See What a Chow Chow and German Shepherd Mix Looks Like
This mix is known as Chow Shepherd.
By Gabriele Tancredo Stella in Dogs
Have you ever imagined what the mix of a German Shepherd and Chow Chow would look like? Veterinary assistant Mariana Beltrami, who lives in São Paulo, Brazil, introduced this mix — known as the Chow Shepherd — on social media, charming internet users.The pet’s name is Thor and he’s eight years old. In a video shared on her TikTok profile (@maribeltrami_), Mariana shows illustrative photos of this handsome pup’s parents. Then she reveals their son — and spoiler alert: he clearly inherited the beauty of both breeds. It wasn’t mentioned which one was the mom and which one was the dad.
In the interview with Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news), Mariana said she found the dog on the street — he was very weak and digging through trash for food. Mariana’s mom, touched by the scene, gave him water and food — and brought him home.
The plan was just to feed him — but Thor won everyone over, and the best thing happened: he was adopted.
Despite his condition, Thor was beautiful — which made Mariana believe he had an owner and had simply run away. So she looked for answers — and yes, the dog did have an owner.
Since he was found during the pandemic, the woman had lost her job and couldn’t afford to support him — so she let him roam the streets to look for food. Moved by the story, Mariana asked the woman if she would consider giving him up — and with a heavy heart, she said yes.
“There was no other way — otherwise, he would’ve stayed skinny like that, barely surviving. The best thing was to give him to someone who could care for him, right?” she said.
During a conversation with Thor’s former owner, Mariana found out he was a Chow Chow and German Shepherd mix. His little face gives it away — many people have even asked Mariana if he’s related to an Akita, a breed similar to the Chow Chow.
Mariana and her family originally intended to be a foster home. After neutering him and helping him reach a healthy weight, they planned to find him a new family — since they already had a dog. But the family fell for the classic “foster home tale” — they fell in love and adopted him. Today, he lives the kind of life every pet deserves.
But before we dive into Thor’s breed, let’s learn a bit more about his lineage — starting with the Chow Chow, the first breed mentioned in the video.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Chow Chow is a breed of Chinese origin, known for its majestic appearance and blue tongue. It is a medium to large-sized dog with dense, straight fur that requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
These dogs are loyal and reserved around strangers, requiring firm leadership and proper socialization from an early age. Their history dates back thousands of years in China, where they were used for hunting, guarding, and pulling carts. Today, they are valued as loyal and protective companions, requiring regular physical activity and attention to live healthy, balanced lives.
According to the AKC, the German Shepherd is a versatile and intelligent breed, known for its striking appearance and exceptional working abilities. It is a medium to large-sized dog with a dense, well-groomed coat that comes in various colors, though the most common is black and tan.
They are loyal, brave, and highly devoted to their families — making them excellent guard and protection dogs.They are also known for their intelligence and trainability, making them ideal for a variety of jobs — such as police, service, and therapy work.
Given the traits of both parent breeds, let’s talk a bit about the Chow Shepherd. According to Dog Time, these dogs display unique traits that combine features of both breeds. They tend to be medium to large in size, with dense, straight fur — often multicolored — and a mane-like ruff around their necks.
Chow Shepherds are loyal, brave, and protective — traits inherited from their German Shepherd side — while also being reserved with strangers and independent, like the Chow Chow. This hybrid breed is an excellent choice for active families looking for a loyal and watchful companion.
In terms of appearance, Thor inherited distinct features from both breeds. He has the strong, athletic body of a German Shepherd, paired with the adorable and characteristic face of a Chow Chow. He turned out absolutely charming!
Check it out:
So, what did you think of this mix? Leave it in the comments.
