Cowboy Corgi (Corgi Cattle Dog): Temperament, Grooming, Training, Facts, and More!

Mixed breeds are undoubtedly gaining popularity these days for their fascinating appearances and unique personalities. As a staunch dog enthusiast, grasping mixed breed knowledge can be overwhelming at times. You get to see dogs in different ways and also understand them better. Do you know which mixed breed is gaining popularity worldwide these days?

It’s the Cowboy Corgi, also known as Corgi Cattle Dog.  

Cowboy Corgi is a hybrid dog created by a cross between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Australian Cattle Dog. They are tiny but highly energetic dogs. They make a perfect dog for apartment-dwellers looking for a small but high-energy dog that will love to accompany them on long walks.

Cowboy Corgi is not one of the dog breeds for first-time owners as they have some special exercise and grooming requirements. Therefore, before bringing home a Cowboy Corgi, you should familiarize yourself with this hybrid dog breed.

With the hope that they make a perfect pet for you, continue reading as we discuss Cowboy history, appearance, temperament, training, exercise, and much more.

Cowboy Corgi Parent Breeds

As mentioned previously, Corgi Cattle Dog is a mixed dog breed. So before we dig any further into the Cowboy Corgi, let’s get a brief overview of its parent breeds—the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Australian Cattle Dog—so that we can better understand the unique hybrid breed.

Where Pembroke Welsh Corgi originates from Wales, the Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Australian Blue Heeler, hails from Australia. Corgi is a small dog breed with an average height of 10 to 12 inches; Blue Heeler, in contrast, is a medium-sized dog breed, standing tall at around 17 to 20 inches.

Conversely, many things are common to both breeds as well. For instance, the Welsh Corgi and the Blue Heeler are herding dogs used for herding cattle, horses, and other farm animals. Moreover, both parent dog breeds are highly intelligent; the Australian Cattle Dog is often listed as one of the smartest dog breeds.

In addition, both dog breeds are brimming with energy. Take a quick look at the breed overview of the two parent breeds before we move to the resulting Cowboy Corgi.

As we have discussed brief overviews of the Cowboy Corgi’s parents, we can now better understand the breed as it mostly inherits the looks, personality traits, size, and other factors from its parents.

Cowboy Corgi

As both of their parents are way up on the intelligence ladders, Cowboy corgis are highly intelligent as well. They inherit all the royal and charming characteristics of Corgi Puppies, which Elizabeth II, the current Queen of England, adores.

Cowboy Corgis are often called Corgi Cattle dogs, as they inherit the herding tendencies from both Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Australian Cattle Dogs. They take up short legs, stature, and round bodies from Welsh Corgis and coat colors and patterns from Cattle Dogs.

Take a quick look at the following breed overview of Cowboy Corgi before we dig into the details.

Corgi Cattle Dog Origin and History              

When it comes to the history and origin of the Cowboy, there is not much information available. So we will try to understand how the Cowboy Corgi mix came into existence by discussing the history of its parent breeds. Where Welsh Corgis have been around here since the 10^th century, Australian Cattle Dogs are said to be around since the early 1800s. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) only recognized Corgi Welsh in 1934, and the latter as late as 1980. As far as Cowboy Corgi is concerned, it is not recognized by AKC, as it doesn’t meet their recognition criteria at the moment.

Cowboy Corgi Puppies

As discussed previously, Cowboy Corgi puppies result from the crossbreeding of Welsh Corgi with the Australian Cattle Dog. The resulting Cowboy Corgi puppies are like corgis—they have short legs—but their coat color resembles that of the Cattle Dog. These Corgi Cattle puppies are cute and widely sought after by designer dog breed enthusiasts.

Cowboy Corgi puppies are rambunctious and playful but mature quickly into calm, content adults. They are happy to play with anyone if encouraged, but they are also content to be by your side simply. If you are willing to opt for a Cowboy Corgi puppy, there are certain factors you must keep in mind beforehand.

