The Corman Shepherd is a designer breed with German Shepherd and Pembroke Welsh Corgi parents. Physically, these dogs tend to resemble their German Shepherd parents but are shaped like their Corgi parents—picture a shorter, smaller, and longer version of the German Shepherd.

Breed Overview

These dogs are attractive because they combine the traits of two beloved breeds: they are loyal, active, and intelligent like the German Shepherd, but compact like the Corgi. Their relatively small size makes them good candidates for many different types of homes, including apartment living, as long as they get the exercise they need. Do you think the Corman Shepherd could be the dog for you? Keep reading our guide to find out whether this breed is a good fit for you and your family!

Corman Shepherd Puppies

If you are interested in buying a Corman Shepherd puppy, check your local shelter to see whether one of these dogs is available. Otherwise, you will likely need to find a breeder. Make sure to do your research before purchasing any animal from a breeder. Likewise, avoid puppy mills, pet stores, and “backyard” breeders at all costs. These constituents will often breed as many dogs as possible for a profit without concern for the health and wellbeing of the animals.

When you do find a breeder, don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions about your dog’s health history. Because the Corman Shepherd is a designer dog and not a purebred, it is not registered with the American Kennel Club. As a result, you will not receive any pedigree papers for your dog, so it is especially important that you find out as much information as you can about your dog’s parents, their personalities, and any health problems they may have had. A good breeder will let you take a tour of their breeding facilities so that you can examine the cleanliness and humaneness of the facility for yourself. Consider it a red flag if a breeder won’t let you visit and can’t or won’t answer your questions.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Corman Shepherd

Overall, the Corman Shepherd is an intelligent, active, and affectionate dog. Occasionally, these dogs can be stubborn or possessive.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Overall, the Corman Shepherd does well with children, making this breed a good family dog. However, it’s always a good idea to socialize your dog with your kids from an early age if possible. Both the German Shepherd and the Corgi are herding dogs, so their herding nature can come through from time to time. Adequately training and socializing your dog will help prevent it from trying to herd you or your children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

If properly socialized, the Corman Shepherd can learn to live with other pets. However, these dogs may not be the most accepting of other dogs. If you want to guarantee harmony in your home, you may only want to consider bringing a Corman Shepherd home if you do not have any other pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Corman Shepherd:

Food & Diet Requirements

Depending on how big your Corman Shepherd gets, these are medium to large dogs. The type of food you buy should be high-quality and formulated for your dog’s size. You can calculate how much food to give your dog based on its weight. A 20-pound Corman Shepherd needs about 1½ cups of food per day, whereas a 70 pound Corman Shepherd should get about 3½ cups. Because Corman Shepherds are prone to weight gain, it is not recommended that you allow free eating; instead, opt for at least two set mealtimes throughout the day.

The exact amount of food you give your dog depends on his ideal weight, age, and activity level. If you have questions about what or how much to feed your dog, don’t hesitate to speak with your vet.

Exercise

The Corman Shepherd is an energetic dog that needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Like its parent breeds, the German Shepherd and the Corgi, the Corman Shepherd can become bored and destructive if it doesn’t get the exercise it needs. These dogs are also prone to weight gain, which can lead to plenty of health problems down the road, so exercise is an important part of keeping your dog at a healthy weight. Aim for about an hour of exercise per day; a combination of walks, jogs, backyard playtime, or romps around the dog park will help your Corman Shepherd get its energy out.

Training

The Corman Shepherd is a very intelligent dog that will respond well to training. However, if your pet takes after its Corgi ancestor, it could have a stubborn streak. To combat this, it can be helpful to maintain a confident and consistent demeanor. The key is to show your dog that you are the leader of the “pack.” If you are a beginner and don’t have much experience training dogs, you may want to take your dog to be trained by a professional.

Grooming ✂️

Due to its double coat, the Corman Shepherd sheds frequently. To mitigate shedding, aim to brush your dog’s coat daily. Doing so will also keep the coat looking shiny and healthy. In addition to brushing your dog’s coat, you should plan to trim its nails, clean its ears, and brush its teeth regularly. Aim to brush your dog’s teeth about three times per week.

Health and Conditions

Overall, Corman Shepherds tend to be fairly healthy dogs. However, they do occasionally inherit some of the health problems their parent breeds tend to be susceptible to. Below, we have listed both serious and minor health conditions you should be on the lookout for.

Male vs Female

It can be hard to generalize canine behavior based on sex. Like humans, every dog is an individual with its own individual personality. Therefore, it is always a good idea to spend some time with a potential pet before bringing it home to make sure its personality will work for you and your family.

That being said, dog owners have noted some anecdotal differences between male and female pets. One thing to note is that males are likely to be larger than females. As you may have noticed, this dog has a big weight range. Your pet’s weight will depend somewhat on which parent breed it physically takes after the most, but sex will probably also be a factor. Some German Shepherd owners note that females can be better with children and other pets than males, so that’s something to consider if you do have kids or other animals. On the other hand, males may be more affectionate than females; Corgi owners note that females tend to be more independent dogs. Other behavioral differences are often associated with reproductive hormones and are virtually eliminated when a dog is spayed or neutered.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Corman Shepherd

1. These dogs go by many different names.

In addition to Corman Shepherd, you might hear these dogs called Corgi German Shepherds or German Corgis.

2. German Shepherds are great working dogs.

Members of the breed have served as police dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs, and in other canine posts.

3. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a favorite of the Queen of England.

Queen Elizabeth has had about 30 Corgis since she ascended the throne in 1952.

Conclusion

Overall, the Corman Shepherd can be a great pet, but these dogs aren’t for everyone. If you are a new dog owner and lack confidence in adequately training your pet, you might want to consider other breeds; due to the Corman Shepherd’s stubborn nature, failing to adequately train one of these dogs could lead to behavioral issues down the line. The Corman Shepherd might also not be right for you if you and your family are not particularly active, if you spend most of your time away from home, or if you do not have a yard. However, if you are looking for a loyal and intelligent pup that can keep up with you on long walks but is smaller than the German Shepherd, this breed could be for you.

Featured Image Credit: Veronica Varos, Shutterstock