Chusky – The Chow Chow X Siberian Husky Cross breed

A Chusky combines the best of both worlds between a Chow Chow and a Siberian Husky. Not only is this breed beautiful, but it is also a loyal and fun-loving pooch. However, as a soon-to-be parent, you need to learn all you need to know to ensure your furry friend is happy and healthy. That’s the only way the pup will repay you and your family with joy and abundant love and affection.

Since the Chuskies are a relatively new breed, there might not be a lot of information about them. Luckily, this guide will teach the important things that every potential Chucky owner needs to know. Keep on reading.

What is a Chusky Mix?

The Chusky, also known as the Chow Husky, Husky Chow or Chowsky, is not a pure breed. As mentioned earlier, it is a combination of the Chow Chow and Siberian Husky, and both of them are pure breeds. The Chowski’s parent breeds have a long history of being great human helpers and companions.

A chusky playing with a basketball
Photo Credit: chusky.chim

The Chow Chow’s is an ancient dog breed. Its origin can be traced back to China’s Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD). It is one of the oldest dog breeds known to man. This medium-sized dog is most famous for its blue-black tongue and bear-like appearance. In Ancient China, the Chow Chow was used for hunting food and herding, pulling and protecting sheep and cattle.

The other half of the Chowsky, the Siberia Husky, is a medium-to-large dog from Siberia, Russia. They were initially raised by the ancient Arctic people known as the Chukchi, serving as their guardians and sled dogs. The Siberian Husky became popular starting in 1909 when a few of them were brought to Alaska by William Goosak, a Russian fur trader.

Chow Chow
A serbian husky sitting on a chair
Serbian Husky

These Siberian Huskies competed in the 1909 All-Alaska Sweepstakes, an annual dog-sled that began in 1908. To the surprise of many, they managed to place third in the competition. Since then, they have been consistent winners, and it is hard to imagine dog sled competitions without Huskies.

Chusky Health & Appearance at a Glance

A Chusky is a cute dog with a furball appearance that can make your heart melt. Because of this, many people consider them to be extremely adorable and want to take care of them. Here’s what you need to know about their appearance and health.

Build, Height and Weight of a Chusky

A Husky Chow is by no means a small dog, considering both its parents are big as well. The Chusky is a medium-large dog and can grow to about 18-23 inches. A male can weigh between 55-70 pounds and a female between 45 and 60 pounds. You can easily spot a Chowski because it looks like a very fluffy Husky.

Chusky Colors and Coat

The Chusky can inherit the coat of either the Siberian Husky or Chow Chow. Both parents have double thick coats with long, dense and soft fur, so expect the same for your Chowsky. Common colors include red, white, black, gold, pied, cream, brown, or several combinations.

Life Expectancy and Possible Health Issues

The average lifespan of a Chusky is 10 to 13 years, which is how big dogs of any breed are expected to live. Possible health issues include hip dysplasia, entropion and cataracts, which are common in both parent breeds. 

Chusky Personality Traits

Your Chusky’s personality might be anywhere from aloof to friendly. The aloofness might be inherited from the Chow Chow side of the family. Chow Chows are notoriously known for not seeking or even acknowledging attention despite their huggable appearance. They’re also particularly not fond of strangers and other dogs. 

Two chuskies eating together
Photo Credit: itskilasworld

Huskies, on the other hand, are attention seekers, especially when they’re bored. And they know how to be extremely playful and friendly to get. Huskies get along with pretty much everyone considered family, as well as other dogs. 

If you find that your Chusky is aloof, socialization, especially when young, can help them develop a friendly and playful personality. Furthermore, it can turn your pup into a loyal companion. You’ll likely have a friendly pooch on your hands who is social and a great family pet. 

However, due to the medium size of the Chow Chow mix, they can easily knock small children over during play. So great care needs to be taken during play.

Furthermore, Chuskies are known for being very energetic, making them a bit of a handful. You’ll find that your Husky mix is always good to go (after all, both parents are worker dogs). They’re also intelligent, which makes them a bit stubborn at times. 

