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Chusky (Siberian Husky & Chow Chow Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Emma Braby Profile Picture

By Emma Braby

Chusky

Height: 18 โ€“ 23 inches
Weight: 40 โ€“ 65 pounds
Lifespan: 10 โ€“ 12 years
Colors: Black, brown, cream, red and white, or a combination of these
Suitable for: Experienced dog owners, active families,
Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, challenging to train, loving, protective, talkative

The Chusky is the pup of the Siberian Husky and the Chow Chow. He usually inherits the best of both parents, so he is a well-balanced pooch who has a real zest for life! Nothing in life gets this guy down. He is full of energy and will keep you entertained for hours on end. He might be a little suspicious of strangers at first, thanks to his protective Chow Chow genes, but as soon as his master welcomes them, his sociable Husky genes shine through.

He is very energetic and needs to be placed with a family who can guarantee him a lot of exercises, otherwise, he can become very unhappy, problematic, and destructive. But if you can offer him an active lifestyle, he will return the favor in an abundance of love, loyalty, and lots of fun.

This breed guide will run you through everything that you need to know about the Chusky. Unfortunately, many Chuskies end up in rescue kennels because owners did not properly research what to expect, and so this guide is a must-read for all potential Chusky parents!

Letโ€™s find out if you and the Chusky are a match made in heavenโ€ฆ

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Chusky Puppies

A Chusky Puppy
Image Credit: Marina Tesyelkina, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

First things first, you need to know that the Chusky is a seriously energetic breed who needs a lot of exercise despite inheriting a few of the lazier Chow Chow genes. Because he is also a very intelligent dog, he has a lot of steam to burn. Combining these traits together means that he needs to be exercised vigorously every day to burn off that energy. If you do not, he will become frustrated and bored, and he will take this out on your furniture and lawn.

Unfortunately, this is the main reason why Chuskies end up in rescue homes. Owners underestimated his exercise needs and they simply could not cope with his energy levels. But with the right family, he makes the best exercise partner or awesome associate adventurer.

The Chusky is also a very stubborn dog and combining this with his larger than life personality, he is not always the best option for first-time dog owners. If you are seeking a totally obedient canine, the Chusky might not be the best option for you. He may be intelligent, but the Chusky does as the Chusky pleases. Sometimes he might be obedient and other times he will not. For this reason, being an experienced dog owner is ideal. Although it is not essential, you will need to do your dog behavior and training homework to give yourself the best start.

He is a barky and talkative pooch, which makes him a fantastic watchdog. He is naturally protective, thanks to his Chow Chow parent, and very vocal, thanks to his Husky genes. He will bark at anyone who comes to the gate or the door. This is perfect if you are seeking a pleasant guard dog; maybe not so great if you live somewhere with noise restrictions or sensitive neighbors.

He has a thick, dense double-coat that needs daily grooming. If you do not like dog hair in your house or you donโ€™t think dog fluff completes your outfit, then welcoming the Chusky into your home isnโ€™t the best idea. If you do not mind a little (read, a lot!) of dog hair, youโ€™ll get on splendidly!

3 Little-Known Facts About the Chusky

1. The Chusky can have different colored eyes

Just like his Husky parent, he can also inherit the different colored eye gene. This is known as Heterochromia Iridis. This is a striking look, and his eyes can be blue, green, amber, or brown. Sometimes, one eye can be multicolored.


2. The Chusky is known as a Houdini hound

The Chusky can be a great escape artist. Not only can he jump a very high fence, but they can dig for gold and escape under the fence if left to their own devices. So, you need to secure your yard or the Chusky might not be around for too long!


3. The Chusky can have a blue tongue

Just like his Chow Chow parent, he can inherit a blue tongue. This trait is unique to the breed but being half Chow Chow, he is graced with this distinctive feature.

