The Beagle Vs Corgi Comparison: What You Need To Know

If you are a future dog owner that wants to get a smaller dog breed, the Beagle or the Corgi might be right for you. To help you decide between them, we reviewed the Beagle vs Corgi traits.

Beagles and Corgis have a few notable differences. The Beagle was raised as a hunting dog, while the Corgi was a herding dog. Beagles are friendlier than Corgis, but they are also much louder and smellier. There are a few more important things to know.

• The Origin Of The Beagle And The Corgi
• Differences In Their Appearance
• Temperament Of The Beagle vs Corgi
• Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Corgi
• Price Difference Between Beagle And Corgi

The Origin Of The Beagle And The Corgi

Both of these dog breeds have a long history and were used in different ways by their owners. Their history is what made them one of the most popular dogs today.

The Beagle – The first appearance of the Beagle breed is proposed to start in ancient Greece times when their ancestors lived. The modern history of the Beagle starts around 14th century England where they were used as hunting dogs. Later this dog was brought to America and officially accepted by the AKC in 1885.

The Corgi – There are two types of Corgis – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Both dogs originate from Wales, and they became a different breed around the late 1800s. Corgis were bred and used as herding dogs. The Pembroke was officially accepted by the AKC in 1934, and the Cardigan in 1935.

Differences In Their Appearance

Comparing the Beagle and Corgi is not hard as these two breeds are quite different from each other. Beagles have long droopy ears, a broad head with a short muzzle, a short, sturdy body, and a long straight tail.

Corgis can be different, depending if it’s a Pembroke or a Cardigan. Both Corgis have short legs, long bodies, and fox-like heads. The Pembroke has pointed ears and a short tail, while the Cardigan ears that round at the top with a long tail.

Size

Beagles come in two sizes. The bigger Beagle has an average height of around 13-15 inches and weighs 20-30 pounds. The smaller Beagle has a height of fewer than 13 inches and weighs less than 20 pounds.

Corgis also come in two sizes, depending on the breed. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is around 10-12 inches tall, and up to 30 pounds heavy. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is around 10.5-12.5 inches tall, and around 25-28 pounds heavy.

Coat And Color

Beagles have smooth short coat that is usually tri-colored. The color combinations can be different with the most usual being white, black, and brown. But red, tan, and lemon colors are also possible.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a short double coat usually coming in one color. It can come in fawn, red, sable, or a mix of black and tan. It can also have white markings on its body.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi has a medium double coat usually coming in a mix of colors. It can be black and white, brindle and white, red and white, or sable and white. It can also have different markings including a black mask.

Temperament Of The Beagle vs Corgi

Even though Beagles and Corgis come from different backgrounds, both breeds have had active jobs. One is a hunting dog and the other is a herding dog, both dogs are known for their high energy level. They are playful and lively dogs that want to be around their owners. 

Both dog breeds are very affectionate with their owners. Because of this, they are prone to separation anxiety. They are also very friendly, with Beagles being slightly more friendly with strangers. Both dogs are great family pets and love to play with kids. 

Beagles have a higher prey drive than Corgis and are more likely to chase around the neighbor’s cat. Corgis are bossier and are more likely to boss around other pets in the home. Beagles are known to bark loudly from time to time. But Corgis can also start barking for various reasons.

Both dogs are very intelligent and can be trained to do a lot of tricks. They are however very stubborn and will need a lot of persistence in their training. Both breeds are not fit to be good guard dogs, but they can be excellent watchdogs.

Taking Care Of The Beagle And The Corgi

Having a dog at home means having someone you need to take care of and keep healthy. Both the Corgi and the Beagle have certain requirements in their care.

Health And Lifespan

The average life expectancy of the Beagle is around 10-15 years. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a lifespan of 12-13 years, while the Cardigan Welsh Corgi lives around 12-15 years. Both are quite healthy dogs, but there are a few health problems common for them.

• Musladin-Lueke Syndrome – This is a genetic disease specific to Beagles. It has an effect on the development and structure of the connective tissue in multiple organs in the body. Some symptoms may include small size, thick and taut skin, and a “tip-toe” gait.
• Ear infections – Another common disease in Beagles are ear infections that happen due to their floppy ears. Bacteria builds up in the hot and wet environment and causes symptoms like redness and a smelly discharge. Your pup might keep scratching its ear and barking more often.
• Hip dysplasia – This joint disease is common in both Beagles and Corgis. It happens because the hip joints develop improperly and the ball and socket joint doesn’t align. Your dog will start limping and experience difficulty walking. Also, you will notice it feeling pain in the affected joint.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – This disease affects the intervertebral discs positioned between the vertebrae in the spine. Your dog will feel pain in the back or the neck. Hind limb weakness, paralysis, or urinary incontinence are some common symptoms.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – This is a disease of the eyes, more commonly found in Corgis. It is characterized by a deterioration of the cells of the retina. Some symptoms include night vision problems, and dilation of the pupils, and can even lead to blindness.

