German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix: What You Should Know

The possibilities of crossbreeding have proven to be limitless, with breeders taking it a notch higher to create unique and exciting breeds. One is the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix, a dog with outstanding qualities and traits. 

The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a three-way cross breed resulting from the German Shepherd, the Akita, and the Welsh Corgi. This dog is adorable, fun-loving, affectionate, and bold. It stands out thanks to the vast genetic diversity of all its three parents. 

This cute bear-looking dog has the hearts of many, and if you are one of these, you might want to study the dog in detail. We go over how the dog came to be, its appearance, personality, care and maintenance, health issues, and more. Read on. 

A Brief Overview of the German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix

This dog is a three-way crossbreed, meaning it is a result of crossing three purebred dogs. The tri-mix is a result of crossing the Akita and the Welsh Corgi, then mixing it with the German Shepherd. 

With three parents, the outcome of the dog depends on the most outstanding genes. On this note, if you have the German Shepherd as half the parent and the other two as quarters, the dog can have unique features from one of the less dominant parents. 

German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix History

Most designer dogs do not have a long history, which is the case with the German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix. Thankfully, the history of its parents is clear and can give us an overview of how the mix looks, behaves, and generally exists. 

We look at the three parents’ histories below. 

German Shepherd History

As the name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany. Captain Max created it in the 19th century; he wanted a dog that could suit military and police work. This saw him make a dog that matched the looks, intelligence, and versatility he was looking for. 

When World War I surfaced, the dog’s numbers went down since it was associated with the enemy. During this time, the dog was used to deliver food and other necessities to German soldiers in the land mines and tanks. 

After the war, movies featuring German Shepherds brought them back into favor, and people started to keep them. American audiences got attracted to the dog, which saw a growth in numbers in the United States. 

The German Shepherd was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908, becoming one of the oldest dogs to earn recognition. 

Akita History

The Akita is a large-sized dog with its origin in the northern mountainous regions of Japan. The dog comes in two varieties, the Japanese strain, the Akita Inu, and the American strain, known as Akita. 

The Japanese Akita has a narrow palette of colors, while the American Akita comes in all dog colors. The Akita has a coat similar to that of the Siberian Husky, and this is why they are often confused as one. 

The Akita is one of the oldest native dogs in Japan. Its ancestors, the Matagi, included the wild boar, Sika deer, and the Asian black bear. This dog was used to track large game until hunters arrived to kill. 

The dog was later bred with larger breeds from Asia and Europe, including the English Mastiffs, St. Bernard, Great Danes, and Tosa Inu. This breeding created a fighting dog as the industry was taking off. 

During World War II, the Akita was crossed with the German Shepherd to save them from the government at the time. The American Akita is a descendant of the Japanese Akita, which was not desired due to the markings it came with. 

Its popularity grew in America, attracting recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1972. Today, the Akita is a sought-after dog not only for its cuddly body but also for its natural protective instincts.

Welsh Corgi History

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of the two varieties of Corgi, descendants of the northern spitz-type dogs like the Siberian Husky. The Corgi is one of the most miniature dogs in the herding group. 

It was a famous dog in Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and it’s believed she had more than 30 Corgis. Since that time, Corgis have been associated with British royalty, but their numbers seem to decline due to popularity and demand. 

The Welsh Corgi accompanied Vikings and Flemish weavers as they traveled to Wales. They were trained to herd sheep, horses, ducks, geese, and cattle, making it one of the oldest herding breeds. 

Today, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are among the popular breeds in the United States, ranking 20th in AKC’s registrations. It was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1934

German Shepherd Akita Corgi Appearance

The mix is a medium-sized dog, longer than it is tall and of average height. It has a long tail that is set high and has a well-muscled stature. Its muscular body brings out the confidence of the dog together with its alert look. 

The dog has upright ears and curious eyes, which can be attributed to the hunting and herding histories of the parents. Depending on the dominant genes, it will look more like one of the parents or as a mix of all three. 

Weight and Height

The mix is an average of most medium and large dogs with smaller puppies in the litter growing to be more medium-sized than large sides. 

A German Shepherd can weigh between 75 and 95 lbs, an Akita can weigh between 70 and 130 lbs, and a Corgi can weigh between 20 and 30 lbs. The mix, therefore, can weigh between 50 to 120 lbs. 

A German Shepherd can grow as tall as 22 to 26 inches, an Akita can be as tall as 26 to 28 inches, and a Corgi can be as high s 10 to 12 inches. The mix, therefore, can grow as tall as 15 inches or thereabout. 

Coat Type and Color

This tri-mix dog will come with a double coat and a soft, dense undercoat. The outer coat will be straight, loose, or standing away from the body. It has a ruffle around the neck, loose around the ears, and the coat is shorter on the legs. 

