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Westies and Corgis are two of the most popular small dog breeds, and it’s not hard to see why. Westies are friendly, clever, and absolutely beautiful with their curly white coats. And Corgis win hearts everywhere with their tiny legs and giant personalities. If you’re looking for a small dog, it’s hard to choose—so some people don’t!
If you’re a fan of West Highland White Terriers and Corgis, consider getting a Westie Corgi mix. These designer dogs can have all the best traits of both parent breeds plus a style that’s all their own.
Breed Overview
Height:
10–12.5 inches
Weight:
25–35 pounds
Lifespan:
12–13 years
Colors:
White, tan, red, black, sable, fawn, often with white markings
Suitable for:
Families, individuals, apartment living, beginner dog owners, those looking for a low-shedding dog.
Temperament:
Loyal, adaptable, playful, stubborn, energetic
Westie Corgi mixes, also known as West Highland Corgis, are designer mixes with some great parentage. These dogs have mixed ancestry—they’re part West Highland White Terrier and part Pembroke Welsh or Cardigan Corgi. Like all designer mixes, every Westie Corgi is different. Some look and act more like one parent breed or the other. But in general, this breed is friendly, adaptable, and energetic—perfect for owners in all sorts of situations.
Westie Corgi Mix Characteristics
Westie Corgi Mix Puppies
Westie Corgi mix puppies are known for being tiny bundles of energy. They can be kind of hard to care for because they are always getting into trouble, but it’s hard to stay mad at one too. Some Corgi mix puppies are known to be a little nippy as they explore the world mouth-first, but gentle correction and good training will help them learn better by the time their bites are big enough to hurt.
You might have to hunt a little bit to find someone who breeds this mix, but it also isn’t too rare. When looking for a designer (mixed breed) dog breeder, it’s especially important to be vigilant about avoiding puppy mills and disreputable breeders. While purebred dog breeders are usually regulated by the kennel they’re registered to, there isn’t any oversight on designer mixes. Make sure that if you buy a Westie Corgi mix puppy, you check out the breeding situation first to make sure that the breeder is giving their dogs enough care, including socialization, medical care, and time between litters. Breeders that don’t care for their dogs’ needs often will have reactive or unhealthy puppies.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Westie Corgi Mix
The Westie Corgi mix is generally a friendly and intelligent breed. You’ll be surprised by this mix’s smarts—they’re often great at solving problems and learning new things, although they do have a stubborn streak. They generally are friendly and outgoing as well, warming up quickly to strangers. They develop a deep loyalty to their families, and with socialization, they get along well with other pets in most cases.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Overall, Westie Corgi mixes are great family pets. They enjoy being in a hectic, busy multi-person household and will match the energy of children in their home. They also love playtime, and having kids or teenagers who can give them lots of one-on-one time is a plus. Their Corgi side can sometimes cause trouble with smaller kids, though. Some Corgi mixes like to nip, so it’s important to closely supervise their interactions with smaller kids and especially with babies and toddlers that don’t know how to be gentle yet. Their herding dog background can also cause them to “herd” toddlers and small children if left unchecked.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Their drive to make friends doesn’t stop at humans—they get on great with other dogs too! Westie Corgi mixes love to share a home with other dogs as long as they’re given lots of socialization. When it comes to cats and small pets, it’s a little more complicated. Most Westie Corgis can learn to get along well with other types of animals, including cats and small pets, but it might be a struggle for some. That’s because their terrier side comes with a higher prey drive. Their first instinct is often to chase cats and small animals, so you have to fight against that instinct when socializing them.
Things to Know When Owning a Westie Corgi Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
One nice thing about a small dog like a Westie Corgi mix is the smaller appetite. These dogs need 1.5 to 2 cups of food a day, depending on their size, age, and activity levels. Even though these dogs are small, their high energy levels mean that high-quality food is a must. Food with high protein content and real meat as the first ingredient will help fuel them every day.
This breed does have a tendency towards weight gain, so it’s important to keep an eye on their eating habits. If your dog is becoming overweight, make sure to cut back—and don’t forget to include treats and table scraps in your calculations! As your Westie Corgi ages, you might want to consider a food formulated for seniors to help keep its weight in check.
Exercise🐕
Westie Corgi mixes might be small, but they have lots of energy. It’s important to give them lots of toys and options to keep them busy throughout the day so they don’t become destructive. It’s also important to spend at least 30–45 minutes a day in active exercise with them. That means high-intensity play, going on a run, or some other strenuous exercise. If it takes you both outdoors, that’s even better.
Training 🎾
Westie Corgi mixes are very intelligent, but they can be a little stubborn. That means it’s important to get a good training relationship off the ground. These dogs do best with consistent, firm, calm training and lots of praise for good behavior. It’s also great to learn what motivates your dog—some Westie Corgi mixes are very food motivated, while others couldn’t care less about food and would rather have some playtime as a reward. Once you’ve learned how to motivate your dog, it will learn quickly.
Grooming ✂️
The amount of grooming your Westie Corgi mix needs depends a lot on which parent breed it takes after. Corgis tend to have short, smooth coats that don’t need trimming or detangling but do shed a lot. Westies are the opposite—they’re a low-shedding breed, but their long hair can be a pain to detangle. This means that some Westie-Corgi mix dogs are low shedders, while others shed a lot. Some just need a brush every few days, while others need it daily. And if your dog has longer fur, you might want to have it trimmed, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Westie Corgi mixes have a moderate level of health concerns. On one hand, mixed-breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebreds. But on the other hand, there are a few major and minor health concerns to watch out for. When looking at puppies, ask your breeder what conditions they screen for and about your puppy’s parents’ health history.
Male vs Female
Male and female Westie Corgi mixes are pretty similar in size and temperament. Your dog’s individual genetics and what traits it inherits from each parent breed matter a lot more than gender when it comes to both. However, male dogs are a little larger in general.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Westie Corgi Mix
1. There Are Actually Multiple Types of Westie Corgi Mixes…
…because there are two breeds of Corgi! Pembroke Welsh and Cardigan Corgis have a lot in common, but they are two separate breeds. That means that your mix could be a Westie Pembroke, a Westie Cardigan, or have some of both!
2. They Have Roots in Folklore
Corgis are famous for their starring role in Welsh folklore, where fairies rode them like horses. That must have been one cozy ride.
3. Their Other Side Has Noble Origins
While their Corgi side carries fairies, their Westie side has a pretty cool history too. West Highland White Terriers were first bred by the Scottish Laird (Lord) of Poltalloch. He took several native terriers and developed them into the breed we know today.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a big personality in a small package, this breed might be for you. The Westie Corgi mix is a fun, friendly breed that can be at home in a variety of situations. Great for beginners and experienced owners alike, if you’re lucky enough to own one it is sure to capture your heart.
Featured Image Credit: Victoria Rak, Shutterstock