Nutrition

Comparing the Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi vs Beagle needs for food is important. Because they are all small dogs, too much food can lead to obesity. Treats are especially useful when training dogs, but you should watch out for how much you give them.

Beagles need around 1-2 cups of food every day. Corgis will also need around the same amount. This depends on the age and size of the dogs. Make sure to use dog food formulas meant for small dog breeds.

The food you give should be of higher quality and from a more popular dog food company. For example, Pedigree is better than Purina at some things and vice versa. Both are good options to start. It should contain a lot of protein and fewer carbohydrates. It should also be filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids. 

Exercise And Training

Both Beagles and Corgis are considered to be high-energy dogs due to their working dog history. Beagles were mainly used as hunting dogs, while Corgis were used as herding dogs.

On average, Corgis need around 1 hour of exercise daily. Beagles will need to exercise for that same amount. You can split this into two exercise sessions. Try doing some more demanding exercise like running, hiking, or playing games to really drain their energy. Mental stimulation is also very important.

Training the Welsh Corgi and the Beagle will need to take a lot of persistence and time. Both breeds are very intelligent and will be able to learn a lot of commands and tricks. The problem is in their stubbornness which will make training harder for the owner. Beagles are very drawn to treats, so make sure to have some in hand when training them. Obedience training and positive reinforcement are really important.

Grooming

Both dog breeds are known to shed for about the same amount and have similar grooming needs. Beagles need their coat brushed once every week to stop the shedding. Corgis also need a weekly brushing of their coat to keep them clean. Brushing should be done more often during the shedding seasons.

Even though Beagles are smelly dogs due to their distinct “hound” smell, you shouldn’t bathe them more than once a month. The same goes for both Corgis. Make sure you use a shampoo made for dogs when bathing these pups.

After bathing, make sure you check and clean the ears of both dogs, but especially the Beagles. Due to their floppy nature, they are very prone to ear infections. You should also brush their teeth daily and trim their nails regularly to prevent injury.

Price Difference Between Beagle And Corgi

The Corgi and the Beagle are both popular dogs and will cost differently depending on a few factors. The first is the distance between you and the breeder. If the dog is far away, you have to spend money on transport. Another thing is the pedigree of the dog. If its parents are award-winning dogs, you should expect the puppy to be quite expensive.

Corgis may sometimes be higher priced compared to Beagles, but on average, you can find both breeds for around $1000. Make sure you get your pup from a breeder that you research well. They need to give you all information you need about your new pup including medical documentation and tips. You can also ask to see its parents and siblings to make sure they don’t have any genetic disease. Avoid puppy mills at all costs as they only care for the money.

Also, consider getting a dog from a rescue shelter. Those pups need a family and will cost you much less to buy.

Beagle vs Corgi – A Summary

Both Beagles and Corgis are excellent dogs to have as pets. They are both small breeds with short coats and different colors. The Beagle is known for its floppy ears that flop when it runs around. The Corgi is known for its fox-like facial features and large fluffy butt.

Both are very active breeds due to their history as working dogs, with Beagles being slightly more active. Beagles are known for their loud barking and howling, as well as their scent fixation. Corgis are known for their bossy behavior and stubborn behavior. Both breeds are known for their stubborn, but affectionate nature.

Caring for these pups is important to keep them healthy and happy. They need to have quality dog food and proper grooming. They also need to be exercised and trained properly. If you want any of these pups, you can get them from a breeder or a dog shelter.

FAQ

Are Corgis hunting dogs?

Even though the size of the Corgi is perfect for hunting small animals, they were actually bred to herd stock. Due to their small size, Corgis can evade getting injured by the smaller animals and nip at their feet.

Do Corgis and Beagles get along?

The Beagle vs Corgi relationship can be excellent if both dogs are trained and socialized properly. Both dogs are known to be affectionate and friendly. Corgis tend to be bossy but this can be fixed with training.

What do you call a Beagle Corgi mix?

The breed made from a Corgi mixed with a Beagle is called a Beagi. It can be mixed with a Cardigan or a Pembroke Corgi. This designer dog is small, cute, and loved by many people.