| Australian Cattle Dog | Chow Chow | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 8-12 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 30-50 lb | 45-70 lb |
| Energy | Very high | Low |
| Grooming | Low | High |
| Shedding | High | High |
| With kids | With supervision | Not ideal for young kids |
This dog was bred to nip the heels of running cattle all day, and a bored, under-exercised Cattle Dog will redirect that instinct onto joggers, bicycles, other pets, and children's ankles — it is not a mellow companion breed no matter how it looks in photos.
Chow Chows appear on around 95% of home-insurance breed-restriction lists — in the same tier as pit bulls and Rottweilers — because the breed's genuinely aloof, defensive temperament and low tolerance for strangers or being startled produces real bite incidents; this is not the cuddly, sociable family pet its teddy-bear looks suggest.
Australian Cattle Dog ·
Chow Chow
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.