Corgi Doberman Mix: The Ultimate Guide

Published: 01/02/23 •  13 min read

The Corgi Doberman Mix is a medium-sized mixed breed dog created by mixing the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with the Doberman Pinscher. The Corgi is renowned for being affectionate, friendly, and even-tempered, while the Doberman Pinscher is active, loyal, and gentle around children. 

Corgi Doberman Mix
Photo: Instagram

Separately, both of these dogs are highly favored as family dogs, best suited for the active family unit. Together, they make an interesting-looking creation with a temperament that absorbs the best of their parent breeds. 

To learn about the Corgi Doberman mix, we’ll look at both parent breeds in detail, including their history, temperaments, lifestyles, popularity, and more – to give you a better idea of what to expect from your Doberman Corgi mix.

Corgi Doberman Mix – At a Glance

Weight:25 – 50 pounds
Height:12 – 16 inches
Lifespan:10 – 12 years
Coat Colors:Black, brown, red, tan
Temperament:Intelligent, loyal, playful, affectionate, gentle
Most Suitable For:Families, single individuals, companion and guardian dogs

What Does a Corgi Doberman Mix Look Like?

Corgi Doberman Mix
Photo: Instagram

Like most designer dogs, the Corgi Doberman mix will share the physical appearance of its parent breeds. You’ll likely find that the Doberman Corgi has an elongated body and upright, pointed ears of its Welsh Corgi parent. Yet, has the intimidating face of a Doberman Pinscher.

Regarding coat color, the Doberman Corgi is likely to inherit the Doberman’s classic black and tan look, but it can also come in a brindle coat pattern. Like a Corgi undercoat, a white coat is less common but also possible.

As Doberman Pinschers and Corgis tend to have short coat types, you can expect your Doberman Corgi mix to have that length; however, Welsh Corgis sometimes have double coats, which is also possible.

As with most mixed-breed dogs, their physical appearance is a mystery, as they can look more like either parent breed, although a Welsh Corgi Mix will tend to inherit the size and short-leggedness that make the Welsh Corgi a standout breed.

The History of the Corgi Doberman Mix

The Corgi Doberman mix doesn’t have much of a history to speak of. Designer breeds like the Doberman Corgi mix emerged in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s as crossbreeding became popular in the U.S. 

We can glean what we don’t know about the Doberman Corgi from their parents – the Doberman Pinscher and Welsh Corgi, as we have an extensive history of these breeds. One can understand why one might want to cross a Doberman Pinscher with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi – perhaps to get a more interesting coat color (like a black coat) and a slightly feistier temperament out of the dog.

Both dogs are highly intelligent breeds, so this might also have been a factor in the decision to begin crossbreeding – producing an intelligently superior breed, with the herding nature of the Corgi and the protective nature of the Doberman Pinscher.

Let’s explore their parent breeds in detail to discover more about the Doberman Corgi!

The History of the Doberman

The History of the Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher was first created in Germany by Louis Dobermann in the mid-19th century. Dobermann created the Doberman Pinscher as a protection dog – as a tax collector, Dobermann frequently encountered dangerous situations where he was robbed. To combat this, Dobermann created a fierce, tall, and muscular companion to aid him in his tax collection route.

Many experts believe that the Doberman Pinscher was a creation of mixing Beaucerons, Rottweilers, the Weimaraner, and the German Pinscher. These four breeds would have given Dobermann the size he was looking for, along with the physique and coat coloring that was intimidating in and of itself. There is also some suspicion that the German Shepherd was also used to create the Doberman Pinscher.

Since their creation, Doberman Pinschers have been used extensively in policing roles, as well as being the official war dog of the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War.

Modern Doberman Pinschers are very much in the role of protective family pets. Though they have very high activity levels, they need to be with a family that can exercise them properly.

How Popular Are Dobermans in the United States?

The American Kennel Club first recognized the Doberman Pinscher in 1908, shortly after the first Dobermans were imported to the United States.

In 2021, the Doberman Pinscher was ranked as the 16th most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.

Who Are Dobermans a Good Dog For?

Doberman Pinschers are most commonly found among athletic/outdoorsy families. Their size and strength – never mind their exercise requirements – don’t make them good fits for the elderly.

