
Did you come here to be in love with Dorgis even more?
Or do you just want to know the difference of the mix from a Corgi?
Ahh, whichever it is, guaranteed that this article will cater to both!
Read on to discover:
- 7 differences between a Dorgi and a Corgi.
- Common Corgis and Dorgis health problems.
- 7 similarities of Dorgis and Corgis (take note on #6).
- And much, much, more…
Table of contents
What is the difference between a Corgi and a Dorgi?
The difference between a Corgi and a Dorgi is narrow. They only differ in cost, coat and colors, history, health, temperament, and adaptiveness. Both breeds have a predisposal to IDD and gestation period. They’re similar in size, lifespan, trainability, maintenance, activity level, and consumption.
Dorgi vs Corgi – differences
#1: Cost
It might be because of Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness that made Corgis expensive…
They’re the royal breed!
Moreover, breeders know that they can sell Corgis for a high price. That’s because they’re really loved and in high demand.
With that, people who really want a Corgi are willing to buy them regardless of the price.
On the other hand, Dorgis are much cheaper. That’s because they’re not as popular as the Corgis.
Here’s the estimated price difference between Dorgis and Corgis:
Currency | Cost of a Dorgi | Cost of a Corgi |
US Dollars | $250 to $750 | $400 to $4,000 |
Australian Dollars | AU$ 340 to AU$ 1000 | AU$ 540 to AU$ 5200 |
Pound Sterling (UK) | £180 to £560 | £300 to £2980 |
Euros (EUR) | €215 to €650 | €345 to €3450 |
Note: This is just an estimation that’s lifted from the current market.
If you’re planning to purchase either (or both), there is more to add to the equation. I’m talking about additional fees like shipping or insurance.
#2: Coat
The coats of both dogs have the same texture. Dorgis and Corgis have similar straight-textured fur…
“Wait, isn’t this the ‘difference’ section?”
Yes, it is. I just put that first because that’s the only minor similarity between the dogs’ coats.
Now, to the real difference…
Let’s talk about their coat density.
The density of a dog’s coat is its thickness. And that property is one of the notable differences between a Dorgi and a Corgi.
Breed | Coat density |
Corgi | Normal |
Dorgi | Dense (thick) |
What influenced the difference?
Some Dorgis can still have a normal coat density…
That’s because it depends on their parent Dachshund’s coat type.
Doxies have 3 types of coats. They can be:
- Wire-haired.
- Long-haired.
- Smooth-haired.
All of those could influence the Dorgi’s coat density.
#3: Origin and history
Given that a Dorgi is part Corgi, it only means that Corgis came first.
Let’s first look at the long history of Corgis…
Corgi history
Land of Origin | Wales, United Kingdom |
Date of Origin | 1100s |
Ancestry | It’s quite a dilemma. That’s because they’re believed to originate from many breeds. Namely: Samoyed.Keeshond.Schipperke.Pomeranian.Chow-Chow.Finnish Spitz.Norwegian Elkhound. |
Can you believe that? They’ve been here for so long…
Moreover, Corgis actually belong to the herding group.
Take it from 1107 Britain:
Henry I initiated artisans to move to Wales. This is an attempt to reform their agriculture.
So, along with those workers came these short-legged and agile herders: Corgis.
“Herders? But Corgis are so small…”
That’s what I thought first, too!
But that small stature of them is what makes them the perfect dog for the job.
Their main job is to be a ‘heeler.’
“What’s that?”
A heeler is the one who pushes or nips the feet of other animals. This action is done to keep the larger animal moving.
Moreover, there 2 recognized Corgis, according to AKC.
The 2 are considered to be cousins. And they often overlap with each other in terms of recognition. They are:
Specific Corgi breed | Notable difference |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi | They have no tail.*Their ears are pointy and erect. |
Cardigan Welsh Corgi | Their tail is long.They have rounded ears. |
*A study aimed to find if there are any congenital spinal defects for tailless Corgis.
The researchers found no evidence for such. However, it’s discovered that tailless puppies have an absent anal opening at birth.
Dorgi history
Land of Origin | United States |
Date of Origin | 1999 |
Ancestry | They’re a mix of Dachshund and Welsh Corgi. |
Dorgis are the new dogs on the block…
Their Corgi parents have been considered since the 1100s, as I said earlier. Then, their Dachshund parents could be traced back to the 1500s.
Dorgis might be new to the equation…
But they have genes that go wayyyyy back!
#4: Weather-adaptiveness

Despite the Corgi’s fur having a normal density, they’re more sensitive to weather.
That’s because Corgis have resistant double coats.