Parents Breeds of the Chusky
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Chusky ๐Ÿง 

As you know, the Chusky is the mixed puppy of the Husky and the Chow Chow, and this means that you need to do your research into both of his parents. You need to know about both of their temperaments and what they are all about. He can either be exactly half and half of both parents, or he could lean one way or the other. His parents are very different from one another in their temperament, so you need to like them both. Just like Forest Gump says about his box of chocolates, โ€œYou never know what youโ€™re gonna get,โ€ and this is the same with the Chusky.

So, once you know that you like both of his parents, you know that you are going to love this big ball of fun fluff. Thankfully, a typical Chusky will fall somewhere in the middle. Loving, loyal, and courageous, he will protect you and the entire family if he feels he needs to. He will be a little bit aloof with strangers at first and will guard the gate and door to protect his family. But once he has figured out that they are friends and not enemies, he will be bouncy, loving, and pawing everyone to be his new playmate.

Because of his Chow Chow genes, he will not be as intense as the Husky. After his mad hour or two, he will happily take himself off for an afternoon snooze and leave you to get on with whatever you need to get on with. This is one of the many Chusky appeals, in that he is not as needy as the Husky and can enjoy his own company like the Chow Chow.

Although he is more independent, he only likes his own company knowing that his family is around him. As his Husky parent is a pack animal, he is happiest when he is with the pack and so he does not like to be left alone for too long. He may or may not suffer from separation anxiety, and this is something to think about before welcoming him into your family. If you are a family that is away from home all hours of the day, then this guy will probably not be too impressed.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? ๐Ÿก

The Chusky makes a fantastic family pet for the right family. He gets along with everyone, from infant to great-grandma and everyone in between. And in turn, everyone will love this guy, even your cousin who prefers cats! He loves to snuggle with everyone but being a half pack member, he is known to want to care for the younger ones in the family. Because of his medium to large size, if there are smaller children around, like any dog, you always need to supervise them.

Ideally, this guy needs to be placed with a family that has access to their own large yard, where he can roam and play to his heartโ€™s content. Remember that Huskies are built for running across large expanses of area, and so the Chusky will love to stretch his legs often. The Chusky will not appreciate apartment living.

The Husky parent is also known to be a bit of a digger and combining this with the protective Chow Chow genes, you need to guarantee that the Chusky cannot escape. For this reason, you need to make sure that your yard is secure and jump/dig-proof. He also needs to be homed somewhere where there are no noise restrictions or noise-sensitive neighbors.

Like we have already mentioned, if you cannot guarantee that he will get the right amount of exercise, or you work long hours,ย  this guy probably isnโ€™t going to fit into your family.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? ๐Ÿถ ๐Ÿ˜ฝ

If the Chusky is well-socialized, he should get along with everyone. Not only is he great with other dogs but he can also be housed with any other family pet. Just remember, if you are inviting a new pet into the family with an adult Chusky who has already settled, be sure to introduce them slowly in a controlled environment. As with every animal, there is a small chance that he will not accept them into the pack.

As long as he is well-adjusted, he should also get along and play politely with all the pups at your local doggy park. As he is protective of his family and the estate, he may bark at other dogs while in the yard, but this will probably be just a friendly warning.

chusky
Image Credit: Marina Tesyelkina, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Chusky:

Unfortunately, the Chusky often ends up in rescue shelters, simply because his owners probably did not do their research correctly. So, it is important that you do not make this mistake and read up about what he needs from his master.

Food & Diet Requirements ๐Ÿฆด

The Chusky will need a high-quality kibble that will provide him with the correct nutrients. If he is a puppy, then he will need puppy food, and if he is an adult, he will need adult food, etc. Although this may seem obvious, many parents fall into the trap of buying just any old kibble, and unfortunately, not all kibbles are created for the same purpose. Good nutrition is one of the easiest ways to keep him healthy, but if you have any questions, ask your veterinarian for advice about what to feed him.

Being an energetic dog, he will need a kibble that is full of named meat proteins and meat meals to keep his muscles healthy and strong. The MSD Veterinary Manual suggests that puppies should be fed a protein content of at least 22%, and adults 18%, but if you can afford it, a higher content would be preferred for a medium to large dog.

