Corgi Husky Mix-Cost, Lifespan and Temperament

The fun-loving corgi and husky mix – commonly referred to as ‘Horgi’ ‘Siborgi’ or ‘Corgski’, depending on your preference! – is the adorable mix of the Siberian Husky and either the Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh corgi, and the result is a fluffy companion with bundles of energy and a personality that definitely belies its compact size. Their parent breeds mean this dog has intelligence and playfulness in equal measure – not to mention they’re one of the cutest breeds around!

So what does it take to care for a Horgi? The corgi husky mix is mostly sweet-tempered but their free spirit can make them a tad unpredictable at times. They are naturally very active, alert and playful, so potential owners will need to be fairly fit to keep up with their amazing energy levels! Like all dogs they also have their health issues, mainly their inherited weight gain problems from the Corgi parent. Horgis also need to be groomed fairly regularly to manage their heavy shedding cycles.

If you’re prepared to have your stamina (and carpet) tested by these adorable balls of fluff, then a Horgi may well be a good fit for you. If adopting a Horgi has been on your mind for a while but you’re still on the fence about some issues, check out our quick guide on this lovable dog below. From their compatibility with kids to their cost and food needs, we give you the low-down on all you need to know about the corgi husky mix.

Physical Characteristics

The Corgi Husky Mix or ‘Horgi’ is a dog with a small low-set body, with the inherited short legs and pointy ears of its corgi parent and the almond-shaped eyes and fluffy coat of their Siberian husky parent.

Depending on which parent breed dominates, their coat color can be a singular shade of brown, cream, red, sable, black, white or orange or if they inherit their corgi parent’s tricolor coat, it can be any triple mix of these shades.

Horgis also inherit the thick double coat consisting of a long straight outer coat and a dense, short undercoat to keep them toasty in the cold.

In terms of their physical size, Horgis can grow to around 13 to 15 inches tall at shoulder height and can weigh anywhere between 20 and 50 pounds – again, their weight is determined by whichever parent breed is more dominant in the breeding process.

Lifespan

Generally, you can expect a Horgi to live as long as its corgi or husky parent breed, so this would be around 12 to 15 years.

Grooming Needs

As they share the thick double coat of their parent breeds, Horgis also need regular brushing to keep their coat in good shape.

Their double coat sheds frequently throughout the year and they ‘blowout’ their undercoat twice a year (typically in spring and fall) to prepare for the coming seasons – for this reason, daily brushing will help keep his coat neat and his skin allergen-free. (Speaking of allergens, please note that Horgis coats are not hypoallergenic, so they are not a good choice if you or someone in your household suffers from pet dander allergies).

Bathing your Horgi is only recommended when absolutely necessary, since they have a water and dirt-resistant coat which helps repel a lot of the muck they might encounter outdoors.

Bath them once a month at the very most with a vet-recommended shampoo and conditioner to keep his coat in a manageable condition. You should also be trimming your Horgis nails, cleaning their ears and brushing their teeth at least once a week to help them maintain good hygiene.

Temperament

Horgis are naturally very sweet-natured and love to be around people, and if they socialize well enough in their puppy years, they can become friendly and trusted companions around small children and other animals.

Because they are affectionate and alert, they can make really fun companions and children will adore playtime with them. But their high energy levels can also mean they are prone to restlessness, barking and howling if left unstimulated – so a well exercised Horgi is a happy one!

Exercise Needs

If you’re a couch potato then a Horgi definitely won’t be the dog for you – because they are relentless bundles of energy! Nothing makes a Horgi happier than to get moving, so you should be prepared to take them on long daily walks of up to 40 minutes, or split this into two daily walks of 15 to 20 minutes if this suits your schedule better.

You should also indulge your Horgi in regular playtime in your backyard or make sure they get plenty of weekly indoor play if you live in an apartment.

Horgis may be friendly, easy-going dogs, but they can become frustrated and restless when they haven’t had the chance to stretch their little legs and get out and about. So if you don’t let them work off their energy sufficiently, you may find them working it off on your furniture and other homely possessions!

Health Risks

Because of their small stature, long bodies and short legs, Horgis are at risk of gaining weight easily. They are also prone to back pain which can lead to other complications if left untreated. Listed below are some of the health conditions your Horgi can inherit from their parent breeds:

• Skin problems (such as allergies, inflammation and dryness)
• Eye issues (such as Glaucoma and Retinal Dysplasia)
• Epilepsy
• Hip Dysplasia
• Intervertebral disc disease
• Degenerative Myelopathy

All mix breed dogs can be at risk of inheriting certain conditions from their parents, but you can help to minimize these health risks by ensuring your Horgi puppy receives a nutritional, well-balanced diet from the get go.

