The Husky is a long-time dog lover favorite when it comes to larger dog breeds, while Corgis are quickly becoming the most recognizable breed worldwide. Can there be anything cuter than them?
Yes, there can – a Corgi Husky mix!
Mixed breeds – also known as designer breeds or hybrid breeds – are canines from parents of two different breeds. In this case, we’re talking about a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and a purebred Siberian Husky.
These crossbreeds are the result of breeders attempting to eliminate flaws or unwanted traits of a certain breed by mixing it with another one. Although, sometimes the reason is simply for looks.
And who can judge them – this Corgi Husky mix breed is the cutest!
Here’s everything you need to know about this gorgeous crossbreed!
What Is A Corgi And Husky Mix Called?
Most crossbreeds have a name that is also a mix of their parent breeds’ names.
Since, in this case, the parents are a Siberian Husky and a Corgi, this mixed breed has become known under three names: Horgi, Corgski, and Siborgi.
While the names might sound ridiculous, don’t jump to conclusions just yet – this pup is adorable!
History
While fairly new if we look at all dog breeds, Horgis are far from the newest designer dogs out there. The first documented appearance of a Horgi takes us back to the late 1990s when both parent breeds reached popularity.
Both Corgis and Huskies are used to create several hybrid breeds, as both have wonderful traits that dog owners love and want to encourage. Eventually, it was only logical for them to be mixed together.
Thus, the Horgi was born.
Breed Origin
The exact origin of the Corgi Husky mix is difficult to say, as this is such a new breed. However, we can understand them a bit better if we know where the parent breeds come from.
The Corgi was bred to be a herding dog in Wales, United Kingdom. It is believed that they are descendants of Swedish cattle dogs and Vallhunds that Vikings brought with them in the 9th and 10th centuries.
The UK Kennel Club recognized them as a breed in the 1920s, and they were brought to the US in 1936. The breed is so loved that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, has several Corgis at Buckingham Palace.
Many people don’t realize that there are two Corgi breeds – the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Both can be used to create a Horgi.
The Husky, on the other hand, is a snow dog. It originates from Siberia, where Chukchi people used them as a means of transport and as guard dogs and working dogs.
In 1909, Huskies were brought to Alaska for sled racing. While the Husky import from Siberia stopped in 1930 when the borders were closed, the breed continued to thrive in North America.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Husky as a breed in 1930.
General Appearance
While it is challenging and nearly impossible to know how the offspring of a Corgi Husky mix will look, most puppies take after Corgis appearance-wise, especially when it comes to their size.
Most Horgis have a short stature due to the stubby, short legs they inherited from Corgis. Sometimes, however, they can be as large as the German Shepherd!
Because of this, it’s always recommended that the mother is the Husky, as a Corgi female would struggle to give birth to such large babies.
Their head is fox-shaped, and they usually have almond-shaped eyes that are usually brown but can be blue, just like Husky’s eyes, and erect ears that stand high on their heads.
Horgis have short, elongated bodies with straight backs. Their average weight is between 20 and 50 lbs, and most are 13 to 15 inches tall.
Coat
The Horgi will always have a thick double coat because both parent breeds have one. Where it can differ is the length, texture, and color.
Sometimes, the coat can be straight and dense, just like the Husky parent’s fur. More often than not, however, it will be thick and long, like the Corgi parents. Sometimes this crossbreed will even resemble a fluffy Corgi!
When it comes to color, the most desirable Horgis have the recognizable Husky pattern. However, their shades can range anywhere between black, red, cream, sable, brindle, and fawn – in other words, they can come in any Husky and Corgi colors. They will rarely come in just one color and will usually be either tri-color or in two different colors.
With this crossbreed, a high amount of shedding is to be expected. Both the Husky and the Corgi are huge shedders, so their offspring will be the same.
As a result, Horgis, just like their parents are not hypoallergenic. They are not suitable for people with allergies. In fact, they are almost certain to cause issues for people who suffer from dog allergies. If this is a concern for you, you might want to look into some other breeds.
