Home Dog Breeds Chusky Dog Breed Profile (Chow Chow & Husky Mix)

Chusky Dog Breed Profile (Chow Chow & Husky Mix)

Lenin Sotto

Last Updated: Feb 22, 2024

Did you know?

According to a study, mixed breeds represent the majority of the world’s dog population.

So, I’m guessing more are coming.

Yup, because today in this blog, we’ll talk about the Chow Chow and Husky mix breed called the Chusky.

Fluffy, loving, and… quite a stubborn pooch.

The Chusky dog breed definitely adds to our growing list of adorable cuddle buddies.

However, caring for one needs your time, patience, and love to help these Chusky puppies live beautiful lives.

So, be sure to read on and discover:

The qualities of a Chusky dog
A little glimpse of the Husky Chow’s history
Some similarities and differences between the Chusky’s parent breeds
And so much more!

cute chusky puppy picture

Chusky Dog Breed Profile: A Quick Glance

What is a Chusky?

A Chusky is a Chow Chow and Siberian Husky mix dog breed that goes by different nicknames — Chowski, Chow Husky, and Husky Chow.

It is a medium-large dog breed that’s known to be a heavy shedder, especially in hot weather.

For more Chusky fast facts, here’s a quick summary below:

Weight	40-65 pounds
Height	18-23 inches
Lifespan	10-13 years
Coat Length	Long
Texture & Density	Fluffy, double-coated, heavy
Color	Brown, black, cream, white, red
Pattern	Solid or mixed
Suitable for	Low or cold weather
Suitable Owner Profile	Experienced and active dog owners
Dog Breed Group	Mixed

Are Chusky dogs rare?

Chusky dogs are considered to be rare canine breeds.

As of this writing, this Chow Chow and Husky mix dog is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

While the rareness of Chowski dogs can be traced back to their Chow Chow roots, some dog owners claim they got their pups at rescue shelters.

Some even adopted their Husky Chows from a university in Canada while used as a teaching aid.

Physical Traits of the Chusky Dog

One prominent physical feature you can see in the Chusky dog is its thick, fluffy coat.

Well, there’s no escaping—both parent breeds are popular for it!

However, hybrid dogs like the Chowskis can look different from the rest of their siblings.

That’s because crossbreeds can produce offspring that take certain qualities from a gene more than the other parent breed.

And yes, this Chow Chow and Husky mix dog can give birth to a litter of surprises.

However, Chowski dogs usually have shorter and blockier muzzles than the Siberian Husky.

Meanwhile, you’ll notice the Chusky’s ear is more erect and triangular than the Chow Chow’s.

And, of course, Husky Chows can have 2 different eye colors—blue, green, or brown (known as heterochromia)—which they take from the Husky gene.

Lastly, this Chow Chow and Husky mix breed has a well-muscled body and a tail that’s either curled back or hung down.

Living Conditions and Lifestyle of a Husky Chow Mix

What it’s like living with a Chow Chow and Husky mix at home?

Well, their working parent genes leave you with no excuses to skip a day of your walking routine together.

And before I forget, Chowski dogs need a big space to roam, play, and burn their energy.

You might want to pet-proof your home and backyard, too.

Unfortunately, Husky Chow dogs are not suitable for apartment living due to their large size, physical needs, and barking tendencies.

And if you’re living in a rural area with a big backyard or farm, keep your Chow Huskies away from livestock.

With a strong prey drive, your Chuskies can easily regard your farm friends as a nuisance or might chase them endlessly.

Can Chusky Dogs Be Left Alone?

Chusky dogs shouldn’t be left alone for long periods.

Due to their affectionate nature and strong attachment to their owners, leaving them alone at home can trigger destructive tendencies.

So if you’re working or running daily errands, be sure to have somebody dog-sit your Chowskis at home.

Preferably a familiar face or a family member, your dogsitter needs to keep your Husky Chows entertained by playing with interactive toys.

