The Australian Shepherd crossed with a Corgi goes by the name of Aussie Corgi, the Augie, or the Australian Shepherd Corgi Mix. The Aussie Corgi is a charismatic bouncy ball of doggy energy, who is often small like the Corgi, with the colorings of the Australian Shepherd. But there is much more to this little guy than his good looks.
In this guide, we will talk a little about his parents, and their main appearance and temperament traits, and that way you will get a better idea about what you can typically expect from their puppies. With any designer pooch though, you need to be aware that the Aussie Corgi can take on any trait of either parent, in any combination, so you need to be a little open-minded before you welcome one of these guys into your home.
What you can expect though, is lots of fun, lots of energy, and a seriously cheeky chap! Has he got the looks? Check. And has he got an awesome personality? Check. Is he the dog breed for you? Well, let’s find out!
Parent Breeds
In order to understand the Aussie Corgi, it is crucial to learn a little about the parent breeds and what they are all about. While some of the smaller Australian Shepherds may look slightly like Corgis, they are actually quite different and have a completely different background. Let’s jump in!
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd does not come from Australia, he is the product of traveling farmers and ranchers, and his final destination, and where he is thought to have been created, is North America. Nonetheless, he is described as smart, work-oriented, and exuberant. Created as a herding dog, he has lots of energy and is very intelligent and trainable.
This breed can often be found working on ranches alongside cowboys, sniffing out drugs, working as a therapy dog as well as searching and rescuing. With his energy and versatility comes an intense canine and one who cannot sit still for very long.
In 2020, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has ranked this breed as the 17th most popular dog in America. This cowboy companion stands between 18 and 23 inches tall and weighs 45 to 60 pounds. The Aussie has become one of the most popular parent breeds to mix with others to achieve unique-looking mixed breed pups.
Corgi
There are two types of Corgi, one being the Pembroke Corgi and one being the Cardigan Corgi, and while there are very similar to one another, there are some subtle differences between the two. The Aussie Corgi can have either parent.
The Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis have very similar temperaments, health concerns, and lifespans. They both come from across the pond in England, and they are also herding dogs that use their short frame to nip at the heels of cattle. He is described as affectionate, smart, and alert, and again is an intense little dude whom everyone adores.
In 2020, the AKC has ranked the breed as the 13th most popular dog breed in America. This short and long boy stands at 10 to 12 inches tall, and weighs up to 30 pounds, so much smaller than the Australian Shepherd parent. Corgi mixes are also becoming more popular, although creating designer dogs with this parent breed is difficult due to their unique size and shape.
Augie
Whether you love or hate the idea of designer dogs, they are popular and here to stay. The Aussie Corgi is quickly rising in popularity, and for good reason. They are excellent family dogs and can have an extremely unique look. This separates them from many other breeds of designer dogs. Let’s take a look at what makes them so great.
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd Corgi mix is obviously going to be a naturally great herder, with both his parents being amongst the best herders around. With their shorter frame, they may inherit the tendency to nip ankles, or they may stick to the classic Aussie stare, but either way, they will be herding the cows ‘til the sun comes down! This is fantastic if you are seeking a herding dog with a twist, but it is a behavior that needs to be discouraged in the home if you have a young family.
Being an affectionate dog, he will love to spend time with his family, and he can be very affectionate too, so you can expect a great snuggle after a hard day’s work. The Aussie Shepherd can be a little aloof with strangers, but thanks to the Corgi parents’ bubbly personality he will warm up to strangers in no time. Being super sociable, he is not a fan of spending too long on his own, so be sure to invest in a crate if he is an anxious guy.
Alongside his herding skills, he can also be a territorial dog if he feels that you are intruding and interfering with his family. For this reason, he can be quite a barky pup which is great if you are looking for a watchdog.
You can expect that this guy will be full of beans, and so you will need to match his energy. If you prefer the company of a lapdog then the Aussie Corgi is not the one for you! Instead, if you like interactive games, doggy hide and seek, agility courses, and long weekend walks then he could be the breed for you.
Size & Appearance
The Australian Shepherd Corgi mix will usually take the Corgi’s long body shape with the Australian Shepherd coat. He will of course be a bit taller than the Corgi, and he will measure anywhere between 12 and 18 inches. He will weigh somewhere between 25 and 45 pounds, so he will be a medium-sized doggo.
His cheeky Corgi parent will pass on his cheeky smile, and combining that with his large round eyes and larger-than-life erect triangle ears he will have a mischievous demeanor about him. There is also a high chance that he will inherit the different colored eyes of the Australian Shepherd, which is not only a strikingly beautiful characteristic, but it comes with a price tag as it is such a desirable and unique look.
Coat & Colors
The Aussie Corgi pooch, just like both of his parents, will have a thick and dense coat that is designed to keep him warm while working his herds. This thick coat will shed moderately throughout the year, and you can expect a full blowout during shedding season so you best get your vacuum ready!
His coat will usually take after the Aussie Shepherd parent, in that it will be a bit longer than the Corgi parent, and it will usually take his beautiful coloring too.
Exercise & Living Conditions
The Aussie Corgi will need around 60 minutes of intense exercise every day, and unless you want him to destroy your home and homely possessions, you need to be able to guarantee him this. Being a workaholic who is also seriously intelligent, you will need to vary his exercise routine, so be sure to include running, agility courses, and fetch into the exercise equation. A happy Aussie Corgi is a busy one, so be sure to keep him on his toes.
