Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix-Physical Look, Lifespan and Temperament

Shetland Sheepdogs are beautiful, loyal, and friendly dogs. And Corgis are lovable, playful, and fun dogs. So, you may be curious about what happens when these two dogs are bred together. And maybe you’re wondering what it would be like to add one to your family.

A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix (commonly referred to as a Corgi Sheltie or a Sheltie Corgi) is a loyal, loving, friendly, playful dog who will make a truly great pet for most families. However, these dogs do have high exercise needs.

The Corgi Sheltie combines the best of both parents to make them an adorable, friendly, playful dog who will make you very happy for many years. But it’s important to know about their care needs before committing to getting one.

Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)

A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix is a medium-sized dog that can vary greatly in their look depending on which parent they resemble.

A Corgi Sheltie will typically stand about 12 to 15 inches tall and weigh roughly 14 to 30 pounds once they are fully grown. They will almost always have a black muzzle and nose as well as almond-shaped eyes. The size and bushiness of their tail may vary a bit but it’s usually short and rather dense. And they typically have short legs as well.

The ears of a Corgi Sheltie are probably what varies the most. Although the ears are almost always on the smaller side, sometimes they will be more erect and other times they will be “floppy” or hanging.

As for their fur — that can greatly vary in Corgi Shelties as well. Their fur will be soft, smooth, fairly dense, and double-coated, although it can vary from a medium length to quite long. And the color of the fur ranges anywhere from white to brown or red — or a combination of any two.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a Shetland Sheepdog Corgi mix is roughly 12 to 15 years, and that can even be extended by a few years if they’re fed a healthy diet and get enough exercise.

Grooming Needs

Although they are part Shetland Sheepdog who is known for their vast amounts of shedding, the Shetland Sheepdog Corgi mix typically doesn’t shed all that much. They do still have a double coat of fur which will result in some shedding — and therefore, they are not hypoallergenic.

To keep your Corgi Sheltie’s coat in its best shape and to minimize the amount of shedding, as well as keep them in tip-top health there are some grooming needs you need to keep up on.

Brush

At least twice a week brush your Corgi Sheltie’s coat well with a proper brush to keep it smooth and shiny. Consult with your veterinarian or grooming professional for advice on which brush(es) to get and how to do it properly.

Check Their Ears

Your dog’s ears should be checked weekly and cleaned with a gentle swab and ear cleaning liquid recommended by your groomer or veterinarian. This is especially important if your Corgi Sheltie’s ears are prone to fold over more, rather than stand erect.

And if their ears get wet, always take the time to gently dry them to prevent any build-up or irritation from water in the ear.

Brush Their Teeth

As with humans, dogs can get periodontal diseases and suffer from mouth issues. So, it’s important to brush your Corgi Sheltie’s teeth at least twice a week. Ask your veterinarian and/or a professional groomer for recommendations on which brush and paste to use as well as for tips on how to do it right. The earlier you can start brushing your dog’s teeth, the quicker they will get used to it.

Clip Their Nails

When your dog has long nails,those nails can get caught on furniture and carpet, and they even can scratch themselves with them if they are itching or cleaning themselves. Ask a groomer for their recommendations for the best clippers to use and about how to do it right — don’t just jump in without some instruction as you could cut too deep and injure your dog.

Temperament

Because Corgis and Shetland Sheepdogs are both very kind, friendly dogs it’s no big surprise that a Shetland Sheepdog Corgi mix is just as kind and friendly as their parents. They make wonderful family dogs who are extremely loyal and loving.

Corgi Shelties are very loyal and extremely intelligent and therefore can be trained easier and quicker than a lot of other types of dogs. However, the younger they can be trained, the better and easier it is to do so.

Exercise Needs

Corgi Shelties are energetic and love to get at least an hour of exercise every day — preferably two hours! They’re very happy to go for long walks but also love to play catch or simply run around in a yard or a field.

