The Golden Retriever Chow Mix – The Ultimate Simplified Guide (With Pics)

If you are looking for the fluffiest dog to cuddle with then look no further, the golden retriever mix is indeed the fluffiest.

So, what is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix? The Golden Retriever Chow Mix, also referred to as the Golden Chow or the Chow-Golden is a mix of the Golden Retriever and the Chow Chow, and he’s a large dog that blends the beautiful golden color and playful spirit of the golden retriever with the protectiveness & loyalty of the Chow Chow.

Gentle and sweet as a golden retriever but protective and alert like a Chow Chow, if you think this is a match made in heaven, you are right. So, let me take you through everything you need to know about them to know if this dog is really the perfect one for you and your family.

Here is everything about the Golden Retriever Chow Mix in a nutshell:

Other Names	Golden Chow
Weight	50 – 75 Pounds
Height	20 – 25 inches
Lifespan	10 – 12 years
Colors	Red, black, and golden
Health	9/10
Grooming Needs	9/10
Exercise Needs	10/10
Shedding	8/10
Kid Friendliness	5/10
Pet-friendliness	5/10
Protectiveness	9/10
Good for apartments	No
Average puppy cost	$500 – $2,000 USD

Golden Retriever Chow Mix Characteristics 

Size: 20 – 25 inches

Weight: 50 – 75 pounds 

Colors: Red / black / golden

Coat Type: Double coated/ straight 

The golden retriever chow mix may inherit the retriever’s coat or chow’s dense coat.

Their coat length is medium and dense, and their coat texture could be either straight or wavy like goldens.

They need lots of space due to their large build which makes them ideal as guard dogs plus they are really protective.

They usually have a non-water-repellent coat, their tail is long and slightly curved, their nose is black, and their eyes are possibly brown.

Since they are a large breed, they also have massive feet and they can knock things down easily with their feet and long tail. 

Parent Breeds

In order to understand the mix’s character and temperament, you must learn a little about the parent breeds, so let’s get to know about the chow chows.

The Chow Chow is a very old breed, some historians claim that it’s at least 2,000 years old. Their place of origin is also not confirmed. Some historians say it originated in China and some believe it originated in Arctic Asia 3,000 years ago which migrated to Mongolia, then to China.

They are great hunters and they use their amazing sense of smell to track down small animals.

They are one of the first breeds to be recognized by the American kennel club, they were great working dogs and make great watchdogs.

They have low energy so they are not as playful as golden retrievers, but that doesn’t mean they are good apartment dogs, in fact, you shouldn’t even consider getting one if you live in a small apartment or have children.

They only live for 10 or 12 years and playing around isn’t really their thing but man they do love laying around doing absolutely nothing.

Golden retrievers are completely the opposite of a Chow Chow, they are playful, great with children, and not the best at being a watchdog.

They are easy to train and love nothing more than making their owner happy.

They live from 10 to 13 years and they have an average energy level that’s why they make perfect family dogs. I have a guide on 20 ways to make your golden retriever live longer here which you should definitely check out if you have a minute.

Temperament 

The golden retriever chow mix can have different temperaments and it depends on their genetics since the golden and the chow have completely different personalities.

So if inherits the dominant traits from the chow chow then they are more likely to be more aggressive and protective.

However, they may also inherit the golden’s playful and fun nature then you will have a fluffy goofball running around your house but in both scenarios, your pup will need to be socialized because they will be guarded against strangers.

The golden retriever chow mix is likely to have a tendency to bark uncontrollably so you need to train them when they are puppies. This is something they inherit from Chow Chows, as golden retrievers don’t usually bark much and are often quiet.

They don’t like being left alone because they will feel neglected and they may misbehave so if you are planning on leaving them for a long period then you should definitely ask someone to take care of them for the time being.

I have another guide here on how to help dogs stay along for longer here with tips on training them and how to keep them calm and quiet while you’re away. You should check it out when you have the time.

The golden retriever chow mix is not the best option for first-time owners because you may not know how to handle them being too stubborn. If this is your first dog, consider a breed that’s more easy-going like the golden retriever or Labrador.

Health and lifespan 

Just like all large breeds, they are prone to joint and hip issues, they may also inherit some issues from one or both of the parents so to make sure that your pup doesn’t suffer from this problem, please make sure to ask the breeder for their parents’ certificate to determine their health.

However, the golden retriever chow mix has a bigger issue, due to their thick coat, they are likely to have fleas so make sure that your pup has his adequate shots and give them a prescribed medication to prevent fleas in the summer.

They can also get overweight easily so watch your dog’s weight, never overfeed them, and choose a proper diet for them.

Another problem that you will want to look out for in your golden retriever chow mix is cataract.

Unfortunately, Golden Chows only live anywhere between 10 and 12 years but some of them can live up to 14 years if you can take good care of them.

Nutritional Needs 

The golden retriever chow requires a lot of nutrition, so make sure that their diet consists of low carbs, protein, and fats.

You can also add omega 3 to their diet since they are prone to hip dysplasia, also, focus on organic food for a healthy coat and energetic pup.

The vets recommend that the average amount of food is three cups a day but you should be concerned about the calories in the food and not the amount. 