The Doberman Pinscher is a notoriously affectionate and loving dog. However, some have been known to be aloof and even aggressive towards strangers – it might be worth exercising caution if you’re out and about with your Doberman Pinscher, particularly if they’re not used to encountering strangers regularly.

Part of this behavior can be corrected or mitigated with socialization and obedience training. Doberman Pinschers make wonderful family pets for the active family unit. Though they’re not suited for everyone before you adopt or purchase a Doberman (from a reputable breeder), be sure of your decision.

How Did Dobermans Come About?

The Doberman Pinscher was the creation of Louis Dobermann, a tax collector and dog breeder in Germany in the mid-19th century. Dobermann was searching for a tall, intimidating breed that could accompany him on his tax-collecting routes to ward off potential thieves.

Dobermann created the Doberman Pinscher by crossbreeding the Beauceron, German Pinscher, German Shepherd, Rottweilers, and Weimaraner. 

When Did We First Cross-Breed The Doberman?

Most people who own Doberman Pinschers tend to keep them as purebred dogs due to their positive traits. Very few Doberman Pinschers have been crossbred throughout their history, as a result – until recently.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, crossbreeding became very popular across the United States, beginning in the 1960s. This resulted in many different breeds being crossed with one another, from small dogs to big dogs. The Doberman Pinscher wasn’t spared, either.

Popular Doberman Pinscher crosses include:

The History of the Corgi

The History of the Corgi

The Welsh Corgi has an extensive history, dating back to the early 12th century when they arrived on Welsh shores with Flemish weavers, who had brought them as companion and herding dogs from modern-day Belgium when they relocated to Wales.

Maintaining their herding breed status for several centuries, the Welsh Corgi was eventually replaced by stronger, taller breeds. Following this, the Welsh Corgi became a staple in British homes – even catching the eye of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen would go on to own thirty Pembroke Welsh Corgis during her lifetime, even creating a crossbreed – the Dorgi – crossing her sister, Princess Margaret’s Dachshund, with her own Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does have a cousin – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. This breed is the second of two Welsh Corgi breeds and was bred in Cardigan, Carmarthenshire, Wales.  Up until the 1920s, both the Cardigan Welsh and Pembroke Welsh Corgis were classified as a singular breed.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi isn’t quite as popular as its blonde Pembroke Welsh cousin.

How Popular Are Corgis in the United States?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis enjoy a very popular following in the United States, mostly owing to their fantastic temperament, small size, and popularity in “The Crown,” which was a big hit in the United States.

Like in Europe, however, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi lags significantly behind Pembroke Welsh in American popularity.

According to the American Kennel Club, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi was the 11th most popular dog in the United States in 2021. Meanwhile, the Cardigan Welsh ranked 67th most popular. 

Who Are Corgis a Good Dog For?

Welsh Corgis are often seen as wonderful pets for everyone – and while there is certainly much truth in that, we should advise that if you’re in an apartment-living situation, there is a chance that your Corgi could suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for a long period. This isn’t good for the dog, your living situation, or your neighbors.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are best kept as family pets, as they are typically gentle and loving with children and other dogs – however, bear in mind that they may try to ‘herd’ your Youngling, so be aware of this when the kids and dog are playing together.

How Did Corgis Come About?

Welsh Corgis were first brought to Wales by Flemish weavers in the early part of the 12th century, around 1107 A.D. They were originally kept as herding dogs, but as centuries progressed, they were replaced by bigger, stronger dogs and became companion pets instead.

It’s a role they adjusted to seamlessly and are routinely among some of the most popular dogs in the UK and North America. Queen Elizabeth II even kept them during her reign.

When Did We First Cross-Breed The Corgi?

The Corgi has long been a very popular family pet, leading to an increase in demand for a Welsh Corgi mix, particularly among those who love mixed-breed dogs, as opposed to purebred dogs. There are a few popular Welsh Corgi mixes, these include:

How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?

Adopting or buying a dog is a huge responsibility you shouldn’t take lightly. Before adopting or purchasing any dog breed, we highly recommend that you research the temperamental possibilities of your potential new dog. 

