The 5 Best New Cross Breed Dogs We’ve Heard About

Cross breed dogs often bring out the most distinctive characteristics of a particular kind of dog, and it’s exciting for pet owners to see how two favorite breeds can produce something entirely new yet familiar. These five dogs are among the best we’ve heard about, with notable looks and behaviors that will easily attract interest and affection.

These dogs are a true mix of Golden Retriever and Chow Chow, and while a Golden Chow is a mixed breed, he will definitely tend to look and behave more like one side or the other. A Golden Chow can be relaxed or stubborn but generally still tends toward being a hard-working and intelligent pet. These dogs are usually pretty fluffy and require good grooming habits. He’ll need you less than a Golden but more than a Chow, and while training and socialization are essential, depending on the personality, you could have an uphill climb. In the end, though, the rewards can be worth it because a Golden Chow can be a loyal and affectionate pet for families without small children.

Mix two hard-working breeds for this adorable and active yet determined pup with a thick, fluffy coat and generally good personality. Chuskies are a Chow Chow and Siberian Husky mix and can take heavily after either side in appearance, and you might find them in a variety of colors and coats. With effective training, they make great family pets and demonstrate loyalty and intelligence. A Chusky does require regular exercise to burn off some of his boundless energy; because of all their fur, however, they do best in colder climates.

This cross breed is also sometimes called the Corgi German Shepherd mix. These dogs are very smart and take their herding heritage from both sides seriously, so effective training is required to ensure they stay good family pets. Corman Shepherds do best with assertive owners and being the only pup in a home. They do enjoy attention and regular grooming as they shed. Regular exercise is a must, and he’ll enjoy several daily walks. Corman Shepherds can do well in homes with children, and can also make effective guard dogs.

These petite dynamos have a long history of being loyal family pets on both sides of their heritage, the Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Shih Tzu. These medium-sized dogs generally favor the Corgi in body type and Shih Tzu in the way their face looks. Ranging in color from brown to fawn to red, with blue, black, or brown noses and blue or brown eyes, these dogs have medium-dense coats that can vary in how much regular brushing they need. Shorgis appreciate lots of attention; too little and it can cause behavioral issues. While they do need about a half hour of daily exercise, these dogs can do well in apartments, as long as they’re taken for walks regularly.

These energetic dogs are loyal, hardworking, and good with people. A mix between a Golden Retriever and a Siberian Husky, these are medium to large dogs with thick, dense coats that require regular grooming. They may be black, gray, white, brown, or tan. Some have brown eyes while others inherit the distinctive blue of the Siberian Husky. Training and socialization are important to avoid behavior issues, but when well-prepared, these dogs can make good watchdogs. Goberians need a lot of exercise, at least an hour a day, and generally do best in homes with large yards and lots of room to be active.

As cross breeds become more common, the number of choices dog owners have grows every day, but these five are some of the best, with unusual mixes sure to keep pet owners on their toes.