You can also give them whole foods such as meat and vegetables if you like playing it safe.

The average cost to feed your golden retriever chow mix dog will be around $50 per week. You can save money by feeding them homemade foods, which is the healthiest option for them, but you should never save money by getting cheaper packaged foods.

Make sure to feed them multiple times a day and change the portions and the number of the meals as they get older.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The golden retriever chow mix is a heavy shedder due to their thick coat so you have lots of brushing to do because both the golden and the Chow Chow are notorious shedders and they both have a thick double coat.

Groom them at least once a day and two if you want their coat to stay healthy and without mats.

You can groom them with a firm bristle brush and rake, to remove loose hair.

You should also clean their teeth at least two to three times a week to prevent tartar build-up.

Their ears should not be neglected either so take a look at their ears at least once a week to ensure there is no buildup of dirt because it can lead to infection and odor.

If you don’t want your furniture to get wrecked, trim their nails every two to three weeks, or you can take them to a professional groomer every month to keep their fur groomed and trimmed.

Exercise Needs 

The exercise needs of the golden retriever chow mix can vary depending on many things like their health and their genetic make-up.

In short, your golden retriever chow chow mix will usually have a moderate level of energy and will need an average of 60 minutes of moderate exercise per day.

Your golden retriever chow mix loves to play games such as tug-of-war, fetch, going for a jog, swimming, or hiking.

A daily walk is a priority, they need to walk at least twice a day, if you socialize and they get along with other dogs then let them play with them in the park because it’s a great way for them to burn off energy.

Unlike Chow Chow, the Golden Chow love to play and gets plenty of fresh air so if you have a backyard let them play for as long as they want and keep an eye on them.

Training 

The golden chow mix will not make the training easy for you due to their stubbornness that they inherited from their Chow Chow parent.

However, that doesn’t mean that they are untrainable, you just need to be patient with them.

During the training sessions, they may choose not to listen to you so you need to enforce yourself as the alpha.

They are really intelligent and that will make the training a bit easier, never raise your voice or scold them during the training because they will resent you so only use positive reinforcement, give them treats and let them know that they are doing great.

As Family Dogs 

They are loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs and they will form an unmatchable bond with their owner but they aren’t always the best dogs with children or around other dogs.

They require lots of room and a backyard which means that they can’t live in apartments or condos.

They can be great family dogs if you are all adults because they need lots of attention and time so it’s better if more than one person is taking care of them.

They have a high need to protect their loved ones and they can be really stressed and nervous around children and strangers even if you socialize with them.

As Guard Dogs 

The Golden Retriever Chow Mix are great guard dogs thanks to the Chow Chow genes, they are really protective and can be aggressive toward strangers or any new faces to them.

They are barkers so they will alarm you when even they hear or see something suspicious. And they bark loudly, so make sure your neighbors are okay with it.

The golden retriever chow mix will be the perfect balance for a guard dog because they will inherit the high need to protect their family from their Chow Chow parent and will have the tenderness from their golden parent.

Where to find them? 

You should always check the shelters before checking the breeders to see if you can give a lonely soul a loving home and caring family.

You can also get them from a trusted breeder, a golden retriever chow mix will cost you about $500 which is cheaper than most hybrid dogs, however, the cheaper pups are more likely to not have papers for their breeding dogs.

You can also contact your local Chow Chow and golden retriever clubs for local rescues and breeders.

All About the Golden Retriever Breed Mix in a nutshell 

Golden Retriever Chow mix dogs will make loving companions and great watchdogs, they need lots of attention just like all other dogs, they are not the best option if you have small children or if you are a first-time pet owner, they need their space due to their large size, also, they have high activity requirements.

For more about rare golden retriever mixes, check out this guide to the Golden Retriever Papillon Mix here, which is even rarer and harder to find than the Golden Chow.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix A Good Family Dog? 

No, the golden retriever chow mix is not a good family dog since they are not so friendly around children, they can be really fond of their favorite person so if you are looking for a companion then they are a suitable choice but they don’t do very well around many people. 

Is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix easy to train? 

No, the golden retriever chow mix is not easy to train and you have to put lots of effort and patience when you are training them, they are really stubborn and they inherited it from their chow parent and they may choose not to listen to you so you have to give firm commands.

Is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix good with kids? 

No, the golden retriever chow mix is not the best dog around kids even though they are loving, loyal, and affectionate, even if you socialized them properly, they tend to be nervous around children so if you have children it’s better if you get them a purebred golden retriever. 

How much is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix? 

The golden retriever chow mix can cost you between $500-$2,000, however, they can cost you even more because it really depends on the breeder. It can cost you up to $4,000 so make sure that the breeder can be trusted and the puppy is in good health.

Is the Golden Retriever Chow Mix smart? 

Yes, the golden retriever chow mix is smart and can be easily trained but you need to be strong and show that you are the alpha when you are training them because they can be stubborn in the training sessions and they definitely inherited that from the chow chows and not the golden retrievers. 

Helpful Resources 

The origin of chow chows in the light of the East Asian breeds

Chow Chow Profile – AKC

The Chow Chow Dog Breed – Britannica

Opinions of veterinarians regarding aggression in different breeds of dogs

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