Given that Cowboy Corgis are small in size, their parents often overpamper them—allowing them to misbehave and always get their way. This leads to the development of small dog syndrome in Cowboy Corgi puppies which grows up into stubborn adults. So, you are advised to love and adore your pup all you want but never appreciate their misbehavior.

Like both of their parents, Cowboy Corgis have strong herding instincts, so they often nip at children, slow-walking adults, and other pets in the house in an attempt to herd them. This herding behavior can be controlled with early socialization and behavioral training.

If you want your Cowboy Corgi puppy to grow up into a well-behaved adult, you should start their socialization and training at a young age. With early training, they can become friendly and affectionate family dogs.

Cowboy Corgi Temperament

The Cowboy Corgis are most popularly known for their intelligence and smartness. Given that both of their parents—Welsh Corgi and Australian Cattle Dog—are one of the smartest dog breeds, it is no wonder that Cowboy Corgis often outsmart their owners.

They are also highly energetic and require a good amount of daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. Cowboy Corgis are usually up for any kind of adventure or task.

Like their Australian Cattle parent, Cowboy Corgis can be destructive and stubborn when bored, especially when they are not getting ample physical exercise to expend their pent-up energy. Cowboy Corgis are mostly quiet, but you may find your dog barking at nothing if they don’t expend their pent-up energy.

However, remember that these dogs require a lot of attention, time, and affection, and not getting enough of these would cause separation anxiety and boredom. Cowboy Corgis also get along well with children and are super affectionate towards their owners and families. But it is advised that you don’t let them be around small kids without supervision. They are bred to work and please their owners. You’d also find the Cowboy Corgis to be super loyal.

When it comes to strangers, Cowboy Corgis are not much welcoming—they may act aloof towards strangers. However, with early socialization, your furry friend can learn to differentiate between a friendly stranger and an intruder.

Additionally, Cowboy Corgis are known to be the most easy-going dogs—they don’t bark much, obey orders, and make great guard dogs.

Reasons Underlying Aggression in Cowboy Corgis

• When left alone for longer periods
• When they are not getting ample physical exercise
• When they perceive/misperceive a potential threat

Corgi Cattle Dogs Appearance

It is no hidden fact that the appearance of mixed breeds is hard to define. It depends on the dominant genes of the parents. Similarly, the Cowboy Corgi can appear more like the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or inherit more from the Australian Cattle Dog.

Cowboy Corgis often have docked tails that they inherit from their Corgi parents. In addition to that, Cowboy Corgis also inherit short stature, short legs, and long bodies from their Corgi Parents. From their Australian parents, they inherit charming coat colors and patterns.

There is no fixed breed standard for the Cowboy Corgi. However, according to some breeders, most Cowboy Corgis have barrel-shaped bodies, pointy and upright ears, and short and dense coats. The size of the Cowboy Corgis lies somewhere between that of its parent breed. They can grow up to 13 to 20 inches, weighing around 26 to 40 pounds.

Diet and Nutrition

Cowboy Corgis are mostly small dogs like Welsh Corgis, but sometimes when Australian Cattle Dog genes are more dominant, they may grow up to be medium-sized dogs at the largest. That said, the diet and nutritional requirements of Cowboy Corgis are much more than that of small or medium-sized dogs—almost equal to that of a large dog breed.

Actually, Cowboy Corgis are highly active dogs and expend tons of energy all day long. Therefore, they require more nutritional intake than many other dog breeds of similar size.

Cowboy Corgis’ caloric intake should match the calories they expend all day. If your Corgi is not getting ample physical exercise and his calorie intake is much higher, he will start gaining weight and grow obese. Therefore, you should keep a strict check on their caloric intake.

Except for more nutritional requirements, Cowboy Corgis can eat any high-quality dog food that is high in fiber and proteins. If you still have concerns about which dog food to feed your Cowboy Corgi, you should get advice from your vet or a pet dietician.

