Corgi Inu Information & Dog Breed Facts

The Corgi Inu dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders likely started internationally mixing Corgis and Shiba Inus in the early 2000s, likely in North America. According to experts, the common logic between breeding these two breeds together, despite how different they are, is that perhaps a friendlier fox-like dog would be produced. Moreover, the Shiba Inu Corgi mix will typically be a moderately energetic dog that is fairly easy to train. Hybrids are often quiet, well-mannered dogs who, when properly introduced, can get along with children and other animals. However, some Corgi Inu can take on both the stubbornness of Shiba Inus and the bossiness of Corgis. Although, Shiba Inus were originally hunting dogs, while Corgis were bred for herding, putting these two characteristics together in a Corgi Inu resulted in a  dog with a moderate prey drive.

However, to be able to understand Corgi Inu’s history, we need to look at the parent breeds’ history. First of all, Shiba Inu’s history goes back thousands of years, and it can be traced back to Japan’s Joman period, which dates all the way back to 7000 BC. According to historians, the ancestors of the Shiba Inu were owned by the Jomonjin or Rope-Pattern people. However, there have been disagreements about whether the breed arrived in Japan from northern Asia or Korea, but most experts agree that the breed has descended from dogs that accompanied people who arrived in the first or second major migration to Japan. This also proves that the Shiba has been present in Japan between 2300 and 10000 years, which makes the breed not only the smallest of Japan’s six original and distinct spitz breeds but also its oldest. Moreover, even Japan’s oldest historical document, called the Sihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) notes the importation of dogs from the Asian continent and it also indicates that these dogs were often used for hunting in the underlying brush in the mountains of Japan. According to National Geographic, Shibas are also genetically similar to wolves, further proving the point that it is among the oldest domesticated dog breeds. Inu, of course, is the Japanese word for dog, but where the word “Shiba” came from is still being debated. Shiba actually means “brushwood” in Japanese, red-colored vegetation common in the areas where the Shiba hunted, often by Samurai during the period of the Kamakura Shogunate. On the other side, it has also been suggested that “Shiba” may have meant “small” in an obsolete dialect and that the breed was named for its small size. Whichever is the right answer, the name ‘Shiba Inu’ was officially coined in Japan in the 1920s. At that time there were not many Shibas left in their original form but a number of Japanese dog lovers acted up to save the breed from extinction. Not so much later in 1928 the NIPPO, the Association for the Preservation of the Japanese Dog, was created by Dr. Hiroyo Saito. In the next three years, the NIPPO successfully campaigned the Japanese government to designate the Akita Inu as a Japanese National Monument. In 1936 the NIPPO achieved its goal in getting the Shiba Inu declared a Japanese National Monument as well. Unfortunately just like among other breeds, many Shiba Inu died during Word War II in bombing raids. After the war ended, many breeding programs were re-established using those dogs that survived in remote rural areas. The remnants of the various bloodlines were combined to produce the breed as we know it today. According to sources, the first Shibas entered the US in the 1950s who went with the military returning from Japan. However, it was not until 1993 that the breed gained recognition by the American Kennel Club, and since that time the breed has become increasingly popular.

On the other hand, the Corgi originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales in the 1100s, and is a charming dog with a folkloric past. According to the legend, the breed sprang from the lairs of fairies and elves, but there are differing accounts as to how the Corgi originated. It is also believed that the Corgi was introduced in the 12^th century by Flemish weavers as a working dog. While the exact ancestry of the Corgi is often debated, it is also thought that the breed originated from a combination of several breeds, including the Keeshond, the Schipperke, the Pomeranian, the Samoyed, the Chow-Chow, the Norwegian Elkhound, and the Finnish Spitz. Moreover, it is also often accepted that the Corgi descended from spitz-type breeds that were taken to Britain with the Vikings in the 9^th and 10^th centuries. Whichever is true, the breed has a rather misty historical pedigree. According to historians, the breed was created with the intention of herding sheep and leading them by biting their legs. The Corgi is still used as a watchdog, guard dog, and herder, even though its primary job is now to be a loving companion. In the 1920s, the UK Kennel Club recognized Corgis as purebred dogs, and they were officially known as Welsh Corgis when exhibited for the first time in 1925. At that time, Pembrokes and Cardigans were shown in the same class as one breed. The breed began to gain popularity in the 1930s when King George VI gifted one to his daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. In fact, Elizabeth II maintains this breed within her sight at all times. Furthermore, in 1934, the Kennel Club recognized the Pembroke and the Cardigan as two separate breeds and in the same year, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed. Pembrokes were first shown in the United States in 1936. They have slowly gained popularity within the U.S. and today they are among the top 50 most popular breeds for family pets.

Overall, the two-parent breeds make an excellent companion for all types of families, but as a designer/hybrid dog, the Corgi Inu is not recognized by any major clubs.