Chusky Information Center – The Chow Chow Husky Mix Breed Guide

Chusky FAQs

Our readers’ most popular and frequently asked questions about the Chowski.

• How big do Chow Husky mixes get?
• Are Chowskis good family dogs?
• What kind of temperament do Husky Chow mixes have?

Chusky: Breed At A Glance

• Popularity: Huskies are 14 and Chow Chows 75 on the AKC’s list of 192 most popular breeds
• Purpose: Companion or guard dog
• Weight: Between 35 and 60 pounds
• Temperament: Intelligent and loyal

Chusky Breed Review: Contents

• History and original purpose of the Chusky
• Fun facts about the Chusky
• Chusky appearance
• Chusky temperament
• Training and exercising your Chusky
• Chusky health and care
• Does the Chusky make a good family pet?
• Rescuing a Chusky
• Finding a Chusky puppy
• Raising a Chusky puppy
• Chusky products and accessories

History And Original Purpose Of The Chusky

What exactly is a Chusky? Well, a Chusky is the offspring of a purebred Chow Chow and purebred Husky.

Since the Chow Chow Husky mix is a crossbreed, many of its characteristics will be left up to chance depending on which purebred parent they take after most.

This can include variations in temperament, personality, physical features, and more. A crossbreed sometimes referred to as a ‘designer dog’ or ‘hybrid’ is the offspring of two purebred parents.

Crossbreeding is still a relatively new practice, and has only increased in popularity over the last decade or so. Because of this, there are still many debates. You can learn more about some common objections to crossbreeding this article.

Whether you support crossbreeding or not, if you’re considering adding a new dog to your household, it’s always wise to learn as much about your desired breed—or crossbreed—as possible.

The Chusky is still a relatively new crossbreed, so there is very little known about its origin.

However, looking into the history of both purebred parents of the Chusky can help us learn more about the Chow Chow Husky Mix and what makes them tick. Let’s start with the Chow parent.

Origins Of The Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is considered by many to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, pictured in ancient artifacts hailing from the Han Dynasty of around 206 BC.

However, historians believe the Chow Chow may have been around much, much longer than that!

The Chow Chow is said to have held many positions over this long period including royal companion dog to those of nobility in China.

Despite being seen as a noble companion dog, the Chow Chow was also known for being a hard worker, taking on jobs such as hunting, guarding, and hauling.

Eventually, the Chow Chow made his way to the United States of America in the 1890’s and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1903.

Today, the Chow Chow ranks number 75 of 192 on the AKC’s list of America’s most popular dog breeds.

Origins Of The Husky

The Husky is believed to be a descendant of the original sled dog of Northeastern Asia. At first, these ancient dogs were bred as companions and sled dogs for the Chukchi people.

However, as the climate began to change and the weather grew colder, the isolated Chukchi were in need of a new type of dog. One that could endure hauling loads and sleds through vast forests in freezing temperatures.

And so, the Siberian Husky was born.

The Husky has ties to the Northern Hemisphere, Siberia, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Baffin Island, and Labrador. The working dog’s unique coat and athletic stamina led them to win multiple sled races during the early 1900’s.

The Siberian Husky still ranks number 14 out of 192 on the AKC’s list of America’s most popular dog breeds.

Today, the Husky is mostly used as a gentle, intelligent family companion.

However, there are still many mushers who keep sled dogs and utilize the Husky’s hardy qualities to get certain jobs done in brutal temperatures.

Fun Facts About The Chusky

The Chowski hasn’t quite yet made waves yet, as it is still growing in popularity. But both parent breeds certainly have made an impression!

The emperor of the Tang Dynasty is purported to have owned over 5,000 Chow Chows at once! During the 1820’s, the London Zoo displayed the Chow Chow in an exhibit entitled the “Wild Dogs of China.”

Eventually, even Queen Victoria, a renowned dog lover herself, had to get her hands on one! There is even a rumor that the original teddy bear was modeled after Queen Victoria’s Chow Chow puppy.

You can definitely see how this legend came to be considering the fluffy fur and bear-like face of the adorable Chow Chow!

More impressively, the Husky became nationally known when Leonhard Seppala, a famous musher, led a group of Siberian Huskies on a trek over 658 miles.

The purpose of the five-day trek was to deliver lifesaving medicine to Nome, Alaska after a deadly outbreak of diphtheria.

This valiant run won the public over and Siberian Huskies quickly grew in popularity.

