Golden Chow, Golden Retriever and Chow Chow Mix

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Golden-Retriever-Chow-Chow-PuppyA Golden Retriever and Chow Chow mixed dog can be a great companion, loyal and easy to train, though it can have its own drawbacks, something that’s true for all breeds.

Though a Golden Retriever Chow dog will be loyal and loving with its owners, they might require extra socialization and training.

You might get a dog that is as sensitive to the heat as the Chow Chow is, but with the hunting abilities of a Golden Retriever. Below you can read on a couple of things you should consider when you’re looking to get a Chow Chow and Golden Retriever mix.

Quick – Pros & Cons of a Golden Chow

Golden Chows can make exceptional companions for both single people and families with children. This is because they come with a perfect mix of friendliness and protection instincts. And more than that, they’re rarely aggressive.

Both Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows are intelligent breeds, which means you will have a clever, lovable, and energetic furry friend on your hands. You should keep in mind that they may not make the best watchdogs.

All you have to do is check everything you can about your new puppy’s parents. This will help a great deal in handling his health problems and overly-excited temperament.

Pros

  • Medium level of intelligence
  • Excellent companion
  • Very friendly
  • Very protective
  • Decent hunter

Cons

  • Very active and not easy to train by an inexperienced dog owner
  • They crave attention and need to be kept inside with the family
  • They don’t do well with small children
  • You can expect them to be a fur nightmare

Golden Chow Recommended Products

Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
Custom Embroidered Dog Collar (daily use)
Dog Training Collar (training use)
TaoTronics Retractable Dog Leash, 16 ft & Dog Waste Bags
PetFusion Ultimate Pet Bed & Lounge
Dog Treats - Cow Ears All Natural 12 Pack
2-in-1 Combo Brush
Dog Flea & Tick Treatment (free 1-2 day shipping over $49)
These are products that you could need for your new Golden Chow, or for other medium to large dogs in general. These are all high quality and recommended by those that bought them in the past.

Temperament of a Golden Chow Mix

Golden-Retriever-Chow-Mix

You might think that combining an extremely friendly breed, like the Golden Retriever, with an independent one, like the Chow Chow, is a recipe for disaster. But the bubbly personality of the Golden Chow will surprise you.

Most Golden Chows maintain a stern personality with strangers and a friendly and loving personality with the family. This mix is a pretty intelligent breed that can be very protective and is ideal for confident owners.

They might get aggressive when they feel like you or they are being threatened. But they can be obedient and will stand down when you’re commanding them to do so.

Is a Golden Retriever & Chow Chow mix good with children?

Golden Chows can be decent nannies if they grow up with children since they were puppies. They have a playful nature and they will quickly learn to treat a child as gently as possible.

However, these dogs are much better suited for families with older children. Your kids need to learn how to treat the Golden Chow with respect so they can play with him safely.

Children tend to treat bigger dogs, especially the fluffy ones, as teddy bears. The Golden Chow doesn’t like that and will not tolerate being handled roughly.

You can get a Golden Chow once your kids are old enough to understand how to treat an animal properly.

Behavior towards strangers

Since you’re getting a mixed breed, you have to read up on the characteristics of both types of dogs, so you’d know what their special needs might be. This will also help you understand his temperament.

You might have a tougher time training a dog that is part Chow for example, than you would expect since you’re getting a dog that is part Golden Retriever.

Depending on what side of his parents dominate, your Golden Chow might either be extremely friendly with strangers or get nervous around them and keep his distance.

If you’d like to bring out his Golden Retriever characteristics a little bit more, you need to introduce him to lots of people, kids, and pets since he’s 1 month old.

How a Golden Chow does with other pets/dogs

The Golden Chow will likely have the protective and territorial side of the Chow Chow parent. This means you will need to raise him around lots of other animals to make him as friendly as possible.

And if you’re trying to introduce a new pet when the Golden Chow is a little bit older, it’s best for the new dog to be of the opposite sex. This will save you a lot of trouble about him being territorial.

If you’re lucky enough for the Golden Retriever side to dominate, your Golden Chow will make friends with any animal he sees.

Is a Golden Chow aggressive?

Golden-Retriever-and-Chow-Chow-1

Golden Chows are a little bit more aggressive than the Golden Retriever, but nowhere near as aggressive as his Chow Chow parent. But regardless of which side of the parents wins, you can keep his aggressive side under control.

You will need to take him for various daily walks since he is just a puppy. This will give him the opportunity to meet countless other people and pets.

But if you’d rather have him a little bit more aggressive so he can serve as a friendlier watchdog than the Chow Chow, all you have to do is keep him away from strangers growing up.

Does it bark a lot?

Just like both of his parents, the Golden Chow is very vocal. However, he doesn’t tend to respond to other dogs or bark at weird distant sounds.

Golden Chows are known to bark with purpose. This means that they will often only bark when a stranger approaches your home.

Golden Retrievers love all the attention they can get and they bark at anything. On the other hand, Chow Chows show affection by silently standing in one place and paying attention to real threats.

This means that at the end of the day it’s a gamble. Most Golden Chows take after their Chow Chow side, but you never know.

