Lab Chow Mix is a crossbreed of Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow, also known as Chabrador, Labrachow, or Chow Lab Mix. The Labrador Chow Mix lifespan is about 9 to 12 years. It's a medium-size dog around 18 to 24 inches, weighing between 50 to 70 pounds. A Chabrador puppy price is around $1000.
Their looks are unpredictable, as can be their temperaments, and with their Chow Chow parent, they have the potential for aggressive behavior.
👉 Related: Learn About the Black Chow Chow
I’ve read quite a few concerns about the Chabrador, and in this article, I’m going to explain to you what you should expect when getting such a dog, and how you can prevent their behavioral problems.
You can’t know what your adult dog will look like
One of the characteristics of mixed breeds is the impossibility of being able to predict their looks as adults. The Chabrador is no exception, even though all of them have friendly eyes, a dark blue tongue, and furry ears.
Lab Chow Mix Photos
Usually, these dogs have a Labrador’s head and a well built, compact body, with coats in various colors, ranging from black or brown, through to chocolate and fawn, on to golden, cream, and even red.
Most of them have thick coats, but it’s not uncommon to find a Chabrador with shorter hair, more closely resembling the Labrador’s.
There’s always an “if” when you get a Chabrador
The Chabrador comes from two large dogs with very different personalities. One is a loyal, but proud and independent spirit (frequently called the cat dog), while the other is friendly with everyone and loves to play and hang around her owners all the time.
The results from mixing these unique temperaments vary from one puppy to another. You can get a friendly dog with little or no Chow Chow independence, but you can also get an arrogant pet that doesn’t like hugging, and will always keep her distance from strangers.
However, breeders agree that mixed breeds usually have moderate temperaments so I wouldn’t prepare myself for the worst scenario, just for the sake of it.
In all situations, though, your dog will be your loyal companion, affectionate towards her family and with excellent watchdog abilities.
Professional training might be needed
Labradors are generally easy to train, but they can become stubborn as they grow up. Combine this with the Chow Chow’s attitude towards training and her “selective hearing”, and you’ll get a large dog, with little respect for rules.
Potty training is not hard, but you need to teach your Chow Lab Mix more than just how to ask herself out. If this is your first dog, or you have limited experience with training, I would recommend that you get professional help.
If you start obedience training at an early age, before she’s 14-16 months old, then your Chabrador should sit and stay on command, and also walk closely with you, both on and off the leash.
Training an adult is much harder – but not impossible. Just take a look at the progress this two-year-old Chow Lab Mix has made in just a few weeks:
A Chow Lab Mix will keep you busy
This dog can be very demanding when it comes to exercise and grooming, so be ready to dedicate at least two hours a day to her.
A Chabrador, just like a Labrador, likes to play. However, as with all large breeds, your dog can inherit hip dysplasia, so you shouldn’t over exercise her when she’s a puppy.
Start with short walks several times a day, and gradually introduce running and more intense activities. Luckily, these dogs love swimming, which is a lower-impact alternative to traditional exercise.
As an adult, your dog needs daily walks, at least one short play session, and mental stimulation. She’ll enjoy having a yard as she needs her space to move and to run, so if you live in a small apartment, make sure she spends a couple of hours outside every day.
When it comes to grooming, her needs will vary depending on the type of coat she’s inherited. A Lab’s coat needs to be groomed once a week, while thicker fur similar to the Chow Chow’s needs more attention.
A Chow Lab Mix sheds a lot during the shedding season, but there’s going to be some hair loss all year, so don’t forget to save some time for regular cleaning of your carpets and couches.
This crossbreed isn’t the best choice for families with very small kids
Many Chabrador owners say they’re very protective of small children, however, a Chow Chow tends to become aggressive when others don’t respect her territory, and so does the Chow Lab Mix.
If you have kids, you should make sure they’re old enough to understand and accept this dog’s temperament, before bringing her home.
Conclusion
A Chow Lab Mix has the potential of being a great dog, for both singles and families. She’s loyal, affectionate, and very intelligent, however she can inherit the Chow Chows’ pride, and in some rare cases, their tendency towards aggression.
From my point of view, any responsible owner can control these traits through consistent training. So if you like the unique looks of this crossbreed, don’t let the stories scare you.