Cowboy Corgi Feeding Chart

While the amount of food you should feed your Cowboy puppy will depend on his activity level and other factors, look at the Cowboy Corgi feeding chart below to get an idea of how much you should be feeding your Cowboy Corgi.

The above chart is only to get you started, as each individual dog has nutritional needs specific to only them. As a rule of thumb, if your dog seems to be gaining weight, you should cut down on the amount per meal or the number of meals.

Conversely, if your corgi seems to be losing weight and acting lackadaisical, you should scale up its caloric intake. More so, you should always get your vet’s opinion as there might be some underlying health condition.  

Training Requirements

Corgi Cowboys are extremely intelligent, so it is quite easy to train. With proper reinforcement dog training techniques, you can easily teach them basic obedience commands and advanced skills, such as how to roll over. Advanced training will not only enhance the skillset of your pup but will also provide them ample mental stimulation to stay healthy.

With a handful of treats, you can easily teach your Cowboy Corgi how to walk on a leash, crate-train your Corgi, and also give him some guard dog training. But if your Corgi has been experiencing weight issues, you can cut down on treats and try some effective ways to train your dog without treats.

Cowboy Corgis have strong herding instincts, so if not socially trained, they may nip at your small children and slow-walking adults or other pets in the house. Therefore, you must start their socialization training at a young age.

Cowboy Corgi Training Tip!

Shorter but more frequent training sessions work better than longer but less frequent sessions. Training sessions should not be longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

The key to Cowboy Corgi training is starting it when they are young; you have to be consistent and patient. You should only use positive reinforcement strategies, as punishing your dog for bad behavior is counterproductive. That said, you should not reward any bad behavior either—the best course of action is just to ignore him.

Exercise Requirements

Don’t be fooled by the small to medium size and stubby legs of Cowboy Corgis—they are highly energetic dogs and thus require a lot of exercises to maintain their health. If you are not giving ample exercise to your Cowboy Corgi, you cannot blame them for exhibiting aggressive and destructive behavioral tendencies.

You can take your Cowboy Corgi on your morning and evening walks with you. Moreover, if you are going on hiking or swimming on the weekends, you should let your Corgi tag along—they love adventures. That said, you should not limit the exercise to only walks and weekend adventures.

In addition to regular walks, you should have short, interactive sessions with your pup twice or thrice a day. Your Corgi would love to play fetch with a competition disc. Moreover, you can also give your Corgi several tasks at home—they love to work and please their owners.

This will keep them mentally engaged. You can also get your Cowboy Corgi interactive dog toys that would keep them engaged when you are not around.

If you cannot provide for a Cowboy Corgi’s exercise requirements, we suggest you do not get one. You can instead look into lazy dog breeds—they don’t have many exercise requirements and sit perfectly with working dog lovers.

Living Arrangements

Cowboy Corgis are highly energetic and considered an on-the-move dog breed, so apartment living does not sit well with them. Instead, an ideal environment for your Cowboy Corgi would be a home with a large fenced ground where your Corgi Cattle Dog can roam around and explore freely.

But you don’t have to give up your dream of keeping a Cowboy Corgi just because you are living in a small apartment with no fenced lawn or backyard. A smaller dwelling won’t be a problem if you can provide ample outdoor time and activity for your Corgi Cattle Dog. However, you will have to be very careful because if these hybrid dogs don’t expend their energy by going on walks or having interactive sessions, they will resort to unhealthy ways—they may wreck your apartment. So don’t let your Cowboy get bored at all costs.

Coat Size and Hypoallergenic Status

Both parent breeds of Cowboy Corgi have a medium-length double coat that keeps them warm during harsh cold winter days but makes them shed a lot. Cowboy Corgis also have a dense double coat—a weather-resistant undercoat and a bit longer outer coat.

Like their parents, Cowboy Corgis are heavy shedders. In addition to shedding throughout the year, they also have shedding seasons—fully shedding their undercoat—once or twice a year. Given their excessive shedding tendency, they don’t make a good choice for people with allergies. If you have allergies but want a dog, you should look for dog breeds that don’t shed much.

