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Also known as the Sheprachow, the Chow Shepherd is a mixed breed dog and a cross between the German Shepherd and the Chow Chow, featuring the best traits of both dog breeds. Ranging from medium to large in size, these playful and protective pups can sometimes be found in breed-specific rescues and shelters, so be sure to adopt when you can! Below, we discuss how to care for your German Shepherd Chow Chow mix at home.
What is the German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix?
Before everything else, it’s important to understand that a Chow Shepherd isn’t the best choice for a first-time owner, but if you’re an experienced dog owner this could be a great pup for you. Because they’re heavy shedders, they are high-maintenance dogs and will require a firm and experienced hand when disciplining and training their independent nature. They are best suited for large homes with a secure and enclosed backyard — with early socialization, they can be friendly with people, kids, and other dogs.
History of the German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix
German Shepherd History
The German Shepherd was first developed by Captain Max von Stephanitz, where it originated in Germany during the 1800s. This large breed is sleek and agile which makes them a great addition for protecting sheep, and for herding them through rough terrain. Their intelligence led to their participation in the German Army and during the World Wars their popularity fell.
Luckily, they were able to make their way back into the hearts of pet lovers and were registered as a recognized dog breed with the American Kennel Club in 1908. Today, they serve as wonderful police, therapy, and service dogs.
Chow Chow History
Chow Chows are said to be among the most ancient dog breeds known to mankind, with their origins from China’s Han Dynasty during 150 B.C. Recent genetic studies confirmed that they are one of the 14 original dog breeds. Many experts believe that these dogs are a mix of the ancient Mastiff and the Samoyed.
Once a trusted protector of families during the Han Dynasty, this dog made its way into the royal courts around Europe and eventually arrived in the United States as a companion. In 1903, the Chow Chow was added to the American Kennel Club’s registry.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix Appearance
Generally, the Chow Shepherd will come with more dominant genes from their Chow Chow parent which is evident in their coat and body. Often a medium-sized dog, it can also grow larger with sizes ranging between 19 to 26 inches tall with a weight of 60 to 95 pounds. These dogs are sturdy and can be fluffy at times; their coat can range between medium to medium long, but will remain thick and dense.
Their coat colors include dark brown, tan, red, black, white, light brown, and even blue; they will also have the facial markings of the GSD. While their body will more closely resemble their Chow parents, their facial features such as the ears and muzzle will be more like their German Shepherd parents. They also come with brown eyes like their parents.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix Temperament
Because of their dominating personality, Chow Shepherds aren’t the best addition in households with children and smaller pets. They come with a loving personality but will tend to be cautious with strangers and will tend to be overprotective. A Chow Shepherd can be a wonderful companion with a strong work ethic that can benefit from obedience training every week.
They come with many great personality traits such as their love of spending time with their family but their herding instincts may make them chase after young children and small animals. But with proper training and socialization, they can be great dogs that will form strong bonds with family members. Just remember that these big and active dogs will need ample space around your home and backyard.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix Care
Below are just a few things you can do to ensure that your dog lives a happy and healthy life for the years to come.
Nutrition
Providing your German Chow mix with a proper and balanced diet is essential for good health — you can supplement their food with fish oil, chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 acids to help support strong joints. According to nutrition experts, these dogs should be given a diet that consists of 22% protein when they’re puppies and around 18% protein as adults. Proteins should include whole meats such as fish, beef, and chicken to keep them fuller for longer.
The best dry dog food for these dogs should be formulated specifically for medium to large-sized breeds that come with high energy. Just like any dog, the diet for Chow Shepherds should change from puppyhood to adulthood and should continue into their senior years. If you’re unsure about the right brand and portion sizes to serve your pooch, be sure to speak to your veterinarian for recommendations specific to your dog.
Grooming
Your German Shepherd Chow mix will need plenty of grooming for its coat; this is because they will often inherit the beautiful coat of their Chow Chow parent which can lead to a lot of shedding. Be sure to brush their coat at least once 2 to 3 times a day; having a vacuum around can help you keep the house clean. It’s important to use shampoo sparingly while ensuring that it’s specifically formulated for dogs with long coats.
When it comes to dental health, German Shepherd Chows’ teeth need to be brushed at least 2 to 3 times a week. Similarly, their ears should be cleaned at least once a week to make sure that dirt and bacteria don’t accumulate inside. Finally, their nails should be trimmed once every month or whenever you hear their nails scrape along the floors in your home.
Exercise
Powerful, agile, and bursting with energy, the Chow Shepherd is a canine that needs active pet parents to take it out on outdoor activities and keep it busy. These dogs will also appreciate having a big enclosed backyard where they can explore and run; they won’t do well inside apartments since they need plenty of physical exercise. They will happily come for walks around the dog park for some bonding with their owners and fresh air.
