Last Updated on September 20, 2023
*. The Chow Shepherd mix is a combination of the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd. Chow Chow and German Shepherd dogs are well-loved for their loyalty, independence, and protective nature. Their parents are responsible for the intelligence of the Chow Shepherd mix.
This pairing is perfect for the right owner because both dogs have similar temperaments. It can be difficult to predict the personalities of mixed breed dogs, but this combination is sure to make you a winner every time.
If you are a new dog owner, the Chow Shepherd is not the right choice. These puppies will require a patient and steady trainer as they are too intelligent for their own good. Chow Shepherds can thrive in large spaces, as this cross requires lots of exercise. This breed will develop behavioral problems if they are kept too close to their owners.
Are you looking to find the perfect Chow Shepherd? This detailed overview will help you in your search for the perfect dog.
Parental Breed History
A “designer dog” can be any mixture of two purebred parents. A mixed breed must be purebred for several generations before it can be classified as a designer. True purebred dogs will produce puppies with the same temperament and characteristics as their parents.
The benefits of owning a purebred dog with proper papers is that you can get a good idea of how your puppy will behave. You don’t have this luxury with a designer dog. The puppies can take traits from either parent. This is the downside to owning a designer pet dog, unless you are concerned about their coat color.
*Designer dogs are less likely than purebreds to inherit diseases, which can prove to be a huge help for certain breeds. The German Shepherd breed is particularly vulnerable to health issues. You should keep in mind that not all designer breeds must be purebred. Some crosses may require a more even split. These large breeds complement each other! Although the term designer breed may seem confusing to some, they are not only purse dogs. Designer dogs don’t have to be small breeds like the Chow Shepherd mix.
German Shepherd Overview
German Shepherds are one the most loved breeds due to their Intelligence . They have been used in many movies and TV shows. They were primarily used by the German army to attack dogs during WWI, which led to a poor reputation. They are now as likely to live on your couch as they will be out in the field.
GSDs require a lot of exercise to be well-behaved. This working breed is constantly looking for the next job. If they don’t get enough exercise, their energy will go elsewhere.
Shepherds love their children and are extremely protective. They are intelligent and enjoy being put to work. They are also heavy shedders, which means you’ll need to keep up on removing dog hair daily. They come in many colors ,, including a full black coat , and to some disagreement ,.
The Shepherd is a loyal friend that can last a lifetime. They’re a large breed and can weigh upwards to 80 pounds for a male. The average lifespan of a GSD is around 10 years.
Chow Chow Overview
Chow Chows
are the breed that will make you go “Aww” just by looking at them. These dogs are large and square with straight legs and thick double coats. They’re a good choice for winter but can get very hot in summer. They are notorious for their thick coats and require regular de-shedding using the appropriate grooming tools to do so.
They are known for their hunting skills, but they can also be great guard dogs or cart pullers. Chow Chows, despite being small and not socially outgoing, require little exercise. You’ll need to get to know them well before they start barking or biting. You must control their barking, as it is one of their favourite pastimes. Chow Chows can be very intelligent but stubborn in training. To train them correctly, you’ll need patience. They are used to protecting livestock and will likely be willing to protect you. To control their guarding behavior, training will be necessary. If you have lots of space and don’t travel a lot, you can have them. They don’t live long, unfortunately; and an average of 10-12 years. Chow Chows are known for their snoring and excessive drooling.
German Shepherd Chow mix
The origins of Chow Shepherd, which is similar to many designer dogs, are not known. It is believed that this breed was created to combine the hardy German Shepherd with the fluffy-coated Chow Chow for winter herding. Another possibility is to make your German Shepherd an expert hunter. The Chow Chow is one the oldest breeds of dog on the planet and makes a great companion for hunters. The Chow Shepherd is energetic and extremely intelligent. Combining the Shepherd’s ability to perform well as a police officer and the Chow Chows love for humans makes them a hardworking love bug. They will let you know if you don’t give them enough attention. *The Chow Shepherd is a very active dog and will need to be supervised. This mix can be protective of their family so socialization is necessary if they are not to bark at or snap at strangers. They don’t like long trips or being neglected. The Chow Shepherd is a great guard dog. They are large and loud enough to defend your home. Their German Shepherd parents make them very active, but they will be happy to spend their energy relaxing with you.
Appearance & Grooming
This breed is similar to many designer breeds in that it will look after its parents. It is more common for the Chow Chow to follow the German Shepherd than the Chow Shepherd, and it’s not clear why. Although they will inherit the long muzzles of their Shepherd parents, the Chow Chow will give them the wrinkled face that makes them look like a lion.
Their body type will be medium-large and their ears will look similar to the German Shepherd. They will be anywhere between 60 to 95 pounds and will top at 26 inches tall. The most common colors of coat you will see are red, brown, dark brown, black, white, or light brown.
The double-coated Chow Shepherds will need a lot more grooming. It is recommended to brush their hair three times per day. Shampooing their fur once a fortnight is a good idea so that their hair doesn’t become matted or dirty.
Trim their nails regularly to avoid scratching furniture. Large dogs shouldn’t have their nails scrubbing the ground. It’s not necessary to brush their teeth, but it will be appreciated by your dog once they get used to it.
Training
*Training is important for this mix. A poor training program could result in a dog who is too energetic and disobedient. Training your Chow Shepherd can be difficult if they are a Chow Chow dog. They may not listen to you even if you have taught them the commands. Positive reinforcement can make a big difference in the life of your Chow Shepherd. Positive reinforcement and hitting will not foster a good relationship with your Chow Shepherd. Instead, be kind to him. This is not something we recommend for any dog. However, it won’t work with the Chow Shepherd breed. It is best to give treats and toys when your dog obeys commands. You should consider crate training if you want to allow your dog to grow . Puppy training is a great way to form a bond with your pups. This will help you keep your place as Alpha. You don’t have to be cruel to them. But they will listen more if you are their leader. Dogs are pack animals. They need someone to look up too.
