Care for a Corgi Dachshund Mix

Dachshunds are hunting dogs, bred to hunt badgers. Corgis are historically herding dogs that could drive cattle long distances. So a dachshund-corgi mix will have both hunting and herding instincts and will need plentiful, regular exercise. Make sure your dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise daily -- this can be in the form of one of more leashed walks, or off-leash play time. If you have a yard, your dorgi will probably love to chase birds and squirrels. Around the home, or in snowy weather, a lot of exercise can be achieved by playing chase with dog toys or balls.

Provide a clean and cozy bed for your pooch, away from noisy or drafty areas of the home. Consider getting a large dog-bed to accommodate your dorgi's long back; this way, he can choose to sleep stretched out or curled up. The dachshund part of the dorgi has a strong burrowing instinct, so your dog might well like to sleep underneath blankets, pillows or cushions.The dorgi is susceptible to back injury -- discourage him from jumping on and off furniture such as couches, or from jumping up to greet you.

Corgis and dachsies love to eat, so chances are your dorgi will have a big appetite. However, an overweight dorgi is at great risk of health problems, as excess weight places strain on the dog's back and skeleton. A huge part of caring for your dorgi is feeding appropriate quantities of a high-quality dog food that will make the dog reach and maintain a healthy weight. The actual quantity of food each day will vary according to the brand or type of food you use. As a rough guide, Susan Strickland of Golden Gate Corgis indicates that between one-third and three-quarters of a cup of kibble is appropriate for most adult corgis. If you split your dorgi's daily feed into two meals, he will feel like he's getting more food overall. You can also feed low-fat snacks such as canned green beans, apple or carrot as a fill-up food. Remember to deduct snacks from your dorgi's overall calorie allotment for the day.

Dorgis are loyal and smart dogs, and will be interested in everything you do. As both parent breeds hunt and herd, a dorgi is likely to be relatively high-energy or anxious. Excessive barking can be a problem for this mixed breed, which is why a dorgi makes a good guard dog. Prevent problematic barking by making sure your dog has plenty of exercise and is not bored at home. If your dorgi has the dachshund's tendency to separation anxiety, train the dog to be comfortable hanging out alone for short periods of time. Then you can increase the time periods so your dorgi doesn't destroy your home every time you leave for work. Consider companion dogs for a dorgi struggling with severe separation anxiety.