Appearance and Grooming For Golden Retriever & Chow Chow Mixed Dog

Golden-Retriever-and-Chow-Chow

The most unique thing about this unofficial breed is that it often resembles a small lion. But since Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows are so different-looking, it’s pretty hard to predict how your Golden Chow will end up looking like.

More often than not, you won’t know exactly how your Golden Chow will look until he’s an adult. They are known to drastically change their appearance from when they’re puppies to when they’re fully grown.

Both breeds have lots of hair, so you should expect it to be a problem. Shedding during summertime is normal, but not more than with a regular dog from these two breeds.

If you’re prepared to deal with a furry dog, it’s not a problem. Not a good idea for someone with dog allergies though.

How big does a Golden Retriever Chow get?

Golden Chows often remain around the same size as a Golden Retriever. This makes them a medium-sized breed. But it all depends on which of the parents’ genetics won the domination battle.

They typically weigh between 50 to 75lbs (23 to 34kg). And their height can range between 20 to 25 inches (51 to 64.5cm). This makes them big guardians with golden hearts that can be a part of your family for years to come.

Mixed breeds are unpredictable, which means that you should prepare for anything. It’s best to get ready for your Golden Chow to grow on the bigger side.

What does it look like?

One thing that all Golden Chows have in common is their short snout and drop ears. This makes them look more like a Chow Chow than a Golden Retriever.

Unlike the Golden Retrievers that have a happy and friendly aura around them, the Golden Chows have a more serious expression. This makes them look more protective and alert to everything that happens around them.

Chow Chows have blue tongues. This means that your Golden Chow might have a pink or blue tongue. But you should also expect him to have a pink tongue with blue spots.

Golden Chow’s Appearance and color

Golden Chow in snow
Source: Pixabay

The coat color can vary, despite the fact that the breed usually has a golden coat. Some Golden Chows might end up with shades of black, blue, and even red. This is because of the big color variations found in both parental breeds.

Their lion appearance can be seen best in Golden Chows with fluffy fur around their heads, and a long but straight coat on the rest of their bodies. Between the two types of coats, there isn’t a very big difference, but enough to give them their lion appearance.

Type of coat

When it comes to their coat type, Golden Chows have either a medium length coat or a long one. This greatly depends on the parents. Their fur will be typically straight or wavy and very dense. And unlike a Golden Retriever’s fur, the Golden Chow’s coat is not water-resistant.

They have a double coat which means you need to be very careful when grooming. But when their coat is kept short, their appearance quickly changes to an adorable but big teddy bear.

How easy it is to groom?

Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows both have a lot of hair. This naturally means that the Golden Chow will give you just as much work to do as their parents.

If you can’t handle a lot of hair, you should stay away from this dog breed. You will need to brush him at least once a day. However, brushing him twice a day is ideal. This means that grooming him will take a little bit of extra time.

Golden Chows should never be shaved because it can damage their double coat. A wire brush can be used to remove extra hair from their undercoat.

Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues

Golden Chows are big dogs with a fair amount of energy. This means that they need their daily exercise and are a bad choice for older people. A healthy dog needs a balanced life, especially one that has a parent that’s prone to health issues.

Generally, Golden Chows are pretty healthy and can be an active companion to adventurers or a reliable and friendly watchdog for a family home.

Diet Tips: What does it eat?

Any big dog needs a lot of nutrition and the Golden Chow is no exception. You need to make sure their diet consists of mostly protein and fats with low carbs. Golden Chows need a diet that’s as balanced as possible.

It’s recommended to give them natural and organic food for them to have optimal health. Whole foods like meat and vegetables have their place in their diet as well.

The vet’s recommendation is 3 cups a day on average. But you should always pay more attention to the calories contained by the food than the exact amount offered to your Golden Chow.

Exercise Requirements: Keeping a Golden Chow in shape

Golden Retriever on beach
Source: pexels

Golden Chows are not extremely active dogs, but they still fall on the active side of the spectrum. This means that they will quickly get depressed if they spend a lot of time laying in your apartment all day.

A Golden Chow needs to remain engaged and happy throughout the day, which requires regular physical exercise. Between 30 to 60 minutes a day of intense exercise is more than enough.

It’s best to split the exercise time for morning and evening as the midday sun can be harmful to your long-furred friend.

Common Health Issues – Golden Retriever Mixed With Chow

Golden Retrievers are generally very healthy animals. On the other hand, Chow Chows are prone to many health issues. And the Golden Chow has the healthy body of a Golden Retriever but can still meet some problems over time.

Its vulnerability to genetic diseases includes him and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and cataracts. Most of these health issues can’t be prevented. All you can do is inform yourself about the puppy’s parents.

You can prevent bloating by offering your Golden Chow his food through a slow eater. This will force him to eat much slower. You can also give him smaller portions more frequently. And you should never let him exercise within half an hour after a meal.

If you don’t have the resources to handle a less healthy Golden Chow, you should be extremely careful about the breeder you’re getting your puppy from.

Training a Golden Chow

The training part is why these beautiful dogs are not ideal for inexperienced dog owners. While Golden Retrievers are extremely easy to train, the Chow Chows are a whole other problem. They tend to be very stubborn and won’t listen to you even if they know it’s wrong.

