The Corgi Border Collie mix, also known as the Borgi, is another unusual crossbreed puppy and our dog of the day.
Today, we’ll discuss how these significantly different dog breeds met, fell in love, and gave the world a present: a tremendous designer puppy named the Borgi.
Borgis are one of the sweetest sidekicks anyyone would love having in their lives.
Why don’t we figure out what’s so special about these fluff balls packed with energy?
Where Does The Borgi Come From?
There are many Border Collie mixes out there, and our choices of today, the Border Collie Corgi Mix, is a relatively new breed of dog. As with every designer dog, it’s very hard to determine where these puppies came from and which was the first among them.
However, what we do know are the origins of the parent breeds. Unlike the parents, the Borgi is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as it’s not a purebred dog and doesn’t have a breed standard.
The Border Collie parent dog is originally from Northumberland, on the border of England and Scotland. The purpose of developing this dog breed was to herd livestock, especially sheep. The name Border Collie comes from the sole fact that this dog was created on the Anglo-Scottish border.
These pups didn’t become popular until the 19th century. They were adored for their working dog traits and sharp brains. These traits made them what Border Collies are today: one of the most popular herding breeds/family pets.
The other parent breed, the Corgi, can be divided into two categories: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Anyway, the Corgi is another herding dog, originally from Wales in the UK.
Some experts even claim that Corgis are descendants of Vallhunds, Swedish cattle dogs brought to Wales in the 9th and 10th centuries. The UK Kennel Club recognized these sweet babies in the 1920s.
Sixteen years later, the first Corgi was brought to the USA, and their popularity has been on the rise ever since.
Corgi Border Collie Mix Appearance
Since this is a crossbreed dog, it’s difficult to know their exact traits and characteristics before the puppies are born.
They may take after the Border Collie or the Corgi side of the family or even resemble both dog breeds.
Be that as it is, this is a medium-sized doggy. Males are usually 13 to 18 inches tall and weigh 25 to 30 pounds.
Females are somewhat smaller and stand at 11 to 16 inches tall and weigh around 20 to 25 pounds.
These unusual mixed breed puppies often resemble the Corgi parent with their elongated body and short legs. Still, this is not considered a standard, and many puppies may take after the Collie too. Their ears can be either pointed or erect, long or floppy, but the tail is always long.
The Border Collie Corgi mix’s coat varies from puppy to puppy, depending on which parent it takes after. The coat can be short, medium, or long. It’s usually rich and thick, as well as straight. The most common coat type with these pooches is the longer version.
Here’s a little warning: these dogs shed a lot! No wonder because the Corgi parent sheds like crazy too! But, more about that in our grooming section.
As for the color, the Corgi Collie ranges in coat colors, from black to blue, red, white, fawn, grey, and sable. Also, combinations of two of these colors, such as black and white, are not uncommon. The white markings on the Corgi are almost always present on the Corgi Collie, or as we like to call it, the Borgi puppy.
3 Reasons Why You Should Not Get a Border Collie Corgi Mix
1. Severe health problems
The Border Collie Corgi mix is prone to serious health issues every potential dog owner must be aware of. The apparent difference between the two parent breeds may contribute to the hybrid’s possible physical limitations and abnormalities. Both Border Collies and Corgis can transfer diseases to their offspring.
2. Risks with crossing different dog breeds
Both the Border Collie and the Corgi are some of the most popular dog breeds in the USA. This status gave breeders the idea to create cross breeds. However, the effects of crossbreeding may be devastating if the breeding process is not done correctly.
Small-time breeders often take advantage of what’s popular and start crossbreeding dogs without proper care for the puppy’s health.
3. They’re active dogs
Combining two widely active dogs produces offspring with lots of energy that will overwhelm a laid-back owner. Keeping up with the Corgi Border Collie cross is very tiring, especially if you live in a small home.
These hybrid dogs are good with kids, but they can play with them to the point of exhaustion. However, if you’re an active dog lover, you will have a blast with these dogs.
3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Border Collie Corgi Mix
1. Long lifespan
All dog owners want a pet they can live with throughout their lives. Sadly, most dogs only have an average lifespan of up to a decade. Crossbreed dogs usually have a shorter lifespan, depending on the parents’ history.
The Border Collie Corgi cross is an exception to this rule, with a long lifespan of 14 to 18 years. This makes them the ideal dog for sentimental families.
2. Strong herding instincts
The Border Collie Corgi can be the perfect watchdog for your family because of its strong herding instincts. Still, this dog may nip at your kid’s feet to herd them back where they’re supposed to be. Both parents are known for doing this. Be that as it is, this is the ultimate watchdog every family should consider having.
3. Easy to train
The Corgi Border Collie mix is an intelligent and loving pet. They’re very easy to train because they blindly follow their owner’s commands. Yes, the high-energy drive makes them hard to control.
