Chabrador Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Chabrador?

Much like many modern designer breeds, the Chabrador doesn't have too much history behind it. The best way to get an idea of the Chabrador is to delve into the history of its parent breeds, the Chow Chow and the Labrador Retriever.

Chow Chows are an ancient breed, originating in Mongolia and parts of Northern China in around 200 BC. Their history as a guard and hunting breed has led them to grow extremely affectionate towards their human owners.

On the other hand, Labrador Retrievers are a much newer breed, with the first being born in Newfoundland in the 1700s. They were often bred as companion dogs for fishermen, and, much like the Chow, Chow can be an incredibly affectionate breed.

Who are Chabrador dogs best for?

Chabradors are best suited for pet lovers who understand when a dog needs space. Although they are extremely affectionate to their owners, they are naturally wary of new people.

They will be extremely protective of younger children. However, this will take time, so training is vital when adopting a Chabrador.

Due to being a Chow Lab mix, they also require moderate amounts of exercise. If you tend to go on morning jogs or even slow walks through your local parks, this Lab Chow mix will make an excellent companion dog.

How much grooming does a Chabrador need?

As most Chabradors possess a beautiful fluffy coat, they do require slightly more grooming than other breeds. You may need to brush and gently comb your Chabradors coat at least once every week - this will help prevent tangles and knots.

Their longer coat also means they are prone to shedding, especially as the seasons begin to change.

When caring for your dog, you will also need to consider both its nails and its teeth. Ideally, you should trim your Chabradors nails and give its teeth a good brush at least twice a month to ensure it doesn't run into any potential health problems.

Do Chabrador bark much?

When it comes to barking, you won't need to worry about wearing earplugs when adopting a Chabrador. Although they may bark at strangers if they aren't properly trained, they aren't a particularly loud breed.

The Chabrador can be a protective breed due to its watchdog ancestry, so they can get loud if they feel that their owners are threatened. Try to always ensure that you reassure your Chabrador if it is nervous and introduce it to friends and family whilst it is still young.

Do Chabrador bite?

Your typical Chabrador dog will be extremely laid back around family and will rarely resort to biting, although they are often wary of strangers. When they are still young, they can be prone to accidentally nipping when playing, but with solid training, this can be avoided.

The best way to ensure your dog doesn't accidentally bite is to ensure that you give it space when it needs it. If you have young kids in the family, then be sure to teach them about when to leave the dog alone and how to tell how your Chabrador is feeling!

What is the temperament & personality of a Chabrador?

Due to being a Labrador Chow mix, the Chabrador possesses a unique personality. It has the watchful nature of both the Labrador Retriever and Chow Chow whilst still being a fairly laid-back breed, especially when in the comfort of its home.

However, due to the Chow Chow's history of being a guard dog, this chow mix breed can be extremely wary of any strangers. Without proper socialization, they can quickly learn to growl and get snappy with new people, so ensure that training starts whilst they are still young.

Thankfully, once trained, this Lab Chow mix is an extremely caring addition to any family. They love to care for their human owners and will often stand guard for any young children or vulnerable members of their family!

What is the weight & size of a Chabrador?

The Chabrador breed is a medium-sized breed that appears larger due to its furry coat.

Weight

The weight of any given dog breed can completely differ depending on its lifestyle and genetics. With that in mind, you can expect a fully-grown male Chabrador to weigh between 20.4 to 36 kg!

Size

In terms of height, Chabradors are a fairly tall breed, with a fully-grown male reaching around 45.7 to 61 cm tall. Females tend to be smaller, as is the case with almost every dog breed available today.

Chabrador dogs can appear much larger than they are due to their long fluffy coats and stocky build. However, underneath all that fur, these fluffy canines are typically classed as a medium-sized breed.

How much training does a Chabrador need?

Training your dog is the best way to ensure it grows into a lovable and affectionate adult dog that can get along with other dogs and pets. The best way to train your dog is to start from a very young age.

Whilst it is still young, your Chabrador puppy will generally be incredibly curious about its environment and any other animals in its home. This is an excellent trait for a dog to have, especially when it comes to training.

Chabradors tend to be an intelligent breed, but they are also extremely stubborn - this is a trait shared with chow chows.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Chabrador?

As with any dog breed, the Chabrador is prone to a few health issues that you should watch out for. Due to being a Lab Chow mix, it shares a lot of the vulnerabilities of its ancestry. A few potential health issues to look out for are:

• Patellar Luxation (Problems with their knees)

• Cataracts

• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

• Cerebellar Abiotrophy

In general, Chabradors tend to be a healthy breed, but it's always a good idea to be aware of potential health issues so that you can offer your dog the care it deserves!

What is the lifespan of a Chabrador?

As with most mixed-breed dogs, Chabradors do have a slightly lower lifespan than pure breeds. However, with enough exercise and lots of affection, you can expect your Chow Lab mix to live for around 9 to 13 years!

How much should you feed a Chabrador?

Knowing when your canine requires feeding and how much food it requires is the first step to ensuring you only raise healthy dogs. Each dog is unique in terms of how much food it requires and what it enjoys eating, but there are a few guidelines to stick to for each breed.

A Chabrador will tend to require a diet that's suited to a medium-sized dog that has a moderate amount of energy. In most cases, this is around 2-3 medium-sized meals a day with a combination of both wet and dry food.

What is the price of a Chabrador in Australia?

Due to being a unique combination of a popular dog breed and one of the oldest dog breeds available, Chabradors can be fairly expensive. When adopting this Chow Lab mix, you can expect to pay between $1,500 to $4,000!

If you do plan on adopting a new fluffy friend, then we would always recommend adopting from a reputable breeder. This is the best way to ensure your Chabrador has been well looked after and has received any vaccinations it may require.