Dorgi Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Dorgi?

There's quite a bit of mystery that surrounds this beautiful and highly-intelligent small hybrid breed, but they are believed to have originated from Queen Elizabeth II.

The lineage is said to have begun when one of Her Majesty's many Corgis took quite the romantic liking to Pipkin, her sister, Princess Margaret's Dachshund, and the rest, as they say, is history.

As it would turn out, Queen Elizabeth II took kindly to the pairing and resulting littler of puppies, soon to become known as Dorgis. To date, HRH has owned ten Dorgi pups.

It's not only royalty who enjoy this wonderous and affectionate small breed of dogs. They are becoming increasingly popular else in the United States and, of course, here in Australia.

Who are Dorgi dogs best for?

Don't let those short little legs fool you.

Although they may be small, Dorgis tend to have a lot of energy to burn. With that in mind, a dog of this kind is best suited to an active individual or family.

In fact, they need quite a bit of exercise to keep them happy - anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour a day. If they don't get this, the breed gets bored very quickly and can be prone to bad habits and destructive behaviours as they look for creative outlets for their unbounded physical energy.

So, if you have the time - and stamina - to keep up with an active pup, a Dorgi could be an excellent choice of dog breed for you.

Anyone who is unable to provide enough exercise and playtime with a Dorgi would definitely not be a suitable owner.

How much grooming does a Dorgi need?

A Dorgi's coat can best be described as medium in length; it is not overly long, nor is it particularly close to the skin. It has a soft and wiry texture and is relatively thick over the entirety of their bodies.

Thankfully, a Dorgi's coat requires very little grooming or overall maintenance. Shedding won't be too much of a problem, so if you don't want to be constantly cleaning your carpets and soft furnishing to keep them free of dog hair, a Dorgi is an excellent choice of pet.

All you will need to do is bathe them once, maybe twice a week, to keep their coat in good condition. (This, however, ultimately depends on how much your furry friend likes to get dirty!). Just also ensure that they are given a quick brush regularly to keep their coat fresh and luscious.

Do Dorgi bark much?

While Dorgis are vocal when they are happy or excited (try not to mention the dog park if you don't want an animated ball of fluff screaming with joy!), this mixed breed doesn't usually vocalise unnecessarily.

Of course, good training often heavily influences this, as they have somewhat of a stubborn streak, and if not kept in line, they can be a bit, well, noisy!

Do Dorgi bite?

Adult Dorgis, and Dorgi puppies too, for that matter, have been rarely known to be vicious.

And while a well-trained, socialised, and happy dog should never bite other dogs or humans, it is an unfortunate reality that even the most placid dog breeds can be prone to outbursts of frustration and anger.

For this reason, never leave young children unattended with your new Dorgi pup until you know their precise temperament and nature.

If you have any worries or concerns about your Dorgi's behaviour, contact your vet, who will be able to advise you with suitable next steps.

What is the temperament & personality of a Dorgi?

Let's be honest: Dorgis are nothing short of absolutely adorable, with the trait of a big personality being one of the biggest draws for prospective dog owners.

They are friendly, fun, very sociable, and, ultimately, extremely loyal to their owners, as well as the wide family. This includes kids, who they can be very protective of - who they often claim as their own -and other pets in the household.

It's for these reasons that they make an ideal family pet, suitable for small families, even couples, or larger families with kids of different ages.

They are the ultimate canine companion for life and do not cope well in shelters or when given up to a new family. Of course, over time, they slowly begin to adjust, but adopting a Dorgi should always be seen as a commitment for the rest of your dog's life.

Despite being such small little dogs, their natural instincts are rooted in what one parent breeds were originally used for; Corgis were originally bred as a herding dog as well as a hunting dog, so they are very brave for small animals!

They also make brilliant guard dogs - they will have absolutely no problem guarding your home or offering encouraging barks to your postman to not overstep the mark!

What is the weight & size of a Dorgi?

Dorgis are small dogs, and a healthy adult will weigh anywhere between 7 kg and 12 kg. Males are usually on the larger side compared to females. They have long body and short legs, so, therefore, they aren't very tall, measuring between 17 cm and 30 cm.

How much training does a Dorgi need?

Because these small pets are so intelligent, they are easy to train, which makes them thrive and become much happier dogs when they know their line in the pecking order.

Pet parents should definitely make sure that their Dorgi attends puppy classes from as young as they are suitable. This makes life much easier down the road, encouraging them to become not just obedient and loyal but also brilliantly behaved around other dogs too.

Of course, if you are experienced with the breed enough that you can train them yourself, then that's absolutely fine to do. But, just be aware that those formative years are crucial in how your dog's personality will develop, so please ensure you are fully confident and expertly equipped with the knowledge to make their training work.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Dorgi?

As mixed breed dogs, Dorgis can, unfortunately, inherit many of the health problems that can often plague the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Dachshund. However, many of these are impossible to predict, and there is no guarantee that your dog will become afflicted with any of these.

Some of these include hip dysplasia, disc disease, cataracts, and patellar luxation.

Dorgis can be prone to obesity, so always limit treats and feed them the set requirement of food to limit any weight problems and subsequent health concerns.

What is the lifespan of a Dorgi?

A healthy Dorgi has a long lifespan for a dog, with many living to as old as 15 or even 16 years of age.

This is dependent on whether they have any known health issues or any other underlying conditions. That's why routine veterinary checkups are so important. Your vet will be able to tell you the correct course of action to ensure your Dorgi leads a full, happy and hopefully long life.

How much should you feed a Dorgi?

As previously mentioned, it is really important not to overfeed Dorgis as they are one of a few dog breeds that can easily become overweight, largely due to how much they love their food!

To ensure a healthy weight range, feed them no more than 1 1/2 cups of premium, high-quality dry dog. However, you can include wet food into the mix too but always try to opt for the highest quality your budget will allow.

What is the price of a Dorgi in Australia?

Dorgi pups are not cheap. They can sometimes cost in excess of $5000, with some even going for as much as $7000.

Although money rarely matters when you have such a kind, loyal and fun dog out of it!