Chabrador Care

The Chabrador is a hybrid of a Chow Chow and a Labrador Retriever--which makes these crossbred dogs loyal, protective, often gentle, and possibly aggressive. The one known characteristic of the Chabrador is that it's unpredictable! Overall Chabrador care and maintenance will need to include daily exercise and a lot of training and socialization, especially with puppies.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Chabrador, including puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. Learn all about raising a Chabrador in the following sections.

These hybrids are athletic and strong, so Chabrador exercise requirements are pretty extensive. Breed members will need a variety of daily activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging companions as well.

The typical adult Chabrador will need at least an hour of proper exercise each day. You can start exercising your Chabrador puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Chabrador exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're 10 months old
• A leash is a must when exercising in public; leash training during puppyhood is highly recommended
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Might overheat easily; best not to exercise in sweltering temps

It's important to exercise your Chabrador every day. Since these dogs' temperaments can be unpredictable, without consistent activity they may become destructive and even aggressive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Chabrador exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: Chabradors usually love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Tug-of-War: Great indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Canine Sports: If properly trained, these hybrids can excel at obedience or agility trials and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, it's good to give your Chabrador access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These hybrids will need moderate maintenance overall. Chabrador shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling is only a minor issue.

Chabradors have thick, double-layered coats that are usually medium in length. Shedding will be moderate most of the time--but when these hybrids blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding will be profuse. Owners can brush their Chabradors twice a week with a pin brush to help collect dead hairs; cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be needed from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be necessary more often during shedding season.)

And a Chabrador might drool a bit in anticipation of food, after drinking water, or when especially excited or nervous--but the drooling won't be heavy or frequent like that of a Saint Bernard or Bloodhound. If your Chabrador is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

The Chabrador diet will need to include animal proteins and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients every dog needs to maintain its health in the long term. This means the best food for Chabradors is premium dry kibble, as it has balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Chabradors do best with food formulated for active breeds. Royal Canin and Dr. Tim's are two recommended brands that carry excellent lines of high-energy premium food.

The typical adult Chabrador will need about three cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Chabrador puppies will need a bit less: depending on age, about 2¼ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months old.

For more info on feeding a Chabrador from puppyhood through maturity, see the following:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult formula to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

If possible, try and stick to the above-listed portions. If constantly overfed (and under-exercised), these hybrids will become overweight--and a fat Chabrador will have numerous health problems and a shortened lifespan. You can help control your Chabrador's weight by having consistent feeding schedules and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.

If you're worried your Chabrador is overweight, try this test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means less food, more exercise!