Crossbreeding these two breeds to create an interesting blend is becoming ever-more popular. While its history remains relatively unknown, it is speculated that the Golden Chow emerged in the 21st century as part of the growing interest in mixed breed dogs.

You may have heard of the Labradoodle and Cockapoo, as Poodle crossbreeds are some of the most common mixed-breeds in households today. The Golden Chow, among other retriever mixes like the Border Collie, attempts to capture the bubbly personality of the Golden retriever. They’re energetic, friendly, and intelligent, so they make a great family pet. Mixing a Golden with the Chow makes them slightly calmer and a better watchdog. 

Is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix a Good Choice for You?

The parents of the Golden Chow are both incredibly fluffy and lovely breeds, but their similarities end there. Chows and Golden retrievers have vastly different personalities, which makes them an interesting blend of fluff. While Golden retrievers are perfect for first time owners, the Golden Chow is not. While they are loving pets, Chow Chows can be difficult to train due to their notoriously stubborn nature. 

What Are Chow Chows Like?

Chow Chows originated in Northern China, and it is one of the oldest dog breeds to exist with a history dating back around 2000 years. It was also one of the first breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1903. These dogs were bred for various purposes, such as serving as war dogs and guarding temples.

As a working breed, they are functional dogs that tend to be aggressive. However, they are pretty aloof and have low energy requirements, preferring to lay down and protect you rather than play. It’s their own way of showing affection! If a less active dog sounds ideal to you, the Chow Chow might be a good choice.

Though they can be temperamental  dogs, they love their families and make excellent watchdogs that are sure to scare off any intruder to protect their pack. Many people are wary of the Chow Chow, and some insurance companies will even increase your rates if they know that you have a Chow as a pet.

Without proper socialization, they can be mean. However, with enough time spent with people and other pets from a young age, they can make amazing pets. Chow Chows are better suited to families with older children, not only because of their size but also because they tend to be aggressive. Chow Chows also tend to snore and drool a lot, which can be equally amusing and offputting. 

What Are Golden Retrievers Like?

Golden Retrievers are quite a young breed in comparison to the Chow. They were first bred in Scotland as hunting companions but eventually gained their title as one of the most popular family dogs today. These dogs are obedient, affectionate, and very easy to train, which makes them a great choice for a first-time dog owner. They love children, other animals, and even strangers.

The ‘golden’ in their name refers to their typical coat coloring and character, which is gorgeous, wavy, and yellow. Retrievers are medium-sized breeds, certainly smaller than the Chow, that have a broad and strong head.

Goldens are intelligent, affectionate, and even-tempered. They love to play and are especially patient and nurturing with children, which has gained them their reputation as a ‘nanny dog’ just like the Staffordshire bull terrier. Golden retrievers are also extremely eager to please their owner and respond well to obedience training.

Due to this trait, Goldens are also widely used as service dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind. These dogs are also great swimmers, so they love days out at the beach or lake. They are also an active dog breed, which makes them the perfect match for an energetic, large family – if you have room for one! Goldens also tend to snore and drool, so you’re probably not going to escape this tendency if you choose to get a Golden Chow. 

So, What to Expect From a Golden Chow?

Some crossbreeds of the late ‘90s/early ’00s have already been successful enough to reach a standardization. For example, the Labradoodle hybrid has been standardized so that owners know exactly what they are getting when they adopt one.

The Golden Chow, however, hasn’t got that far yet. The appearance and temperament of a Golden Chow depend entirely on the parents and their genetics. They could be very similar to the Golden retriever or very similar to the Chow Chow. The Golden Chow will have characteristics from both parents, but they tend to lean toward one parent more than the other.

Golden Chows are devoted pets, and this devotion is one of their most prominent qualities. The hybrid between the retriever’s family dog nature and the Chow Chow’s protective nature creates a loyal guard dog who craves attention from his family.

Generally, mixing the Golden Retriever with the Chow Chow means that you lose the friendly nature with strangers, along with patience and tolerance levels with younger children. With that said, if you really want to bring out these traits in your new furry buddy, then early socialization is essential.

They are not as active as Golden retrievers and need an average amount of exercise. They will usually be satisfied by 30 minutes of vigorous play or running, or just above an hour walk, daily. You should be aware that because of the Chow’s nature, it is common that the Golden Chow can be quite stubborn sometimes during training sessions. Don’t worry if it feels like you are getting nowhere with them sometimes. Be patient and persistent, and eventually, your dog will be both obedient and respectful to your wishes.

Golden Chows usually weigh between 50-75 pounds, as both parents, while considered medium-sized dogs, they are on the larger end of the scale. They tend to stand at around 20-25 inches, and due to their size, they will need a lot of space. Their appearance varies, again, depending on their genetics: some will look like fluffy Golden retrievers, and others will be more like thinner Chow Chows.

Regardless, you can expect a thick double coat that will require daily grooming. Their coats tend to be more red and gold in color, but this is not always the case. Another interesting characteristic of the Golden Chow is their tongues. Chow Chows are widely renowned for their unusual blue-black tongue, so your Golden Chow may also have this characteristic as it is a dominant characteristic. You might even have a dog whose tongue is splotchy and multi-colored!

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering adopting a Golden Chow, then you should be prepared to change your lifestyle in terms of devoting your time and energy to these dogs for their training and exercise. Your dog’s needs, however, will be dependent on their genetics.

If your dog leans more toward his Golden retriever parent, they will be easy to train as they are so eager to please people and are naturally obedient. They’re also very social creatures. They’re happiest when surrounded by their family and are friendly toward other animals and people. Your dog will work hard to achieve any task that you give them, and as they are extremely active dogs, you will also work hard when it comes to taking those games of fetch very seriously!

If your dog leans more towards his Chow Chow parent, their training will be more difficult, and you will need to establish yourself as the alpha almost immediately. Chow Chows also require more discipline than other dogs. You should greet unwanted behavior straight away with a stern ‘no’, and you should ignore their wishes until they are ready to listen to you.

As for the first few weeks, you won’t know which way your dog leans for certain. You should try a mixture of techniques to begin with. Finally, with crossbreeds like the Golden Chow, it is even more imperative that you visit the breeder’s home and interact with the puppies before you get one. Interacting with the puppies can give you an idea of their personalities from the beginning and can help you make a better-informed decision when choosing a pup.