Before I continue, you might be wondering what a double coat is.
It’s when a dog has an undercoat of short hair. Then, the outer coat is what helps prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating in their fur.
With that, Corgis could only do well in cold weather. They can also thrive in near-cold conditions.
The exact needed temperature for Corgis is between 50℉ (10℃) to 70℉ (21℃).
On the other hand, Dorgis are said to stand both warm and cold weather.
#5: Health
The dogs differ in terms of their health, too.
Let me go into detail…
Corgis’ health
The Welsh Corgis are generally a healthy breed.
Despite that, breeders are expected to be responsible. Screening must be done to rule out any health issues.
That’s because they’re still predisposed to some health conditions. Like:
- Eye disorders.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Cardiac issues.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
With that, frequent hip evaluations are needed for Corgis.
Note: The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is generally more healthy compared to the Pem Corgi.
Dorgis’ health
On the other hand, there is still a blur about whether Dorgis are healthier than Corgis.
The majority say that Dorgis are more healthy.
However, they’re still predisposed to many concerning conditions. I’m talking about:
- Obesity.
- Eye cataracts.
- Elbow dysplasia.
- Color dilution alopecia (CDA), which they got from their Doxie parent.
#6: Colors
The color of both dogs varies from one another.
I’m not just talking about their coats. I’m also including their nose and eyes on the note.
So, without further ado, let’s learn the difference of colors that are present in Dorgis and Corgis.
Eye colors
The Welsh Corgis have a similar eye color: brown. Then, only the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is the variant whose eyes could be blue.
Furthermore, let’s drag the Doxies into this. They might have the following eye colors:
- Blue.
- Hazel.
- Brown.
So what’s the outcome?
It’s a brown-eyed Dorgi!
Nose colors
The Welsh Corgis could both have a black nose. However, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi could have a brown nose sometimes, too.
Then, the Dachshund parent might have a nose color of:
- Black.
- Brown.
- Isabella (a little beige-y or tan).
Mix that together, and that gives us…
A Dorgi with a black nose.
Coat colors
Now, the final variation…
I’ll have to really dive into detail here. That’s because there are many color variations in all the dogs.
Let’s start first with the breed in our main topic, Corgis, along with the other parent, the Dachshund.
Pembroke Welsh Corgis coat colors | Cardigan Welsh Corgis coat colors | Dachshunds coat colors |
– Red. – Blue. – Fawn. – Black. – White. – Sable (dark brown). | – Red. – Blue. – Black. – Sable. – Brindle (a mixture of tan and dark brown). | – Red. – Black. – Sable. – Brown. – Cream. – Brindle. – Pied (black and white). |
And now, what colors could the Dorgis inherit?
They are:
- Red.
- Pied.
- Black.
- White.
- Brown.
Take a look at these brown and black Dorgi puppies…
#7: Temperament
Both Dorgis and Corgis are affectionate. However, one notable difference between the two’s temperaments is stubbornness.
Corgis are well-known to be even-tempered. They also sit well with children…
Sure, Corgis might occasionally heel your child, but it’s innate for them to do so. Plus, such action won’t hurt, and it might be playful in nature.
On the other hand, Dorgis are stubborn.
They also need extra supervision if they’re with kids.
And that’s not all…
Dorgis also love to be the star. They always want to be given attention.
Why do they act that way?
Dorgis got it from their Dachshund parent.
The Germans originally used Dachshunds for hunting. That’s why they’re called ‘Badger dogs,’ they hunt badgers and dig with their little feet.
Moreover, Doxies don’t do well with kids. Especially those that they don’t really know.
Now, back to Dorgis…
They inherited the ‘hunter’ gene from their Dachshund parent. That’s why they’re more energetic, vigilant, and reactive.
Don’t worry. Dorgis are still trainable to be best friends with children.
But like I said, your child and the Dorgi will highly need your supervision.
Dorgi vs Corgi – similarities
#1: Food and maintenance

For the first similarity, I present to you the nutritional needs of Dorgis and Corgis:
Food consumption
Both dogs need to consume high-quality food.
For the amount, they need about 2 to 2.5 cups of food daily.
Now, to their maintenance…
I’ve talked about the difference in the dogs’ coats. Despite that distinction, both need the same amount and type of nurturing.
Coat maintenance
They’re both average shedders who shred all year round. With that, a weekly brush of their coat should be scheduled.
It’s recommended to use a slicker brush for both canines. Like this Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Dogs.
Ear maintenance
Both dogs need a weekly cleaning of their ears.
Do so by using a clean and damp cotton ball.
