Get ready to learn all about the sweet and adorable Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix.
The Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix (also called the Bernorgi for short) is a very rare cross breed dog.
The Bernorgi is a blend between a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a purebred Welsh Corgi.
Occasionally this mix can occur naturally, however it is usually the result of intentional breeding.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi Mix History
Where did the Bernorgi come from?
The Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix is a very new designer breed, so there is not much history for this mix.
However, Corgis and Bernese Mountain Dogs both have interesting histories.
Let’s take a quick look at the two breeds that make up the Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix.
Meet the Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working breed that originated in the mountains of Switzerland.
Bernese Mountain Dogs (or Berners as they are commonly known) were used as general farm dogs for tasks such as pulling carts, guarding livestock and protecting the property.
In addition to their solid working abilities, Bernese Mountain Dogs were also prized for their great companionship qualities.
Today Bernese Mountain Dogs are popular pets. They are known for being lovable gentle giants.
You can learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog temperament by following this link.
Meet the Corgi
There are actually two different varieties of Corgi: the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
Either variety can be part of the Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the better known of the two Corgi breeds.
The biggest difference between the two is that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has no tail and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a tail. There are other differences as well, but that is the most obvious distinction.
Bath varieties of Corgi are part of the herding group.
They are short, stocky little dogs, but do not be fooled. Even though they are small, they are feisty, energetic and athletic.
The Corgi was developed in the United Kingdom—specifically Wales.
This is a very old breed. Today, Corgis are very popular pets in America and worldwide.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi Mix Size and Appearance
What does a Bernorgi look like?
That is a very good question.
With hybrid dogs, there is a lot more variety in terms of appearance.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mixes tend to resemble Bernese Mountain Dogs with short legs. As you can imagine, they are very cute!
The Bernorgi height is usually about half the height of a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Bernorgi weight range has a very large spectrum. These mixes can weigh anywhere between 30 lbs. (Corgi size) to 100 lbs. (Berner size).
Bernorgi colors are usually brown, black and white.
Their fur is long and thick. We will talk more about Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix grooming in the next section.
A Guide to Bernorgi Grooming
How do you groom a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix?
The Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix requires a lot of brushing and grooming.
This is something that you should think carefully about before bringing one home. You will need to be ready to deal with dog fur!
You should stock up on some basic grooming items such as brushes, combs, and a set of nail trimmers.
Brush your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix daily to prevent mats and tangles.
In addition to regular upkeep at home, you will probably need to bring your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix to a professional groomer a few times a year for a hair trim—especially around the sanitary region.
Groomers charge extra for large breed dogs, so your grooming bill will definitely add up over time.
Does the Bernorgi Shed?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mixes have thick fur that sheds profusely.
If you cannot handle dog fur, this is not the right breed for you.
Most owners do not mind the shedding too much. They just stock up on a good vacuum cleaner and a lifetime supply of lint rollers!
Is the Bernorgi Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately for people with allergies, the Bernorgi is not hypoallergenic.
If you suffer from allergies to dog hair, a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix is not in your future.
If you are looking for a pet that is hypoallergenic, check out this article for a list of hypoallergenic breeds.
A Guide to Bernorgi Training
How do you train a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix?
Corgis and Bernese Mountain Dogs are both very intelligent breeds.
Therefore, the Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix tends to be highly trainable.
The best way to train your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix is with positive reinforcement training methods.
Look for a trainer in your area that uses positive reinforcement, reward-based training.
Steer clear of trainers that use force, “dominance,” or try to convince you to use painful training devices like shock collars.
If you get your dog as a puppy, it is always a great idea to sign up for a puppy kindergarten class so your dog can learn good social skills with other dogs.
After you have completed basic obedience, you can get involved in more advanced activities like agility, flyball, weight pull, herding, nosework, therapy work, and more!
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mixes love to learn new things throughout their lives.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Staying Healthy: A Guide to Bernorgi Health Issues
Providing veterinary care is a very important part of having a pet.
Like all dogs, your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix will need to visit a veterinarian at least once per year.
At its yearly check up your Bernorgi should get a physical exam, a heartworm test, a fecal test, and annual vaccinations for viruses such as rabies, parvo, distemper and bordatella.
As your dog gets older, you may also want to do annual bloodwork and periodic dental work.
Bernorgi Medical Problems
In general, mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebred dogs.
This is because they come from a wider gene pool, so they are not as plagued by genetic health problems.
