The German Shepherd Chow mix is another mixed breed taking the world by storm. This is a quite an interesting cross between a German Shepherd and a Chow.
Other names that this hybrid breed has been called are the Chow Shepherd or the Sheprachow. This is considered to be a designer dog breed which means it was created on purpose.
This is a medium-sized dog breed that will take on traits from both parent breeds. You will end up with a very friendly and loyal dog breed. If you want to learn more about the German Shepherd Chow mix, then keep reading on.
German Shepherd Chow Mix History
There is no known date as to when the German Shepherd Chow mix was intentionally developed. We do know; however, it must have been quite a long time ago because they have been around for quite some time.
As you know, both of these breeds date back over a few centuries old. This mixed breed is starting to get very popular, and it will be easy for you to find a breeder that specializes in this breed.
German Shepherd
Both of the parents of this breed have a very long history. As you may already know, the German Shepherd comes from Germany and is known to be the perfect service dog in many areas.
The creation of this dog breed is accredited to one person who created this breed by combining a few dog breeds to create the superior dog he was looking for. As you may already know, this dog breed is great because it can be helpful in a variety of jobs and service work.
The German Shepherd dog breed is still is just as popular today, and many people around the world own this great dog breed.
Chow Chow
Chows come from China, and they are known for their fantastic stamina, and were used as sporting dogs. Many Chinese have compared the Chow breed to cats and that they act a lot like cats.
This breed has been seen in ancient times as far back as the Han Dynasty. They became very loyal companions to the royals and also worked as watchdogs in the palace.
Of course, like all things do, this breed made its way to the United States, and people became captivated by it. The AKC accepted the dog breed in 1903 and is still popular today.
Sheprachow Appearance
The German shepherd Chow mixed breed is a medium to large-sized dog. Its features vary depending on the dominant breed. Typically, these dogs’ faces look like a German shepherd with a long narrow muzzle, distinct black mask, and eyebrow coloring.
Their ears usually stand half upright and are slightly floppy on the top. The Chow Shepherd mix usually is much hairier than a German shepherd with its downy fur, and it takes its coat from its Chow ancestry.
Its tail is bushy and curves upright like a Chow. They have a typical red or tan coloring, often with the German Shepherd’s black saddleback. These dogs are known to be aloof at times, but they are also fiercely loyal.
Chow Shepherd Temperament
These fluffy hybrid dogs can be very sweet at times and crave human attention. They will stay close to their owners, rubbing up against their legs or jumping into their laps, wanting to be stroked and admired.
The Chow Shepherd mixes are dogs full of energy and constantly want to play and be the center of attention. These dogs are intelligent and learn to adapt to different situations quickly.
These dogs get bored easily, so they need to be constantly challenged with new games like tug of war and fetch to stimulate them mentally. Unfortunately, this dog can also be a little bit stubborn and sometimes has a mind of its own, showing its mischievous Chow nature.
German Shepherd Chow Mix Personality
To know exactly what type of personality your Sheprachow might have, you first need to know the personalities of the parents of the breed. They will be the closest example of how your dog will act.
As you may know, the German Shepherd is a working-class dog. However, they work well in a variety of situations. They are very disciplined and loyal to their owners; they work hard and have a confidence in them.
You should have an easy time with training due to the intelligence that comes from the German Shepherd parent. This mixed breed will make a very good family pet. It is very loyal and loves all the members of the family. It’s not the type of dog that needs to be with its owners 24/7. This dog can entertain itself.
They will love and protect young children, but sometimes they can get overly protective, meaning if children start acting out or very playful the dog can sometimes think that is a threat, just something to think about in your consideration.
Overall this mixed breed is very lovable, intelligent, protective, and a good dog to have on farms or other environments.
German Shepherd Chow Mix Coat
This breed has a very good mix of both the German Shepherds coat and the Choe’s coat. You will find this coat to be very dense and thick. The hair is long and will need to be brushed very often. This breed does shed a lot, so this would not be a good dog for someone who suffers from allergies.
Since this breed does have a double coat, it will stay extremely warm in cold weather climates. If you live somewhere that gets very hot in the summer, either think about getting your dog shaved or keeping them inside most of the summer.
What Colors Do They Come In?
The German Shepherd Chow mix can come in a few different colors they include:
- Tan
- Fawn
- Brown
- Black
- Gray
- Red Hues
Sheprachow Size
The weight and height vary of the German shepherd Chow mix, and they can weigh anything between 75-95lbs (34-43kg). Their height can be between 22-26 inches (56-66cm).
Chow Shepherd Health Problems
Generally, this is a healthy dog with few problems; however, it may be prone to hip dysplasia like the Chow and German Shepherd. Chow shepherd mixes are also known to suffer from flea allergies, which can be prevented by using topical flea treatments and good grooming.