But if you must want a hybrid dog breed that doesn’t shed, you may explore your options here in this list of hypoallergenic dog mixes.

Cowboy Corgis mostly inherit their coat colors from Australian parents. So they usually have coat colors and combinations quite similar to Australian Cattle Dogs. You will mostly find them with a tri-color, sable, roan, or merle coat color and patterns. However, they will look more like a Corgi if they don’t have a merle pattern.

Cowboy Corgi Grooming Requirements

Before getting yourself a Cowboy Corgi, you should keep in mind that they require a lot of grooming. As mentioned previously, they have a double coat and shed a lot, requiring a lot of grooming—around 20 minutes of coat brushing a day. By brushing their coat regularly, you can control the amount of shedding. We suggest the use of a slick brush, which will make sure that all the lost hair, dirt, and burrs are being removed.

While Corgi Cattle Dogs require a lot of brushing, they don’t need to be bathed that often—once a month or every other month would be just fine. However, if your Corgi Cowboy rolls in something unpleasant and dirty, you will have to give them a bath to get rid of mud and other entangled material. You may try using a vet-approved oatmeal dog shampoo to give your dog a nice smell. Bathing Cowboy Corgis is a fun activity as they love water.

In addition to brushing your Corgi’s coat regularly, you will also have to keep a check on their nails and grind and clip them on time to avoid breakage. You should also regularly observe your dog’s footpads to check if they are getting dry and cracked.

Furthermore, you should check and clean your dog’s ears and teeth every other day. And if you find anything odd, you should take your dog to a vet.

Five Reasons Why You Should Not Get a Cowboy Corgi

Why You Should Get a Cowboy Corgi?

• They are not hypoallergenic
• They know how to outsmart their owners
• They remain small
• They can be destructive if left alone for an extended period
• They can be aggressive towards cats and dogs they are not familiar with

Cowboy Corgis Shed a Lot

Cowboy Corgis are not hypoallergenic, which means they can shed a lot at times. This is because both their parents, the Australian Cattle and Pembroke Welsh Corgi, have double coats that shed a lot. They also go through yearly shedding seasons—once or twice a year—where the undercoat sheds more frequently. Regular bathing and brushing can help to minimize the shedding of fur around the house. If you are prone to pet allergies, it is highly advised that you avoid opting for this breed—nothing is worth risking your health.

That said, we should not reject the love and happiness that dogs bring into our lives just because we have pet allergies. Instead of a Cowboy Corgi, you can take a look at hypoallergenic dog mixes or dogs that don’t shed. People with allergies can easily get along with these dogs with proper care.

They Know How to Outsmart Their Owners

As mentioned earlier, Cowboy Corgis are super smart and intelligent. Because of this, they can easily get manipulative and outsmart their owners. If you are a soft-hearted person, this dog can easily outsmart you.

They Remain Small

Cowboy Corgis are more likely to take after their Corgi parent in size—they are usually below 30 pounds. They also tend to inherit the standard short stature and long bodies from the Corgis. If you are someone who prefers tall dog breeds, Cowboy Corgis might not be the right choice for you.

They Can Be Destructive if Left Alone for an Extended Period

Leaving your Cowboy Corgi for an extended period is a bad idea as they easily get bored and can be destructive as well. If you have a busy routine and are unable to spend more time at home, we advise against opting for the Cowboy Corgi. Instead, you get yourself one of the calmest dog breeds.

Cowboy Corgis Can Be Aggressive Towards Cats and Dogs They Are Not Familiar With

Even though Cowboy Corgis are very loving and affectionate, they can be aggressive towards cats and dogs they aren’t familiar with. If you already have pets at home and are willing to opt for the Coyboy Corgi, it may cause hurdles for you. But worry not, with early socialization and training, you can have your cat and dog living together as best friends.

Five Reasons Why You Should Get a Cowboy Corgi

Why You Should Get a Cowboy Corgi?