Confident and athletic, these dogs can be great jogging or hiking buddies and will need a minimum of 2 lengthy walks per day. Other kinds of exercise they’ll enjoy include flyball and agility; they’ll also enjoy playing puzzle toys and interactive playtime. Giving them different activities every day and challenging them with mental stimulation will help to keep them healthy and happy.
Training
Because it’s such an intelligent dog, training your German Shepherd Chow mix should be done as soon as possible — their Chow side will make them independent and can be a bit stubborn, so they may not always obey your commands. Thanks to its German Shepherd genes, it won’t be too hard to train since they’re hardwired with loyalty for their owners. Training sessions for puppies means giving it plenty of time and patience; teach your pup the value of your presence and let it know that you’re the Alpha dog.
Be sure to reward your dog using positive reinforcement whenever it does the right thing; this can be done using praises and treats but make sure to keep their treats at a minimum to prevent obesity. Make sure that you don’t resort to harsh corrections as these sensitive dogs can become emotionally hurt — showing them that you’re a strong leader will help them take your words seriously. Make sure to socialize them early on, which will help them become well-adjusted and well-balanced dogs.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix Health Problems
When given proper care, these dogs can enjoy a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. While the German Shepherd Chow mix doesn’t necessarily come with specific health issues or illnesses, they can still get sickness passed on from their parents. To ensure that your dog gets the most out of their years, here are a few health issues to look out for.
- Flea Allergies: Irritation can occur in dogs after fleas and ticks get inside their coat. Unfortunately, the long coats of German Shepherd Chow mixes provide a warm atmosphere for them to feed and breed their eggs.
- Hip Dysplasia: This abnormality occurs when the joints don’t fit the sockets properly, which can lead to lameness, pain, and fatigue.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Similar to hip dysplasia, this occurs when the elbow joints don’t develop properly which also results in discomfort and pain.
- Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV): Also known as bloating, this condition refers to gases filling up the dog’s stomach. This results in the organs twisting around themselves, causing heart and breathing problems for the dog.
- Eye Problems: Superficial keratitis is a common eye problem in German Shepherds and when left untreated, this can lead to blindness. This problem often occurs in dogs during their middle to old age, between 7 to 9 years and more.
- Heart Problems: Vital signs that you should be aware of include behavioral changes, breathing problems, diet changes, weakness, abdomen swelling, and fluctuations in weight. While there are many reasons for dogs to catch heart problems being aware of the symptoms and signs can help to treat them as soon as possible.
Even if you don’t think your dog has any of the symptoms above, it’s still a good idea to take them on regular vet check-ups to ensure that problems are detected early on.
Finding Your German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to get your hands on one of these dogs, then adoption is your best bet. You should expect to be interviewed by staff who will ensure that you will provide their dog with a suitable home and loving family. Below are just a few places where you might be able to track a German Shepherd Chow puppy:
- Adoptapet.com
- Petcurious.com
- Puppyfinder.com
Buying a puppy online can be tricky since there are many scammers online, but as long as you double-check the details of the ad as well as the background of the seller, you should be able to find a reputable breeder. A good and responsible breeder will provide you with background checks, health certificates, and as many details on their dogs as possible.
German Shepherd Chow Chow Mix Costs
Before you buy one of these puppies, be sure to consider your budget before anything else since there are many different costs apart from the initial purchase price for these dogs. Purchasing a German Shepherd Chow Chow mix can cost as much as $1,000 or more; however, the average price for one of these dogs ranges from $250 to $750. Other costs include vaccinations, medicines, food, supplies, accessories, and more, which can cost another $2,500 per year, depending on your dog’s needs.
The best way to look for a puppy is to check out good dog breeders who specialize in breeding Chow Chows with German Shepherds. They should be able to guarantee the health and quality of your puppy — make sure that the parents of your puppy are healthy and produce offspring without inheriting unhealthy genes.
Other German Shepherd Mixes to Look Into
You may also want to look into the many different breeds that German Shepherds can be mixed with, some of which we discuss below.
Border Collie German Shepherd Mix
This particular mix is relatively new and produces a gorgeous, high-energy pup that’s instinctive and hardworking. Placed under the working group, Border Collies often earn top scores in trick-performing and agility competitions, so when you mix them with German Shepherds, you get a do that’s proficient at many disciplines and is willing to learn. These dogs are great for hiking and running, which makes them wonderful buddies for outdoor activities.
Just remember that they will shed more as they get older, so owners will need to brush their fur daily to remove dead hair and dander; this also removes tangles from their coats.
