To reiterate the health concerns to think about: Ask the breeder for any health certificates, veterinarian visits and shots,what is the health of the parents and what is the health history of the parental lines. Look for back issues, a history of DM – were the pups tested for DM – eye and hip issues.

There may not be a lot of breeders of this mix in your area because it is considered a designer breed and is not recognized by the American Kennel Club and most pure bred breeders don’t recognize the designer dogs as a breed. They consider them a cross or a “mutt”.

So, there won’t be a long history of the line but usually your breeder will have previously or concurrently bred one of the purebred parents. Ask your breeder why they got involved with crossing these two breeds and if the motivation is money you might want to look at another breeder. It is up to you if you are satisfied with their motivation.

One final word of advice – if the breeder owns the Siberian Husky make sure you meet him. If the breeder does not own the Husky you might request to meet him anyway.

Living with a Corgi-Husky Mix

Now you know a lot of the Corgi Husky mix. Do you want to live with one? Yes, they are cute puppies. Adorable actually. They can be a great dog in a smaller size than the traditional Husky. Corgi Husky mix can be fun, energetic, friendly and affectionate. They can also be bossy, loud, and stubborn.

They have a double, warm coat that is waterproof. If you live in the desert this is probably not the dog for you. If you live in a winter climate, they may be the perfect dog. Just remember that they shed and “blow their coat”. There is a lot of grooming with this designer breed.

Corgi Husky mix are active, working herding breeds and they need some space outside. They do not like to be inside all the time, and they do not like to be alone. Also remember the corgi breeds are barkers while the Husky howls. You could get either or a combination of both, but you know you will be getting a loud dog.

Finally keep in mind the low to the ground build of the corgis, the long back and the tendency of both parental dogs to gain weight easily. If you get a Corgi Husky mix be sure you understand how to raise it so that it will be less prone to injury. Most corgi owners of both breeds do not let their pup go up and down stairs until they are at least 6 months old and do not let them jump on and of furniture.

If you have fallen in love be prepared to spend anywhere from $400 -$1000 for your Corgi Husky mix.