Chow mixes might not be the first dog folks think of for their homes, but these loyal and loving dogs have plenty to offer families!
As a blend of the millennia-old Chow Chow breed and another dog breed, Chow mixes can have very different personalities than a purebred pup.
Let’s look at what a Chow mix dog is like and which variations of a Chow mix might be the best for you and your family.
What Is a Chow Chow?
Chow Chows are a breed of dog from ancient China. This breed wasn’t initially raised with a specific purpose, instead bred as an all-purpose breed for use around society.
Chow Chow history depicts these dogs as hunting dogs, guard dogs, and loyal companions over the millennia.
Because of the mane of fur around their heads and the downward turn of their eyes, many consider Chow Chows a noble breed.
This isn’t entirely true, though. It takes a little time to earn a Chow Chow’s love, but these dogs love their owners earnestly.
Unlike some of the more social breeds, they tend to treat strangers with an aloof attitude.
Still, Chow Chows are a loyal and fastidious breed.
What Is a Chow Mix Dog?
A Chow mix dog is a mix breed dog where one of the parents is a purebred Chow Chow.
Unlike a purebred dog, mixed-breed pups will adopt a blend of personality and physical traits from their parents.
The reason for doing this depends on the breed you want to mix with a Chow Chow.
As an all-purpose breed, the Chow Chows breed blends well with many other dog breeds, meaning you can tailor a mix’s personality while maintaining some of the Chow Chow’s distinct physical features.
What Is the Lifespan of a Chow Mix Dog?
Chow Chows have average lifespans compared to other dog breeds of similar size.
Most Chow Chow live for eight to twelve years.
However, some Chow Chow can live to be as old as 15.
Many Chow Mix dogs will live to be this old, as well.
It’s worth remembering that a mixed breed dog can inherit the health issues common from both parent breed sides, though!
Most Popular Chow Mix Dogs
Because Chows Chows mix so well with other breeds, there are plenty of options to choose from for Chow mixes.
Here are some of the popular choices:
Siberian Husky Chow Chow Mix
Also called a Chusky, this Chow mix combines some of the personality of a Siberian Husky with the reserved nature of a Chow Chow.
Traits of This Type Mix
Some of the major traits you’ll find with a Chusky include:
- Strong feelings of love and bonding with its family, sometimes resulting in separation anxiety.
- Playful and entertaining because of the joy they get being around their loved ones.
- Moderate distrust of other dogs and pets; can be overcome with proper socialization.
- Good playmate for children with adult supervision.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix
This breed also goes by the nickname Chow Shepherd due to its crossbreeding with a German Shepherd.
Thanks to the German Shepherd genes, these dogs can be very active.
Traits of This Type Mix
Some of the traits of a German Shepherd Chow mix include:
- Intelligent and individualistic personality.
- Protective like a German Shepherd, but not unkind to strangers.
- Short-tempered or snappy with other animals, but okay with children.
- Thick fur coats that will require consistent grooming.
- A Chow Shepherd needs regular exercise, or it will become more grumpy and short-tempered.
Labrador Retriever Chow Chow Mix
This Chow mix breed combines two very different dog breeds, meaning the resulting dog can have a wide range of possible personalities.
Traits of This Type Mix
Some of the certainties with Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow mix dogs are:
- An affectionate and loving breed that will always want to be near its family.
- Calm and well-mannered behavior after some training.
- Good with kids.
- If they take after their Chow parent, these mixes can be aloof or wary around strangers and other pets without proper socialization.
- Make for good guard dogs thanks to their awareness and instinctive behaviors.
Golden Retriever Chow Chow Mix
Also known as a Golden Chow, these Chow mix-breeds blend two different breeds to bring out the best of both parents’ personalities.
Traits of This Type Mix
Golden Chows are known for several things, such as:
- A lovable and friendly personality that can turn reserved or wary when strangers come by.
- Proper socialization tends to bring out more of the Golden Retriever side of their personality.
- Friendly with children, so long as there is supervision from other family members.
- Need for roughly an hour of exercise every day due to the Golden Retriever’s breeding history as a hunting dog.
Pitbull Chow Chow Mix
Another mix of two socially different breeds, the Pitbull Chow Chow mix (also called a Pitchow), can make for a great companion for an older family.
Traits of This Type Mix
The traits that stand out for Pitchows include:
- Loyal and easy-to-train dogs thanks to the intelligence they inherit from their Pitbull side.
- Affectionate and lovable personalities make for a cuddly dog if they don’t take after their Chow Chow side too much.
- A loud bark comes out whenever strangers come by.
- Fine with older children, but will be uncomfortable around young kids not used to dogs.
Are These Dogs Good For Families?
Overall, Chow Chow mixes will be suitable for families, thanks to the independent nature of many of these designer dogs.
While not all Chow mixes will want to cuddle or be around the entire time, many of the common mix-breeds require exercise that can be a great bonding time for families.
Some of the breeds we mentioned earlier are excellent guard dogs, meaning they can help stay vigilant for your little ones!
Chow mixes are an okay choice for families, especially those with older children.
Are Chow Mixes Friendly Dogs?
Chow mixes tend to range from friendly to aloof.
They won’t be hostile or rude to strangers, but many Chow mixes will bark or stay wary of a stranger until they warm up to them.
This personality trait mostly comes from the Chow side of the mix.
Chow Chows aren’t known to be personable dogs to others outside their family.
So, this trait can be passed down to any Chow mix.
Do Chow Mixes Get Along With Other Pets?
In general, Chow mixes aren’t a great choice if you have other pets in the house.
Chow Chow tend to love their families and tolerate kids but are territorial regarding other animals, especially other dogs.
This fact doesn’t hold for every Chow mix dog, though.
As a mixed breed pup, your dog’s personality can vary depending on which parent it takes after.
Also, friendly breeds involved in the mix, like Retrievers and Labradors, will have a higher chance of being okay with other pets.
Is a Chow Mix Right for You?
So, with all that information laid out, it’s time to decide: is a Chow mix right for you?
Pros of a Chow Mix
The pros to owning a Chow mix dog are:
- Having a loyal friend that bonds easily with a family.
- Owning a dog with a lovable personality.
- Having an excuse to get out for a walk or day trip since many Chow mixes need daily exercise.
Cons of a Chow Mix
The downsides to owning a Chow mix are:
- Not all breeds are receptive to small children, especially without supervision to keep the pup from nipping.
- The daily exercise many Chow mixes need can be challenging for those that work a lot.
- Many Chow mixes require firm masters to train them well.
Conclusion: Are Chow Mixes Right For You?
If you have the time to dedicate to proper training and socialization and don’t have young kids, a Chow mix could be a good fit for your home.
Of course, Chow mixes need firm guidance, but they make for loving, loyal companions with a broad range of personalities depending on their parent breeds.
Wrapping Up
Chow mixes are a range of designer dogs bred from the Chinese Chow Chow and one other breed.
These mixes can have loving, loyal, and aloof personalities like a Chow Chow mixed with other dog traits, such as reception to training or high intelligence.
Still, there’s a lot more to say about these lovable dogs!
So many different Chow mixes exist out there, meaning there are plenty of Chow mixes that don’t look or act like the ones mentioned here.
If you are a fan of these fluffy dogs but also want the traits of one of the other dogs listed, you’re sure to find the perfect Chow mix just for you.
If you have any questions about Chow mixes, don’t hesitate to comment below!