• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

dogsnet.com

Homeschool For Dogs

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • TRAINING
    • ALL ACCESS PASS
    • PUPPY GAMES
    • PUPPY PARENTING
    • FOUNDATION SKILLS
    • CORE SKILLS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • TRAINING
    • SCIENCE
    • BREEDS
    • COMPARE
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • TRAINING
    • ALL ACCESS PASS
    • PUPPY GAMES
    • PUPPY PARENTING
    • FOUNDATION SKILLS
    • CORE SKILLS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • TRAINING
    • SCIENCE
    • BREEDS
    • COMPARE

Corgi Lab Mix – The Pros and Cons of a Popular Cross!

You are here: Home / Breeds / Mixed / Corgi Lab Mix – The Pros and Cons of a Popular Cross!

September 11, 2019 By //  by Katelynn Sobus Leave a Comment

The Corgi Lab mix is a dog with one Labrador Retriever parent and one Pembroke Welsh Corgi or Cardigan Corgi parent.

Also known as a Corgidor, the Corgi Lab mix is a smart, active crossbreed that loves people!

However, this mix carries some serious health problems.

Here we’ll go in-depth and help you decide if the Corgi Lab mix is the right dog for you!

Where Does the Corgi Lab Mix Come From?

The Corgi Lab mix comes from breeding either a Pembroke Welsh Corgi or a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with a Labrador Retriever.

We don’t know where, exactly, Corgis originated because the breed is so old.

But, we do know that they were bred to herd livestock by nipping their heels. So, they had to be short and nimble to avoid being kicked!

We saw two different Corgi breeds immerge in the 1920s. They were the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

As for Labradors, they were bred to work alongside fishermen. One of their jobs was to hunt waterfowl, which explains their love of the water!

corgi lab mix

Fun Facts About the Corgi Lab Mix

Labradors and Pembroke Welsh Corgis are two of the most popular breeds today. Out of 192 breeds on AKC, they rank at numbers one and thirteen, respectively!

Cardigan Welsh Corgis are slightly less popular. But they still rank at number sixty-eight.

Corgi Lab Mix Appearance

As you likely know, Corgis and Labradors look very different!

So, their puppies can take many forms. They could weigh as little as 26 pounds or as much as 80 pounds.

A Corgi Labrador mix’s height can also range. They could be anywhere from 10-24 inches tall!

They also come in several colorings. None of the typical Labrador or Welsh Corgi coat colors are ruled out.

This means a pup in any given litter may be black, brown, or yellow like their Labrador parent. Or, they can be combinations of white, black, red, or any other Corgi fur colorations.

One thing we know for certain is that a Corgi Lab mix will have a short coat and shed often. Just like both parent breeds.

Temperament

As with their appearance, Corgi Lab mixes can take personality traits from either parent breed.

Labradors are incredibly friendly, active, and intelligent. They need mental stimulation to keep happy. This can be done through games, training, or toys made to challenge them.

They’re known for chewing and love to put things in their mouths. To avoid problematic chewing, Labs must be well-exercised to prevent them from getting bored.

They also need to be provided with many chew toys to play with so they turn to these, rather than your shoes!

What About Corgi Temperament?

As for Welsh Corgis, they’re also energetic. They are prone to guarding and herding behaviors due to their history as working dogs.

Some may even try to herd children by nipping their ankles. Teach them early on not to do this!

It’s also wise to never leave your dog alone with a child, no matter their breed.

Corgi Lab Mix – An Energetic Dog

When we combine the parents’ traits, we definitely get one active dog! They will need plenty of exercise.

They may also be quite loud, as both parent breeds love to bark. They’re very intelligent as well!

Depending on which trait they inherit, these mixes may be super friendly, or exhibit some guarding tendencies.

If they take after their Corgi ancestry, they may be prone to biting. Even when they’re not trying to hurt anyone, you still don’t want them biting your ankles!

Train and socialize them as early as possible to prevent this, and any problematic behaviors.

Training Your Corgi Lab Mix

These dogs’ intelligence can make them a breeze to train!

But, both parent breeds do have some common behaviors that we want to avoid encouraging.

First, you want to be sure to socialize your dog early. Be sure not to let them bite people or other animals, and don’t let them jump on people. Especially if they’re one of the larger dogs of this breed!