Remember: They need mental stimulation, too.

chow chow husky mix

The Chusky Dog Personality

With the Chow Chow and Siberian Husky’s DNA, there’s no question why Chusky dogs are commonly regarded as stubborn pups.

But don’t back out just yet.

With patience, love, time, and commitment, getting the Husky Chow’s trust can be truly rewarding.

So, if you’re an experienced dog owner or would like to give your best shot dealing with Chowski dogs, then the following data will help you.

Positive Traits You’ll Love	Negative Traits to Watch Out For
Great watchdogs	Strong prey drive
Affectionate towards owner and family members	Can be distant towards strangers
Active and playful	Great escape artists
Intelligent	Their independent nature makes them stubborn

With proper and early exposure to training and socialization, Chusky dogs make great home companions for you and your family.

Are Chusky dogs great family pets?

Chusky dogs are great family pets because of their affectionate and loyal nature. They’re great watchdogs, too.

Remember, however, to physically and mentally stimulate your Chow Chow and Husky mix dogs to help them burn energy.

While this is a must for their health, daily exercises help prevent your Husky Chows from boredom, which can lead to aggression.

Are Chusky dogs great pets for kids?

Chusky dogs are great pets for kids, not only as loving companions but as protective watchdogs, too.

But beware, this Chow Chow and Husky mix dog isn’t friendly towards strangers, even to unfamiliar children.

So, bear this in mind and be sure to supervise your kids, especially visitors at home.

Are Chusky dogs great around other pets?

Chusky dogs are great around other pets and animals because of their active and playful nature.

But because of their Chow Chow and Husky parent breeds, befriending Chowski dogs can be quite tricky.

Unless properly trained at a young age and exposed to suitable living conditions, Husky Chows dogs are friendly pets.

Do Chusky dogs bark a lot?

Chusky dogs tend to have above-moderate barking tendencies due to their protective nature, especially in times of threat and danger.

And taking from their Siberian Husky roots, Chusky dogs can be noisy pals at home.

But with proper physical and mental stimulation—plus training—Chusky dogs can live a day being quiet.

Are Chusky dogs hard to train?

Chusky dogs can be difficult to train due to their stubborn nature.

While training a Chow Chow and Husky mix dog can be a breeze for experienced owners, Chuskies aren’t suitable for newbie pup parents.

Given the Chusky dog’s stubborn parent breeds, training your Husky Chows at home needs constant routine and patience.

Without your help, Chusky dogs can be quite challenging to deal with.

black chowsky puppy

The Chow Chow Husky Mix: Grooming, Diet, and Health

Grooming a Husky Chow

The Chowski dog is known to be cold-tolerant—thanks to their thick, plush coat.

But come summer, and you’ll notice your sofa full of hair!

That being said, Chusky dogs need daily brushing to keep them clean and (your living room) tidy.

Tip: You can brush your Chuskies outside the house if you want to reduce hair and dander in your living room.

But be sure to let your Chowskis get used to this routine at the earliest time possible.

Related Read: Top 7 Best Dog Hair Removers

The Chow Chow Husky Mix Diet

As a general rule of thumb, feeding your dogs needs to be proportionate to their size.

So for your Chusky dogs at home, be sure not to overfeed them to avoid obesity-related diseases.

Much better if you seek your vet’s advice on what type of diet your Chuskies need.

Your vets will balance their daily food requirements to the following criteria:

Weight
Energy level
Medical history

Also, be sure to slow down on giving your beloved furballs some treats.

Or, for a healthier approach, you can give fruit and veggie slices to your Chusky dogs occasionally.

The Health of a Chusky Dog

The Chusky dog can live a long, healthy life with a proper diet and adequate living conditions.

But since hybrid dogs can inherit their parent’s genetic illnesses, it’s best to take note of the following conditions for your awareness:

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Also known as CHD, canine hip dysplasia is a skeletal disorder in dogs that targets the ball and socket joint in the hip.