Keeping him for with daily exercise and making sure he has regular vet check ups will also decrease his chances of developing the above health conditions.

Feeding

Because of their inherited tendency to put on weight easily, it’s important that you carefully monitor your Horgis food intake and be fairly strict with the treats you give them.

Your Horgi should be getting a diet of protein-rich low calorie food to support their muscle strength and bones – which is especially important in Horgis with their small, short legged stature.

Horgis should be fed around ¾ to 1 ½ cups of high-quality dry dog food each day, and this amount should be divided into two separate meals.

To keep an eye on their weight, your Horgi should be getting 80 percent of his 900 daily calories from his dry food, and for variety, the remaining 20 percent can account for treat-like foods of sweet potato, tuna, olives, and chicken liver.

Avoid foods containing corn, wheat or soy as these grains can be slightly damaging to their digestive systems and can make them pile on the pounds quite quickly too. If you’re unsure about what to feed your Horgi based on his age or activity level, you can always consult your local vet for extra nutritional advice.

Are Corgi Husky Mixes Protective?

Horgis are very strong-willed and because of their parent’s respective roots as working dogs (Siberian Husky) and herding dogs (Corgi), they can have a tendency to be protective over their owners. This isn’t to say they will make good guard or watch dogs in any sense, but Horgis are naturally very alert and unafraid to challenge strangers if they feel uncomfortable.

How Much Does a Corgi Husky Mix Cost?

A corgi husky mix puppy can cost between $300 and $1,000 depending on the individual breed. The cost of check-ups, neutering and other medical expenses will add a further $485 to $600, not to mention their annual food needs, their license and any training costs which may be between $500 and $600.

To ensure your investment in a Horgi puppy is worth it, it’s important that you buy your Horgi from a trusted breeder. A reputable corgi husky mix breeder should be able to tell you all you need to know about their parent breeds, their health issues and what to expect with their temperament. Be sure to get the same info if you choose to adopt a Horgi.

Is a Corgi Husky Mix Right for Me?

Horgis have many great attributes, but before you rush to buy or adopt one of these adorable fuzz balls, it may be worth considering the following points. The corgi husky mix can be a great fit for you if:

• You are an active, outdoors person
• You don’t suffer from dander allergies
• You can set aside 3 hours of weekly playtime
• You have time for 40 – 60 minute walks/exercise each day
• You have time to brush their coat daily
• You are prepared for their heavy shedding
• You are prepared to train and socialize them as puppies
• You need an apartment-friendly dog
• You are prepares to deal with possible separation anxiety
• You have a family with older children

Best Climate for a Corgi Husky Mix

Thanks to their Siberian Husky parent breed, Horgis are very well adapted to colder climates, so they will fare well in environments where the winter weather patterns are quite severe.

Additionally, both the Husky and Corgi parent breeds have durable ‘double coats’, so Horgis are guaranteed to inherit an equally thick and weatherproof coat themselves.

In terms of warmer climates, Horgis are able to withstand similar temperatures to us (around 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit). Anything higher than this can begin to cause them discomfort, so they will not be suited to climates which rarely fall below these temperatures.

As long as your Horgi has access to shade, shelter and plenty of water to stay comfortable, climates with average summer temperatures should not be a problem.

The Attention a Corgi Husky Mix Needs

Since Horgis are naturally sociable and energetic dogs, they don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and can get pretty needy when you’re out of the picture. For this reason, they can be prone to separation anxiety, and this can often be the result of not meeting their daily exercise needs.

If they do not feel stimulated by their weekly exercise or play, then they can act out and become more vocal than usual (and possibly destructive in the worst cases!). Thankfully, there are steps you can try to prevent them from becoming anxious, restless and chewing up your carpet when you’re not around.

Compatibility with Kids

Horgis are generally great family dogs and are well-suited to homes with older children because of their size and often high-spirited, playful nature.

With early training and socialization, however, your Horgi may even do well with younger kids, so their comparability with kids will mostly depend on your commitment to train them out of bad behavioral traits. Horgis are thankfully highly alert and intelligent dogs, so they are easier to train than most.

Compatibility with Other Animals

Coupled with the high prey drive and hunting instinct of their parent breeds, Horgis have the potential to be risky in homes with smaller animals such as cats or smaller dogs. But thankfully, this can be ironed out with early obedience training and socialization.

By taking your Horgi puppy out for walks at the dog park and meeting regularly with other owners in different settings, you can easily get your Horgi to distinguish friend from foe, and overtime, they will learn to co-exist peacefully with other animals and pets in your home.

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