Personality
Both the Corgi and Husky are active breeds that have high energy levels. The same applies to their crossbreed.
Horgis are playful and friendly dogs that love spending time with people! In fact, they are extremely friendly towards anyone, including strangers. Because of this, they aren’t a good choice if you’re looking for a good guard dog or watchdog.
While they might not protect your home, these doggies make loyal companions, and they are perfect family pets. They’ll want to be a part of everything you do! In fact, they’ll thrive in social gatherings, where they can be the center of attention and meet plenty of new friends.
Due to their high energy levels and Husky roots, Horgis love spending time outside. They’ll spend a lot of time hunting small animals such as birds, and they have strong herding insects.
Horgis will love accompanying you while jogging, going on long walks, or out doing exercise outdoors. While rarely aggressive, they’ll remain alert, believing they’re taking care of you. Their high activity levels mean they’ll need long, daily walks and extensive games of fetch.
Keep in mind that these can be loud dogs, are Corgis are known barkers. Fortunately, Huskies are known to be a bit more silent dogs – although they are known to howl, something that Corgis rarely do. If you’re lucky, you might end up with a fairly quiet dog.
Horgis are intelligent dogs that love to please their owners. This makes them very trainable, and you won’t have any issues teaching them new tricks. However, you’ll have to train them from puppyhood, as they love testing you to see how much they can get away with.
As they’re very smart and full of energy, you have to keep your Horgi pooch entertained all the time. They’ll need all the mental and physical stimulation they can get! Otherwise, don’t be surprised if they become destructive and take it out on your furniture, shoes, or even walls.
When it comes to training, consistency is key. Speaking gently but firmly is an essential tip, and Horgis will love doing what you want if they know that it’s pleasing you.
Another good tip is to crate train them. Crate training is a great way of ensuring your Horgi isn’t destructive when you leave him alone at home.
Not just that, but crate training is an excellent method for keeping your pup calm during long car trips.
If your dog is happy in his crate, it will become his safe space. In his crate, he’ll find some peace and quiet, and you’ll also have a place to keep him while you’re away. A crate isn’t a cage – it’s a place your Corgi Husky mix will consider home.
Socialization is key, as well. Corgis tend to be somewhat picky about who they’ll be friends with. Even though Horgis are mostly gentle in nature, you still want to make sure they’re used to being with other people and animals.
At the same time, Horgis are excellent with children! This breed has all the traits you’re looking for in a great family pet. The Husky Corgi mix will love playtime with little kids, and these dogs tend to be very affectionate.
If you’ve socialized them properly, Horgis will get along with kids they don’t know as well.
However, it is worth noting that you should never leave your Horgi (or any other dog, for that matter) with very small children unsupervised.
These pups come from herding dogs, and some Horgis still have these instincts. Just like their Corgi parents, Horgis, too, might sometimes nip at the feet of young children, believing they need to herd them.
Health And Life Expectancy
Overall, designer breeds are healthy dogs. This is because they have the advantage of hybrid vigor.
Hybrid vigor is a trait mixed dogs have. Many purebred dogs have been inbred, so their genetic pool isn’t very wide. This means that they can have plenty of bad genes and nowhere to get good ones from.
However, when you mix two different breed dogs, you expand the genetic pool and bring healthy genes into the bloodline. In fact, due to the natural laws of inheritance, a mixed dog is likely to inherit only healthy genes from both of its parents.
This means that hybrid breeds tend to be a lot healthier than their parents.
Despite this, they can still inherit some health issues from their parents. Below are some of the main health problems pet owners should be aware of:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that typically plagues larger dogs, but some smaller dog breeds are also prone to it.
It happens when the thigh bone doesn’t fit correctly into the hip joint. This will cause your pooch pain.
Some dogs will let you know one or both of their back legs are hurting them. They might even experience lameness. With others, however, you might never know there is a problem.