Spaniel Shepherd
The Cocker Spaniel German Shepherd Mix is another unique hybrid that’s also known as the German Spaniel; because they’re not commonly available, not much information is known about them. However, learning more about their parent breeds can help provide insight into their needs. Because their parents are so attractive, these dogs will often come with the same handsome looks, along with lush and wavy fur.
These dogs will thrive when living in a bigger home and an attentive and loving owner who can provide them with enough physical and mental stimulation.
Bernese Shepherd
The fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd Mix is the result of breeding the German Shepherd with the Bernese Mountain Dog. Again, these crossbreeds are rare, so not much information is known about them but learning about their parents can help you ascertain their potential appearance and temperament. From what we know of the records that exist after breeding these dogs, they often look like their Bernese parents.
They also come with a big frame, long muzzle, pointed ears with some feathering, and almond-shaped eyes like their German Shepherd parent.
Golden Shepherd
Among the most beautiful canine crosses is the Golden Retriever German Shepherd Mix, which is produced through the union of the two mentioned dog breeds. These dogs are known to be playful, easy-going, and affectionate, which makes them friendly toward other pets, and people. Their wonderful temperament makes them such perfect companions; this isn’t surprising since both dogs consistently rank among the best dog breeds according to AKC.
They are hearty eaters, so make sure to feed them meals that are at least 18% protein and have a low-fat content. It’s also important to feed them lots of vegetables, fruits, and fish oil, along with supplements to support bone development.
German Sharpherd
When you combine the genes of the Shar Pei with those of a German Shepherd, you get the distinct-looking Shar Pei German Shepherd mix. While they’re still a relatively new crossbreed and there are very few details available for them, their parents can provide us with a clue as to how they will look and how they will behave. In terms of their face, the puppies will tend to look like their Shar Pei parent but their body and overall appearance will look more like a German Shepherd.
Australian Cattle Dog German Shepherd Mix
Also known as the Blue Heeler German Shepherd, this relatively recent crossbreed is believed to have been developed no more than 30 years ago. This working dog carries a lot of power and is known for being smart, loyal, canny, determined, strong, and will be dedicated to any role you give it. Whether it serves as a livestock helper or a guard dog, they will function as an intelligent canine that will thrive in the care of an experienced and firm pack leader.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi German Shepherd Mix
Breeding a Pembroke Welsh Corgi with a German Shepherd results in the Corman Shepherd, a popular crossbreed that takes the best traits of both parents. For example, this hybrid comes with high energy levels and intelligence which are key characteristics that it inherited from both parents. Because both breeds were originally bred to work and herd alongside humans, they’re very friendly and highly trainable.
This particular breed’s high mental capacity allows it to easily learn new skills quickly during obedience training, socialization classes, and housetraining.
Great Pyrepherd
The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd Mix is what you get when you mix the German Shepherd with the Great Pyrenees, both of which are gorgeous dogs. When combined, you get a dog that’s quiet, brave, strong, intelligent, and serious which goes toward their protective instincts. This makes them great guard dogs and because they thrive in cold weather, they can survive guarding the backyard and the house even in temperate climates.
However, their thick coats will make it easy for them to get hot and they’ll shed quite a bit, so be prepared to brush them many times per week. Finally, their large size means that they can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
German Terrier
Mixing a Boston Terrier with a German Shepherd results in the German Shepherd Boston Terrier Mix, an incredibly athletic and smart dog. Much like many crossbreed dogs, there isn’t a lot of information published about this rare dog, but we can rely on what we know about their parents to shed light on the kind of temperament and appearance they can inherit. Remember that you will need to watch what they eat since overeating can make existing health issues worse.
Learning about the right kinds of food to give them can ensure they stay healthy while avoiding overeating.
German Aussie
With the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix, you get the best out of the world’s top herding dogs, the German Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd. This relatively new and rare designer breed doesn’t have much information but looking at their parents can shed light on their history, appearance, and temperament. If you plan on raising one of these dogs, you should know that they’re the offspring of two pretty big dogs, so don’t be surprised when they get bigger too.
These stunning dogs will reach an average weight of 35 to 90 pounds while growing between 18 to 26 inches tall.
Conclusion
When given proper training and socialization, the German Shepherd Chow Chow mix can be among the best dogs you own; they can be excellent family pets who will get along with kids and other pets, so they’ll fit in the family easily. This good dog will need plenty of physical activities and mental stimulation to keep them in top shape. Apart from giving them a balanced diet, regular grooming, and enough attention, taking them on regular vet check-ups can help extend their lifespan by catching potential health issues early.
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