Cairn Corgi (Cairn Terrier & Welsh Corgi Mix): Info, Pictures, and Traits
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| Height: | 10–11 inches |
| Weight: | 15– 25 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–15 years |
| Colors: | Gray, Light brown, Red, Black & tan |
| Suitable for: | Families in an apartment |
| Temperament: | Very social, affectionate, intelligent, great with kids |
The Cairn Terrier and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breeds combined give us the adorable Cairn Corgi. The Cairn Corgi can have either Welsh Corgi as a parent, but bear in mind that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the more popular breed (it’s the 13th most popular dog in North America compared to the Cardigan, which is the 68th).
The Cairn Corgi has the cheerful and energetic nature of the Cairn Terrier and the intelligent and affectionate personality of the Welsh Corgi. Both of the Cairn Corgi’s parents are smaller dogs, which gives them a tiny and slightly long body with short to medium-long wiry fur. They have a variety of colors, ranging from red, black, gray, tan, and any combination of these colors.
Cairn Corgi Puppies
Thanks to the heritage of the Cairn Terrier, the Cairn Corgi is a high-energy dog. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, and they are, overall, generally healthy dogs. The Cairn Corgi is an amiable and social dog with most people but might be wary of other dogs. Early socialization and training are essential for Cairn Corgis to get along with other pets and maintain a calm attitude around other people.
Their loving and affectionate temperament helps them create strong bonds with their families, especially with children. They are great family dogs that are easily trainable.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Cairn Corgi
1. The Cairn Corgi Can Be Exercised Inside the Home.
They are relatively high-energy dogs, but because of their small size, they can get their daily exercise running around and playing inside your house. Therefore, they’re ideal pups for apartments and small homes.
2. The Cairn Corgi Will Have Very Different Ears, Depending on the Parent.
They might inherit the Cairn Terrier’s floppy ears or the large, upright foxy ears of the Welsh Corgi, depending on which parent the Cairn Corgi takes after more.
3. The Cairn Corgi Doesn’t Bark Often.
They might bark for treats or when they need your attention, but otherwise, they are very quiet dogs. Unlike some small dogs, they’re unlikely to bother your neighbors if you live in an apartment.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Cairn Corgi 🧠
In general, the intelligent Cairn Corgi is mellow yet energetic. They are very friendly and enjoy being around people but can also be a little mischievous at times.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
The Cairn Corgi makes an excellent family pet. They are lovely dogs for people of all ages, and they enjoy spending time with children. They are happiest with their family since they are fantastic companion dogs that don’t do well when left alone for long periods.
They also make excellent watchdogs; although they don’t bark very much, they will alert the household to anyone approaching the home. They love playing with children, but all children need to be taught how to be gentle with dogs.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
When properly socialized as puppies, the Cairn Corgi gets along very well with other pets. They don’t have any inherent aggressive tendencies, and therefore, have no trouble with other dogs or animals. However, because they’re small dogs, they can get hurt if they play with giant breeds. A small or medium-sized canine is a better roommate for the Cairn Corgi.
Things to Know When Owning a Cairn Corgi
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As a small dog, the Cairn Corgi should follow the dietary requirements for small breeds. They need 1½ to 2½ cups of food that you can split into two to three meals a day. However, you can also consult your vet for brand recommendations and feeding instructions.
Exercise 🐕
The Cairn Corgi, as previously mentioned, is an energetic dog because of their parents’ traits. The Welsh Corgi is from the Herding Group, and the Cairn Terrier is from the Terrier Group and was bred to dig and root around for small, furry prey.
Coming from two working dog parents, the Cairn Corgi inherits these traits, so keeping your dog busy will prevent them from becoming bored. As a small dog, they only need to run around for short periods and don’t need a lot of space. Therefore, playing in an apartment and the usual daily walks will suffice.
Training 🦮
The Cairn Corgi is eager to please and very intelligent, all of which make training relatively easy. Their intelligence can make them a bit stubborn at times, which is something that you will need to work through, but otherwise, your dog will quickly pick up training.
You should always use positive reinforcement with lots of praise and love when training your dog or puppy. This will give you a well-adjusted and happy family dog.
Grooming ✂️
The Cairn Corgi will have either a short or a medium-length coat of fur that is easy to groom. Brushing your dog a few times a week should be sufficient, but only bathe your dog when necessary using a dog shampoo.
Depending on how long your Cairn Corgi’s coat is, you might need to trim the hair from your dog’s face and regularly clean the ears. You need to brush your dog’s teeth and trim their nails regularly, as this is a necessary part of grooming your dog.
Health Conditions ❤️
- The Welsh Corgi might have issues with dislocated eye lens, von Willebrand’s disease, retinal degeneration, and bladder stones
- The Cairn Terrier might be prone to glaucoma, liver shunt, and jawbone enlargement
- Your vet will examine your dog’s eyes and run urine and blood tests in addition to the usual physical exam to rule out any of these health issues
- The Welsh Corgi can be susceptible to a slipped disc, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and spinal cord disease
- The Cairn Terrier might be prone to Krabbe disease, which can be fatal
- The Cairn Corgi is much less likely to suffer from these conditions since they are a crossbreed, but your vet will run hip, spine, and DNA tests on your dog
Male vs Female
Male and female dogs differ in size and weight. The Cairn Corgi is 10 to 11 inches tall and weighs 5 to 25 pounds. The females are slightly smaller and lighter in size than the males.
Then, of course, there’s the difference in the biological makeup of the dog. Females need to be spayed if they aren’t going to be used for breeding. Spaying your dog is a more challenging and, therefore, more expensive surgery than neutering the male dog. Spaying also requires a longer recovery time. It is thought that most dogs are a little less excitable and aggressive after being spayed or neutered.
Some believe that there is a personality difference between males and females. Females are considered more affectionate and less aggressive than males, but there are debates on this subject. However, regardless of whether there are personality differences between males and females, the primary factors determining any dog’s overall temperament and personality are how they were raised and trained as puppies.
Final Thoughts
The Cairn Corgi combines two amazing purebred dogs and brings their best qualities into one adorable and friendly pet. The Cairn Terrier is known for their cheerful, curious, and affectionate nature, and the Welsh Corgi is lively, bright, and devoted. Combine the two, and you end up with the best of these fantastic breeds.
One way to find one of these puppies is to seek out the breeders of the Cairn Terrier and the Pembroke or Cardigan Welsh Corgi, who might help you find a crossbreed. You can also contact rescue societies, attend dog shows, and talk to national and local dog clubs. Seeking help online and through social media could also help you spread the word. The more people you speak to, the easier it will be to find this small, sweet, and smart dog.
Related Reads:
- Boweimar (Boxer & Weimaraner Mix)
- Rhodesian Boxer (Rhodesian Ridgeback & Boxer Mix)
- Miniature Irish Wolf Schnauzer (Irish Wolfhound & Mini Schnauzer Mix)
Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
