I am adopting a puppy tomorrow from a pet store. They have a program where they get pups out of the pound and ready them for new homes, get them shots and vet chechups. They one the lady picked for me(we know each other really well) is a lab/chow puppy. I read that chows aren't really great dogs if you want complete obediance. Is it true and I was also wondering if it is true, would the fact that it is mixed with lab, the good personality of the lab(known as really trainable) would dull down the will not to listen. He is 8 weeks old tomorrow and I thought no matter what breed it was if we started early, the dog could be just as well trained as any other...Correct me if I am wrong.
2006-09-25 10:12:35 · 11 answers · asked by ContessaVampira 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Chows are more stubborn than other dogs, but if you start early with obedience training, and you are consistent and persistent with your training the dog will be a fine companion.
The lab mixed in should tone the Chow temperment down. BUT it will probably be best behaved with YOU and aloof with others. It will be more protective of you than a pure lab, and you need to take care around children, as Chow's have a bad reputation with children. They can be very impatient. But it will be a smart and obedient dog if you train it well.
2006-09-25 10:25:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Chow mix, and yes he is very stubborn. It took longer to train him than it did any of my other dogs, with the exception of my Chihuahua...she's still not entirely trained. Once I got him trained though, it was all worth it. He is a fantastic dog, great with all my other pets and my kids. He's protective without being aggressive.
Labs can also be just as stubborn to train, and they are extremely hyper dogs. But again will be well worth it in the end as they are also very loving dogs.
You can never tell what their personalities will be like just based on the breed alone however. I have 2 Rotts who are total opposites, and 3 German Shepherds that are very different, and 2 Huskies that are so different that they may as well be different species.
Just take the dog and love him, socialize him, and have him trained and you will be happy you did. I can almost guarantee that he will be the love of your life. Any breed of dog can be a loving family pet, you just have to put the effort into them.
Good luck and bless you for adopting an otherwise unwanted puppy!
2006-09-25 11:02:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can turn the pup over (belly up) in your arms and it will settle down and remain calm, it is more submissive; if it squirms (or worse) it is more dominant. You definitely want a submissive dog (for any breed, unless it is being used for protection). Chow-chows are often very affectionate and yet protective of their families, sometimes less friendly toward strangers, and often very aggressive with other animals. Socialization starting at a very young age is absolutely required (even with the lab temperament mixed in). If the dog begins any type of attacking as it matures, get rid of it immediately, unless you are going to keep the animal strictly on your property, away from other animals, and away from strangers (and perhaps away from small children, which it may identify as a small animal rather than as a human). My recommendation: labs (pure or mixed with goldens, boxers or lots of other breeds) would be preferable to a mix with a Chow-chow.
2006-09-25 10:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by Dennis G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chows can be difficult breed of dog but your puppy is crossed with one of the best breeds. My sister has a chow mix breed and he is great. He was easy to train and great to be around. The only time you see the chow side is around other dogs. You are getting him young so take the time to train him and socialize him. Part of my sister's dog's problem is they never socialized him around other dogs, so he never really learned how to behave in that way. You will get what you put into the puppy, if you spend a lot of time now with him you will have a great dog.
2006-09-25 11:18:33 · answer #4 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Logically, the Lab genes should moderate the Chow inheritance. I would definitely start training early and take it seriously, because a Chow can be one stubborn animal. If you have a spouse or other person who lives with you, you should have that person participate in the puppy's training so the puppy does not regard you as the only person he has to pay attention to. The Chow that I knew most closely was definitely a one-woman dog, did not like her owner's husband, and would growl at him if he so much as raised his voice to his wife...a situation, I know, that many women might not object to.
2006-09-25 10:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by silver.graph 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the breed of chow dogs is bad. They are very mean animals. I have a pitt bull and he is the sweetest dog. He is very protective. We keep him put away though. A chow is also very protective. Even if it is a lab mix, just because he has chow in him that will come out. Not advisable if you have children or other animals or you want him as an all around dog. Labs as puppies are all over and crazy. They mellow out after they get out of their puppy stage.
2006-09-25 11:01:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok people, its not the chow that is stubborn. Its the way you teach them, They are highly intelligent and just don't train the same as most dogs. My chow is best responsive with verbal commands not treats or punishing. He thinks before he does, is why people assume they are stubborn. So just knwo that when you train a chow make it intelectual and firm. As of now my chow is all voice command no matter what I asked him to do. If he is socialized with other people and knows how to act around them accordingly he will be ok with your family and protect when needed.
2006-09-26 04:59:48 · answer #7 · answered by Theresa P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an akita-chow for 13yrs & was a wonderful family member.However they are very highstrung dogs & ours did not like children. As a pup he was badly mistreated by kids throwing rocks & pulling his tale (this was before we got him) And therefore he was very leary of children because of this. Also,thunder & fireworks would freak him for hours. We loved him to pieces and he was extremely well behaved & loyal for 13yrs.Very smart too & easy to train. That's my opinion & good luck with your choice.
2006-09-25 10:31:56 · answer #8 · answered by kathy o 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all just depends on the dogs personality. It can have no personality of the lab but then again it could be complete opposite. They should just have in between personalities though.
2006-09-25 10:17:05 · answer #9 · answered by ~*KyLiE*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
chows are very intelligent just stubborn...your new puppy will learn just fine as long as you are willing to finish what you start....chows need an owner that lets them know whos the alpha then they will accept their place in the house
2006-09-25 10:33:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ronni F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