Luckily, hip dysplasia is treatable, especially if noticed in time. While physical rehabilitation can help, it can be somewhat reduced if you feed your dog only high-quality kibbles and dog food rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Degenerative Myelopathy
This is a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord. It can result in paralysis of the hind legs, which will severely affect the everyday life of your pooch.
Unfortunately, degenerative myelopathy cannot be cured or prevented, but you can treat it with intensive physical rehabilitation.
With good treatment, dogs suffering from this terrible condition can still live long, fulfilled lives.
Von Willebrand Disease
This is one of those diseases that can affect both humans and canines.
It’s a severe illness that affects the clotting process, creating life-threatening issues for your pup.
There is no cure for von Willebrand disease, but there are effective treatments that can entirely change the outcome. One of the ways to treat it is for your vet to perform minor, routine surgery.
Other Health Problems
Other than these diseases, Horgis might be prone to a few more health conditions. One of them is back pain, which is common for all dogs with small legs, such as Daschunds.
Horgis can also have eye problems, as well as obesity, especially if you’ve neutered or spayed them. Some might also have epilepsy, a neurological disease that triggers seizures. It’s common in many small dogs, such as Pomeranians and Corgis.
Regular vet visits are the key to keeping your dogs healthy and pain-free. All of these diseases can be treated if your vet notices them in time and starts treatment early enough.
It would also help if you only get your pups from reputable breeders that conduct genetic testing on both parents – and often on the puppies as well. These breeders take a lot of time to ensure they’re selling only the best puppies that are free of genetic health problems.
Lifespan
It is always hard to think about the moment when your beloved pet will no longer be with you, but sometimes this is a necessity. Luckily, some dog breeds live longer than others.
A Siberian Husky lives around 12 years, but it isn’t uncommon for this breed to live up to 15 or more years. This is the same expected lifespan of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
As a result, Horgis will also typically live between 12 and 15 years.
Daily Life With A Corgi Husky Mix
We’ve talked about the Husky Corgi mix’s traits, so you can know what to expect regarding their health, appearance, and expected personality. But what is it actually like to own a Horgi?
Here’s what you’ll need to pay attention to when a Husky Corgi mix is a part of your daily life.
Diet
Despite their high activity levels, the Husky Corgi mix can easily gain weight. They can quickly become overweight or even obese! This is something you shouldn’t want for your pooch.
Monitor his diet all the time. Make sure the dog food you’re giving him is adjusted to his age, weight, and activity level. You can’t feed your Corgi mix puppy the same as you would an adult dog!
Also, consult your vet about how much of a certain food you should be giving to your pup. Some commercial food packaging has this information written on the labels, but not all.
Most experts recommend feeding Horgis with kibbles formulated for small to medium dog breeds with high activity levels. They’ll even add foods that regulate a dog’s weight on the list, as Horgis are prone to weight gain.
Never allow your Horgi to decide how much food is enough. If you let him, he’ll probably eat until he bursts! Also, limit the number of treats he gets.
Extra weight doesn’t just look funny. It can also cause problems with your dog’s internal organs. Not just that, but it will increase the pressure on their short legs and back, which can increase their chances of suffering from degenerative conditions.
Activity Levels
Just like their parents, Horgis are a very active breed. They need at least half an hour of challenging daily exercise to feel comfortable. This doesn’t include walking, which is important but doesn’t equal exercise.
Since both parent breeds are working dogs, Horgis have that energy they need to release too. If they don’t get enough exercise, they can become destructive or even depressed. At the same time, without exercise, they’ll gain extra weight fast.
When taking your Horgi on walks, make sure to keep him on a leash. This is especially important if your dog doesn’t have good recall.
Horgis have a high prey drive, and they will often chase squirrels, pigeons, or even cats! This can get them in huge trouble, especially if there’s a road nearby.
Training
We’ve already talked a bit about Horgi training, but some things are still worth mentioning again, a bit more in-depth.
As you’ve already learned, the Horgi is an intelligent dog breed that loves to please its owner. This is something you should use to your advantage by using positive reinforcement and reward-based training. This includes both treats and verbal praise.