Chow Chows are more likely to listen to the Alpha. This means that if you don’t have a leader’s capability, you should stay away from these dogs. Golden Chows are always more likely to get the same stubbornness as the Chow Chow parent.

When it comes to peeing outside, Golden Chows are not a problem. They have larger bladders and they can handle holding it in for longer between potty breaks.

Obedience Training

When it comes to obedience, you’ll have to enforce yourself as the Alpha as quickly as possible. Then keep going with positive reinforcement. Do not ever attempt to scold him by slapping him when he does something wrong.

Abused dogs are much harder to train and Golden Chows will quickly grow to hate you then they may retaliate later. Obedience should be done as soon as you get them as puppies so they can learn right from wrong.

The Chow Chows are not people-pleasing beings. This means that it’s better to use a qualified trainer at first for your Golden Chow.

It’s not a good idea to get one of these dogs and then ignore him. You have to pay attention to them and train them. Puppy proof your house as well and commit to making a good dog out of him.

Socialization

Being a mix of a withdrawn breed and an extremely social one, your Golden Chow’s socialization skills may come as a gamble. But you can bring out the bubbly personality of the Golden Retriever parents with a little bit of work.

If your Golden Chow is as social as the Golden Retriever parent, you won’t have anything to worry about. But if the Chow Chow gene dominates, you will have to spend a lot of time with him at social events. This includes around as many people, kids, and pets as possible.

Any Chow Chow mix will potentially require extra work when it comes to socialization. If you have experience with dogs is easier, so a Golden Retriever Chow mix is a better idea if it’s not your first dog.

Get your Golden Chow to meet new people and dogs as soon as you get him, so you can avoid having a dog that is too protective when he’s an adult.

Exercise requirements

Golden Chows need their daily exercise as much as you. They love playing games and going on walks. This is why it’s important to give as much attention as possible and have a house with a garden they can play in.

A Golden Chow can remain occupied for a while if he has the right toys, but their favorite games are fetch and tug of war. They also love swimming and it’s a great way to cool them off in the summer.

You should keep in mind that these dogs love going with you on jogs and getting fresh air. If you don’t have time to do that or live in an area with a hot climate, you might want to consider another dog breed.

Breeding & Puppies

Chow Chow puppy
Chow Chow puppy (Source: pxfuel)

Breeding a Golden Retriever and a Chow Chow is something that only an expert breeder should do. Both parents need to have been purebred for at least 5 generations. More than that, both of them need to be perfectly healthy.

Golden Chow puppies are very adorable and tend to cling to you as soon as you get them. The way you treat them in the next few months will have an extremely big impact on what type of dog you’ll have once he’s an adult.

Finding a Golden Chow – Kennels & Pedigree

You should be very careful where you get your Golden Chow from, especially if you don’t have the money to deal with a sick dog. Stay away from uncertified breeders that don’t care about the animals they breed.

Golden Chows are not very popular, which means that you won’t find one at a rescue center. It’s not impossible but it’s very unlikely. This means that you will have to find a good breeder that treats their dogs very well.

As mentioned before, Golden Chow is an unofficial breed as it’s not pure. This means that it’s not recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

How much does a mixed Golden Chow cost?

A Golden Chow usually costs $500, which is an incredibly low price for a mix of two pure breeds. And this is a very good thing as owning a dog means making all kinds of investments every month. This includes food, toys, medical care, etc.

If you find Golden Chows that are a lot more affordable you need to be very careful about who you’re getting your puppy from. Breeding a healthy pair and taking good care of it means putting a bigger price tag on the puppies.

History & Origins of the mixed Golden Retriever Chow

The only thing a Golden Retriever and a Chow Chow have in common is the fact that both of them are dog breeds. They are often considered to be polar opposites of one another.

Golden Retrievers were bred in Scotland in the 1800s by a hunter named Lord Tweedmouth. His goal was to get a dog that can go with him on hunts and retrieve the prey. Hence the name Golden RETRIEVER.

He tried to breed a dog that has a very strong nose, is great in water, and can be easily trained. Its Golden name was offered because of its friendly and loving personality. The breed was officially recognized in 1911.

On the other hand, the Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. It came from Mongolia and China and was used for hunting and guarding. The breed was officially recognized in 1903.

It’s very common for mixed breeds to have an undocumented history, and the Golden Chow is among them. Most people suspect that the mix first emerged in the 1990s.

And despite the fact that it’s not recognized as an official breed, Golden Chows are increasingly popular all over the world.

Conclusion

Golden-Retriever-and-Chow-Chow-5

Golden Chows are the perfect mix of an incredibly smart and friendly breed and a less intelligent but very territorial breed. This makes it best choice for confident people that need a friendly dog they can take on adventures, but can also protect them.

When kept as a family dog, the Golden Chow needs a lot of attention and hates to remain outside alone. This means that you need to be willing to let the big furry dog live inside your home. And it’s best to only have older children around.

