The German Shepherd Chow mix is a combination of a Chow Chow and a German Shepherd, which results in adorably, furry puppies. These dogs are generally very smart, and while they aren’t pure bred dogs, they are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry as an official mixed breed of dogs. Before you decide if this hybrid breed is right for you, you’ll want to take a closer look at what you can expect from the mix. Here’s a closer look at the German Shepherd Chow mix, it’s origin, appearance, temperament, grooming needs, health concerns, and more.
Origin and History
Within the past couple decades, designer dogs have become very popular, but they are very difficult to trace. It’s not really known when, where, or why exactly the German Shepherd Chow mix was created. However, we can learn some more about this mix by taking a closer look at both of the parent breeds and their history.
The Chow Chow has a history that is thought to be more than 2000 years old, and the breed is thought to have originated from a cross between a Samoyed and a Tibetan Mastiff. The dog was used as a sporting dog for many centuries in China, and it was a favorite among wealthy sportsmen and emperors. Later, they were also used for protection, pulling, and herding. It wasn’t until the late 1700s that these dogs were imported to England. Later, in the 1800s, they became more popular within England and in 1985 the first club for the breed was established in England. By the end of the 1800s, the dogs had appeared in the United States and in 1903 the American Kennel Club recognized the breed officially.
The German Shepherd traces back to Germany, and the breed was developed to help manage huge flocks of sheep back in the 1800s. While the exact ancestors of the breed are unknown, the forerunners of this dog resulted from the breeding of several dogs native to both central and northern Germany. The dog we know as the German Shepherd today was exhibited for the first time in 1882 at Hanover, Germany. Later, the German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany would be founded in 1899. During World War I, these dogs were popular war dogs and they were also used within World War II. It wasn’t until later in 1913 that the German Shepherd Dog Club of America was first started.
Appearance
The German Shepherd Chow mix will be a medium to large size dog, weighing in at between 40 and 95 pounds and growing to be between 18 and 26 inches tall. These dogs can vary greatly in the way that they look, taking after either parent breed. In most cases, the German Shepherd Chow mix ends up with a face that looks much like that of the German Shepherd, featuring a long muzzle. Their ears usually half stand up with the tops flopping down a bit. The tail normally curves upward and stands at attention. The hybrid has a coat that can be harsh, thick, long, and dense, and it is usually more like a Chow Chow’s coat. Some of the common coat colors include black, white, chocolate, brown, tan, red, and blue.
German Shepherd Chow Mix Temperament
The temperament of these dogs can vary, but while the German Shepherd Chow mix may be a bit aloof like the Chow Chow, they usually are happier to have attention from humans and do not like to feel neglected. These dogs have plenty of energy and they are very loyal. Since they are very smart, they may become bored and start acting out if you don’t make sure they get challenged physically and mentally. Sometimes these dogs may have an independent, stubborn streak that can make it a bit difficult to train them if you’re not experienced in training dogs. They also tend to be very protective of their family and may be cautious around new people.
Because the German Shepherd Chow mix has so much energy, it’s essential to make sure they get plenty of activity each day. These dogs need large yards where they can play and they need some exercise that offers both physical and mental challenges. Walking and jogging are great activities, and you’ll also want to add in some play time, such as tug of war, fetch, or ball.
Grooming
Usually the German Shepherd Chow mix has a coat that is like a Chow Chow, so you can expect to deal with regular shedding. It’s a good idea to keep these dogs brushed daily to keep matting and tangling from occurring. You’ll only need to bathe these dogs as needed, but you should make sure you brush their teeth three times each week with a good dog toothpaste. Usually these dogs will wear down their nails naturally, but if they don’t, you’ll need to clip them regularly or have a groomer take care of it for you. Once a week, make sure you check the ears of your German Shepherd Chow mix, wiping them clean and evaluating for any problems.
Working Roles
Both the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow have been used in working roles in the past. While there’s not a lot known about whether the German Shepherd Chow mix is used in working roles, it’s possible that they would perform well in working roles if properly trained and socialized.
Health
You can expect your German Shepherd Chow mix to have an average life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years. While in most cases these hybrids enjoy better health than their parents, you still need to be aware of the potential health problems in each parent breed. Some of the health concerns that may affect your German Shepherd Chow mix include:
- Hemangiosarcoma
- Myasthenia gravis
- Tricuspid dysplasia
- Allergies
- Disconpondylitis
- Glycogen storage disease
- Aortic stenosis
- Pituitary dwarfism
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Bloat
- Persistent right aortic arch
- Hypothyroidism
- Cataracts
- Immune mediated thrombocytopenia
- Nasal cavity tumors
- Hip dysplasia
- Cherry eye
- Epilepsy
- Footpad disorders
- Cellulitis
- Mitral dysplasia
- Panosteitis
- Patellar luxation
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Thyroid disease
- Elbow dysplasia