Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Chow Chow: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
- Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Australian Shepherd
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Chow Chow
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Chow Chow
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Chow Chow
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Chow Chow
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Chow Chows?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Chow Chows?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Chow Chow?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Chow Chows?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chow Chow?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Chow Chows?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Chow Chow
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Chow Chow: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Chow Chow. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow.
Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Chow Chow is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Chow Chow belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Chow Chow based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Chow Chow |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 40 to 70 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1610 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $950 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 71.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 75 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Chow Chow. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Chow Chow is 69 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Chow Chow. So, you should get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
The Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Chow Chow weighs 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Chow Chow is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Chow Chow Colors
The Chow Chow comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Golden
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Apricot / Beige
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Merle (Blue)
The Chow Chow comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Golden
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Chow Chow is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Chow Chow is 13.5 years.
The Chow Chow live as long as the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Chow Chow.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 99 Chow Chows.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Chow Chow
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1610. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $950 – $2000. However, the price of the Chow Chow can be as low as $200 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 269 Chow Chow puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chow Chow is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Chow Chow | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1610 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $950 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Chow Chow. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Chow Chow puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Chow Chow puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Chow Chow
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Chow Chows are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd named Pepperjack that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Pepperjack on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Chow Chows are also available for adoption. For example, Howard is a Male Chow Chow that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Chow Chows like Howard that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
22-096 Rescue Only is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Flynn is an adorable Male Chow Chow on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Chow Chows that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Chow Chow
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Chow Chow. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chow Chow is 75 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Chow Chow
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Chow Chow Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 70 |
| 2014 | 18 | 70 |
| 2015 | 17 | 73 |
| 2016 | 16 | 74 |
| 2017 | 17 | 76 |
| 2018 | 15 | 75 |
| 2019 | 13 | 77 |
| 2020 | 12 | 84 |
| 2021 | 12 | 80 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Chow Chow
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chow Chow.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Chow Chow.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 6 tests are recommended for the Chow Chow.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Chow Chows.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Chow Chows
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chow Chow Breed is Elbow problems.
This is because the Chow Chow ranks 1 out of 144 dog breeds for Elbow problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1393 Chow Chows, 693 of them had Elbow problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chow Chows, and how common these diseases are in Chow Chows relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Chow Chow and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Chow Chow Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | 88 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | 1 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | 15 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 3 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 36 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Chow Chows?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Chow Chows?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Chow Chows drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Chow Chows?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Chow Chows have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Chow Chows?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Chow Chow
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Chow Chows do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Chow Chow?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Chow Chow. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Hovawart Australian Shepherd versus Kai Ken Australian Shepherd versus Border Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Akita Australian Shepherd versus Beaglier Australian Shepherd versus Jack Russell Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Bloodhound Australian Shepherd versus Cane Corso Australian Shepherd versus Doberman Pinscher Australian Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Miniature Pinscher Australian Shepherd versus Dutch Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Shichon Australian Shepherd versus Chi-Poo Australian Shepherd versus Maremma Sheepdog
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Chow Chow better suits you and your family.