Chusky Appearance

As a crossbreed, the Chow Husky mix may inherit a wide range of physical traits from both purebred parents.

This applies to features like coat color, weight, and height, which will be left up to chance depending on which parent your Chusky takes after most.

Because there is such a range in the features your Chowski can have, we will take a look at specifics for each parent breed.

Chow Chow Specifics

The Chow Chow, for example, is a compact dog famous for their very thick, coarse coat and main-like ruffle around their neck and chest.

Chow Chows come in both rough and smooth coats with six standard color markings including:

• Red (ranging from gold to reddish brown)
• Cinnamon (ranging from light tan to brown)
• Black
• Cream
• Blue

The full-grown Chow Chow will be around 17 to 20 inches tall. A male Chow Chow weighs approximately 55 to 70 pounds whereas a female may weigh between 45 to 60 pounds.

Husky Specifics

The Husky is athletically built with a thick double coat that comes in a wide variety of colors including:

• White
• Black
• Black and tan
• White and black
• Copper
• Sable
• Silver
• Brown
• Gray
• Red

A full-grown Siberian Husky male will grow to be 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 45 to 60 pounds. A female Husky will be 18 to 20 inches and weigh 35 to 50 pounds.

The Husky can have brown or blue eyes, and in some special cases, even one of both!

Chusky Parent Similarities

As you may have gathered from the above information, both the Chow Chow and the Husky have very thick coats.

Therefore, a potential Chow Chow Husky mix owner should prepare for a crossbreed that is similar.

Otherwise, the Chusky’s appearance can vary depending on what purebred parent they favor more genetically. And an owner must be prepared for a variety of grooming regimens!

We’ll take a look at grooming specifics a little further on. Now, let’s examine possible Chusky temperament.

Chusky Temperament

Just as with the chances we take with appearance, Chusky temperament can seemingly be random. When dealing with any crossbreed, it’s important to remember that the outcome of things like temperament can be unpredictable, and the Chusky is no exception.

However, both the Chow Chow and Husky share some similar qualities.

For example, a prospective owner can except their Chusky dog to be active, loyal, and loving toward family members.

But what other temperamental traits could your Chow Chow Husky mix inherit from their purebred parents?

Again, let’s examine the individual traits of each parent breed. Let’s start with the Chow Chow.

Chow Chow Temperament Specifics

The Chow Chow is a more serious-minded dog, considerably dignified with a reputation for being aloof with strangers. They are natural watchdogs, and have a fairly strong prey drive so may tend to chase smaller animals.

However, they love their human family and display plenty of affection and loyalty to those they know.

A properly trained Chow Chow is gentle and can make a wonderful family dog.

The Chow’s dignified nature goes well with that ‘scowling’ expression, though they truly can be very friendly sweet dogs, especially to those who raise them.

The Chow Chow is easily adaptable to both apartment and house living, and their intelligence makes them easy to train!

Husky Temperament Specifics

So what about the Husky?

Unlike their Chow Chow counterpart, Huskies are all about humans and other dogs, with no aloofness in their personality whatsoever!

The Husky was bred as a pack dog, so they get along famously with people of all ages and love being around other dogs.

Huskies make a great family dog, though they can be a bit mischievous in nature and behave much like a curious child, always getting into things.

They love to run and play, and due to their history, it is no surprise Huskies also love cold weather and snow!

Chow Chow Husky Mix Temperament

Considering the above information, a prospective Chusky owner should prepare for a dog who is loyal and loving.

In addition, your pup may be a bit aloof if they inherit their Chow Chow parent’s more serious disposition.

As with all dog breeds, early socialization and proper training are recommended to ensure the health and happiness of your Chow Chow Husky mix.

Training And Exercising Your Chusky

Both the Chow Chow and Husky are active, intelligent breeds. Therefore, they are known to exhibit some stubborn behavior.

In any case, with a bit of patience and positive-reinforcement methods, training can be an enjoyable and fun experience. Training can also be a wonderful bonding experience between you and your Chusky, enabling trust and loyalty to develop.

The Chusky is likely going to be a smart and friendly crossbreed, especially if they take after their Husky parent. Since they are active dogs, both the Chow Chow and Husky require an adequate amount of exercise. The Husky especially enjoys running outdoors.

So you should expect lots of play time and daily walks or jogs with your Chow Chow Husky mix.

Bear in mind that since the Chow Chow and Husky have such lush coats, they will not tolerate heat well. Therefore, weather is something to be mindful of when taking your Chusky outside to exercise. They could overheat and become sick.