You want to ensure your, and your dog’s temperaments will not collide. If you are an active, outdoorsy family, you want to ensure that you get a dog that can enjoy your outdoor time with you rather than being left alone. Similarly, if you’re a family that prefers to be inside, you’ll want a low-maintenance dog that doesn’t need much physical activity.

Having a temperamental mismatch with a new dog may result in you needing to spend time and money on training your dog, or worse, needing to re-home the animal as the mismatch is causing behavioral issues or dysfunction, or unhappiness within the family home.

Re-homing or returning a dog to where it came from is one of the most traumatic experiences for any dog. Make sure you research doggy temperaments and pick the one that will most likely suit you and your family.

What is the Temperament of the Corgi Doberman Mix?

The Corgi Doberman mix has a blend of temperaments from both parent breeds. This includes the friendly, outgoing nature of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, combined with the active, energetic nature of the Doberman Pinscher.

Despite its small size, you can expect your Doberman Corgi to be a loyal and protective pet for your family. Your Doberman Corgi will require plenty of exercise. They may also exhibit stubbornness thanks to their Welsh Corgi genes. This may require a firm owner and sufficient training to overcome. 

Is The Corgi Doberman Mix Friendly?

Yes! You can expect your Doberman Corgi mix to be a very friendly dog. Doberman Pinschers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend to be friendly parent breeds.

Is The Corgi Doberman Mix Easy to Train?

You might see a bit of stubbornness in the Doberman Corgi, but this can be rectified with continuous, positive reinforcement training. In general, however, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Doberman Pinscher are used to following commands.

How Much Can A Corgi Doberman Mix Weigh?

The average weight of a Doberman Corgi mix is between 25 and 50 pounds.

How Tall Can A Corgi Doberman Mix Get?

The average height of the Doberman Welsh Corgi mix is between 12 and 16 inches tall.

Similar Sized Breeds

There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Doberman Welsh Corgi mix. These include:

Does the Corgi Doberman Mix Shed?

You can expect your Corgi Doberman mix to be a moderate shedder. A weekly brush should take care of most of the shedding. However, if your Doberman Corgi has a double coat, it may require extra brushing, as they may ‘blow’ their coat twice a year.

How Much Exercise Does A Corgi Doberman Mix Require?

The Doberman Corgi is a very active breed, requiring at least 45 minutes to an hour of exercise daily, preferably with some off-leash time – or at least a visit to an off-leash dog park on the weekends.

Doberman Corgis prefer to live an active lifestyle.

How Long Can a Corgi Doberman Mix Live?

The average lifespan of a Doberman Corgi mix is between 10 and 12 years.

What Health Conditions Could the Corgi Doberman Mix Have?

How Can You Find a Corgi Doberman Mix Puppy For Sale?

Let’s say you’ve decided to buy a Doberman Corgi puppy. You’re looking high and low but can’t find one close enough or cheap enough to make it worthwhile.

Have you considered adoption instead? At any given time, there are thousands of dogs put up for adoption across the United States. Some of these may be mixed-breed puppies like the Doberman Corgi, which is either the result of accidental mating or unwanted by their owners.

Adoption is a great way to save lives and give dogs fantastic homes that would otherwise languish in animal shelters and vet clinics.

If you’re going down the adoption route, but have been unsuccessful at either shelters or clinics, you can check out AdoptAPet.com to see if there’s a Doberman Corgi in your local area.

How Much Does a Corgi Doberman Mix Puppy Cost?

The average cost of a Corgi Doberman mix is around $500. While this might not seem like much, you will still find adoption the cheaper alternative. 

To learn more about breeders, adoptions, and avoiding puppy mills, consider reading our article about finding and working with a reputable breeder.

Is the Corgi Doberman Mix the Right Breed For You?

If you’ve made it this far, you may wonder what else there is to say about the Doberman Pinscher, Welsh Corgi, or the Corgi Doberman mix. And you’d be right to wonder… there isn’t very much else to say! If you think you can provide an active lifestyle and a loving family home to a Corgi Doberman, inquire at your local vets, animal shelter or online about adopting one!

If you know that the Corgi Doberman isn’t the right breed for you, consider reading our other breed guides for more information about different mixed breeds that might be more suitable.

Nick Meagher

I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.

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