Warning: Don’t use a Q-tip for cleaning your dog’s ear. Moreover, don’t push too deep into your dog’s ear when you’re scrubbing it.
Nail trimming
Dorgis and Corgis need nail trimming once you hear their nails clicking on the floor.
Ideally, you should cut their nails once or twice a month.
Dental health
This one shouldn’t be neglected.
Both dogs need to have their teeth brushed at least 1 to 2 times a week.
#2: Size
Dorgis and Corgis have the same short-legged and long-back structure.
With that, there’s not much difference with their body statistics.
Check this table out, and see the likeness of their sizes:
Dog breed | Average height | Average weight |
Welsh Corgis | 10 in (25 cm) to 12 in (30 cm) | 20 lbs (9 kg) to 38 lbs (17 kg) |
Dorgis | 10 in (25 cm) to 12 in (30 cm) | 20 lbs (9 kg) to 28 lbs (13 kg) |
Also read: When Do Corgis Stop Growing? Corgi Growth Chart & Stages
#3: Lifespan
A dog’s longevity depends on many factors, like:
- Size.
- Breed.
- Activity level.
- General health condition.
As I said in reason #5 under ‘differences,’ the dogs differ in their health conditions. Despite that, they still fall under the same longevity.
Both dog breeds have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Note: In human years, that age is equivalent to about 74 to 89 years old.
And no, I didn’t use the ‘1 x 7’ rule. I followed AKC‘s newly-researched method.
This is what science has to say about calculating your dog’s age into human years:
First year: Once a dog turns 1 year old, they’re considered a teenager if they’re a human. That’s because the first dog year is equivalent to 15 human years.
Second year: For a dog’s second year, 9 years is added to their age. So, if the Corgi turns 2 years old, they’re 24 years old in human years.
The following years: After the first 2 years, the equation changes for the last time. Every succeeding year would be equal to 5 years in humans.
So, if a Dorgi turns 5 years old, their human age would be 39 years old.
#4: Trainability
Dorgis and Corgis are intelligent and loyal. That’s what makes them easy to train.
However, both dogs must receive training as early as possible. They also need early socialization.
Such activities prevent unwanted behaviors in the future. It also keeps them stimulated.
Take it from this research:
Its result claims that puppy socialization is really needed. That’s because it has a role in preventing the development of undesirable behaviors.
Moreover, meeting this need can help you with many things. That includes establishing a better and positive relationship with your canine.
This requirement is more needed for Dorgis, though.
Yes, they may be both easily trainable, but…
Remember what I said in reason #7 under differences?
A Dorgi’s temperament is different because of their Dachshund parent.
With that, early training could help lessen this inherited stubbornness.
Continue reading: Are Corgis Easy To Train? 5 Tips For (New) Corgi Parents
#5: Gestation period for female Dorgis and Corgis
First, what is this ‘gestation period’?
It’s the length of the development of an embryo, which later becomes a fetus.
Now that that’s cleared let’s talk about both dogs’ reproductive health…
The Dorgi and Corgi would both have their first estrous cycle at about 6 months of age.
Then, they will experience this heat period twice a year (every 6 months).
If they do get pregnant, the gestation period would be 60 to 64 days.
Their litter size might vary. A Corgi could give birth to 6 to 8 puppies.
Dorgis, on the other hand, could only expect 2 to 6 puppies per litter.
#6: The risk of having IVDD

Once again, let’s talk about both dogs’ long backs.
That structure is the culprit for making them both predisposed to IVDD.
“What’s IVDD?”
It’s Intervertebral Disc Disease. It’s a major concern as it affects the spine – an essential and neurological organ.
Vets say that, in this condition, the cushion between the spinal discs bulges or bursts. Then, those discs press on the nerves present in the spinal cord.
That pressure might create:
- Pain.
- Paralysis.
- Nerve damage.
Both of the Dorgi’s parents are predisposed to IVDD. With that, they become susceptible to this condition, too.
Warning: This disease could be fatal.
It has less severe cases, where rest and medication could be the treatment.
However, in severe cases, the canine might get paralyzed for life.
Are you planning on adopting a Dorgi or a Corgi (or both)?
Then, prepare to take extra measures to take care of their backs.
Provide ramps around the house. That’s because Dorgis and Corgis might have trouble with stairs.
Moreover, you shouldn’t let them jump on high grounds as well.
Reading tip: 13 Common Corgi Health Problems + 65 Tips To Prevent Issues
#7: Activity level
Both dogs have an average energy level.
It’s not too low like a Chow Chow’s, and it’s not too high as a Labrador Retriever’s energy.
With that, they need an adequate amount of exercise per day.
At least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise is enough for both dogs.