What is the Golden Chow Dog? Fluffy and Full of Surprises
A Golden Chow dog is a mix of two breeds: a Chow Chow and a Golden Retriever. Its history is relatively unknown. We can speculate that this "breed" emerged in the 21st century as part of a growing interest in mixed bloodlines.
While Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows are both fluffy dogs, their similarities end there. These two animals have wildly different personalities. This makes the Golden Retriever Chow mix an interesting blend.
Chow Chows come from Northern China. They are over 2,000 years old and were bred for a variety of purposes. They have done everything from serving as war dogs to temple guards. They are functional working dogs that have a tendency to be aggressive.
Even though this puppy can be temperamental, it loves its family. They are fabulous guard dogs that will quickly scare away any intruder.
Golden Retrievers are the complete opposite of Chow Chows. They are loving, trusting dogs that are happiest when they are around people. They were bred as hunting companions and are obedient as a result.
The combination of these two personalities into one dog creates tension. That tension is only made worse by the fact that this hybrid has no standard. Each Golden Chow is truly one of a kind and their personality and temperament are dependent on the parents.
WHAT MAKES A GOLDEN RETRIEVER CHOW MIX DIFFERENT?
This breed mix, also known as the Chow-Chow-Golden Retriever, walks a fine line between their two parent breeds. They will typically lean more toward one parent or another.
Regardless of which way they lean, though, this mix dog breed mix will be different from the parent breeds. The mix between the two makes sure that they are neither too Golden nor too Chow Chow.
They will stand slightly bigger than Golden Retrievers and slightly smaller than Chow Chows. You can expect them to come in around 50–75 pounds and 20–25 inches tall.
You can also expect a blend of appearances. Some will look more like fluffier, puffier Golden Retrievers. Others might look like more well-groomed Chow Chows. They will fall somewhere in between the two.
What you can guarantee is that your dog will have plenty of hair. Both parents are cold-weather dogs that have thick coats. Your dog will have a dense undercoat that is designed to keep it warm and an outer one designed to repel water. The coat will typically be a golden-red color.
You should pay special attention to your dog's grooming needs. They have to be brushed every day to maintain their wild manes. You might need to increase this during the spring and fall to cope with their shedding.
Another thing you will notice on your mixed breed dog is its tongue. Chow Chows have beautiful blue-black tongues and the gene is dominant. Any mix with a Chow will likely have darker mouths and black spots on the tongue.
They will also differ from their parents in temperament as well. No matter what your dog will love your family but it might not be as interested in strangers as a Golden would be. These dogs should have a good balance of independence and neediness.
Again, the temperament will depend heavily on your dog's DNA. Your breeder should be able to tell you what the general trend is with their dogs.
TRAINING AND EXERCISE NEEDS
Golden Retrievers are well-known for their energy levels. They were bred to retrieve game from long distances and they enjoy running and playing fetch. As guard dogs, Chow Chows are more laid back. While they still need exercise, they are also happy to hang around the house. Golden Chows can have a nice moderate activity level. They will not be as energetic as a Golden, but they also won't be as lazy as a Chow Chow. They will likely love going for long walks, but might not be the best running or hiking partners.
Your dog's activity needs will be dependent on how close it is to a Golden Retriever or a Chow Chow. If it leans more towards a Golden, it will enjoy playing fetch as a form of exercise. If it is a Chow Chow-dominant dog, go ahead and stick with walks. No matter what you should expect to spend at least 45 minutes outside with it every day.
Training Golden Chows is very difficult because both parent breeds learn differently. Golden Retrievers are fast learners that just want to please their owners. They learn best through repetition and respond well to positive reinforcement. They instinctively know that you are the boss. They are so popular partially because they are one of the easiest dogs to train.
Chow Chows are not so easy. They are headstrong and stubborn and don't want to listen. They should not be treated as an equal, like the Golden. Instead, you will have to constantly assert yourself as the "alpha."
Although the Golden Retriever side is quick to learn, the stubbornness of the Chow Chow can make it hard. You will need to be patient while this animal learns and don't be surprised if breakthroughs take a long time.
What's maybe the most important element of this dog's training is socialization. You need to make sure that your dog meets other animals and people from the start. This is to teach the Chow Chow side that not every animal or human is a threat. Without this crucial step, the dog can grow to be aggressive and unfriendly towards strangers.
SHOULD I GET ONE?
The Golden Chow is not the right dog for everyone. You should think carefully about your family and lifestyle before you make the plunge.
First off, this dog is not for first-time owners. They can be extremely difficult to train and requires plenty of patience. You will likely need every trick up your sleeve and experience is necessary.
This dog is also not the best option for families with young children. The aggressive nature of the Chow Chow can make it slightly dangerous. Though it will love your family no matter what, it is best suited for older kids.
CONCLUSION
The Golden Chow will be a loving and protective dog. It does need a patient hand to train though and it is not the best dog for any family. Be sure to talk with your breeder before making any decisions.