Although both the Chow Chow and Husky are known to make great family companions, early socialization and proper training of your Chusky puppy is recommended. This ensures your Chusky grows up to be well adapted and happy.

For more specific guides to training, check out our articles on crate training and potty training.

Chusky Health And Care

As with all crossbreeds, Chuskies are prone to inheriting certain health issues from their purebred parents. We recommend doing extensive research on health issues that both the Chow Chow and the Husky can be predisposed to. The most concerning health issues are briefly covered below.

The lifespan of a healthy Chow Chow is 11 to 13 years. However, there are some heritable health issues to be aware of. These include:

• hip dysplasia
• patellar luxation
• autoimmune thyroiditis
• cataracts
• distichiasis
• glaucoma
• stomach cancer
• gastric torsion

They are also often classed as a brachycephalic breed, which means that they will likely have some breathing troubles.

Purebred Huskies are known for being one of the healthiest purebreds, with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Even so, Huskies can be prone to certain health issues. These include:

• hip dysplasia
• cataracts
• corneal dystrophy
• entropion
• deafness
• follicular dysplasia
• uveodermatologic syndrome

Chow Husky Mix Lifespan

Keeping the above in mind, your Chusky’s lifespan could be anywhere from 11 to 15 years. Health issues may vary depending on what issues his purebred parents have passed on.

Early health screening of your Chusky can help avoid or prepare for future health issues.

Keep in mind that reputable breeders should be able to provide certificates regarding the health of your puppy’s parents.

It’s important to make sure your puppy’s parents have been properly screened and cleared of certain health issues.

You can learn more about health testing requirements from the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals.

Chusky Dog Grooming And Care

Since both the Chow Chow and Husky are shedders, a prospective Chusky owner should prepare for a lot of grooming.

As mentioned above, the Chow Chow comes in both a smooth and rough coat, but either version is a lavish double coat that requires consistent grooming and brushing. Brushing will be required at least twice a week to reduce matting and keep skin and fur healthy.

Chow Chows also need a monthly bath, and a thorough brushing is recommended after bathing as well as drying with a blow dryer on the cool setting. If your Husky Chow mix takes after the Chow parent, this is likely a good idea.

The Husky, on the other hand, requires slightly less maintenance as they are naturally self-cleaning. Still, weekly brushes should be implemented to maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Although the Husky enjoys playing and being outdoors, they truly only need bathing a few times a year. The Husky does have an undercoat that sheds twice a year, and loose fur will need to be brushed free using a metal comb.

Apart from brushing and grooming, you should also be prepared to clear your Chusky’s ears regularly to keep wax and moisture at bay. Your Chusky will also need regular nail trimming to avoid splitting and cracking.

Does The Chusky Make A Good Family Pet?

With proper training and early socialization, the Chusky makes a wonderful family pet! Care should always be taken with younger children, as even medium sized dogs can knock a small child over in spirited play.

The purebred parents of your Chusky are both active, intelligent dogs that can easily adapt to most environments.

The ideal Chow Chow Husky mix owner will have an active lifestyle and be able to exercise and train their Chusky regularly.

Due to the Chusky’s thick, lush coat, they don’t tolerate warmer environments very well, so living in places with hotter climates may not be a great idea.

However, allergy-sufferers beware.This crossbreed will likely shed a lot and may require consistent grooming, especially if they take after their Chow Chow parent!

Rescuing A Chusky Dog

If you’re not completely set on bringing home a Chusky puppy from a breeder, there are other options to consider.

Shelters can also carry all types of breeds and crossbreeds. However, finding a Chusky from one particular local shelter can be hit or miss, and will depend on what dogs available at the time.

Although most shelters incur fees, they are often a fraction of the cost of what some Chusky breeders charge. You should be prepared to pay the shelter anywhere from $50-$100 for most adoptions.

Most shelters will also cover initial vet fees ensuring your dog is suitable for adoption and ready for their new home!

Rescuing a Chow Husky mix could be the best of both worlds. You can give a good home to a dog in need. And the price you pay for a rescue dog is often a great deal lower than what you would pay a breeder.

There’s also the added benefit that the temperament of a grown dog will be more readily obvious. This is helpful for a mixed breed such as the Chusky.

For rescue organizations, take a look at our list here.