Hip Dysplasia – A common condition that most dog breeds are diagnosed with. This is when the hip and pelvic bone area slide in and out of place. This can cause your dog to have some extreme joint pain if not taken care of.
Eyelid Entropion – This happens when the dog’s eyelid actually rolls inward on the eye. When the eyelid or hair on the eyelid rub against the eye, it can cause extreme irritation and even scratch the eye.
Bloat – Bloat is a very serious condition that will need immediate medical attention if not taken care of; it can be fatal. This can happen when your dog eats too fast or too much. It causes the stomach to flip and twist.
Life Expectancy of a Sheprachow
You can expect an average lifespan for this mixed dog breed. This mixed breed can live between 10 and 12 years. Depending on your dog’s health, this estimation could be longer or shorter. Remember that if you are ever concerned to consult your veterinarian.
Living Conditions
This dog’s boundless energy requires big open spaces, and ideally, owners need to have a spacious enclosed backyard. This is the perfect dog for young children as it loves to play and thrives on attention.
This dog also needs to be around people; otherwise, it tends to get bored and into trouble. It is an ideal dog for young families who have a lot of time to dedicate to it.
This dog needs to be in a home with a family. As it is a big energetic dog, it would suit young active families who like to be outdoors.
Chow Shepherd Exercise
This dog is one of the most energetic breeds of dog, and it is constantly running around. It chases anything that moves, and therefore when walking it, it needs to be on a leash until you can let it off in a big free open space.
It needs to be exercised on a daily basis, and it also needs to run about to get rid of some of its energy. It takes a while to tire this dog out, which is why it is a great dog for children who never get bored with playing outside.
Make sure you can give this type of dog the required exercise it needs in a day. If you cannot commit to an hour of exercise a day with your dog, then you should look elsewhere for a different breed.
German Shepherd Chow Mix Feeding
You want to make sure you pick out a dog food that is specially designed for a medium size to large breed dog. Make sure the dog food you pick out has a prominent source of protein in the first few ingredients.
Since this is a large dog breed, your dog will need between three and four cups of food each day broken up into smaller meals. To get a specific amount, you will need to consult your local veterinarian.
When you separate the meals into smaller portions, it helps to prevent bloat. Bloat is a medical condition that occurs in larger dogs that can affect the twisting of the stomach when it’s full. It can be fatal!
Chow Shepherd Mix Grooming
This dog breed is going to have a whole lot of hair. You will need to have a brush handy to maintain all the fluff. Brushing the dog’s coat on a regular basis will keep it untangled and help get rid of dead hair.
You may also want to invest in a de-shedding tool like the SleekEZ dog brush. It helps to get all of your dog’s dead hair out that would ultimately fall onto the floor or all over your house.
This mixed breed has a very thick and dense coat, as well as an undercoat. They will shed all year long, so having a tool on hand to help minimize this will be great.
Bathe your dog when necessary or if they are extremely dirty. Always remember to check your dog’s nails every month to make sure they are properly clipped.
Chow Shepherd Training
This breed will actually be very easy for you to train. Both of the parent breeds have great intelligence, and they learn fast. As long as you train on a consistent basis, there is nothing that your dog won’t be able to learn.
You can always take your dog to a professional trainer if you are not interested in training. When your dog is a puppy, make sure that you practice socialization to make your dog friendly and not aggressive towards people.
Always reinforce positive behavior and learning trick skills with a treat to help your dog know they did good!
German Shepherd Chow Mix Puppies
This mixed breed does not cost very much for a puppy. The parents of the breed will cost you way more than one of these puppies. Depending on what breeder you find, you can expect to pay around $300 to $800 for a puppy.
Make sure you find a reputable breeder that is actively breeding the German Shepherd Chow mix. Breeders will be the best way to acquire your dream dog. It is important not to purchase from breeders that you feel are unethical.
Sometimes you can get lucky and find one of these mixed breeds in a rescue, but you will have to do the research and look around. Remember, there will be additional costs when owning a puppy. Don’t forget you will need to budget for vet visits.
Sheprachow Litter Size
Litter size can be very difficult to determine because you never know how many puppies a mixed breed will have. It also largely depends on which dog is the female having the puppies.
German Shepherd females can have between 1 to 15 puppies. A Chow Chow female can have between 4 to 7 puppies. So with this information, you can estimate your dog to have between 1 to 8 puppies in a litter.
Again you can always go to your local veterinarian to see how many puppies your dog is having.
Close Relatives of the German Shepherd Chow Mix
There are a few breeds that closely resemble the German Shepherd Chow mix, they are:
- German Shepherd
- Chow
- Siberian Shepherd
- Golden Shepherd