Chusky Basics
Some dog lovers crave a short haired animal that won’t bring too much fur into their lives. Others seek a dog that looks like a mouth and a pair of eyes inside a mound of fluff. These people will adore having a Chusky in there lives. The Chusky is a giant fluff ball of love. Also known as Chowsky, Chow-Husky, and Husky Chow, this designer dog breed has a lot to offer to the right person. This unusual mix boasts many wonderful qualities, but that does not mean that they are a suitable pet for everyone. For example, Chuskies do well with children, but require an experienced owner. Chuskies bond very strongly with their humans and tend to be incredibly protective. They are not a good choice for first time dog owners, as they can develop various behavioural issues (due to their protectiveness and independent nature) if they are not properly trained and socialized on time. You have to be prepared for the important responsibility of raising a Chusky puppy into a distinguished adult. It will take lots of care and effort.
Additionally, seniors or people who’d prefer a couch potato furball won’t do well with this designer dog as their pet. Chuskies do best in an active home due to their high energy levels. They need a great deal of exercise to remain happy and they don’t do well with being left alone for extended periods of time. They hate being away from their humans and can get destructive without proper training. Of course, if you happen to meet the Chowsky’s specific owner requirements, you’ll be rewarded with the most loyal and loving companion. Are you intrigued? Then read on to find out if this designer dog would be a good choice for your family and what to expect when you get a Chusky. All will be revealed. Just keep your eyes glued on this page and scroll away.
Chuskies bond very strongly with their humans and tend to be incredibly protective.
Origin
Sadly, there’s no information available about the Chusky’s origin. No one knows precisely when or where the breed had its start, but that’s no real surprise either. After all, at it’s very core, the Chusky is a mixed breed dog. Since his parents are a Chow Chow and a Siberian Husky, this crossbreed is a first generation mix of two purebred dogs and there’s rarely any documentation available about the history of hybrid pups.
There might not be any official records available, but we can assume that there have been crosses of these two dogs throughout history. However, that doesn’t mean that their offspring didn’t have a special status. It is just only within the past few years that Chuskies have been recognized as a designer breed. So, if you look at it from the perspective of designer dog craze rather than the potential of the shared history of the two parental breeds, it’s highly likely that the Chusky originated in the United States. It probably happened at some point during the last 20 years since that’s when the majority of hybrids took off in popularity.
Pedigree
The Chusky is a cross between a Siberian Husky and a Chow Chow. They are large furballs and can take on the traits/coat of either breed. Some have blue or multicolored eyes and some have the husky eyebrows, while others appear more like a Chow Chow with the red coat. With hybrid dogs it’s tough to predict these things. Every puppy is a surprise and even pups from the same litter can look completely different from each other. It’s also worth noting that Chuskies are not suited for hot climates because of their long fur. They will overheat easily and that will lead to many problems.
Food/Diet
Choosing the right diet for your pet will go a long way. Feeding them quality food will inevitably support their overall health. Of course, it’s not always easy to find food that your pet likes to eat and is also good for them. Since Chuskies are a large breed dog, a nutritionally balanced diet is even more important than it would be for a tiny pooch. If they are not prevented by health issues (such as missing teeth), these dogs do best on high-quality dry food. Kibble made from premium and natural ingredients will promote shiny fur, while supporting your pet’s immune system. Choose a formula that will match your Chusky’s size, activity level, and age (puppy, adult, senior). Usually, dry food for large and active dog breeds is the perfect fit for these designer dogs.
Also, you should make sure that you’re offering the right amount of food. Don’t let their size fool you. Chuskies should not be overfed just because they are large. Stick to manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to portion sizes (or even give your pet 70 percent of what it says on the bag). On average, these dog’s don’t need more than 3 to 4 cups of kibble per day. Consult with your veterinarian if you’re unsure about the correct doses. It’s always worth chatting with your vet before making any substantial changes to your dog’s diet. While pet blogs and pet food manufacturers provide useful feeding guidelines, all dogs are unique and often have their own personal dietary needs. Only your vet has the expertise necessary to assess the specific dietary needs of your pup. So always defer to them if you have any concerns about what to feed your pooch.
