Golden Chow Dog Breed

The Golden Chow, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of the breed groups of any kennel clubs. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' specific origin; while a Golden Retriever and Chow Chow mix has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Chow-Golden likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. These hybrids can vary a good bit in personality, from standoffish, low-energy, and protective like the Chow to friendly, intelligent, and super-active like the Golden (and likely in the middle of these traits)--so they'll need owners willing to provide training and socialization starting in puppyhood to see what kind of dog they actually have.

A few Chow Chow-Golden Retriever mix facts: they're medium- to large-sized, averaging 21 inches at the shoulders in height and 60 pounds in weight; they have medium to long, thick, double-layered coats that shed seasonally; and they have temperaments that can be hard to predict.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Golden Chow:

The Golden Chow is the offspring of two breeds with many more differences than similarities, especially when it comes to behavior. The Chow Chow is typically standoffish and indifferent, fairly low-energy, and not the smartest dog out there; the Golden Retriever, meanwhile, is super-friendly, incredibly active, and one of the most intelligent breeds there is. The two breeds are both medium to large in size (which means a Golden Chow will be consistent in size at 19-22 inches in height and 50-70 pounds in weight)--but the similarities amongst the parents mostly end there.

This means a Golden Chow may be affectionate or unfriendly, active or lazy, easily trainable or stubborn and hard to teach--and sometimes both or neither of each, even in the same dog. These hybrids can display traits from both parents at different times, which makes training and socialization starting during puppyhood so important. It might be a good idea for potential owners to wait until a Golden Chow puppy is nearer to adolescence before they bring it home; their friendliness, intelligence, and the like will be easier to determine if the pup is a bit older.

A Golden Chow's energy level is hard to pin down too. While the dog will surely be pretty strong, it may be lazy or active--and sometimes both at different times!--so owners will need to be flexible with the dog's exercise needs.

Because the Chow Chow's and the Golden Retriever's personalities are so different, the Golden Retriever-Chow mix temperament can be difficult to ascertain. The dog can be friendly or standoffish, energetic or lazy, protective or skittish, and intelligent or not so smart. For the most part, owners say, these hybrids are affectionate with their family members, and are often protective of them. Golden Chows will usually (but not always) be suspicious of strangers, and might need supervision around unknown people and animals. They typically get along pretty well with kids and other pets, but might need to be watched around smaller children like toddlers and infants. Owners say having a Golden Chow grow up alongside any kids or other pets is really helpful, as the dog is more likely to treat others with gentleness and respect that way.

Training a Golden Chow is a mixed bag as well. Teaching these hybrids commands or tasks can be simple or difficult depending on their inherited traits (and on their mood, too!). Regardless, training methods that are firm, consistent, and reward-based are best.

And a Golden Chow can (but again, not always) have good watchdog skills. These hybrids are usually protective and curious, and should investigate unknown sights or sounds--and they have they physical capabilities to neutralize threats like intruders if they choose to do so.

The Golden Chow, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is pretty healthy. Even so, these hybrids may suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including hip dysplasia and eye problems (cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA, among others). Larger, deeper-chested Golden Chows can also be prone to gastric torsion (or bloat) if they consume their food too quickly. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Golden Chow is 11-14 years.