• They are loyal
• They are energetic and into cardio
• They are great watchdogs
• They are adventurous
• They Rarely bark

They Are Loyal

Cowboy Corgis are popularly known for being extremely loyal. They get the double dose of this trait from their parents—Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Australian Cattle dogs are super loyal dogs as well. Every dog enthusiast in the world wants a loyal companion. However, it may sometimes backfire as loyalty can lead to possessiveness and, as a result, they can be aggressive towards strangers and unfamiliar pets.

They are Energetic and into Cardio

As mentioned earlier, the Australian Cattle and Pembroke Welsh Corgi were herding dogs; hence their offspring inherit this trait from them. Cowboy Corgis are active dogs as well. They need lots of exercise daily to exert their energy. If you are an active person, the Cowboy Corgis can prove to be your workout buddy.

But if you are not much of an outgoing person, their high exercise requirements should be a red flag for you.

They Are Great Watchdogs

Cowboy Corgis are great watchdogs. They are protective towards their family and owners—would go to any extent to protect them. If they see a potential threat approaching, they will start barking to alert you and warn the intruder. But if the potential threat does not take the cue, they will be forced to do more than just bark.

They Are Adventurous

Besides being active and energetic, the Cowboy Corgis also love adventures. They are up for any kind of physical and mental activities and adventures. From going on a hike to jogging in the park to swimming in the swimming pools and exploring the natural stream, they would love to accompany you. They also like exploring new places. If you are an active person, Cowboy Corgis would be one of the best choices for you.

They Rarely Bark

Even though Cowboy Corgis are super active dogs, they rarely bark. Relax if you are worried about your dog waking up the whole neighborhood! Cowboy Corgis are quiet and one of the most unbothered breeds. They will only bark to alert you about a potential threat.

How Much Does a Cowboy Corgi Puppy Cost?

Despite being a designer breed, Cowboy Corgis are not as expensive as some other designer breeds like Pocket Pitbull or Victorian Bulldog. Depending on various factors, you can easily find a Cowboy Corgi for around $500 to $1500. Sometimes, reputed breeders may charge you more for this little package of cuteness.

However, if you are up for investing some time, you may find an adorable Cowboy Corgi at some local dog shelter. This will not only save you money but will also provide a loving home to a Cowboy Corgi living in a shelter.

Adopt, Not Shop!

But if you were unable to find yourself a Cowboy Corgi at local dog shelters, you should go to a reputable and established breeder. Never buy from backyard breeders, as their dogs usually have several health conditions. Moreover, you should never get a dog (or any pet) from a pet store without asking, “where did the puppy come from?” and about its parents’ history. Many pet stores source their puppies from puppy mills, which keep dogs in inhumane conditions.

You will be supporting the vicious and inhumane puppy mill business by purchasing a dog sourced from a puppy mill. You should always make a purchase after ensuring that the puppy is ethically raised and comes from a professional breeder—they have all the required medical history of the parents’ breeds of the Cowboy Corgi. This would allow you to minimize the risks of dealing with future genetic health complications.

Cowboy Corgi Lifespan

Cowboy Corgis are developed by crossbreeding two healthy dog breeds—Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Australian Cattle Dog. Where Welsh Corgis have an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years, Australian Cattle Dogs have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Given that both of the Cowboy Corgi parents are overall healthy, they also tend to be healthy and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years if their health concerns are timely dealt with. That said, if you take good care of your dog and never miss a vet visit, your Corgi may exceed the expected lifespan. Vet visits help apprehend and address health issues at an earlier stage, paving your dog’s way to a long and healthy life.

Cowboy Corgi Common Health Issues

Cowboy Corgi is a relatively healthy dog breed, but like other mixed dog breeds, they are also susceptible to inheriting any health issues that either of their parents may have. Below are some of the health conditions you should be on the lookout for.