Finding A Chusky Puppy

Ensuring you get your Chusky mix from a reputable source is incredibly important. We always recommend doing plenty of research before you decide where to get your Chow Chow Husky mix from.

If you opt to buy a Chusky from a breeder, be ready to spend anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 depending on the breeder and history of your Chusky’s purebred parents. Mixes are growing ever more popular, so it is likely that you will be able to find a Chusky breeder without too much trouble.

One benefit of going through a breeder is the ability to ask questions and dig into your Chusky pup’s history. Make sure to take advantage of this and do your research.

Always look into any health or temperamental issues your Chusky puppy’s parents or previous litters may have had. And be sure to ask about health screening. Remember, reputable breeders will be able to provide certificates proving their dogs have been health screened.

Make sure to avoid pet stores, puppy mills, and breeders who send up red flags such as not allowing you to visit the puppy’s home or meet the parents.

For more information on the best way to conduct a puppy search, read our in-depth guide here.

Raising A Chusky Puppy

If you’ve decided the Chusky will be the perfect addition to your household, congratulations!

By all accounts, they make wonderful companion dogs who display affection and loyalty to their human counterparts.

But just as with raising a child, it takes more than just love to be able to raise a puppy into a happy, healthy adult dog.

Caring for vulnerable Chusky puppies is a big responsibility. There are some great guides to help you with all aspects of puppy care and training. You’ll find them listed on our Chusky puppies page.

Chusky Products And Accessories

As we discussed above, your Chowski will likely have very thick fur that requires some dedicated grooming time.

So it’s only natural that you’ll want to search out the best grooming tools for your pup!

And that’s not all. Here are some of our recommended products for this mix.

• Best brushes for Huskies
• Best dog harnesses
• Recommended dog food for Huskies 

Pros And Cons of Getting A Chusky

Cons:

• Likely to be a heavy shedder
• Some health concerns
• Definitely needs socialization and training
• Could be wary of strangers

Pros:

• A great family dog with good training
• Can be a good guard dog
• Very intelligent
• Loyal

Comparing The Chusky With Other Breeds

The Husky Chow mix will likely be an energetic dog, and if it takes after the Husky parent, may be very friendly.

But suppose you’re specifically looking for a dog that will definitely earn his keep as a guarding animal?

Another possibility to consider is the Chow German Shepherd mix. This breed may be more likely to have a serious, work-oriented personality. Both Chows and German Shepherds have been used extensively as guard dogs, and this mix could do very well with proper training.

Similar Breeds

On the other hand, you may just want to shop around a little, if you haven’t decided for certain on the Chow Husky mix.

If you like the Chusky dog, but want to keep your options open, check these out.

• Chabrador
• Malamute

Chusky Breed Rescues

As of yet, we haven’t been able to find any Chusky-specific rescues. But we’ve included a list of Husky or Chow rescues in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada. These are good places to start your search for a Chusky dog or Chusky puppies.

• Everything Husky
• Siberian Husky Welfare UK
• Siberian Husky Rescue Club Australia
• Chow Chow RS
• Chow Rescue NY

If you know of any rescues we’ve missed, let us know in the comments!

References And Resources

• Gough A, Thomas A, O’Neill D. 2018 Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats. Wiley Blackwell
• O’Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs In England. The Veterinary Journal
• Adams VJ, et al. 2010. Results of a Survey of UK Purebred Dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
• Schalamon et al. 2006. Analysis of Dog Bites In Children Who Are Younger Than 17 Years. Pediatrics
• Duffy D et al. Breed differences in canine aggression. Applied Animal Behavior Science 2008
• Strain G. Deafness prevalence and pigmentation and gender associations in dog breeds at risk. The Veterinary Journal 2004
• Packer et al. 2015. Impact of Facial Conformation On Canine Health. PlosOne
• Do You Have A Brachycephalic Dog? Oakhill Veterinary Center, 2018
• Ready AE and Morgan G. 1984. The Physiological Response of Siberian Husky Dogs to Exercise: Effect of Interval Training. Canadian Veterinary Journal.
• Turcsán B et al. 2017. Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs. PLoS One.
• Howell TJ et al. 2015. Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports.
• Sutter NB et al. 2004. Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System. Nature Reviews Genetics.
• Irion DN et al. 2003. Analysis of Genetic Variation in 28 Dog Breed Populations With 100 Microsatellite Markers. Journal of Heredity.
• Ackerman L. 2011. The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition. American Animal Hospital Association Press.

This article has been extensively revised and updated for 2019.