Health Risks

As with any other type of dog, a Corgi Sheltie is prone to certain health risks, especially as they age. These can include:

• Dermatomyositis
• Deafness
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Keep a close eye on your dog, especially as they age, and consult with a veterinarian if you notice they are sluggish or sleeping more, eating less, seem anxious, or are exhibiting any other changes which concern you.

Feeding

Feeding your Corgi Sheltie mix the right types and amounts of food is extremely important to keep them healthy. And always remember to provide your dog with lots of fresh water to drink.

What to Eat?

Feed your Corgi Sheltie a dog food suitable for their breed, size, and age. And choose one that contains little to no fillers. This can include wet food, dry food, or a combination of both.

Puppies require different food than adult dogs, and senior dogs have different nutrition needs than adult dogs so it’s important to re-evaluate their food needs as they reach these life stages. Your veterinarian can suggest the best food for your dog if you’re having trouble deciding or if they have any health issues.

When to eat?

Unless otherwise recommended by your veterinarian it’s usually best to feed your dog twice a day. Take the amount of food recommended by your veterinarian or on the package directions and divide it into two servings to feed in the morning and late afternoon/evening.

How much to eat?

You’ll typically find the portion to give your dog based on their weight on the package of food you buy. And as mentioned, divide this portion into two feedings per day.

If you think your dog needs to lose or gain weight, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to talk about options or change to another food specifically designed for weight loss or gain. Don’t just give your dog more or less food than is recommended unless your veterinarian says it’s alright to do so.

Are Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mixes Protective?

Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mixes are not overly protective dogs. They rarely bark and are very friendly — even to strangers. However, they are extremely loyal dogs so if they sense you or your family is in immediate danger, they may react by growling or biting.

But if you are looking for a protective dog, this probably isn’t the best breed to choose.

Best Climate for A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix

Because of their double coat, dense fur Corgi Shelties are best suited for colder weather. They will want to be outdoors in any weather but should be watched closely in the summer for potential heatstroke due to all their heavy fur. Make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water.

The Attention A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix Needs

As you’ve learned by now, Corgi Shelties are extremely social, friendly dogs who love to be with their families. They do require one to two hours of exercise every day, as well as plenty of time to just sit and cuddle with you.

Compatibility With Kids

Corgi Shelties make great family dogs because they’re so gentle and kind. It’s generally best to get your Corgi Sheltie when they’re young so they learn from an early age to adapt to being around kids, but even if you bring an adult Corgi Sheltie into your family they should soon learn to love being around your children.

Compatibility With Other Animals

Corgi Shelties are one of the better types of dogs to introduce to other animals, however, there can still be a little animosity between the two.

If you start by introducing them slowly, and at as young of an age as possible this should help the animals get along better.

How Much Does A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix Cost?

The cost of a Corgi Sheltie mix will range greatly depending on where you get it from. Reputable breeders will sell for roughly $1000 to cover the costs needed for the care of the Mom during pregnancy and the pups. If you do choose to buy from a breeder, please make sure to get recommendations and work only with breeders who have a good reputation.

You may also find a Corgi Sheltie at a local shelter or through another adoption organization, in which case you would likely pay significantly less. If this is the route you’d rather take phone around and let these organizations know you’re looking.

Is A Shetland Sheepdog Corgi Mix Right for Me?

Corgi Shelties are fantastic dogs who make wonderful companions — for the right type of person. There are some things to consider before committing to getting one of these dogs.

Do you have the time? Corgi Shelties need a lot of attention and quite a bit of exercise. If you and/or your family members aren’t able to be around much during the day you may want to get a dog who is more content with being left alone.

Do you have kids? Corgi Shelties are a great choice for adding to a family — but remember they may still need some training.

Do you have other animals? A Corgi Sheltie is one of the better choices for adding into a family with other animals because they are quite adaptable and friendly.

Are you looking for a guard dog? Corgi Shelties love their families — but they won’t likely harm strangers or even bark at any impending danger. If you’re looking for a guard dog, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

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