He will also need plenty of omega fatty acids such as salmon oil and flaxseed to keep his fluffy coat nourished and healthy. Be sure to read up on ingredients and do your best to ensure that all kibbles are American products, as other countries have lower food standards that simply arenโ€™t good enough for Fido.

Exercise ๐Ÿ•

The Chusky will need between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise every day, but this will be dependent on which parent he takes after. If he takes after his Husky parent, heโ€™ll need much more than if he takes after his Chow Chow parent.

Being super-intelligent, he will also need a mixture of activity to keep his clever brain interested and stimulated. Do not think you can just take this guy on an hour stroll every day. He makes a fantastic jogging partner or snowy mountain climbing buddy.

In addition to physical exercise, he will also need a lot of mental stimulation to keep him out of trouble throughout the day. Puzzle toys filled with treats are a fantastic way to engage him, as well as chew toys and games of fetch. If you do not provide him with toys, he will find the next best thing to do, and that will probably be your lawn to dig or sofa to chew.

Training ๐Ÿฆฎ

The Chusky needs a master who knows what he or she is doing when it comes to training a dog, especially as one as stubborn as this guy. He will inherit the stubbornness of both of his parents โ€“ did someone say double the trouble? But he will also inherit the absent mind of his Husky parent, so his attention span will be short.

The best way to deal with dogs like this is to be firm with him as a pup, and make sure that he knows that you are the boss. Enrolling him into puppy obedience classes would be essential for a first-time dog owner. Never give in to his puppy dog eyes and be consistent with his training. Keep training sessions short; otherwise, you will lose his attention.

Socialization is key with the Chusky. This is important for all dogs but especially important for those who have a naturally protective personality. Introduce him to many dogs and other animals of all shapes and sizes, as well as unfamiliar humans.

Because he might be an anxious pooch when left alone for too long, it is a great idea to crate-train him as soon as you welcome him into your home. Whether he is a playful pup of an older rescue, you can start crate training at any age. Purchase a strong crate that is the right size for his medium to large frame, and he will soon see it as his safe space.

Husky and Chow Chow
Image By: Firefighter Montreal, Shutterstock

Grooming โœ‚๏ธ

The Chusky will need daily grooming so that his coat is healthy and manageable. Not only does his double-coat shed moderately throughout the year, but it sheds heavily during the shedding season to get ready for his summer and winter coats. You should invest in a de-shedding tool that will rake his undercoat to brush out the dander and excess hair.

He will need a bath once every 12 weeks. Both of his parents are very clean breeds, so you can expect that the Chusky will be squeaky clean. You should wash him with a doggy shampoo that is both concentrated to penetrate his undercoat and natural to avoid any irritation. There are also deshedding shampoos available on the market, should you find yourself with an exceedingly hairy Chusky.

It is likely that his nails will naturally wear away with all that exercise he will be doing, but regular eye and ear cleaning is needed like all other canines.

Health and Conditions โค๏ธ

The Chusky is a relatively healthy dog who can inherit the health concerns of either parent. Mixed dogs tend to be slightly more resilient against illnesses because of their genetic diversity compared to purebred dogs. Here are the health concerns to watch out for in the Chusky:

Minor Conditions
  • Entropion
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Hip Dysplasia

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Male vs Female

Male Chuskies are usually on the larger end of the height and weight scale compared to female Chuskies. Although a Chuskyโ€™s behavior is more influenced by their upbringing and training, males are known to be a bit more boisterous than females.

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Final Thoughts

The Chusky is a seriously energetic pooch who needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep his mind happy and healthy. This will also prevent behavioral problems from developing, as well as stopping him from digging up your lawn or eating your sofa.

This guy will supply you with endless love, hair and entertainment, so if you think you are the right fit for him then welcoming him into your family will probably be the best decision youโ€™ll ever make!


Featured Image: Marina Tesyelkina, Shutterstock

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