Appearance of the Chowpit
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| The Chowpit is strong, stocky and muscular, as the body shape of this hybrid resembles the parent American Pit Bull Terrier. A medium to large breed that often stands quite low to the ground, these strongly built dogs have wide jaws that have a strong grip. Chow Chow heritage means that the muzzle is often of medium length and sports a black nose. Again given the Chow Chow influence, the paws can appear webbed and sturdy. The tail may be straight or sickle-shaped, with a slight curl on the back. The coat can be similar to either breed in texture and length, but we usually see the American Pit Bull Terrier coat. Dark eyes give the Chowpit the alert, intelligent expression that is a combination of the two parental genes. |
Temperament of the Chowpit
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| Both the Chow Chow and the American Pit Bull Terrier have strong personalities. Your Chowpit can sometimes be stubborn and aloof, but can also be friendly, clumsy and quite affectionate. He'll need obedience training from an early age, and it's recommended that he continue training through different levels. This will enable him to acquire a sense of leadership from you, which is important when owning a strong, powerful dog. Taking him through several levels of training will also allow him to show his intelligence, which is always fun for both trainer and trainee. This hybrid is ideal for a home without children, as it is large and heavy and can accidentally knock children over while they are playing. The Chowpit is best suited to an active household with strong personalities, so it can flourish as a member of the family. Give him plenty of opportunity to interact with adults and other dogs in an appropriate setting, so he can learn socialization skills that will serve him well. |
Needs and activities of the Chowpit
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| The American Pit Bull Terrier's medium-to-high energy level will be balanced by the Chow Chow's laid-back nature. Your hybrid will need to stay active to be as happy as possible, remembering that a parent's instinct is to work and have a job to do. Walk him two or three times a day quickly and with purpose, so that he feels calm and relaxed when he gets home. In addition to obedience classes, a well-socialized Chowpit can benefit from agility training, flyball, fetch games, hiking and running alongside you. He'll need a home with a solidly fenced yard; he's not a hybrid destined for an apartment. |
Maintenance of the Chowpit
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| Chowpits tend to have short to medium hair, and the smoother brush works perfectly for gliding through the coat, smoothing the fur and removing loose tufts. This hybrid has no doggy odor, and rather than bathing it often, owners can use a pet wipe to clean the coat as needed. Some Chowpit hybrids will have a few wrinkles, most often on the face and neck, which should be checked often for moisture and dirt build-up. Gently wipe the creases and make sure they're dry so that bacteria don't accumulate in them. If you brush his teeth regularly, you'll avoid costly dental bills that may be necessary if teeth start to decay. Cutting strong nails can take effort, so train him from an early age to sit quietly during the procedure. In fact, he may learn to enjoy the grooming routine and consider it time he received some special attention from you. |
English (United Kingdom)