54 thoughts on “Golden Chow, Golden Retriever and Chow Chow Mix”

  1. I have a Golden Chow Mix and he is the most wonderful dog I have ever met. He is great with all ages, he lays close to protect a baby and is on guard at a cry. He is able to have toddlers up to rough teens throw him around and be rough and remain sweet. Never has snapped, bared his teeth or growled in response to any treatment. He is always tuned to you’re mood and is very watchful if sick or upset/crying. Empathetic to all. he is now 14 years old and going strong. He is stubborn if you want him to walk when he wants to lay down. He weighs 85 lbs without being fat. He is a fast runner and will go off if you don’t pay attention but comes right back. I have a female petite Dashshund short hair and he knows he needs to be gentle when she pushes him to play with her. His shedding has been a big pain his entire life but he is worth all the extra effort and allergy pills I have to take. He is my first dog and I got him at 6 weeks old. I thought all dogs were this wonderful when people speak of dogs. They aren’t, he is a blessing and I’m greatful that when my kids found him and he followed them home from the woods at the State Park, I did finally say yes. If only the kids had really followed through with the “I’ll take care of him forever” it would be perfect! I was thrilled when the lost and found attempts went unanswered. (Don’t tell the kids I said so)

    Reply
    • My Simba was 15 when he got sick and I had to put Jim down. That was almost 2 years sgo and I still sob over the loss of him. He was Shepherd, chow, retriever mix. Got him at the pound. Never left the yard. More loving than any human I gave ever known. Would love to find another of this mix. I miss him so much. Thanks for letting me share. God bless you and your friend.

      Reply
      • That happened to eric he was my best friend he was an border collie german sepherd mix and he was 15 and died because he was sick, we now have a golden retriever and german shepherd. I love you Eric 🙁

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      • Bazooka found me and my two kids 3 years ago. Wondered into our yard one day. Gave him a bowl of water and a couple hotdogs. Never left. He was a Chow Retriever mix. Found his owner a few days later who said he didn’t want him anymore. Never left the yard. Loved and watched over my two kids always. Very protective of the house. Awesome dog. He came down with IMHA recently. Although we tried to save him with meds and a transfusion we still lost him. He passed at home 8-16-15. Love and miss him so much.

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      • I lost my Chow,golden, Shepard mix four weeks ago. Had Ozzie for 11 years. Rescued him at a year and a half. I miss him so much. I understand your pain.

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    • To find out where I could buy a golden child mix and if you can give me a call I’d appreciate it my number is area code 517-403-1701 thank you

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    • We rescued a golden chow about 4 months ago and just love him! What a sweetheart! Not the most ambitious guy in the world. We don’t talk him for walks but for tows! Gets alon well with our other dogs!

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      • I found him as he was being led into a rescue center. Instant love. I took the leash from the rescue person and said “bring me whatever paperwork I need, this dog is going home with me”. He was found walking the streets of southern California, he smelled bad, matted hair and medical problems. He was given a shower, medical treatment and food. He is a constant companion, friendly with our other dogs and loves attention. Oh yes, you don’t walk him, you tow him.

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    • Hi Bonnie,
      We went to Colombia for two months and a day before my twin’s birthday, they pass by the big mall, and there the dog saw them and caught their attention, he followed them, though with several attempts of losing him on the way. Our heart broke to see him homeless so we bring him to Animal Shelter- you know what they said?..ahh, you can keep him, we have plenty here to take care.. okay, we bring him to the VET to find out who’s dog was he -no records found, the dog wasn’t on lease or tag- He is a golden retriever mixed breed- so beautiful! the VET said he is less than 2 years old, we can’t take care of him, as they don’t have facility for the big puppies.
      So what we do, we decided to give the dog to our friends- they don’t like him! 2 weeks before we leave the country, we decided to bring the dog (we call him BOY) to Boston. He has to go several types of vaccine as required + 30 days quarintin. Time has come for us to leave, we have to wait like 45 days to fetch the Boy at the Logan Airport. Now, the Boy is home with us in Boston. He was so loving ang gentle Retriever. He make sure that we are his too! He adopted us all in the family 🙂

      Reply
    • We just got a 9 weeks old chow golden retriever mix breed.i read so much about how aggressive they can be.so we just kind of worry we have two kids in the house.what is the best way to train them?

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  2. My husband and I share your love for this dog breed too. Our ANTAR is 13 years old we estimate. We are guessing because he found us when he was about 6, per the vets estimates. One rainy night in Houston, he had been left abandon on a trail near our apartment complex. My husband annd i had not yet met at the time and did not know one another. This night, as my husband arrive home from work, he opened the car door and the dog jumped in! He was starving, and my husband fed him a burger. My husband then attempted to follow the dog to find his home, and the dog lead him to my apartment that same night! We have all been inseparable since we met, including my 19 year old cat who just passed this week and broke our hearts. ANTAR, is the most loving, smart dog we could ever hope to have. He loves his sister the cat dearly, and took care of her kissing her face and waiting in the hallway with her until we came home at night. He loves children and they can roll all over him without a worry. Oddly, he despises Jack Russel terriers…all of them , and goes crazy when he sees one! He is not fixed and we do wonder if we can breed him with another golden chow mix with similar temperament ??