Chusky Temperament and Instincts

Both the Husky and the Chow Chow have a strong prey drive. They will bark at or even chase other animals, such as cats, squirrels, rabbits and birds. It can be hard to train this behavior out of them. You can expect your Chusky to have a similar prey drive to its parents.

Your Chusky won’t let just anyone through the door either. Your furry companion might bark at strangers or every time there’s a knock at the door. Chuskies are suspicious due to their strong protective instinct and will do anything to keep their family safe. This means a Chowski can make for an excellent guard dog.

How to Care for a Chusky

The Chow Chow and Husky are heavy shedders, meaning you need to prepare yourself for a considerable amount of grooming with the Chusky. If allergies are a problem, you might want to choose a low shedding breed.

Grooming a Husky Chow requires that you brush their double thick coat at least twice a week. Not only will this prevent your home from being overrun with hair, but it will reduce the likelihood of shedding as well. Brushing also keeps your dog’s fur clean, soft, healthy and unmatted. If you can, brush your pet’s hair every day.

Baths are also necessary when it comes to grooming. It is recommended to bathe your dog at least once a month and brush its fur afterward. Considering the Chusky is a highly energetic dog, it might spend quite a bit of time outside, and that means you might need to give your pooch baths regularly.

When preparing the Chusky’s diet, you’ll have to consider things like their size and energy level. Your dog will have individual needs, so be sure to consult your vet to recommend a diet and feeding schedule. Be sure to follow the diet and feed times precisely. Make sure you don’t feed them too much, or they’ll gain a lot of weight. Keep the treats to a minimum as well.

Chuskies need lots of exercise to burn off all that energy; otherwise, they can become a bit destructive. About 45-60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily is enough to keep your pooch happy and healthy. Furthermore, it will prevent your pup from becoming overweight from a sedentary lifestyle.

One thing to keep in mind when taking your dog outside for exercise is the weather. The Chusky has a double coat, which is more suited for cold weather, meaning they’re prone to overheating when it gets hot. When the weather heats up, or you live somewhere where the climate’s warm, you better off keeping your Chow Husky inside or in the shade. Once your pooch overheats, it can get sick.

How to Train a Chusky

A Chowsky is an intelligent dog, which can make it a bit of a challenge to train. Without proper training, this breed can become aggressive and unruly. It is good to begin training as early as possible.

During the training, your furry friend will want to know what is in it for them should they listen to you. That’s why it’s recommended to approach training with lots of fun games and positive reinforcement. You’ll also need a lot of patience because, in most instances, you have to meet them halfway. 

At the same time, you’ll need to establish yourself as the alpha, which many first-time Chusky owners struggle with. If not careful, the Husky Chow can outwit you. Chuskies respond well to a gentle but firm hand. This will make your pup love, adore and respect you, making crate and potty training them much easier.

Also, get your Chusky used to being handled from an early age. Kids can play rough, and vets can examine them roughly. A Husky Chow that isn’t used to that level of contact will not respond well, especially if it inherits the temperament of its Chow Chow parent.

In the end, there’s no better way to bond with your Chusky than during training. As your bond deepens, your pooch will learn to trust you more, which will increase their loyalty.

Known Chusky Health Problems

Before adopting a Chusky, you might need to know the kinds of diseases that breed is predisposed to because of its purebred parents. As mentioned earlier, conditions that affect both the Chow Chow and Husky breeds are hip dysplasia, entropion and cataracts.

A chusky having health issues
Photo Credit: arya_chusky

Chow Chows are also prone to patellar luxation, distichiasis, autoimmune thyroiditis, glaucoma and gastric torsion. And Huskies are prone to deafness, corneal dystrophy, uveodermatologic syndrome and follicular dysplasia as well.

While it might be troubling to think that your Husky mix can get any of these conditions, you’re more likely to have a healthy pup on your hands. Ensuring that your Chusky is healthy, fit and happy is essential to preventing most of these conditions from developing.

Some Chuskies are born with some teeth, usually in the middle, missing. They’re also prone to a rare dental condition where their side teeth fall out. So be on the lookout for these as well.

It is also essential to take your furry companion for regular vet checkups. Your vet will be able to spot conditions early before they become a problem and recommend treatment. 

