Appearance of the Chabrador
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| Although there is enormous variation in this new and developing breed, most Chabradors share certain physical characteristics. A large, robust dog, the Chabrador certainly makes a striking first impression. Their broad head and muzzle and almond-shaped brown eyes give the dog an intense expression. While some of the breed's dogs have the Labrador's floppy ears, others have the straight teddy bear ears of their Chow Chow parent. Some puppies will retain the famous blue tongue of their Chow Chow parent, others will not. The Chabrador's thick double coat offers protection from the elements and tends to be black or brown. Coat length varies, and some dogs of the breed will have a neck ruff, others will not. Their tail may or may not curl over their back, and is often dense. At maturity, the Chabrador will weigh between 22 and 36 kilos, with males often weighing more than females. The average adult dog will measure between 46 and 61 centimeters at the withers. |
Temperament of the Chabrador
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| While predicting the personality of any breed can be a bit of a minefield, this is particularly true of first-generation crosses, as it can be difficult to know which of the parents' genes will be the most dominant. The Labrador Retriever and the Chow Chow have quite opposite personalities. On the whole, the Chabrador is a well-balanced dog, loyal and affectionate to its owners. However, some dogs can be dominant and keep their distance, so thorough socialization is necessary from an early age to ensure positive interaction with other people and animals, not just those in their immediate environment. They often make good friends with children, but need to be closely supervised in their company because of their strength. Most interact well with other family pets, although they may chase small animals. It is generally accepted that the Chabrador is a more demanding pet than the Labrador Retriever, but better tempered than the Chow Chow. They are relatively intelligent and benefit from a structured routine. Hyperactivity can be a problem in some dogs, although this can be controlled with the right training. |
Needs and activities of the Chabrador
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| While the Labrador Retriever is known to be an extremely active dog, the Chow Chow is a little less energetic, the combination of the two making a dog that can be an enthusiastic training partner when needed, but doesn't require as much vigorous exercise a day to stay in shape as the Labrador Retriever. One hour of activity a day is usually enough, although very energetic dogs or those living in tighter spaces, such as apartments, require an hour and a half or more to release all their energy. With extra exercise and frequent grooming to control shedding, these dogs can adapt to apartment living despite their slightly larger size, but are often more at home in a larger house with a yard. |
Maintenance of the Chabrador
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| Although Labrador Retrievers have minimal bathing requirements, they need only bathe every few months or when they get dirty, but Chow Chow dogs must bathe at least once a month and are sometimes bathed as often as once a week. Unless their activities require additional bathing, most Chabradors will benefit from a monthly bathing program. Their thick coats require careful brushing on a regular basis to control shedding, several times a week throughout the year and daily at the change of season, when these dogs shed heavily. It's important to ensure that the ears are cleaned and dried regularly to avoid infection, especially if the dog has a hanging ear. |
English (United Kingdom)