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    • I am guessing that such a breeding would be successful. I’ve read some other accounts of Gold Chows this past week, and they read pretty similar. Amazing that this mix is not being pushed as a true breed. If you live anywhere near us (maybe even if you don’t) I would be interested in one of the puppies if you go forward with your plan, even if you simply bred to a Golden Retriever (without hip dysplasia). My e-mail address is: [email protected]

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      • We have a golden chow that is the best dog I have ever had…he just so sweet and loyal…not to mention beautiful. He is always sweet and friendly, but not the kind to jump in other peoples cars (we have had a dog like that). He is two and we rescued him from a drug dealers house. He did not know how to play or even wag his tail, but he is now just utterly a DOG in the best sense of the term. He has not been neutered and I was planning on doing it fairly soon…but he is such a sweet and remarkably lovely dog that I hesitate…his pups would be amazing. Thanks for listening.
        Annie Fisher
        [email protected]

        Reply
  3. Well, we have recently lost Arthur, whom we believe was a Golden Chow. He looked a lot like the photo above, and he was amazingly like the two descriptions that have been posted, easily the best dog I’ve ever been the guardian of, and we’ve had dogs all of my life. Does anyone know how we might look for another Golden Chow? We live in Salt Lake City, but we’d drive a good distance if it meant we could have another dog even half as good as Arthur. I’ll write a bit about Arthur below, but if you know of somewhere we can find another Golden Chow, please e-mail: [email protected]

    The one word most folks who knew Arthur use to describe him is “sweet.” There’s little question that he was a sweetie. Arthur was not an alpha dog, in no way aggressive, but at the same time he was as far from being submissive as I can imagine. He was his own dog. We adopted him about eleven or twelve years ago, and after a good deal of debate and consideration, we figure he was probably a Golden Retriever-Chow mix. Not to say he wouldn’t obey a command, on or off lead, but generally he had his own opinion of whatever was happening.
    If in the course of cooking dinner or doing some other task, one accidentally dropped something with a clatter, or shrieked at accidentally cutting or burning oneself, most of our dogs would alert (Mela would scurry away and look over her shoulder). Arthur, however, would come to see if you were OK. Early on, we joked that he was the Alexander Haig dog, always prepared to take charge.
    He was a cutie, too. I will always remember the way he would complain and moan at the toaster oven. One day when we’d had him but a short while, the toaster oven caught fire in the kitchen. I handled the fire easily enough, but he was wary of that ticking clock his entire life. For many years he paid attention to the sequence of events leading up to toast, and would start complaining when my wife began to open the bread bag. I told her that one day she’d be sitting in her chair “thinking about making toast” and the boy would start his humorous and vocal commentary.
    Arthur had hip dysplasia, as well. The vet really wanted to operate when we first got him, but knowing firsthand the shortcomings of orthopedic surgery for humans, we resisted. He managed pretty well over the years although he certainly had some pain. He would still trot a bit even as an old dog. One of my favorite recollections of Arthur would be when he found himself in a poop field, surrounded by other dogs’ droppings. Despite his hip dysplasia, he would high foot it out of there, picking his feet high into the air like a canine ballerina, trying to walk without his feet touching the ground.
    Arthur was something of a clown, something of a wise man, certainly a kind soul. He will be missed. On the scale of sentient beings he ranks considerably higher than many humans I have known. In the words of author Donna Tartt, he was an Advanced Being.

    Reply
    • to mark koopan, I did read your phrases regarding your cho/mixed retriever yes we me abd my wife had also a cho/mixed retriever, and we lost hom 2yrs and 6months ago .
      mark you can see our storey of our chow/retriever on the COMMENTS FROM DOG OR PETS OWNERS, ON THE INRTERNET, HAVE A LOOK, ITS A LONG STORY.
      THIS IS OUR E-MAIL. [email protected]
      I live in the island of malta Europe. my phone is 011-356 79923253. home phone 011 356 21 634092.
      regards,
      Neville vassallo.

      Reply
  4. We rescued a Golden Chow death row dog a little over a year ago from a kill shelter in NYC. We live near Boston. I saw him on a rescue site for death row dogs and I just could not let him be put down. He had been scheduled for the next day. I emailed a deposit to the shelter, we waited the next day for confirmation that he was still alive and well, got in the car and drove to Harlem and picked him up.
    He had been previously, unfortunately named Sharkey, which was horrible. So we started calling him Bear. Bear is about 6 or 7, very healthy, wonderful guy. It did take a while for him to come out of his shell and trust us, but now he goes everywhere with us, always attracting attention with his gorgeous coat and intelligent face.
    He does not, however, like the following: women with long dark hair, anyone smelling of alcohol, small children wanting to touch him. Because of that we have yellow ribboned his leash.
    I’ve had dogs all my life, but my significant other had never had a dog before. He and Bear are inseparable.
    We are both retired and have plenty of time for him, although I do not walk him, he pulls (getting better though) and is much stronger than I. He hates using a gentle leader and will not move if I try to put one on him.
    I have seen him snap and snarl on occasion, but only when around people we think, remind him of his abusers. Neither one of us would ever dream of touching him in any way but with love and kindness.
    He’s never far from us and would highly recommend a Golden Chow for older adults who have the time and affection to give one who needs rescue.