You can also inspect your pup during grooming, checking for signs of infection or skin problems (e.g., rashes, swelling, bleeding or redness). If you notice something suspicious, take your pooch to the vet immediately.

Daily Routine for a Happy Chusky

Daily exercise is a requirement for your Chusky, whether they’re a puppy or adult. You should take your dog for a walk of at least 30 minutes to an hour, and you can spread that time into short 15-minute walks if it makes them more manageable. Again, it is crucial to be mindful of the weather when doing this. 

Don’t forget to schedule time for play sessions with your Chowsky. Giving your dog attention this way will prevent it from getting creative and mischievous to get it. You should shower them with lots of love and affection as well, especially when they’re young. That way, they will grow to love you. 

Also, their ears need checking and cleaning every day to remove any pests and debris in them. And if some of their teeth are missing, be sure to brush the remaining ones daily to keep them in good health.

You can also speak to your vet and groomer for recommendations on daily routines that will keep your Chow Chow mix happy.

Is a Chusky the Right Dog for You?

Because of their high energy levels, intelligence and stubbornness, Chuskies are good pets for experienced owners. This is especially true if the owner has an active lifestyle and the patience to train the dog. They also need to be able to establish themselves as the alpha. A Chusky might not be the easiest dog breed to parent, but in the end, they will reward you with love and loyalty.

This Husky mix is also a good choice for a family with kids that love to play. When properly trained and socialized, Chuskies are highly playful dogs.

Should You Buy or Adopt a Chusky

While it’s easier to find purebreds, finding a Chusky might not be all that difficult. Over the past few years, demand for mixed breeds has gone up, meaning there might a someone selling a Chusky in your area or nearby. Because of the mixed breed nature of Chowskies, ample research is required before adopting one.

On average, the lowest price you can get a Chusky for is $500 if you’re buying from a breeder. They might reach as low as $200 in some areas when demand isn’t high. On the high end, these breeds can go as high as $1,000.

Buying is not the only option, as you can also rescue one from a shelter. Shelters will do everything to ensure that the Chusky you want to save is adoption-ready by covering all initial vet fees. You can walk away with a rescue for as low as $50.

If you want a Chusky puppy with a clean slate and in good health, you’re better of buying from a reputable dealer. However, if you don’t mind working with a grown dog’s temperament or you’re looking for a Chow Chow mix at a bargain, you can adopt one.

FAQs ABout Chusky

The dogs used to breed this pup are the Chow Chow and Siberian Husky. Chuskies are categorized as non-sporting and working dogs. These dogs have an attractive appearance, which is one of the main reasons people breed them.

Different colored eyes don’t mean there’s something wrong with your Husky Chow. In fact, this is an inherited trait from the Husky side of the family. Each eye can be a different color (bicolored) or a mixture of two or more (particolored).

The Chow Husky makes for a good pet, which is understandable why you’d want to know how long you have to enjoy their companionship. A well-taken care of Chusky should live anywhere between 10-13 years.

 Sometimes a Chusky can have a blue tongue. The tongue’s color is nothing to worry about because your furry friend inherited it from their Chow Chow parent. It is one of the features that make the breed distinct.

You’ll pay about $500 to $1000 for a puppy. However, make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder. Essentially, the breeder should be able to provide proof that they used a purebred Siberian Husky and Chow Chow to make your Chusky.

The Siberian Husky is known as a Houdini Hound because it is a great escape artist. They are adept at jumping tall fences and digging under them to escape, and this behavior is something your Chusky can inherit.

The weight of a Chow Husky, like any other dog, depends on several factors. These include age, gender, level of activity and the genetics of the parents. Being medium to large dogs, Chuskies usually weigh around 40 and 65 pounds.

Chusky Facts and Figures Summary

TRAITSDETAILS
Other NamesHusky Chow, Chow Husky, Chowski
ParentsChow Chow, Siberian Husky
Life expectancy 10-13 years
Size Medium-sized
Height 18-23 inches
Weight40-6 lbs
PersonalityLoving, Loyal, intelligent
TemperamentHigh prey drive, protective
Health ConditionsDysplasia, entropion, and cataracts
Shedding Heavy
Puppy Cost $500-$1,000