If he takes after his Corgi parent and inherits the shorter legs and longer spine, there is a chance that he could suffer from Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), and as such he might need a little help climbing onto sofas or taking on the stairs so to avoid any injuries. So, if you have anything of great height that he will likely jump up to or down from, be sure to help him or invest in some doggy ramps, so he needs an observant and helpful family.
The Australian Shepherd Corgi mix will be suited to a home with young children and pets, just as long as he doesn’t herd them. Again, this comes down to discouraging this behavior, which we will cover in the next section. But generally, the Aussie Corgi is affectionate with all family members, and really just wants to be everyone’s friend.
Training
He will need obedience training to ensure that he does not bring his herding techniques into the home, and while anyone can do this with these tips, he will often need professional obedience training to overcome his natural impulses. This is also much easier to manage if he is socialized well as a puppy, as he will quickly learn from other dogs that this behavior will not be tolerated, as well as ensuring he grows into a confident and polite pup.
As previously mentioned, the Aussie Corgi might not like being left home for too long, and as such crate training is advisable. Not only does this give him a safe haven in the home, but it will also make your life a whole lot easier knowing that he is happy and cannot eat your furniture when you aren’t at home.
Positive reinforcement training is also advised here, and if he’s anything like the Corgi then he will love a treat or three, but if not then plenty of praise and encouragement will work wonders too. The Aussie Corgi might not listen at first, but this is simply because of his boundless energy, but be persistent with your training and his intelligence and drive will soon take over.
Health
The Australian Shepherd Corgi mix is a healthy pooch who will live between 12 to 14 years. He is susceptible to any health concern that affects either parent, but here are the main ones to look out for:
IVDD is a disease that affects dogs who are shaped like the Corgi or a Dachshund. Shorter legs and a long spine mean that he cannot tackle heights, such as going up or down the stairs, or jumping off the sofa, compared to other more proportionately shaped dogs. His spine will bend unnaturally, which can cause disc ruptures that are seriously painful and can lead to paralysis.
Hip Dysplasia is a common health concern that most dogs are at risk from, and both the Australian Shepherd and the Corgi are at risk from this. It is caused by the abnormal formation of the hip joint, which again can lead to severe pain and paralysis in later life.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a disease that both parents are at risk from poor ophthalmologist health, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, also known as PRA, is quite common. Ultimately, this is characterized by the deterioration of his retina which can lead to total blindness.
Nutrition
The Aussie Corgi will do well on a high-quality kibble that has a high protein content, because not only will this keep his muscles in tip-top condition, but it will also provide him with the energy he needs to keep his little body sustained.
A typical Australian Shepherd Corgi mix will need between 2 to 2 ½ cups of kibble every day, and maybe more if he is a working pooch. As previously mentioned, if he takes after his Corgi parent he will be forever begging for snacks, so be sure to monitor his treat intake to avoid him becoming an overweight pooch.
Aussie Corgis can be picky eaters, so you’ll want to make sure that you stick to foods that your pup will like. They also have sensitive stomachs, so your vet may recommend that they stick to a dry kibble that has additional fiber in order to support gut health.
Grooming
The Aussie Corgi will need brushing 2 or 3 times a week to keep him clean, tangle-free and looking healthy. A bath will be required every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how dirty he gets on his adventures.
His little mouth and cramped teeth will also need cleaning once a week to keep periodontal diseases at bay. His large ears will also need cleaning every week as they will catch a lot of dirt. Using an anti-shed shampoo can help reduce pet shedding and dander.
Breeders & Puppy Costs
The best way to start your journey of finding your best Aussie Corgi friend is to research online for breeders. As he is a relatively new pup on the designer scene, it is likely that you may have to travel to meet a breeder, but he will be totally worth it when you find him! Be sure to do your research and meet the breeder and pups in person before you make a decision.
A reputable breeder will only breed healthy pooches, particularly ones who have good hip scores and pass an ophthalmologist test, so don’t be afraid to ask to see his parent’s health certificates.
An Australian Shepherd Corgi mix will cost usually north of $1,000 from a reputable designer dog breeder and be sure to do your research on any breeder before you work with them. Unfortunately with the rise in the popularity of designer dogs, there are many unethical breeders that are just out to make a quick buck, which often means unhealthy puppies.
Rescue & Shelters
If you are thinking about rescuing an Australian Shepherd Corgi mix rather than buying one from a breeder, then the best place to find him will be at dedicated breed rescue centers, simply because he is relatively rare. While many people pay a premium for this mix, you can definitely luck out and find them at breeders in your area. The Corgi Aid website, along with the Australian Shepherd Rescue website, lists adoptable dogs state by state and the contact details for rescue representatives.
As Family Pets
- The Aussie Corgi needs at least 60 minutes of intense exercise every day.
- He is very sociable and affectionate with both family and friends.
- He is a natural herder who would make a fantastic herding dog.
- He needs to be placed with a family that will be around for most of the day.
- They can be prone to separation anxiety, so don’t leave them alone for long periods.
- This mix will love herding. Start training early to ensure a well-behaved pup.
- His family needs to watch out for potential height hazards if he is a short and long pup.
Final Thoughts
The Aussie Corgi is a fantastic little pooch who will love to be worked and put through his paces. Not only will you need to ensure that he gets all the exercise he needs, but you will also need to be around a lot to shower him in love and cuddles.
If you think he sounds like a good fit with you and your lifestyle, then the Aussie Corgi would make a fantastic match, and you can be sure that you will have a best friend for life!