    Reply
  5. We got our Golden Retriever/Chow Mix from SAFE (pet rescue). We wish we knew more about the previous two owners. She was name Bumper/Mary Ann) in which neither agreed with my husband and I. I named her Princess and treated her like a Princess. We were informed she had heartworms but also had ear infection and respiratory infections but worst she was impacted and not gone poooh for 5 days. With the help of the vet, she is recovering quite well. She is absolutely beautiful. She does not bark, plays with toys, and fetch. She has learnt fast on certain commands: come. sit, whoa, lay down, stay ,up, and kennel meaning to get up in the car. She is very loveable and makes me laugh. Love brughing herbeauatiful soft fur to get the loose fur off. Glad my husband chose her out of all the other dogs that needed to be adopted. I have learnt more from reading from other owners of this mix breed to aid me in her upbringing. I just always wonder if she was mistreated from the way she acted when we got her. Anyway she will get plenty of care and loving from us.

    Reply
    • we have had a chow/mix retriever me and my wife, his name was rex, we found him in our front garden in san Bernardino, California,
      rex was only about 3 weeks old, one morning it was a Saturday or sunday morning we heard a cry of a dog so I went to look outside the our main door so was it there he was crying we took rex in and said to each other lets fird him a home before we go back to our country Europe, in the mean time we had already with us a Labrador /hound mix which we always taken with us where ever we went.

      so we had only about 2 months left to go back to Europe, so rex was still with us and those two months he was already showing and growing and his coat was getting more nicer and reddish /color and chest creamish, as wellmat behind his tail, so we decided to keep him and take him with us to our country malta (the island of malta).

      after arriving in malta , rex was a part of the family getting nicer and clever and quickly under standing, where ever we went through the streets of malta ,people use to stop us and asks us what type of pet that dog is ,7 months passed by since we arrived from califprnia, and we decided to go back to san-Bernardino calfornia, so we did .

      when arriving in calfornia we rented a house with a front and back garden that’s what we like ,to have our own privacy, amazingly our next door neighbours were mexcicans and there was a chow/mix same as our rex, but his tail wasn’t curled totally up, like rex had.

      so this chow dog started coming from under neath the fence which dived both gardens from our garden and the neighbours we started feeding him as well we washed him, so he started coming at our garden every day, I asked the Mexicans family is this your dog and replyed no he came from middle of nowhere.
      so we decided to feed him and take care of him and named him BUDDY, weeks passed by it was time again to go back to our country malta,so we taken buddy at the vet in san-Bernardino California, and treated him for bugs and other insects and called for him at the vet 2 hours later, few days after we taken with us to Europe the second chow , +our Labrador/mix hound and we ended up with 3 dogs +2 cats which the cats, braught with from malta as we already had them a black one her name was tracy and the other all white, her name” beano”, .

      buddy the second chow he was probably already six or seven as the vet had told us ,so we arrived back in malta Europe with all those pets, by now they were our part of the family,

      rex the first chow which some one put him in our front garden , by now as years passed by he was already 13 yrs and a few months , one day while I wasw visiting Fiona my wife at hospital my brother phoned me about 1.25 afternoon and asked me to come quickly home because rex was something wrong, so I did in few mintues I was home, whem entering the bedroom I saw rex inflated from his stomach, as if a balloon was blown up.

      I quickly taken to my vetinary and where upon an exray was taken and resulted that his intestines were tangled ,the vet recommended me to take him to another clinic as they had more expierenced and more equwipped . on arriving there the doctor told me that he is going to insert a pipe all the way to his stomach and relise his tangled intestines, so I waited , after about an hour the vet came out and told me everything worked ok so all we had to do pray to jesus that he will come back to normal.

      another hour passed by ,and the vet asked me to go in with him in the recuperating room where all pets are left there, after the operations to get better, but when the doctor taken and tested his heart with his tetescope looked at me and told me rex diidnt make it, I knew that before , before the vet tested him I could see , and touche rex noise as it was totally cold, this means that rex had already died in his clinic ,during his operation, but the vet denied that , of course evry vet will deniey that.
      I cried and cried for him and till this very day I still cry for rex, we lost an angel, and me and Fiona my wife we still miss and we will never find another rex, yes we are looking for another chow/mix retriever , but it will never be the same rex,

      and so with buddy the other chow/mix died with erremic, or youremic syndrome, that’s when the kidneys are mulfuctionimg under his chest was reddish and watery and started to off and on to cry with pain, the vet told me there is no chance to save him ,and buddy is going to have a severe painfull death, so the vet told me to put him down, where upon an injection put him to sleep.
      till this day me and my wife aren’t sorry for getting and taking care of both dogs with us from san Bernardino.
      if some one has a chow/mix , colr redish with creamish color at the chest ,a nd at the back of his tail downwards, please you can e0mail us on [email protected],
      our phone is 011 356-79923253, or home number is 011=356 21-634092 that’s phoning up from the USA, OR FROM UK ENGLAND, IS 00356- 79923253 THATS THE CELL PHONE, OR LANDLINE AT HOME IS 00356-21-634092.
      THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN, FROM NEVILLE, AND FIONA, IN MALTA- EUROPE.

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  6. Have a golden chow that I got at 5 years was already housebroken loves to flip run toss his tennis balls and play with his stuffed animals. He is so calm he goes to sleep exactly by 930 no joke and loves to eat ice. Love him oh and he gives you dry kisses on your chin all day.