Cowboy Corgi Common Health Issues

• Hip dysplasia
• Intervertebral disc diseases
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Deafness

Hip Dysplasia

Both Welsh Corgis and Australian Cattle Dogs are susceptible to hip dysplasia, so there is a huge chance of Cowboy Corgis inheriting this health condition. Therefore, before getting a Cowboy Corgi, you should check its DNA test results to make sure that he has not inherited dysplasia.

If you have already brought a Corgi home and have no idea if he has this health condition, you should take him to the vet orthopedic specialist.

Intervertebral Disk Disease

Many Chondrodystrophic dog breeds such as Pocket Pitbull, Corgi, and Chiweenie—dogs having short legs and long body looks—often suffer from intervertebral disc diseases. Given that Corgis suffer from this health condition, there is a huge possibility that Corgi mix breeds may also inherit this condition.

By keeping a check on the caloric intake of your Cowboy Corgi, you can save him from developing this health condition as weight gain increases the risk of developing intervertebral disc disease in dogs.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Your Cowboy Corgi puppy may inherit this health condition if it inherits the autosomal recessive gene from both of its parents. It affects the ability of photoreceptors in a dog’s eyes to capture the light and leads to the development of night blindness and, if left untreated, can lead to complete blindness. Before getting a Cowboy Corgi, you can have a vet do an optical exam of your dog to rule out the possibility of this health condition.

Deafness

Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness (CHSD) is quite common in Australian Cattle Dogs. So if your Cowboy Corgi has inherited more Cattle dog genes than Welsh Corgi, there is a huge chance that he might have congenital deafness. It starts with difficult hearing but, when left untreated, leads to complete deafness. Before getting your Corgi puppy, you should have him take the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test to check for deafness status.

Cowboy Corgi Screening Tests

• Optical examination
• Physical examination
• BAER test to check for deafness
• X-rays to check for hip dysplasia and back problems

If you are getting a Cowboy Corgi puppy from a breeder, you should ask for copies of the test results and guarantee that congenital health issues won’t affect your Corgi. If the breeder is reluctant to provide test results and give any written guarantees, you should take your cue and move to some other breeder.

Things To Consider When Getting a Cowboy Corgi

• Do you have any pet allergies? If you are nodding your head in affirmation, you need to abort the Cowboy Corgi mission, as they are heavy shedders and would be triggering frequent allergic reactions every day.
• Do you have a yard? Cowboy Corgis can live in an apartment provided they have ample outdoor activities like running off-leash in dog parks and on leash runs around the block, but a big house with a large fenced yard would be a perfect fit.
• Do you have spare time to provide for exercise? Given that Corgi Cowboys are high-energy dogs, they need a lot of exercise—around an hour of vigorous activity. If they don’t get this much exercise, they will develop behavioral issues. So think twice before getting a Cowboy.
• Can you meet their grooming requirements? While they don’t need to be bathed more often, they need daily brushing—around 20 minutes—as they are heavy shedders.

Interesting Facts About Cowboy Corgi

• They are known by many names, such as Corgi Cowboys, Corgi Cattle Dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Australian Cattle Dog Mix, Blue Heeler Corgi Mix, etc.  
• Cowboy Corgis are often born with a docked tail. But know that not all the Corgis with the docked tail are natural; many are born with long tails but are later docked by their parents, given the breed standard.
• Cowboy Corgis have a strong herding instinct as both of their parents are great herders, hence their name Corgi Cattle Dog. They can herd your cattle on farms, and at home, they might try to herd small kids and pets in the house.
• Cowboy Corgis have an irresistible chase drive. So you can expect them to pull on the leash and try to chase a bike or squirrel while walking around the block.  
• They are always up for adventures. Whether you go for a hike, swimming, running, cycling, or anything outdoors, they will be delighted to tag along.
• Cowboy Corgis remain small despite the heeler’s genes. They inherit the body structure of their Corgi parents—short legs and long barrel-shaped bodies.
• Cowboy Corgis are mostly silent and only bark to alert their owners about a potential threat.
• Cowboy Corgis can outsmart and manipulate their owners as both of their parent breeds are way up on the intelligence ladder.