Training
It is essential to begin training the moment you bring a Chusky home. This dog requires constant training to stay happy and healthy. Without obedience training, you can expect a Chusky to become destructive, unruly, and potentially aggressive. While these dogs are remarkably lovable once properly trained, they can grow into furry monsters if don’t take your training responsibilities seriously.
Due to their loyalty to their owner, the Chowski will become overly protective without the proper instruction and guidance. They need to know that their owner is in charge and they need to work for everything. Nothing is free for the Chusky. They need to sit and stay before going outside, down stay before eating, sit for greetings, etc. All training should be done using positive reinforcement to ensure a happy hound(no pain or corrections because that is far closer to abuse than training).
As soon as one adopts a Chusky, they should begin crate training and desensitizing immediately. Make sure to handle the dog all over, focusing on their ears, feet, and mouth to ensure they will allow a groomer/vet to handle them. Get them crate trained right away to avoid separation anxiety from cropping up along with destructive behaviours that pop up due to loneliness. Chuskies love their owners so much they can’t stand to be away from them, so be sure to teach them this is okay at an early age. Those early and impressionable days are so important in any Chusky’s training process, so make sure not to let them go to waste.
As with all training, it is best used as a preventative measure rather than trying to fix a problem that’s been happening for six months. Chuskies need to be placed in an obedience and socialization class as soon as possible to prevent any unwanted behaviours from cropping up. While it’s important to take this responsibility seriously, don’t view it as a sign that these are difficult dogs. Chuskies are incredibly loving, loyal, and friendly when properly trained. Their worst tendencies only pop up when owners neglect their training responsibilities. It’s all up to you.
Weight
The Chusky weighs between 45 and 60 pounds. They are big beautiful boys.
Temperament/Behavior
While Chuskies are loving, they are also particular to their owners. They are great watch dogs, and will alert if there is ever anything even close to an intruder nearby. They are loyal pets and will do anything to protect their family, so they are not for the inexperienced. You will have to reign these pups in when their protective instincts take over.
With the right owner and the proper training, Chuskies can be wonderful and loveable dogs. They just require a lot of exercise and training. They tend to do well with kids, but again training is essential to keep them from trying to protect ‘their’ children.
Common Health Problems
The only thing that is common to Chuskies is that sometimes they aren’t born with all of their teeth, which can directly influence their diet. If the missing teeth make it hard or impossible for your dog to eat kibble, you’ll have to switch to wet food. Make sure to consult a vet for advice on portion size and supplementing to be certain your pet’s dietary needs are met.
Other than that, they don’t have any specific health concerns, but they can always inherit the health problems of either parent breed. This puts them at risk for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, diabetes, myotonia, and eye issues. Make sure to maintain regularly scheduled checkups with your vet (especially as your dog ages) so that any health issues can be identified and treated as early as possible.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of a Chusky is 10 to 13 years
Exercise Requirements
The Chow-Husky mix enjoys his down time, but he still needs a fair amount of daily exercise in order to maintain physical health and fitness. An hour long walk per day will take care of his exercise needs, but the more activity he gets, the happier he will be. So make sure to keep this dog active to keep your Chusky happy.
Recognized Clubs
Because the Chusky is a cross of a Husky and a Chow Chow, this hybrid breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, it is recognized by the DRA (theDog Registry of America, Inc) and the American Canine Hybrid Club (as a Chowski).
Coat
Both the Husky and the Chow Chow have long coats, and that trait carries over to the Chusky. Their fur is long and dense, so be prepared to vacuum daily during shedding season. These dogs will also require regular grooming to keep their coat looking it’s best.
Puppies
When picking out a Chowski puppy, it is important to look past the fact that they are adorable balls of fluff and take into consideration their temperament. Look for a puppy that is bright and brave, but also one that is not bullying the other puppies in the litter. You will want a puppy that you can pick up and flop around without them getting scared or nippy (that’s a sign of problematic behaviour that could become an issue down the road). You should be able to touch the Chusky puppy’s feet, head, and ears without issue. By picking the proper puppy (especially if this is your first Chusky, or you have kids) you will set yourself up for a great relationship with your dog. Of course, you’ll still need to start a strict training and socialization regiment immediately to ensure that the puppy grows up to be a loving companion. But identifying the right puppy is an excellent start to ensuring that you bring home the dog that your family deserves.
Photo credit: simbathechowski/Instagram; Maxwell GS/ Flickr; dbvirago/Bigstock
