A Husky Chow mix or a Chowsky can be the right dog for you if you want an affectionate dog that you can train for different tricks. It’s an energetic dog for an athletic owner but requires a lot of attention and can be hard to train if you’re a novice owner or don’t spend enough time at home.
If you want to know more about the Chusky, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you everything to know about this mixed breed, so you can decide if it’s the right one for you.
History of the Husky Chow
There’s some confusion regarding the origins of the Husky Chow mix. Some people believe that the mixed breed developed naturally over the years when Chow Chow dogs were bred with Siberian Huskies.
Yet, a lot of people believe that breeders started cross-breeding these two dogs deliberately in the early 2000s to come up with a mixed breed that combines the traits of the dogs. The result was a designer dog with interesting traits.
Genetically speaking, the Chow Chow dog is very closely related to the wolf. It’s one of the oldest dog breeds, and people believe it originated in Ancient China during the Han Dynasty.
The thick coat of the Chow Chow suggests that it originated in the north and then migrated to China, where merchants kept it in their homes as a house dog. Nevertheless, some people also used the Chow Chow for herding and hunting, as it has a high prey instinct. Modern Chow Chows still maintain their dignified attitude and house break easily, although they can be alert.
The Siberian Husky originated in Northern Russia thousands of years ago. The dog’s gentle temperament made it become popular as a family dog, as it shared tents with families and got along well with children.
But people mostly used this muscular dog to pull sleds and goods. Today, its gentle attitude makes it an excellent companion for families, though not a very good guard dog because it’s too affectionate and friendly towards everyone, including strangers.
Husky Chow Mix Facts
Husky Chow dogs became popular as designer dogs, but some of them still end up in shelters because they inherit some diseases from their parents. Moreover, owners know that it’s hard to predict the appearance and temperament of mixed breeds like Chuskies, so they sometimes leave them because they didn’t turn out as they wanted them to be.
Appearance
Chowsky dogs inherit their fluffy appearance from their Chow Chow and Siberian Husky parents. This is why you’re more likely to end up with a fluffy dog that has a teddy bear-like look.
As a matter of fact, you might not be able to see the face of the Chusky because of the thick fur around its face, although it will be more visible than the Chow Chow’s face. The snout is usually medium-length, typically shorter than the Husky’s snout.
The Chow Chow dog is shorter than a Husky, so your Chusky will be around 21 to 25 inches tall. It would stand taller if it inherited more genes from its Husky parent. Some Chuskies will be stockier like Chow Chows, while others will be muscular and tall like Huskies. A Husky Chow dog will weigh around 45 and 70 pounds.
Due to the difference in size between the two dog breeds, it’s always recommended to breed a female Husky with a male Chow Chow. A female Chow Chow might struggle while giving birth.
It’s hard to predict the eye color of the Chusky litter, but some puppies inherit the dark brown eyes of the Chow Chow dogs. Others will inherit the gray-blue eyes of the Siberian Husky, but these are less common. In most cases, the eyes will be almond-shaped. The ears look round when the puppies are still young, but they grow more erect as the dog ages.
Coat
The Chowsky dog might inherit the color markings of the Chow Chow or the Husky, but it usually has a thick and fluffy coat because its ancestors used to live in colder climates. Therefore, you can expect your dog to have a long, thick, coarse coast that requires regular grooming.
Shedding will be a big issue if you own a Husky Chow dog, so it might not work for you if you need a low-maintenance dog.
The coat’s color depends on the genes the dog has inherited. In most cases, the dog will have a faint golden brown face and upper body, which faints into gray or cream color on the underbelly. Dogs will have the facial markings of Huskies, but they will be less bold.
Husky Chow Mix Behavior and Temperament
Chowsky dogs descend from two working dog breeds, and they’re quite intelligent, but they can be a bit stubborn. These dogs are perfect for families, but only if you have the time and effort to housetrain your dog until it understands the house rules.
Personality
Both parents of the Husky Chow are known to have strong and difficult personalities, so if you’re looking for an easygoing dog, the Chowsky might not be the right breed for you. It’s strong, smart, and extremely independent. Without proper training, this dog can be difficult to live with.
It requires a patient owner who has time to establish and reinforce the rules to help these dogs understand that you’re the leader of the pack. Once you’ve established the right rules, your dog will follow your orders, as it loves being a pack member.
Chow Chow dogs are naturally aloof and not that trusting of strangers, unlike the loving and affectionate Husky. So, your Husky Chow might be a mix of the two. It might not be a good watchdog like the Chow Chow, but it will be more alert than the Husky.
Huskies love everyone, but Chow Chows will only love their owner and very close people. So, it might not be that friendly towards strangers.