While CHD is common in small-breed dogs, the Chusky dog is also prone to this condition.

This bone disorder is commonly caused by the following factors:

Lack of exercise
Improper nutrition
Bone formation process

If you suspect CHD in your Chusky dogs, then watch out for the following symptoms:

Limping
Weakness
Hind leg pain
Difficulty moving

Meanwhile, veterinary experts make continuous efforts to look for treatments for CHD.

But, the following are known to relieve joint pain in dogs with CHD according to a study:

Fish oil
Green-lipped mussels
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan supplements

Note: Numerous studies confirm that maintaining a healthy body weight helps prevent or delay hip dysplasia in dogs.

Entropion

Eyelids growing inwardly, or known as entropion, is a condition in dogs where their lashes and hair rub against their cornea in the eyes.

This condition is often caused by different factors, such as the following:

Eye infection
Eyelid scarring
Nerve damage
Specific dog breeds
Excessive weight loss

For specific canine breeds, entropion can occur in both small and large dogs, even in sporting groups.

To further assess if your Chusky dogs are suffering from this condition, take note of the following symptoms:

Eye redness
Excess tears
Sensitive to light
Constant blinking
Rubbing the eyes or face
Eye discharge in the outer corner

If your Chusky puppies take about or more than 5 weeks of age without opening their eyes, vets suggest having them examined immediately.

In most cases, surgery is needed for pups with entropion, given at least they reach 6 months of age.

To prevent this condition in your dogs, it’s best to check your Chusky puppies for any abnormal eye skin development at birth.

Related Read: When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes?

chowski dog breed

The Chusky Dog: A Glimpse of the Past

Considered to be a new mixed breed, not much is found about the Chusky dog’s history.

But according to some breeders, this Chow Chow and Husky mix was bred at least two decades ago.

It’s also believed that the Husky Chow dog was first bred in North America, although not yet proven.

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at the Chusky’s parent breed history below:

Chow Chow and Siberian Husky Mix: Brief History of the Chusky Parent Breeds

Details	Chow Chow	Siberian Husky
Origin	Ancient China	Siberia
Year	Han Dynasty (206 bce – 220 ce)	More or less 4,000 years ago
Bred as	Working dog	Working and sled dog
Significant deets	Believed to be the first breed to have evolved from the wolf	Used by the US Army during World War II to rescue pilots in the Arctic

Similarities and Differences Between a Chow Chow and Husky Dog

Characteristics	Chow Chow	Siberian Husky
Energy Level	Couch potato-ish	Very active
Activity Requirement	Low	High
Drooling	Yes	No
Shedding	High	Medium
Cold Tolerance	High	High
Heat Tolerance	Not recommended	Medium
Affection Towards Owner	Affectionate	Very affectionate
Temperament with Kids	Low, needs training	Above moderate
Friendliness to Strangers	Moderate, if trained	Above moderate
Compatibility with Other Dogs	Moderate, if trained	Above moderate
Compatibility with Other Pets	Moderate, if trained	Above moderate
Trainability	Stubborn	Very stubborn
Noisiness	Above Moderate	High

Chusky Dog Breed Profile: Before You Go…

Going through this Chow Chow and Husky mix breed is amazing, and knowing that these adorable working dogs can produce another canine gene is eye-opening.

Not only are Chusky dogs living plush toys, but they are a great addition to your family, too.

With their protective and affectionate nature, Chowski dogs are another family member that will dedicate their lives to their humans.

Due to their strong attachment to their owners, however, it’s not advisable to leave Husky Chows alone for long periods.

Chances are, it will trigger their aggressive and destructive tendencies at home.

The best thing to do is to have someone pet-sit your Chusky pups at home—preferably somebody they already know.

That’s because Chusky dogs are quite aloof toward strangers if early training and socialization are not provided.

Apart from that, you’ll definitely love this big cuddle buddy at home while binge-watching your favorite shows!