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    • I recently lost my 13 1/2 year old Golden Chow – Bear. He definitely had the temperament of a Golden and that’s what I’m looking for. Please share details/information on your statement above.
      Thank you – Denise

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  7. My baby has a golden mother and a blue chow father. She’s sky blue and silver. Rescued her a while back and followed her chip to her previous owner and they didn’t want her because she’s not active enough. I don’t like chow chows but she is changing my mind

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  8. I have had 2 golden chows in my life. The first I had for 9 years with my ex wife. Cinnamon was the best dog ever. She was with my ex until last year she had to be put down from so many health issues at the age of 15. My second was a male named Muttons. He was also the best dog a person could ask for. He got away from the house a year ago and a woman in the same town took him and refused to give him back despite my plea. And the local police really can’t do anything about it. I miss them both a lot. I have been searching for a new golden chow every few months to make my new family dog as I have a soon to be wife who has a 5 year old daughter and I know these dogs are amazing with children and protective over there family’s. I’m having trouble finding anyone who actually breeds them in Ohio where I live. Any ideas??? Can email me at [email protected]

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    • I understand the loss of a golden chow. My 14 year old Honeybear was the most creature I have ever seen! Adopted her 9 years ago, and every moment was a gift. She had the stunning coat, almond shaped eyes, and the completely black chow tongue. I believe the Retriever in her gave her immense beauty. I intend to try to adopt another, but I think it is most important to connect with the dog you bring home. There will never be another Honeybear. I understand the pain you alk feel who have lost your special love. God bless our sweet babies. Trust that they anxiously await our reunion. I know I can’t wait to see my Honey again.

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  9. Just lost my Golden-Chow Moe, after 10yrs. Did not realize they were so common. Loved Moe to death and was the best dog I ever had. Can someone please tell me how to get another puppy? can contact @ 419.962.4914 or on my cell @ 419.908.5531

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  10. I am a foster mom for “Dogs Fur Days” and we have a 2-year old, male dog which I believe to be a Golden Chow mix. His name is Troy and he is available for adoption. Neutered, microchipped, up to day on shots, learns quickly. You can view his photos through their website. While we can never be sure of their breed, after my research, I do not believe he is a mixed Sheltie as previously believed. I hope we can find him a forever hime

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  11. We got our Golden Chow when he was 5 weeks old from our son. His mother had mastitis and couldn’t care for the puppies any more. He will be 12 years old in November. His name is Klondike, He looked like the bear on the Klondike ice cream bars at 5 weeks old. The name fits him strong as he is. I was so happy to see this is a breed. We love our Klondike so much, He was having a hard time getting up and I started giving him Missing Link and he is doing fantastic. Getting up easier and enjoying life more. We get him groomed every 5 to 6 weeks which helps with the hair and he looks so beautiful. The girls at Home Depot fall on there knees to hug and pet him, one of his favorite places to go. He’s been a wonderful companion.

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  12. I have had many dogs growing up over the years and now that I am an adult I continue to have dogs. A friend of mine was looking to rehome a golden chow named Hunter due to a child in the house with allergies. I told her I would take him.When I got him he was about 5 years old and he has been the best dog I have ever had! Everyone that Hunter meets falls in love with him! He is great with children,adults,dogs and cats!! He definitely has more retriever in him than chow. When I tell people I have a golden chow they automatically think he is aggressive. They are always surprised when they meet Hunter how well behaved and calm he is. Hunter is the perfect dog in my opinion and I am so happy I adopted him!

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  13. We adopted a Golden Chow back in August. Gunner is now 4 months old and 30 pounds. I can’t resist kissing his cuteness even though he’s a handful. Already shows a lot of intelligence and was house trained in 2 days. We’ve watched hom reason situations out. He gets aggressive with our 6 year old Bichon at times but they mostly play. He is really gentle with kids and our cats. Always stays by my side and is protective of other pets. He’s destructive so puppy proofing never stops. Can’t wait to see him as an adult dog.

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  14. I have a Golden Chow 4 years old. Wonderful, sweet, gentle and I love him. I haven’t heard anyone mention their dog having hot spots and itching. My Eddie chews spots until they are raw and I have to go to the vet for antibiotics and shots. I have tried benadril and 24 hour allergy pills, special hot spot shampoo’s to no avail. I am now giving him prednisone and he has stopped the chewing and scratching but the prednisone has added about 15 pounds on him. He is eating exactly the same amount of food but still getting heavier. Any suggestions? Has anyone else had this problem with their Golden Chow mix?

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    • I have a 4 yr old Golden Chow also and she has major issues with dry skin and hot spots at base of her tail…. coconut oil helped…. i just give her a teaspoon at night and its cut down on her chewing tremendously.

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      • One of my dogs has sensitive skin and often scratches or chews to the point that it creates more problems. I sometime thinks he is neurotic…ha! Anyways, when this happens we end up putting a “collar of shame” on him while using benydryl or other antibiotic ointment until it heals which could be several days. We also occasionally give him a sedative to calm him down a little. Good luck.

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    • Give him a kenelog shot. They get allergies. The vet should have suggested that. My dog was allergic to grass of all things. He would rub his face raw.