Exercise
The Husky Chow’s parents are energetic working dogs, so this dog will have a lot of energy. Daily exercises, runs, and playtime are essential to physically and mentally stimulate your dog. It’s a great companion for an athletic owner or a busy household with several children, where it can enjoy a lot of playtime with the family.
The Chusky isn’t the kind of dog that can be left alone, and if you don’t have time for it, it will engage in several negative behavioral patterns. It’s fond of hiking, exploring nature trails, and playing fetch and catch.
With Family
The Husky element in this mix adds a family-oriented dog that loves spending time with everyone. You’ll have a lovable dog that loves playing, jumping, and gets along with everyone. It might not be a lap dog, but it will always shower you with cuddles and kisses.
In order to have a successful life with this dog, every person should participate in taking care of it. Unless this happens, the Chusky will establish a strong bond with a single person in the family.
With Other Pets
Husky Chows have a strong prey drive because their ancestors were used for hunting. So, it might not work for you if you have multiple pets in the house. However, this dog will be happy in a single-pet house where it receives attention from all members of the family.
The Chow Chow side might take over and make it act like a cat, but it doesn’t get along well with cats and other smaller pets. Nevertheless, you might train it not to chase cats, rabbits, and other smaller pets in the house.
When this starts, as soon as you get a young puppy, your Husky Chow might get along with other animals in the house.
Behavioral Issues
The Husky Chow can be a stubborn dog, so early and continuous training is needed to help you manage it. When it meets strangers, your Chowsky will bark at everyone and everything, and this will be a nuisance if you live in an apartment where it bothers the neighbors.
It shouldn’t be kept in a small area without enough entertainment and toys. Continuous barking can be a problem, especially if you live with this dog alone for long periods.
To keep the dog happy, it should be kept in a house with a big yard. In a small apartment where it doesn’t get enough exercise, the dog will become too destructive, and it might start chewing on different furniture items.
Husky Chow Mix Socialization and Training
Although housebreaking your Husky Chow is easy, the dog might inherit some aggressiveness from its Chow Chow parent. Huskies are known to be extremely friendly and not aggressive toward anyone or any animal, but Chow Chows are different.
This is why early socialization is crucial, especially if you’re planning to keep the dog in a multi-pet household. Obedience training is also a must because this dog can be pretty stubborn.
With proper training, you can train your Chusky to do a lot of tricks because it’s intelligent. Finally, positive reinforcement is essential and bad behavior should be ignored because being too aggressive will only make your dog feel and act worse.
Husky Chow Mix Grooming
The Husky Chow isn’t a low-maintenance dog, and it requires daily grooming to stay healthy. The dog sheds heavily, and you need to brush it daily to keep its coat healthy and remove any loose fur. You’ll also need to use the vacuum cleaner more often to keep your house clean.
This dog might not work for you if you suffer from allergies or you don’t have time for daily grooming sessions. You must trim its nails twice a month and regularly clean its eyes and ears. Brushing the dog’s teeth regularly will keep its gums and teeth healthy.
Husky Chow Mix Prices and Expenses
You can get a Husky Chow puppy for a price between $500 and $1000. The price depends on the availability of the puppy, the parents’ lineage, and the reputation of the breeder. Moreover, it depends on whether the puppy has received the necessary vaccines, so you need to make sure that these are included in the dog’s price.
You’ll have a big dog that needs at least three cups of high-quality dry food, so you should expect to spend around $100 for food and treats. Yearly vet examinations can cost as low as $500 or as much as $2000, depending on your dog’s condition. Neutering your pet can cost between $50 and $500, depending on your dog’s age and status.
Husky Chow Mix Rarity
The Husky Chow dog is quite rare, but you can still find some puppies and adult dogs in shelters. Just like other mixed-breed dogs, Chuskies can be prone to different health issues that they inherit from both parents. Moreover, some people leave their dogs because they don’t know how to take care of them.
Husky Chow Mix Life Expectancy
The Husky Chow descends from two breeds that might live up to 15 years. So, you should expect your Chusky to live to be between 11 and 15 years.
Husky Chow Mix Health
Not all Husky Chows will be sick, and some of them will be extremely healthy. Yet, most dogs will inherit some health conditions from their parents.
Eye Problems
Huskies are prone to different eye problems like a cataract, and your Husky Chow might inherit this condition. This condition isn’t painful, but it eventually leads to loss of vision and blindness.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition can be inherited from both parents, and it’s characterized by the unusual growth of the ball of the bone and the hip joint or socket. When this happens, the dog will suffer from mobility problems.
Wrap Up
The Husky Chow is an interesting designer mixed breed, but it doesn’t work for novice owners and those who don’t have time for a high-maintenance dog.
It’s an affectionate and intelligent dog, but it requires a lot of training. In a family household, the dog can be a lovable companion and a good watchdog, but it will continuously bark and get too destructive if left alone.