All About the Dorgi Dog Breed: Personality, Appearance, and More

Sometimes mixed breed dogs are overlooked, which is unfortunate since they are just as deserving of loving homes as purebred dogs. There are endless combinations of various dog breeds that mate and produce the cutest offspring. The Dorgi is no exception. These dogs are the result of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Dachshund mating. This article will share all of the information there is to know about Dorgis, from their personality and appearance to their diet and grooming needs.

What is a Dorgi?

A Dorgi is just as the name sounds – a cross between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Dachshund. Since both of the parent breeds have long bodies, short legs, and large ears, the resulting puppies do as well. Not only are they unbelievably cute, but Corgi Dachshund mix also has fun-loving and affectionate personalities.

Breed History

The exact origins of Dorgis are not entirely well-known. They are considered to be a designer crossbreed, so their history is not documented in great detail. However, it is widely believed that the late Queen Elizabeth II was at least partially responsible for the start of the Dorgi breed. The Queen loved Corgis and had many of them as pets throughout her lifetime. Her sister, Princess Margaret, was a lover of Dachshunds. It is believed that two of their dogs mated and produced the first litter of Dorgis. Queen Elizabeth II did have Dorgis as pets, including one named Candy. ^[1]

Fun Facts About the Breed

Since the Dorgi is a hybrid breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry. ^[1]

The two breeds that produce Dorgis tend to have a stubborn streak, so it is not uncommon for dachshund corgi mix puppies to be stubborn as well. It is important to begin training them at an early age. Despite their potential for stubbornness, they are also very sweet and friendly dogs that form a deep bond with their owner.

READ MORE: Corgi Breeds

Appearance

Weight	15 to 28 pounds
Height	9 to 12 inches
Colors and Patterns	black, brown, chocolate, gray, tan, sable, fawn, red, white, or a combination of any; some may have solid tri-color markings or spots
Coat Type	can be either smooth, wiry or a mix of both; medium-length
Average Lifespan	12 to 15 years

Temperament and Personality

Dorgis are typically described as goofy and fun-loving. They are also not afraid to show a bit of sass and stubbornness. Because of this, you may experience some difficulties with obedience training, but it is vital to remain consistent and firm. Here is a list and ranking of some Dorgi personality traits and tendencies.

Adaptability	3 out of 5
Adapts to apartment living	4 out of 5
Adapts to being alone	1 out of 5
Energy level	4 out of 5
Tolerates cold weather	4 out of 5
Tolerates hot weather	3 out of 5
All-around friendliness	4 out of 5
Affectionate with family	4 out of 5
Kid-friendly	4 out of 5
Dog-friendly	4 out of 5
Cat-friendly	4 out of 5
Friendly with strangers	1 out of 5
Health and grooming	3 out of 5
Shedding	3 out of 5
Drooling	2 out of 5
Easy to groom	4 out of 5

READ MORE: Friendliest Dog Breeds

Activity Levels and Exercise Needs

A Dorgi will not be happy if they are cooped up inside all day. They enjoy mental and physical stimulation, such as playing with toys and running around outdoors at the dog park. Dorgis adapt well to living in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise. They do not need hours of exercise each day, but a daily 30-minute walk around the neighborhood, accompanied by some play time, should suffice. They also enjoy playing with other dogs.

Trainability

Dorgis are quite intelligent dogs, but they sometimes like to do things their way. If your Dorgi puppy begins to show signs of stubbornness, it is important to mitigate that as early on as possible. They need to know that you are the alpha. These dogs are food motivated, so be sure to have some small training treats on hand and use positive reinforcement.

Some Dorgis do not enjoy being left alone. If they begin to show signs of separation anxiety, only leave them alone for short periods and then gradually increase the amount of time that you are gone. ^[1] If you travel a lot, consider hiring a dog sitter or someone else that you trust to come keep your Dorgi company. When you are away, you can also try playing music or leaving the TV on for your dog.

Health

It is possible for a Dorgi to potentially inherit health problems that are relative to the respective parent breeds. Since both the Corgi and Dachshund have long bodies, it is important to keep their weight under control so excess weight does not cause spinal problems. These dogs are prone to obesity since they love to eat, but be mindful of how many treats you feed a Dorgi. Excess weight on a dog of that stature can lead to back pain, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia. Regular exercise and monitoring their diet can help prevent obesity. Some Dorgis may develop cataracts or other eye problems as well. ^[1]

Diet

Speaking of monitoring a Corgi Dachshund mix diet, it should be curated based on their size and activity levels. It might be a good idea to create a feeding schedule rather than leaving food out in their bowl since they are prone to overeating. This can be broken up into two larger meals per day (morning and evening) or three smaller meals. You should feed your dog high-quality food that does not contain artificial fillers. Ask your vet for the best recommendations.

Grooming

Most Dorgis have a dense, medium-length coat. Some may either have a smooth or wiry coat or a combination of both. It will depend on which traits are inherited from the parents. The Dorgi is not known to shed excessively, but regular grooming is still required. Luckily, they are quite easy to groom. Giving them a good brushing one to two times per week should do the trick. You should also bathe your Dorgi regularly, but not excessively, and keep their nails trimmed.

Breeders and Adoption

It may be difficult to find a breeder that exclusively breeds Dorgi puppies. This is due to them being a mixed breed and not being extremely popular. However, that is not to say these breeders do not exist, but it is going to take some research to find one. It is estimated that Corgi Dachshund mix dogs only have one litter per year consisting of two to five puppies. ^[3] Always remember to be on the lookout for breeders who are not trustworthy or transparent.

If you choose to look for a Dorgi through a rescue group that is meant for either Corgis or Dachshunds, you may have a better chance of finding one. These breed-specific rescue groups often take in dogs that are mixes of the respective breed as well. One rescue group you could try is the Dachshund Rescue of North America. ^[2]

Don’t forget to try looking at your local animal shelter also. You never know, there may be a Dorgi there waiting for their forever home!

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Conclusion

There are endless dog breeds to choose from when bringing a new dog into your life, but don’t forget about mixed-breed dogs! The Dorgi is the best of both worlds since it is a combination of two beloved breeds – the Corgi and the Dachshund. They are the perfect dog for apartment living, so long as they get their exercise, and they will keep you on your toes with their goofy antics. We hope this article armed you with the knowledge of whether or not the Dorgi could be the perfect faithful companion to you!

READ MORE: 20 World’s Calmest Dogs

Article Sources:

1. Selvaggio, Lisa. “Dorgi.” Pet Guide, 19 January 2023, https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/dorgi/
2. “Dorgi.” Dog Time. https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/dorgi#/slide/1
3. Braby, Emma. “Dachshund Corgi Mix: Dorgi Breed Information (Puppy Prices & More).” Love Your Dog. 13 September 2022, https://www.loveyourdog.com/dachshund-corgi-mix/.