By meeting a variety of different people and dogs, your pup will learn how to interact with others properly. This important for any dog. But especially those Corgi Lab mixes that have inherited their Corgi parent’s guarding tendencies.

Training Tips

Of course, you’ll also need to potty train your pup. You may want to look into crate training as well.

If you need more help, check out our training guides!

When it comes to exercise, these dogs need lots of walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy. They should be walked at least once a day!

Though this mixed breed is incredibly active, they shouldn’t jump from high places or be handled roughly. This can lead to spinal injuries if they’ve inherited their Corgi ancestors’ long backs and short legs.

Corgi Lab Mix Health

Corgi Lab mixes, like all mixed breeds, can inherit health problems from both parent breeds. Here are some health concerns we need to look for in these pups:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy – a spinal disease that causes paralysis
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease – damage to the disks in a dog’s spine
  • Hip Dysplasia – malformed hip socket, can lead to arthritis
  • Eye Problems – including cataracts, blindness, and other various diseases
  • Pregnancy Complications – this is the leading cause of death among young female Corgis
  • Von Willebrand Disease – issues with blood clotting
  • Epilepsy – a seizure disorder
  • Skin Problems – including allergies, infections, inflammatory skin disease, and tumors
  • Bloat – food and gas becomes trapped in the stomach
  • Patellar Luxation – dislocated kneecap
  • Hypothyroidism – thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone
  • Addison’s Disease – adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones
  • Arthritis
  • Ear Infections
  • Cancer

Tips for Achieving The Best Health for Your Dog

The Welsh Corgi lineage, in particular, makes this mixed breed an unhealthy one. This is because of the way Corgis are bred. Their short legs and long backs make them prone to spinal damage.

To best avoid this, keep them from jumping off of high surfaces and handle them gently.

Corgi Lab mixes typically live 10-15 years.

To help with shedding, these dogs should be brushed at least once a week. They should also be bathed regularly.

When feeding your dog, break their food into two or three meals throughout the day.

Do Corgi Lab Mixes Make Good Family Dogs?

Corgi Lab mixes can make excellent family dogs. Though they’re better suited for a household with older children.

If you have young kids, be sure to teach them to handle dogs gently. On the other hand, your Corgi Lab mix will also need to be taught how to behave around children.

If you do choose to adopt a Corgi Lab mix, though, we recommend adopting from a rescue, not a breeder. This is due to their health problems, which are caused by irresponsible breeding.

Rescuing a Corgi Lab Mix

We highly recommend you opt for rescuing this mixed breed, rather than buying from a breeder.

When it’s time to start looking for your new furry friend, you can check local shelters and rescues. But, this is harder when looking for a specific mixed breed.

If you don’t find your dog at a general dog rescue or shelter, don’t give up hope!

Instead, search breed-specific rescues for Labradors and Welsh Corgis. These rescues often take in mixed breeds as well.

Finding a Corgi Lab Mix Puppy

We don’t recommend buying a Corgi Lab mix puppy from a breeder due to the health risks in this breed.

If you’re set on adopting from a breeder, be sure to avoid pet stores and puppy mills. This is because buying at pet stores often leads to you unwittingly supporting a puppy mill, since you have no idea where the puppies came from.

A reputable breeder will allow you to see your puppy’s whole family in the environment they’re being raised in. All dogs should be healthy and have all necessities provided for them, such as water and ample space to play.

Parents and puppies should all be vetted, and the breeder should allow you to see records showing that they are healthy and up-to-date on all vaccines.

Pros and Cons of Getting A Corgi Lab Mix

Cons

These dogs need lots of exercise. They aren’t for people who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle.

They also shed frequently. But, this can be managed through brushing them on the regular.

If they take after their Corgi parent, they will need proper training to avoid nipping at ankles.

Because of this behavior, they aren’t well-suited for households with small children. They also aren’t the best for quiet homes or apartment life either, because they love to bark!

Corgi Lab mixes have the potential to develop many serious health issues due to Corgis’ body shape. Their short legs and long back can lead to spinal complications.

For this reason, we don’t recommend going to a breeder. If you want a Corgi Lab mix, please adopt a rescue dog!

Pros

A Corgi Lab mix may be a perfect pet if you live in an active family without young children. They need lots of exercise to stay healthy and happy.

They’re also incredibly intelligent dogs and, if they take after their Labrador parent, will be extremely friendly as well!