Below are some of the medical issues that affect purebred Corgis and purebred Bernese Mountain Dogs.
Bernorgis have a lower chance of inheriting these disorders, but it is still a good idea to discuss them with your veterinarian just in case:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Bloat
- Arthritis/ Joint Issues
- Back Problems
- Obesity
- Allergies
- Heart conditions
- Cancer
- Seizures
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
You can keep your dog as healthy as possible by making sure that your dog stays up to date on vaccinations, heartworm prevention, flea prevention and tick prevention.
Spaying and neutering is highly recommended for health reasons, behavior reasons and to reduce the number of homeless animals in this country. Talk with your vet about the right time to schedule this procedure.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi Mix Nutrition
What should you feed your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix?
Talk with your veterinarian about the different options.
Your vet will likely recommend a high-end dog food that is free of filler ingredients such as corn and animal by-products.
Feeding your Bernorgi a high-quality dog food can really help with overall health and wellness. However, it can be expensive.
What is the Bernorgi Lifespan?
It is hard to predict how long your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix will live.
Since they are so large, Bernese Mountain Dogs usually only to live between 8 and 10 years.
However, when they are mixed with a smaller dog such as a Corgi that can increase their lifespan.
Bernorgi Rescue and Adoption
If you are ready to try to add a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix to your family, it is ideal to try to find one that is up for adoption.
As we discussed earlier, it can be tricky to find a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix for sale from an ethical source.
If you acquire a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix through a rescue group or animal shelter you can feel confident that you are not inadvertently supporting a puppy mill or an unscrupulous breeder.
However, Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mixes are pretty rare in shelters.
You can start by visiting local shelters and rescues.
Leave your name on file so the staff can call you if they get a dog that might fit your lifestyle.
You can also search online on websites such as Facebook, Petfinder.com, Getyourpet.com, and Adoptapet.com.
Finding Bernorgi Puppies for Sale From a Reputable Breeder
Since this is such an uncommon breed, it may be hard to find reputable Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix breeders.
If you do locate a potential breeder, make sure you do a lot of research to make sure it is an ethical breeder.
Never purchase a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix over the internet or through a pet store.
It is imperative that you visit the breeder in person—this is the only way that you can know for sure that your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix puppy is coming from a good place.
When you visit the breeder, ask to see the medical records and AKC registration papers for the adult dogs.
Make sure the environment is clean and humane. Ask lots of questions and do not be surprised if the breeder asks you questions as well.
Click here for more tips on finding a reputable breeder.
Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi Mix Price
How much does a Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix cost?
It depends on where you acquire your Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix.
If you purchase a designer dog puppy from a breeder, be prepared for a hefty price tag.
Designer puppies usually cost well over $1000. It is not unusual to pay between $3000 and $5000 or even more for certain trendy designer breeds.
On the other hand, if you adopt your dog from a rescue organization or animal shelter, the adoption fee is usually between $75 and $300.
Adoption fees almost always include some basic veterinary services such as vaccines, spay/neuter, and microchip.
Therefore, adoption is definitely the more affordable option when it comes to acquiring one of these designer pups.
We hope that you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about the Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix.
Final Word: What is a Designer Dog?
The Bernese Mountain Dog Corgi mix is considered a designer dog.
A designer dog is a cross between two purebred dog breeds to create a brand-new hybrid dog breed.
Some of the most famous examples of designer dogs include:
- Goldendoodles
- Labradoodles
- Chiweenies
- Maltipoos
- Cockapoos
- Schnoodles, and Puggles.
Designer dogs are controversial. Many animal welfare professionals are concerned that designer dogs are popular right now simply because they are the latest consumer “fad.”
Inevitably, when the public gets bored with the latest fad and moves on to something new, thousands of unwanted designer dogs will end up without homes.
This scenario played out in California with Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas were the “must have” commodity for many years thanks to movies like Legally Blonde and Hollywood celebrities such as Paris Hilton.
However, now that fluffy designer dogs (like Doodles) are the newer, cooler trend, California shelters are overflowing with abandoned Chihuahuas.
Anytime something gets wildly popular, you also have to be on your guard for scam artists.
Sadly, there are many unscrupulous breeders out there simply trying to make money off of the latest designer dog craze.
When it comes to getting one of these dogs, you have to be very careful.
Hopefully, our length discussion on how to acquire your pet from an ethical source was helpful.
Thank you for reading and good luck finding the dog of your dreams!
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.