Meaning, you should have lots of patience to teach this hybrid how to behave properly around the house and new people. Socialization at a young age is a must to ensure your Border Collie Corgi mix functions properly as an adult. A puppy that hasn’t been through socialization will have behavioral issues.
When training, the Corgi Collie’s energy level can be a troubling factor, but you must overcome it to succeed. Only proper training will help the dog get along with the rest of the world.
Other Popular Corgi & Border Collie Mixes
Choosing the right dog breed to share your life with is extremely important. Every year tons of dogs of different breeds are left at shelters. Why? Because the owner decided they’re not a good fit.
Well, that decision was supposed to be made much earlier. If you believe the Corgi Border Collie mix might not be the best option for you, then choose one of the other Corgi or Border Collie mixes.
Picking a breed of dog that aligns with your lifestyle is extremely important. Every year tens of thousands of dogs are put up for adoption because the owners didn’t do their research.
Here are some of the most popular Corgi and Border Collie crosses:
• Corgi Australian Shepherd mix
• Corgi Rottweiler mix
• Corgi German Shepherd mix
• Corgi Terrier mix
• Border Aussie
• Border Collie Jack Russell Terrier mix
• Border Collie Pitbull mix
• Borderdoodle
• Border Collie Labrador mix
• Border Collie Golden Retriever mix
Corgi Border Collie Mix Puppies For Sale
Photo from: @manymuddypaws
Adopting a Border Collie Corgi mix is one thing, but getting a perfectly healthy puppy is another.
Potential dog owners who want a Corgi Collie must know that buying from any old breeder isn’t an option. You need a reputable breeder who cares about both the parents and puppies and doesn’t just breed dogs for certain traits like good looks.
The right breeder will have plenty of medical documents from an early age to prove the puppy is healthy and comes from healthy parents. They’re responsible for the puppy’s veterinary papers and vaccinations.
A Border Collie puppy will cost around $600 to $800, while a Corgi may cost in the range of $600 and $1000. It is quite possible that a Border Collie Corgi will cost even more. Some cases have noted a price over $2,000 for a healthy puppy.
As a rule, a fit and healthy Corgi Border Collie mix puppy will cost more. However, the high price is absolutely justified as you’re getting a premium-quality puppy that comes from purebred parents.
The USA is proud to have the following breeders that have devoted their lives to breeding Corgi Border Collie mix pups:
1. Crystal Corgis in Stamford, CT
2. Nistler’s Farm Corgis in Salem, MO
3. Pembury House in Derby, CT
4. PAWS of Coronado in Coronado, CA
5. Coronado Animal Care Facility in Coronado, CA.
6. Borgi – Cowboy Corgi for Sale on Facebook
How To Groom Your Border Collie Corgi Mix
The Corgi’s double coat and the Border Collie’s long hair result in a high-maintenance mixed breed puppy in terms of grooming.
Their fur needs daily brushing, especially during the shedding season. Regular brushing removes dead hair and eases future brushing and bathing sessions.
These dogs don’t need frequent bathing as the water may dry out their skin, make it flaky, and mess with the balance of natural oils in the dog’s coat. The natural oils every dog has are important because they keep the coat nice and shiny.
Bathing should be done every few weeks or sooner if the dog’s gotten very dirty. However, brushing their teeth should be done more often, at least three times a week, to avoid gum disease.
If you’re planning on grooming your Corgi Collie yourself, then you’ll need some essential grooming items:
A slicker brush is the perfect grooming tool for dogs with long coats, just like this Corgi and Border Collie cross. This brush weaves through the fur with no problem and removes shedding hair. Also, it saves so much more time than using a regular comb.
Detangling tools are a huge help since this mix breed can get its long coat in a pretty tangled mess. This tool will remove the tangled hair, leaving the coat smooth and easy to groom with a slicker brush. If you can afford it, get both brushes! Amazon has pretty good (and cheap) deals!
Dematting sprays are excellent helpers, but they’re not a must. However, it’s so much easier to have them on hand. They help soften and relax the hair, making it easier to brush.
Scissors, a good pair of scissors, are something every dog owner must own. They help owners eliminate knots and matted hair without having to drive them to the salon to have the dog shaved.
Are Border Collie Corgi Mix Pups Healthy Dogs?
The Border Collie Corgi cross is prone to some health problems that it may inherit from the parent breeds. As always, any bigger dog can suffer from conditions like bloat, atrophy, or hip dysplasia.
Some of the most common health issues with Corgi Collies are:
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is a physical health condition in dogs with short legs. As you can assume, this is a pretty common problem in Corgis. The Corgi Border Collie mix is also prone to achondroplasia, which can lead to other health issues.
Intervertebral disc disease
Intervertebral disc disease is a condition common among all dogs in general. The Corgi Border Collie mix can experience nerve damage, pain, and paralysis when the spine’s vertebrae discs bulge or burst.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a severe spinal condition. It happens when dogs have progressive leg paralysis. Degenerative myelopathy shows its symptoms when dogs start to walk funny with their hind legs. There is still no cure for this disease.
