Porgi

The Porgi, sometimes simply called the Corgi Pug, is a mix of one Corgi and one Pug parent. Both parent breeds are small to medium-sized with the resulting size of their pups being somewhere on this sliding scale, depending on who they most take after.

Whilst the Pug is a pure companion dog, the Corgi was once a bold herding animal. This means the latter can have a stubborn and wilful streak, which can pop up in the Porgi. Since the Porgi carries aspects of both parent breeds, when considering one as a family dog, it’s especially important to find a pup that is well-socialised from a young age. This reduces the risk of the dog growing into a mouthy or overly-anxious adult that may bite when stressed.

About & History

The history of hybrid dog breeds is relatively short. It’s only in the past couple of decades that deliberate mating between purebred dogs has taken place, and so the story of the Porgi is really that of the two parent breeds.

The Corgi

The Corgi is an intriguing and much misunderstood breed. Perhaps the image of sedate corgis as companions to Queen Elizabeth II has given the impression they are less wilful than they are. Indeed, the Corgi has its roots as a working dog, trained to heard cattle and nip at their heels to keep them in order.

As you can imagine, it takes a certain boldness to run amongst the hooves of a herd of moving cattle, and this courage is something the Corgi has in abundance. Their distant ancestors are likely to be Swedish Vallhunds, brought to Wales by Viking invaders. Once naturalised to Wales, they developed into a distinct, almost foxy-looking breed, that is sturdy and stubborn.

The Pug

The Pug is another breed with a long and interesting story. Their origins go back around 2,000 years to ancient China. These flat-faced dogs were a common ancestor for another instantly recognisable dog breed, the Pekingese.

The Pug was introduced to Europe in the 16th century by Dutch traders and quickly became popular companion dogs to aristocrats and royalty. Over the centuries, their appearance has changed somewhat with the modern dog having a much flatter face than their more robust forebears.

Appearance

The Porgi is a small to medium-sized dog and is small enough to be picked up but sturdy enough for a decent walk. As with all hybrid dogs, within a litter some will more strongly resemble one parent over another. For those that sit somewhere in the middle, the Corgi gifts the Porgi a somewhat longer snout than the pure Pug. Whilst the Pug lends extra length to the Corgi leg, bringing their proportions back towards that of a typical dog.

The most common coat colour is tan or fawn and sometimes with a black mask. They have a short to medium length coat, which is unusually dense and indeed prone to shedding. The Porgi has drop ears, and a tail that is most often curly like that of the Pug.

Character & Temperament

When it comes to easy-going nature, the Pug and Corgi are in different halves of the temperament scale. Whilst the Pug is definitely a lover and not a fighter, the working instinct of the Corgi can make them a bit short-tempered. This trait can be largely worked around with a Porgi with when the pup receives excellent socialisation as a youngster along with ongoing training. However, it does mean they may not be best suited to a young family or a chaotic household, as they may not tolerate rough and tumble without snapping back.

This said, when well-trained, the Porgi is a delightful dog that is loving and loyal. They are fun-loving characters with the ability to charm, but just be aware that some experience as a dog owner may be preferable before taking one on.

Trainability

The Porgi is moderately easy to train, perhaps given a helping hand by most Pugs being strongly food-motivated. This makes reward-based training methods an excellent way to have your fur-friend straining to obey.

However, both the Pug and Corgi can have stubborn streaks. The Pug because they can’t be bothered, and the Corgi because they are strong willed. Thus, training session should always be fun, take place daily and with rules applied consistently or you risk the dog getting frustrated.

Health

As yet there is little data specific to the health problems of hybrid breeds, such as the Porgi. However, the parent breeds are prone to certain conditions so it is reasonable to assume that some of their offspring may also be affected.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Intervertebral discs are the equivalent of miniature cushions sitting between each back bone or vertebra. They allow the spine to move and be flexible, whilst at the same time protecting the spinal cord. However, if the discs become damaged and part or all of the disc slips out of place, this puts pressure on the spinal cord.

Slipped discs are extremely painful and in the worst cases the spinal cord is damaged leading to paralysis. Rest and pain relief is essential, and cases with serious nerve damage require decompressive surgery.

Bladder Stones

Some dogs are predisposed to form crystals in their urine, which over time clump together to form stones. These rub around the lining of the bladder causing inflammation and discomfort. This can cause serious complications if the stone moves out of the bladder and becomes stuck in the urethra.

Bladder stones form as a result of minerals in the diet and how the body’s processes them. Prevention is better than cure, with dogs that have previously formed bladder stones doing best on a special diet.

Allergies

Allergies are common and, in dogs, tend to manifest as itchy skin. This leads to scratching and self-trauma such that the dog damages their skin and causes secondary infections.

Allergen avoidance is best, but rarely practical. Fortunately, there are now a good range of options for controlling the symptoms to give the dog relief from the discomfort of constant itchiness.

Exercise and Activity Levels

The Porgi needs at least two, 20 to 30 minute walks per day. They have moderate energy levels, and their lack of leg length means they can become tired with over-exercise. The wise owner finds that sweet spot whereby the dog gets out and about for vital mental stimulation, but without tiring their Porgi.

Grooming

Don’t be deceived by that short length of the Porgi’s coat, because what it lacks in length, it makes up for in thickness. And, it sheds… a lot. It’s best to get into the habit of daily brushing, so as to capture that shed hair before it can stick to the sofa and other soft furnishings.

The Porgi does not require trimming or parlour visits. However, occasional baths, no more frequently than once a month, will help to keep them smelling fresh. Daily tooth brushing is also a must, so get your Porgi pug used to this from an early age.