Chow Shepherd

Quick Take

• This is a 50/50 hybrid, yet it strongly favors one parent over the other in ways most owners don't expect. See the parent breeds →
• Its most lovable quality is also the very trait that makes it a serious handful and a potential risk around small children. See the dominant behavior →
• There's one health condition tied to this breed that goes far beyond typical joint or allergy issues, and most new owners never see it coming. Explore the health risks →
• Experienced dog owners are warned for a reason, though it is not the one most people would guess first. See the owner requirements →

The Chow Shepherd, also known as a Sheprachow, is a cross between two very different dog breeds: the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd. The Chow Chow is an intelligent and dignified all-purpose dog that originated from ancient China and became a favorite of the country’s nobility. As a member of the spitz group, it has long, thick fur and a pointed muzzle and ears. The German Shepherd, by contrast, is a large and intelligent herding dog with a long history of police work and service.

Despite being the offspring of two different breeds, the Chow Shepherd will not inherit their traits in equal proportion. Physically, it is more likely to look like the Chow Chow than the German Shepherd. The dog has upright ears, brown eyes, a medium-length muzzle, and a sleek or rounded face. The tail may be long and sweeping like the Shepherd or more curved toward the back like the Chow Chow. The long and dense coat of fur may come in some combination of black, cream, gray, brown, fawn, or red. Temperamentally, this dog may have a friendly, loyal, and intelligent disposition.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Chow Shepherd

Size and Weight

The Chow Shepherd has a huge range of different body sizes. Both males and females stand 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 105 lbs.

Common Health Issues

Just like its two parent breeds, the Chow Shepherd tends to suffer from allergies, cataracts, ear infections, bloating, cancer, and hip dysplasia (a developmental disorder that causes the hip to become partially or completely dislocated from its socket). Another serious condition you want to look out for is degenerative myelopathy, which can cause nerve damage and eventual paralysis.

A good breeder will try to minimize the risks of many inheritable conditions (and other conditions with a genetic component), but there is always the chance that some problem will arise. That is why you should always schedule regular physical examinations and tests at the vet to catch health problems as early as possible. It is also important to maintain the dog’s flea medication since it is particularly sensitive to flea bites. If your Chow Shepherd can avoid some of the more serious conditions, then it may have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Temperament

The Chow Shepherd is a very loving and friendly companion toward those with whom it is familiar. Once it becomes an integral member of the family, the Chow Shepherd is prone to separation anxiety. This dog should not be left alone or ignored for long periods of time, because it might develop destructive and unwanted behavior.

As friendly as it is, however, the Chow Shepherd can be equally distrustful and wary around strangers. Some of this natural suspicion can be reduced with proper early socialization and training. Its protective and loyal personality makes it a good watchdog and guard dog for the family. The Chow Shepherd is also a natural leader, so it may tend to become a little dominant and bossy around smaller children and pets.

How to Take Care of the Chow Shepherd

The Chow Shepherd is probably a better option for experienced owners than novice or first-time owners. It can be challenging to care for due to its high exercise needs, heavy shedding, and wariness of strangers. If you need any other assistance with your dog’s care, then you should contact your local vet.

The Best Dog Food

An adult Chow Shepherd needs approximately 3 cups of high-protein dry food per day. The exact amount may vary based on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. Since this dog is particularly prone to obesity, you should restrict the calorie intake to no more than necessary. A healthy weight will help reduce the risk of joint problems later in life.

Allergies are common in this breed, so you may want to consider the benefits of various allergy-friendly dog foods.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Chow Shepherd is a particularly heavy shedder with a thick, non-hypoallergenic coat. It needs to be groomed almost every single day with a pin brush or a slicker brush, as well as a de-shedding tool. You should also brush the dog’s teeth at least three times a week to minimize the chances of the dog developing dental problems. Bathing is only necessary when the dog becomes particularly dirty on one of its outdoor excursions. Nail trimming should take place at least once a month before the nails grow too long and become difficult to cut.

Training

The Chow Shepherd is a smart and trainable hybrid that should do well with positive reinforcement methods, but the dog’s stubborn and aloof temperament may cause its attention to wander during training. Owners can attempt to solve this by making the training process as interesting and varied as possible. The dog wants to be engaged and challenged both mentally and physically, so try to change things up and push the boundaries of its capabilities. If you are experiencing problems, then you may want to hire the services of a professional trainer.

Exercise

The Chow Shepherd is not a good indoor or apartment dog. It needs around 60 to 75 minutes of exercise per day. Fortunately, for regular exercise enthusiasts, the Chow Shepherd makes a good walking, jogging, or hiking partner. It will probably need about two long walks per day to fully satisfy its exercise needs. Potential owners might also want to have a large enclosed yard and perhaps even a nearby park in which the dog can roam freely. Since these clever dogs may find a way to escape, it is a good idea to have a secure fence. You should not let them out of your sight for long.

Puppies

Because the Chow Shepherd retains some wolf-like characteristics, including suspicion and wariness toward strangers, these puppies require a lot of early obedience training and socialization to overcome their natural tendencies. The training should preferably begin within the first three to four months of its life. If you are struggling to house train your puppies, then you might want to buy a crate to help with it. Once the dog accepts the crate as a safe space, it should not want to soil inside its new home. You are then free to release it from the crate when it needs to go outside. Just don’t treat the crate as a prison or cage to punish your dog.

Chow Shepherds and Children

These dogs have the potential to be loving and friendly companions toward family members. But as mentioned previously, this dog can be a little dominant and bossy. If you have smaller children, then you should be careful about introducing the Chow Shepherd into your household.

Dogs Similar to the Chow Shepherd

Besides the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd, the Chow Shepherd most closely resembles the following types of dogs:

• Akita: This Japanese dog, which originated from the northern region that bears its name, is another breed of Asian spitz. It is a remarkably loyal, bold, and dignified breed with a muscular body, a curled back tail, and a thick double coat of fur.
• Shiba Inu: A skilled hunting dog and a source of internet jokes, the Shiba Inu is an alert and attentive breed of spitz with a muscular body, round, expressive face, and white markings combined with red, black, or tan.
• Icelandic Sheepdog: Originally brought to Iceland by the Vikings, this breed of spitz was bred for herding sheep, cattle, and horses. It is a friendly, smart, curious, and playful dog that will form a deep and lasting bond with its owner.