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Australian Shepherd vs Chow Chow: Which Suits Your Home?

Australian Shepherd or Chow Chow? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Chow Chow is the heavier at 45–70 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Australian Shepherd and Chow Chow and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and energy level, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Chow Chow rates 4/5 against 1/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.

Quick verdict

Between Australian Shepherd and Chow Chow, exercise need is what separates them, and Chow Chow is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose australian shepherd if...

Choose Australian Shepherd if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.

Choose chow chow if...

Choose Chow Chow if you are in a flat or a smaller home, your walking routine is modest and the dog will be alone during the working day.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	australian shepherd	chow chow	Winner
Size class	medium	medium	Equal
Weight	40–65 lbs	45–70 lbs	Equal
Height	18–23 in	17–20 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–15 years	9–15 years	australian shepherd
Exercise need	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	chow chow
Grooming need	Moderate (3/5)	Very high (5/5)	australian shepherd
Shedding	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Energy level	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Barking	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Apartment suitability	Very low (1/5)	High (4/5)	chow chow
Good for first-time owners	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	chow chow
Trainability	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	australian shepherd
Good with kids	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	australian shepherd
Good with other dogs	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	australian shepherd
Friendly to strangers	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	australian shepherd
Coat	Medium-length double coat	Thick double coat	Equal
Origin	United States	China	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$100–$200	$120–$250	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,500–$2,800	$1,600–$3,000	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Weight overlaps almost completely -- 40-65 lbs for the Aussie, 45-70 lbs for the Chow Chow -- but the Chow's blocky head, thick ruff, and slightly shorter legs (17-20 inches versus the Aussie's 18-23) make it look heavier than the numbers suggest. Both are medium-size dogs on paper; in person the Chow reads as the bulkier of the two.

Energy and exercise

This is one of the more lopsided exercise gaps on the site: 5/5 for the Aussie, just 2/5 for the Chow Chow, a breed known for its low-key, almost cat-like demeanor. Energy level shows the same split, 5 versus 2, even though the table marks it a tie. If your idea of a walk is a slow lap around the block, the Chow will match you; the Aussie won't.

Grooming and shedding

Here the Chow actually demands more work than the Aussie -- grooming rates a very high 5/5 for the Chow against a moderate 3/5 for the Aussie, driven by that dense double coat. Shedding ties at high (4/5) for both. So the Aussie needs less exercise-adjacent grooming time, but the Chow's coat itself is the bigger maintenance job of the two.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

The Chow scores 4/5 for apartment suitability against the Aussie's 1/5, and its low exercise needs back that up. Barking ties at a moderate 3/5 for both, so neither breed is notably quiet. Between the two, the low-energy, self-contained Chow is simply the more realistic choice for a smaller home.

Training and owner experience

Trainability drops sharply for the Chow -- 2/5 against the Aussie's 5/5 -- matching its reputation as an independent, dignified breed that doesn't chase approval the way a herding dog does. Both score a low 2/5 for first-time owners. The Chow does tolerate being alone slightly better, 3/5 versus the Aussie's 2/5, which can offset some of the training difficulty for a working household.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Aussie is the stronger fit for a busy household -- 4/5 with both kids and other dogs, against the Chow's moderate 3/5 with kids and low 2/5 with other dogs. Both breeds are reserved with strangers at 2/5. The Chow's independent, reserved nature suits a quieter, single-dog home more than one with a lot of coming and going.

Health and lifespan

Lifespan favors the Aussie, 12-15 years against 9-15 for the Chow -- a wider low-end range for the Chow that reflects more variability. Three conditions overlap directly: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts appear on both lists. The Chow's list adds bloat, glaucoma, and diabetes, conditions not flagged for the Aussie.

Cost to keep

The Chow costs more across the board: a high 4/5 cost rating against the Aussie's moderate 3/5, a monthly range of $120-$250 versus $100-$200, and a first-year range of $1,600-$3,000 versus $1,500-$2,800. Coat maintenance for that thick double coat is the likely driver, on top of a slightly larger average size.

Australian Shepherd vs Chow Chow at a glance

Australian Shepherd weighs 40–65 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Chow Chow weighs 45–70 lbs and lives 9–15 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, energy level and apartment suitability and 3 other rated axes. They are level on barking, good for first-time owners and shedding, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Aussie and Chow Chow similar in size?

Close on paper -- 40-65 lbs for the Aussie against 45-70 lbs for the Chow -- though the Chow's dense coat and blocky build make it look stockier despite standing a couple inches shorter (17-20 inches versus 18-23).

Which needs more grooming?

The Chow Chow, by a full two points -- a very high 5/5 against the Aussie's moderate 3/5. Both shed heavily (4/5 each), but the Chow's coat itself takes more hands-on work.

Which is easier for a first-time owner?

Neither, technically -- both score a low 2/5. The Aussie is too smart and active for casual ownership, and the Chow's independent streak makes it resistant to typical training approaches.

Which handles apartment life better?

The Chow Chow, rated 4/5 for apartment suitability against the Aussie's 1/5, mostly thanks to its low exercise requirement.

How much more expensive is the Chow to keep?

Noticeably more -- $120-$250 a month versus $100-$200 for the Aussie, and $1,600-$3,000 in year one against $1,500-$2,800.

Do they share health risks?

Yes, three: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts show up on both lists. The Chow's list also includes bloat and diabetes, which aren't flagged for the Aussie.

Which breed lives longer on average?

The Aussie's range (12-15 years) sits at or above the Chow's wider range (9-15 years) for most of its span, so the Aussie is the safer bet for longevity even though the top ends match.

Quick answers

View more answers

Behavior

Which breed should you pick overall?

Active household, want a dog that works alongside you: Aussie. Calmer household, want a low-exercise, independent dog: Chow Chow.

Costs

What's the monthly cost?

The Chow runs $120-$250 a month against the Aussie's $100-$200 -- coat care adds to the Chow's bill.

Living

How much exercise does each need?

One of the widest gaps in this comparison: 5/5 for the Aussie versus 2/5 for the Chow Chow.

Health

Which one lives longer?

The Aussie's 12-15 year range beats the Chow's wider 9-15 year range at the low end.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Australian Shepherd breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Australian Shepherd before deciding.
Chow Chow breed guide – The same for Chow Chow, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Australian Shepherd vs German Shorthaired Pointer – German Shorthaired Pointer is the closest breed to Australian Shepherd on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Chow Chow vs Chinese Shar-Pei – Chinese Shar-Pei sits closest to Chow Chow, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
Australian Shepherd vs Chinese Shar-Pei – Chinese Shar-Pei is the other breed Chow Chow is most often weighed against.
Chow Chow health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Cost

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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