Von Willebrand disease
Von Willebrand disease happens when the Border Collie Corgi mix experiences excessive bleeding from small injuries. This is not to be played with. Von Willebrand’s is a severe bleeding disorder and significantly shortens the hybrid dog’s life.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a health condition that causes episodic seizures. Epilepsy occurs when the dog’s brain starts to experience unusual activity, leading to sudden changes in a dog’s movement. Since this is a rare condition, it only takes one parent breed to be the carrier of the disease and to transfer it to the offspring.
Border Collie Corgi Mix Food Requirements
The Border Collie Corgi mix needs to eat at least 3 cups of high-quality dog food daily to ensure proper health. The average diet for this mixed breed costs around $1.20 to $1.40 a day. The monthly cost is around $34 to $45.
Both parents, the Corgi and the Border Collie are prone to over-eating and becoming obese. The same issue occurs with their mixed puppy. This is exactly why you must avoid overfeeding a Corgi Collie.
A Corgi Border Collie mix owner must be strict about their dog’s diet and not fall for their begging and adorable puppy eyes every time a meal is on the table.
Sure, you can give them a bite of your food every now or then, but you should know which food is safe to give them.
Dogs should not eat chocolate, hummus, junk food like Doritos, pretzels, Cheez-its, Vienna sausages, spam, etc.
Instead, try giving them a bit of artichoke or Brussels sprouts off your plate. They’re gonna love it, and it benefits them too!
Why Is Exercising The Border Collie Corgi Mix Crucial?
Both parent breeds are highly active dogs. The Border Collie Corgi mix needs physical exercise to deplete its energy bar. Running around the house will not do the trick. They need something more extreme.
These activities should involve tasks that are perfect for this hybrid breed because of the parent’s herding instincts.
Thanks to their high energy level, the Corgi Collie needs to have at least 60 minutes of extreme exercise a day. For them to stay in shape, they will need to run or walk 12 miles a week.
If you’re willing to bring your dog along on your daily runs, make sure you get him on a long retractable leash. It will keep the dog and people around him safe and make him keep up with your pace.
Constant inactivity can bother the dog and make him start to misbehave and sometimes even become destructive.
Future owners must be aware that this hybrid dog requires an active owner. Couch potatoes are not their favorite.
Instead, include them in your daily tasks.
Here are some of the activities that a Border Collie Corgi mix puppy will enjoy:
• Swimming
• Yard play
• Long walks
• Hiking
• Obstacle courses
• Playing fetch
• Frisbee
• Herding
Why You Should Train Your Border Collie Corgi Mix
The Border Collie Corgi mix puppy will follow you everywhere. They have a very clingy nature and are eager to please their humans. Unfortunately, thanks to their high energy levels, these dogs can be quite a handful when it comes to training.
It’s a good thing that most owners understand that being there for their dog is the way to gain trust and establish a bond that will ease any training session.
Without proper training, the Corgi Border Collie mix will bark a lot at strangers (just like Border Collies), chase cars, and show aggression towards strangers. The owner must teach this crossbreed how to behave.
Since this puppy comes from two very smart parent breeds, it’s natural to assume the puppy will be among the smartest too. Thus, basic commands will be mastered in no time.
The biggest issue with untrained Corgi Collies is that they try to live independently and make everyone feel like they’re intruders. Also, they may act like bullies towards other pets in the house.
One way to curb their excessive energy is to have them go through agility courses as a part of their obedience training. Agility training keeps the dog healthy and in shape, while obedience lessons sharpen their mental acuity and problem-solving.
Using positive reinforcement with every training lesson should be a must when it comes to this breed. They respond well to rewards and will do their best to satisfy their owner and earn a treat.
Are Border Collie Corgi Mixes Good Family Dogs?
The Corgi and the Border Collie are two of the most popular family dogs in the US, which also puts their crossbreed at the top. Both dog breeds are known for being extremely good with kids, especially the Corgi.
The Border Collie Corgi mix can be an excellent family pet because of its intelligence, loyalty, and protective instincts. Sure, their huge amount of energy may be troubling for some people, but they will need to adapt and change their lifestyle to suit the Corgi Collie.
If you put them in their rightful place in the pack, the Corgi Border Collie mix will watch over you like a hawk!
Final Thoughts
When a crossbreed puppy comes from two amazing dog breeds, then it’s a no-brainer here: everyone should get a Corgi Border Collie mix. That is, everyone that finds their lifestyle A-okay.
We’ve already mentioned how energetic these pups are and that they need lots of exercise. Seriously, if you can’t commit to working out with them, then don’t get a Borgi. They become miserable if they lack physical activity.
If this is not an issue for you, then you’ll enjoy the Borgi’s kind temperament, playfulness, and all the affection they love to share.
Could they BE any more popular?
Yes, yes, they could. Time will prove it.
Read Next: The Border Collie Dachshund Mix — Who’s The Smartest Hot Dog?