Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The Shepherd Chow Chow mix is a combination of two of the most well-known guard dogs in breed history. Though they may be rough around the edges at times, this adorable mix can be a wonderful family dog when given the proper attention and training.
In this article, we’ll discuss the details of the Shepherd Chow Mix, and how to make sure they become a wonderful companion to add to your family.
History Of The Shepherd Chow Mix
The exact history or reason why the German Shepherd and Chow Chow came to be is unknown, but we do know the history behind the individual breeds.
The Chow Chow
The Chow Chow has been present in history for over 2,000 years, leading some to believe that they are the oldest breed of dogs. Chows were originally bred as working dogs in the Tang Dynasty and were used in hunting, guarding, and herding.
The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was originally bred for working in german, where they guarded livestock and worked on their family’s farm. Their dignified demeanor and fierce work ethic led them to their career in war, in which they made their way to America during the civil war time.
Since making their way to America they have worked as service dogs, military dogs, police dogs, and loyal family members.
Shepherd Chow Mix: Physical Appearance
The Shepherd Chow Mix is an adorable combination of two extremely treasured breeds. Since they are mixed breeds, their appearance can vary greatly with each dog.
Generally speaking, they weigh anywhere from 40-80 pounds and stand at about 25 inches in height.
Shepherd Chow mixes often take the nose shape of their german Shepherd parent, and the floppy ears of the Chow Chow. Their coat can vary from long and fluffy to shorter and plush, and their coat colors can vary greatly. Some common coat colors of the Shepherd Chow Mix include red, brown, black, tan, blue, and white.
One feature that is quite common in this mix, however, is the black and blue spotted tongue of the Chow Chow.
Shepherd Chow Mix: Personality
Since both the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow were originally bred for work, this breed is always on the go. They usually have an energetic personality that is happy to play at all times.
The Shepherd Chow Mix is also confident, fearless, and incredibly smart. They love a challenge and they are eager to learn. This trait usually makes them easy to train, but can also make them quite stubborn.
Since each breed has a long history of watchdog careers, they do become extremely protective of their people and their home. While it’s lovely to have a dog that is so devoted to you, it’s important to socialize them at a young age to prevent any possibility of aggression towards other people and animals.
Since they are known to be so protective of their owners, you will often find them following you around the house and sitting by your side every chance they get.
Potential For Aggression
With their Chow Chow traits ingrained in their DNA, it’s extremely important to properly socialize your Shepherd Chow mix to avoid potential aggression.
The Chow is known to be a fierce guard dog, so it’s essential to expose them to as many humans, animals, and new places as often as possible.
Any time you have a protective breed, you will have the possibility of unfavorable behavior if you do not follow proper socialization efforts. By socializing them at a young age, you can reduce the chance of them being aggressive to new people and animals that come into your life.
Since this breed is so high strung, you will need to implement daily exercise into your routine. When the Shepherd Chow Mix does not expel their energy properly, they can begin to display destructive behavioral habits, and can also lead to aggressive play.
Overall Health Of The Shepherd Chow Mix
While the German Shepherd Chow Mix can live a generally healthy life of up to 13 years, they are prone to a few medical conditions. These conditions include:
1. Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is the abnormal arrangement of the hip or elbow joint that can lead to grinding of the joints. Since these conditions are often hereditary, these conditions can begin at any point during their life and can result in troubling symptoms. Some of the symptoms are:
- pain
- limping
- lameness
- difficulty getting up and down
- slowing down
- crying out
Other evidence of pain can be seen. But, since these conditions are hereditary, it’s crucial to have on hand medical and 100% clear history. In addition, having an x-ray report of both parents if possible would be the best.
2. Allergies
German Shepherd Chow mixes are among the breeds of dogs that are prone to allergies. Allergies in dogs can be from their food, an allergen in the environment, or a contact allergy.
Symptoms of allergies in a dog include red or irritated skin, itchy skin, ear infections, sores or hot spots on the skin, and hair loss.
3. Luxating Patella
Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap becomes dislocated permanently or temporarily which will lead to discomfort and pain when walking or running. This condition can also exacerbate arthritic changes in the knee if left untreated.
4. Gastric bloat (GDV)
Bloat (GDV) is often seen in large breeds of dogs. This condition is one of the most unwanted conditions in dogs. After all, bloat or otherwise GDV is one of the most common life-threatening conditions in dogs.
If your Shepherd Chow Mix inherits the deep chest feature, then this is a condition to be aware of. If your Shepherd Chow Mix has deep chest features, then this is a condition that you should be aware of.
Moreover, during gastric bloat, the stomach will flip on itself. When this happens, stomach content gets trapped and cuts off blood circulation. Most common symptoms of gastric bloat are:
- vomiting
- weakness
- distended abdomen
When not treated immediately, this condition will be fatal.
5. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is not functioning at an adequate level, leading to troubling symptoms. Hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain, dull hair coat, lack of energy, and hair loss.
Training Your Shepherd Chow Mix
Since the Shepherd Chow Mix is known to be quite stubborn, this is not a breed that’s recommended for first-time dog owners. If this mix takes after their Chow Chow parent, they can be even more challenging.
Since this is a high energy breed that loves to be mentally stimulated, you will often find success in an enriching training environment that’s awarded play. They are also eager to please, so they take quickly to new commands and training.
Since Chow Chows can be aggressive, it’s important to never use negative reinforcement during your training process. Yelling, leash pulling, and hitting can result in unfavorable behaviors, and will not benefit your efforts. Reward-based training is best for Shepherd Chow Mixes.
Exercise And Your Shepherd Chow Mix
German Shepherd and Chow Chow mixes are a ball of energy and will thrive in an active family. Since they are so energetic, they will require a minimum of 30-15 minutes of daily exercise each day.
This breed is known for loving outdoor playtime, so make sure to set aside some time for daily walks or an outdoor game of catch. This breed can even accompany you on any outdoor endeavors.
Daily exercise is especially important for this breed, as pent up energy can result in unfavorable behaviors and aggressive play. If you live a sedentary life that does not involve a lot of activity, this is not an ideal breed for you.
Important Tips For Your Shepherd Chow Mix
If you decide to welcome a German Shepherd and Chow Chow Mix into your life, there are a few important tips that you should be aware of. These tips include:
- Socialization is extremely important for this breed, especially since the Chow Chow is known for being aggressive. Make sure to start socializing your dog from the second you welcome them into your life.
- This breed is extremely energetic, so make sure you set aside daily playtime and exercise.
- If you have small children, you should always monitor their time spent with your Shepherd Chow Mix. While this breed can be just fine with children, it’s important to take this introduction slowly to avoid any dangers.
- Since this breed is so energetic and bonds with their owners, they will not do well in a home where they are left alone for long hours.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in this breed, so it’s best to get a health certificate clearing them of this condition from both of the parents if possible.
- This breed is intelligent and loves to work, so it’s important to implement playtime that is mentally stimulating.
This breed loves the outdoors, so they would make a great companion on your outdoor adventures.
Shepherd Chow Mix – Summary
This is a playful, intelligent, and loyal breed that would make a wonderful addition to an active family. If you live an active life that would suit a high energy pup, then the Shepherd Chow Mix would be the perfect dog for you!
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