Socialization should be taught to puppies as early as possible so that they are comfortable with strangers. Your Chow Shepherd will protect you because it is in their nature. Make sure to expose them as soon as possible to children so that they feel comfortable around them.
Exercises & Living Conditions
The Chow Chow doesn’t have a lot of energy, but you will likely get one with this mix. German Shepherds need a lot of exercise. They can easily get bored if they aren’t given enough stimulation. Your Chow Shepherd mix should be able to run, swim, or hike. They’ll be happy to outrun your marathon training.
If you are okay with your dog’s coat getting wet, take them swimming. Chow Shepherds can be at high risk for joint problems so this will relieve the stress and allow them to exercise their whole body. They love people once they are socialized. Take them to the dog park to meet other dogs and their owners. It will help them keep their social skills.
The Chow Shepherds are strong enough to be outdoors dogs, but they shouldn’t be left outside for more than an hour. Chow Shepherds still desire to be with you and be loved by your family, so make sure they are surrounded by you as often as you can. Chow Shepherds can suffer from separation anxiety so keep them in the house.
Health
Designer dogs are less likely than other breeds to become sick. However, there is still a chance of them developing major problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a genetic disease that can be removed by proper breeding. If this is a problem in your dog’s family, you can try to maintain a healthy weight. If possible, take your dog to the pool for exercise.
Chow Shepherds are more likely to develop flea allergy than other dogs. However, this can be easily treated by getting their shots and medication before the summer starts. Large dogs are more likely to become bloated because they eat too quickly. To prevent this, give your dog smaller meals throughout the day. Bloating can also cause breathing problems and heart problems, so be careful.
Eye problems and heart problems should also be taken into consideration. A German Shepherd parent is more likely to have chronic superficial keratitis. These issues are more common in older dogs. As they age, it is important to pay more attention.
Nutrition
Chow Shepherds require a balanced diet that includes high levels of protein, fat, and low amounts of carbs. A Chow Shepherd mixed puppy should have a diet of 22% protein, while the adult should have 18% according to the American Feed Control Officials. You should also feed your Shepherd whole meats such as chicken, beef, and fish.
There is no recommended calorie for your dog. It’s best to see a veterinarian. Your Chow Shepherd’s calorie needs will be determined by them during the eat development cycle. A holistic diet plan is best for all dogs. Just make sure you monitor their weight to avoid chronic health problems.
As Family Pets
Chow Shepherds need to be trained and groomed. But is this the right choice for you?
- The Chow Shepherd is reliable, loyal, and smart dog that needs a lot of care.
- Socialize earlyto make sure they will get along with other pets, people, and children.
- If socialization is done young, you’ll have a very kind, well-behaved watchdog.
- They are big and require a lot of room.
- A large home with a yard is essential for their happiness.
- You shouldn’t get this breed if you live in an apartment.
- Grooming requirements are very high.
- You’ll have to brush them twice to three times a day and bathe once a week to keep them clean.
- Chow Shepherds shed a lot, so prepare to bring out the vacuum a few times a week..
- They need a lot of exercise; about an hour a day.
- You won’t be able to skip this step or else they’ll develop behavioral problems.
- Energetic is the best way to describe your Chow Shepherd.
- They’ll want to play with you constantly and move with you throughout the house.
- Make sure to give them enough exercise.
- Full of personality, the Chow Shepherd will be loyal, fun-loving, loyal, and reliable.
- They can be the perfect companion if appropriately trained.
- Health problems are more common with large breeds, but mixes are less likely to develop them.
- Watch their hips and elbows as they age and keep their weight lower to keep them healthy.
- Find a breeder that can show you the parent’s health issues.
- This is important for large breeds as hip dysplasia runs in the family.
- You need to be confident you’ll be able to help your pup with this disease should it occur.
Has this man found his way into your heart? Continue reading to learn where you can find one.
Breeders & Puppy Prices
Be sure to check the background of all breeders that you are interested in and to ask for their papers. You’ll need to find out if the family has hip dysplasia so that you are better prepared in case it happens.
Find a crossbreeder who is skilled in breeding mixed breed dogs. It’s more scientific than breeding two purebred dogs together.
Due to the size of the breed, you’ll be paying more. They are not difficult to find and require a lot more upkeep, so they can be expensive to purchase. The average price of a Chow Shepherd is $800 – $1000.
Rescue is an alternative if you don’t have the funds to purchase a puppy. For more information, contact your local Chow Chow or German Shepherd club.
Chow Shepherd Rescues
Both the German Shepherd and Chow Chow are popular breeds that are likely to be found in shelters. Because their owners were not prepared to care for them. We don’t recommend large dogs to first-time owners. They require patience and a lot of care.
Although you may not know the parents of the dogs you will be providing a loving home for them. You should train them as soon as you can so that they are responsive to you. Check out the All Shepherd Rescue or the Chow Chow Rescue Society if you are looking to rescue, as mixed breed pups do come in.
Final Thoughts
Chow Shepherds are incredibly loyal, affectionate, and protective companions for the right person. You will need to train them to overcome their stubborn streak. But once they are trained, they will be great friends and listeners to your family, even children.
Keep in mind that they require lots of exercise and can get bored easily if they aren’t getting enough. This dog is not recommended for busy professionals. They will have behavioral problems. This dog will be your friend for the rest of your life if you are able to spend the time to care for them.