Don’t get frustrated or angry with your dog if he doesn’t do something right. Chances are he won’t understand what is going on, and this behavior might even traumatize him.
A traumatized dog will lose the will to learn!
Ignore negative behavior while praising positive one. This will help them learn what behavior is desirable.
It is unnecessary to mention that you should never, EVER, hit your Horgi, even if he made a big mistake. This won’t help him learn – quite the opposite.
Keep in mind that Horgis have a stubborn streak that can make them want to do things their own way. This is another reason why it’s important to train them as early as possible. It’s easier to learn positive behavior than to unlearn negative ones.
Photo from @tako.thekleekai
Socialization
While Horgis are sociable dogs that love to make new friends, they still need to be socialized from puppyhood, especially if their personality leans more towards the somewhat grumpy Corgi temperament.
You should introduce your puppy to as many new sounds, sights, smells, environments, animals, and people as possible. Do this in a calm and controlled way so they don’t get scared.
This way, they’ll learn how to behave in different situations with certain animals and humans around them, and they’ll grow up to become well-behaved dogs.
Grooming
As we’ve already mentioned, Horgis will shed – a lot. This is the biggest downside of this breed. They are not good for people with allergies or people who love having their house free from dog hair.
You should brush your Horgi every day, especially in the spring, when it’s shedding season. This will help you keep at least a bit of that shedding under control, and it will keep their coat looking shiny and clean.
You might even consider taking your pet to the groomer every now and then, especially if your pup has an issue with tangled or matted hair. Also, bathe him just like you would bathe a purebred Husky. Make that an even more common activity if he loves getting dirty!
Don’t clip your Horgi’s coat, no matter how tempting this might be. The double coat serves as a protective layer from the heat and cold, so it has its purpose, and you should let it be. However, you or your groomer might want to clip his toenails.
Also, brush your dog’s teeth two to three times a week. You don’t want your dog to have dental decay – not to mention bad breath!
How Much Is A Corgi Husky Mix?
A Horgi puppy isn’t as expensive as you might think, especially if we look at the price of its Corgi parent. Most breeders sell them for between $300 and $800. Considering we’re talking about a designer breed, this is very affordable.
However, it might be difficult to find a Corgi Husky mix puppy since they are extremely rare.
Also, it’s always important to look for a reputable breeder who will conduct all the necessary DNA testing to make sure all puppies are in good health. Knowing the genetics of your puppy can be of great help.
Is A Corgi Husky Mix The Right Dog For Me?
Horgis are among the cutest dog breeds out there – but does that mean they are the best pet for you?
Both Huskies and Corgis are beloved dog breeds all across the world. Without their amazing personalities, this probably wouldn’t be the case. They make wonderful family pets and are especially good with little children!
If you’re looking to buy or adopt a dog that will be a long-term companion to your kids, the Horgi is a great dog for this!
However, it won’t do a good job as a guard dog – in fact, it will probably befriend an intruder and perhaps even help him get up to some mischief!
Their adorable good looks come from their short stature and interestingly-looking fur. However, that same fur doesn’t make them a good choice for people who suffer from dog allergies. They are serious shedders, and you can expect to do a lot of vacuuming every single day!
As a hybrid breed, Horgis are fairly healthy dogs. However, you should still be on the lookout for any diseases their parents might be prone to. Always look for reputable breeders, and have your vet check your new pup.
Also, these little dogs are fairly active, and they need to spend a lot of time outdoors. And since they love their owners to death, you won’t want to leave them home alone for longer than absolutely necessary.
You might even love to check out some other Husky mixes, such as the French Bulldog Husky mix, the Dalmatian Husky mix or the Blue Heeler Husky mix.
So, is a Horgi the right dog for you?
That depends on your own wants, preferences, and possibilities. Only you can determine which animal is right for you.
However, if you’re looking for a fun, adorable family pet and don’t mind cleaning up a bit of hair, you should definitely consider this adorable mixed breed!
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