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  15. I have two Golden Chows. They were about 4-6 months old when my wife and I rescued them. They were sickly and full of worms. We ended up spending tons of money getting them back to health. As puppies they were a handful. They jumped fences, dug holes, ate my orchids and chewed on anything belonging to my wife. I have to admit there were several times that I thought hard about taking them to the shelter. It was touch and go there for a while. I decided not to get rid of them. I studied the breed and learned how to deal with them and train them to be comfortable yet understanding the boundaries and standards of being our dogs. The first thing was to commit to exercise. A well exercised dog is a happy, calm dog. We began a regimen of walking. At first it was just around the block then we gradually increased our route to where we are right now at about 5 miles. During our walks I focused on discipline and structure. I broke them of the need to pee on every telephone pole we passed. I taught them to correctly walk with a leash and how to sit at stop lights before crossing streets. I trained them to be comfortable around strangers either walking, bike riding, jogging and even the skateboarders. I rewarded good behavior with treats but slowly weaned them from that. Long story, short I convinced them that I was their pack leader. We have a very structured life. They understand the rules and I am sure to be consistent with those rules. They have never eaten human food and we have a strict rule about people “feeding them treats” from the table. We can sit down to dinner without being bothered by dogs begging for food. They just find a place to lie down while we eat. We walk nearly every day 4-5 miles. They love it. They are very affectionate to visitors to our house after the “obligatory” barking. They are very well behaved in the house or out on our walks. They still have challenges with other dogs that are equal or larger than them as I think they see them as threats. Smaller dogs are no problem. After 5 years they are now an integral part of our family. Our friends are amazed and impressed at how well behaved they are. They are not perfect by any means but pretty darn close. I’m glad I fought the temptation to give them up and now I can not imagine not having them around. Word of advice for this breed: Make a commitment to invest time and energy working with these dogs or else you will be frustrated. Also, get used to having fur everywhere and bathing them often. I bath them at least three times a month. Like any dog, if you commit to them and care for them then they will have unconditional loyalty for you and your family.

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  16. I stumbled upon my baby almost 3 years ago…he was 4 months old, he stole my heart the minute I saw him. I still remember how adorable and sweet he was the first day I met him. It was love at first sight…he chose me, he just sat at my feet, at only 4 months old, and waited for me to pet him. He’s been with me ever since. He’s so extremely loving and waits for me to come home everyday, I don’t know what I’d do without him in my life. As I watch him tonight though my concerns grow, it seems to be harder and harder for him to get up he’s almost 3 years old…that’s still young…and he’s already seeming to have a hard time getting up. I just recently moved to Washington so I don’t know if it’s the cold weather (it’s snowing here but he’s inside with me). We have a hardwood floor and he has quite a few blankets to sleep on, and definitely warm enough for him…I just worry had anyone else experienced this with their lab-golden-chowchow mix? Please help calm my nerves or tell me what I need to do to help my baby…?

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  17. I had a great golden/chow female….Josey just passed this morning at -11 years…she has been the very best dog, took over. Mothering a shit-Tsu mix and have been so loving to each other. Josey had a wonderful temperament, friendly, watchful at first, then very good with other dogs. Sweet and very good summer or winter. Loved the snow here inWestern Washington, would really like to find another puppy to cheer us on, especially this breed. If you know of a good web site we will be all in.

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  18. I adopted my my golden chow when she was 5 months old. I wish I read this article first, since this was my first dog. She was a very extroverted pupper, and high pray drive. It was work to get her to calm down in public. She is very social with Humans, but I failed to properly socialize her with other dogs. So now at age 4, she is such a sweet dog towards humans, but not so much with other dogs. In all honesty, if I could do it again, I’d adopt her again, regardless of all the headaches in the early years. Her personality is amazing. She’s very smart and loyal. I am thinking of getting another pupper later, anyone knows how to properly introduce a puppy to golden chows? That would be helpful.

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  19. We recently took in a rescue we are certain is a golden chow. He was found on the street. While he is very loyal and loving he has serious dominance issues and he is very excited/aggressive around other animals. He’s 6-8 according to the vet and we are struggling to train him and scared to socialize him with other dogs. Being that we live a block from a huge park it’s impossible not to encounter other dogs. We are consistent and use positive reinforcement treat training. The gentle leader allows us to walk him easier, but he still gets way too excited. Not to mention he just won’t give up on chasing the cats. Can anyone suggest the best way to socialize him that involves the least risk?

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  20. Just got a golden chow 6 month old (estimate age) from a rescue center in the town, which I live in. Very affection, very friendly, and everyone just loves his creamy color, soft fur. Thank you dear Lord for bringing me a great dog and please help me be the best dog owner that I can possibly be.

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  21. I have a Golden/Chow . He’s 2 yrs old . Beautiful but more Chow than Golden. Gunner needs a manly owner who can work with him. Loves everyone but aggressive at times with my other small pets. Loves hanging with the guys, car rides, and is extremely loyal. I’m in Georgia and looking to re- home him . He’s truly beautiful but I can’t handle him. Has always been housebroken.

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  22. I recently lost my best friend after 14 years, he was a golden retriever chow mix. I know I will never be able to replace him , nor will the hole in heart ever heal. But I am seeking to get another retriever chow mix puppy if I can.

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