When it comes to color, the dog can come in variations of black, red, and brown with some white markings. It has attractive markings and lighter colors on the legs. 

German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix Personality

The mix has quite the personality; you can expect this from its variable genes. It has a working-dog history, so you can expect excellent hunting skills, alertness, curiosity, and protectiveness. 

The dog is quite confident, but it does not like being alone. It should not suffer too much from separation anxiety, but it always appreciates some company. Puppies need extra attention and interaction to thrive; therefore, they are suitable for people who can set aside time. 

The mix is sweet and cuddly but can be highly sensitive and territorial. It likes pleasing its human family and will always want to protect you from any kind of harm. Naturally, the dog is protective and can be a little aggressive towards strangers and new pets. 

With the parents having a working history, the mix can be unruly and aggressive if not trained. It is powerful and independent, and intimidating. It is therefore essential to teach them early and socialize them so they can relate well with people and other pets. 

Generally, the dog loves company and enjoys spending time with its human family. It is a great companion and will feed you as much love as you feet it. It is an action junkie, so it will enjoy exploring with you and engaging in competitive and challenging events. 

It is good with kids but needs early socialization to play with them safely. Due to its medium to large size, the mix is not apartment friendly unless you have a designated green area that allows dogs. 

Its territory-protecting nature makes it a great watch or guard dog. It will gladly give warning of intruders or any strange occurrence. It will protect your family while maintaining its loyal and affectionate self. 

How to Take Care of the German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix

This tri-mix dog is not challenging to care for, but there is a bare minimum that you must accord it to keep it happy and healthy. The dog needs regular exercise, a nutritious diet, consistent grooming, and early training. 

Exercise Needs

The German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix is a high-energy and highly active dog that thrives on working hard and exercising. It enjoys the outdoors and will be happy to run around the park, hike, or stroll around the neighborhood. 

If you have obstacle courses and sports in your area, you can enroll your dog in some to stimulate it physically. The dog needs at least an hour of exercise every day and physically-engaging activities a few times a week. 

Nutrition Needs

Since the dog is a high-energy dog, it needs food that can cater to its energy needs and still meet its other nutritional requirements. It will require high fat and protein food to support its muscular body while providing enough energy to stay active. 

The food you choose for your dog needs glucosamine and chondroitin to support bone and joint health. For treats, it is best to stay away from store-bought treats as they might have hidden sugars. Stick to raw vegetable treats to manage a healthy weight. 

Talk to your vet if you have a challenge figuring out your dog’s food. They will better assess the dog’s needs and advise on the best foods to support their overall health. 

Grooming Needs

The German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix has a luxurious, beautiful coat. It seems challenging to maintain, but it is not, as long you brush it regularly. Brushing your mix for approximately 10 minutes daily is advisable to keep the coat in the best condition. 

Unfortunately, the dog is a high shedder and will mostly have to deal with fur on your home’s surfaces. On this note, you will need a powerful vacuum to remove the hair. And, the dog might shed its undercoat twice a year, making the shedding even more pronounced. 

It is therefore not hypoallergenic and might not be the best fit for people that suffer from pet allergies. 

The mix can do with one bath a month, but you can do more baths if needed. Check the ears for wax weekly and clean. Brush its teeth at least three times a week and check for any injuries from time to time. 

Training

You might need help training this dog, as it can be challenging to guide during training. The tri-mix is intelligence, which, even though a good thing, impacts the training phase of the dog. 

The dog can be stubborn, and the low attention span does not help. It likes to be the boss, so you might need to break the training sessions into short, engaging ones to keep up. Alternatively, you can hire a trainer for socialization and obedience classes. 

German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix Health Issues

This mix’s large pool of genes contributes to its generally healthy nature. The tri-mix can stay healthy and active for years with the proper diet, regular and consistent exercise, and health checks. 

But like other dogs, it is predisposed to some health issues that you need to be aware of:

• Gastric Dilation Volvulus or bloat
• Hip dysplasia
• Von Willebrand’s disease

How Much Does the German Shepherd Akita Corgi Mix Cost?

A German Shepherd Akita Corgi mix can cost between $400 to $1250. The price varies from breeder to breeder and can go up with additional health tests. It is not ideal for novice owners, so the best approach to finding one would be to visit a few shelters and rescue kennels. 

The Bottom Line

The German Shepherd Akita Corgi is a great dog to keep, thanks to its affectionate yet protective temperament. It is a highly active dog; therefore, the perfect fit for a busy family. Lastly, it is cuddly and enjoys the company of its family, so you can be sure to get as much love as you accord it.