We don’t recommend buying a Corgi Lab mix from a breeder. But rescue is an extremely rewarding experience for both you and your new dog!

Similar Corgi Lab Mixes and Breeds

If the health risks of this mixed breed are off-putting for you, or you just want to explore other options, there are plenty of other mixes to look at.

Here are some to consider:

  • Labradoodle (Lab x Poodle mix)
  • Labrador Golden Retriever mix
  • Labrador Husky mix
  • Corgi Pitbull mix
  • Shiba Inu Corgi Mix
  • Corgi German Shepherd Mix

Corgi Lab Mix Rescues

If you want to adopt a rescue dog, take a look at these breed-specific rescues. This list isn’t exhaustive, and we’d love for you to comment if you know of any other Corgi or Labrador rescues.

Corgi Lab Mix Rescue – USA

  • ForPaws Corgi Rescue
  • East Coast Corgi Rescue
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Inc.
  • Lab Rescue LRCP
  • L.E.A.R.N. (Labrador Education and Rescue Network)
  • Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption
  • Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.

Corgi Lab Mix Rescue – UK

  • Kennel Club Find a Rescue – Pembroke Welsh Corgi
  • Labrador Retriever Rescue Southern England
  • Team Edward Labrador Rescue
  • Labrador Rescue
  • Labradors in Need

Corgi Lab Mix Rescue – Canada

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi Assn. Canada
  • Labrador Retriever Adoption Service Inc.

Is A Corgi Lab Mix Right For Me?

If you don’t mind rescuing a dog and love to be active, a Corgi Lab mix may be perfect for you!

They aren’t well suited to those who like quiet, as they love to bark. You will also want to be careful if you have young children, as Corgi Lab mixes are prone to spinal injuries if treated roughly. They’re also prone to nipping heels themselves, which may be a risk to young kids.

References and Resources

  • Barnett, K. “Hereditary cataract in the dog.” Journal of Small Animal Practice. 1978.
  • Harasen, G. “Patellar Luxation.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2006.
  • Leighton, E. “Genetics of canine hip dysplasia.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1997.
  • March et al. “Degenerative Myelopathy in 18 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Dogs.” The American College of Veterinary Pathologists. 2009.
  • Panciera, D. “Hypothyroidism in dogs: 66 cases (1987-1992).” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1994.
  • Priester, A. “Canine intervertebral disc disease — Occurrence by age, breed, and sex among 8,117 cases.” Elsevier Inc. 1976.

Free Training Tips

Get Pippa's free dog training tips delivered to your inbox 

Filed Under: Breeds, Mixed

Previous Post: « Pitbull Golden Retriever Mix – Friendly Companion or Great Guard Dog?
Next Post: German Shepherd Malamute Mix – Is This Loyal Cross Breed A Great Pet? German Shepherd Malamute mix»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

ONLINE TRAINING COURSE

Foundation Skills

Be Your Dog's Best Teacher!

ONLINE TRAINING COURSE

Puppy Parenting

Raise Your Puppy Right!

chihuahua barking

Why Do Chihuahuas Bark So Much?

puppy agility training

Puppy Agility Training

How To Train A Puppy To Pee

3 month old puppy potty training

3 Month Old Puppy Potty Training

how long does it take to train a puppy

How Long Does It Take To Train A Puppy?

puppy pad training spray

Puppy Pad Training Spray

what is a pinch collar for dogs

What Is A Pinch Collar For Dogs?

My Puppy Hates Me. Sad lab

My Puppy Hates Me

I Hate My Boyfriend's Dog DN long

I Hate My Boyfriend’s Dog

what is a dog training collar

What Is A Dog Training Collar?

when to start potty training a puppy

When To Start Potty Training A Puppy

puppy and stressed woman

What To Do When Your Puppy Pees In The House

red fox lab

How Do You Potty Train A 4 Month Old Puppy

when can i walk my puppy off leash

Why Does My Puppy Hate Walks

happy puppy on a leash

What To Do When Your Puppy Hates Leash Walking

puppy in crate

What To Do When Your Puppy Hates Crate Training

crate training a rescue dog

My Dog Pees When Excited

apricot cockapoo puppy

How To Stop My Cockapoo Puppy From Biting

Dogsnet is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk Dogsnet is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
View Privacy Policy