When it comes to historical cannabis strains, Chemdog — also known as “Chemdawg" — is easily one of the most influential. The original hybrid is well-known for its gassy aroma and potent effects that hit the body with a widely euphoric experience. Usually, it's best reserved for those who have higher tolerances.

Chemdog's unique qualities are the reason we consumers revere gassy aromas as the most potent, most hard-hitting, and often the best of the best in cannabis. But how did Chemdog come to be, and how has it affected the lineage of other popular strains?

The history of Chemdog

Chemdog is a famous hybrid that's been around since the '90s, when many of the cannabis strains we know and love today were first discovered, bred, and proliferated. Its history can be a bit murky, as many people have influenced Chemdog over the past few decades.

As its origin story goes, three fellas named Greg (Chemdog), Mike (Pbud), and Joe Brand met in the summer of 1991 at a Grateful Dead show in Indiana. Chemdog was 18 at the time and Pbud was 21. Chem was walking around the parking lot looking for weed and heard someone say “kind bud" — that someone was Pbud. Chemdog noticed it was some of the best weed he'd ever seen, so he bought a quarter of it, and the weed was so good that Chemdog got Pbud's phone number in order to get some more.

Weeks later, he reached out to Pbud and crew. They came through and mailed a $500 ounce of it to Chemdog in Massachusetts. In that ounce, there were 13 seeds that eventually founded the three original Chemdog phenotypes: Chemdawg 91, Chem D, and Chem's Sister. Years after breeding Chem 91, Chem D, and Chem's Sister, Chemdog ended up sending some of the original seeds back to Pbud, and in 2006, Chem 4 was born.

The strain that Pbud had was originally called Dogbud, because after you smoke it, you "roll over like a dog," said Chemdog. However, the aroma was so strong, so gassy, so “chemmy" that they also called it “chem weed."

Put Dogbud and chem weed together, and viola: Chemdog was born.

In its time, breeders like the legendary Skunk VA, known for the Skunk VA cut of Chemdog 91, have helped build and preserve Chemdog's legacy. During a period in the early 2000s, when Chemdog had lost the original cut of his beloved Chemdog 91 plant, Skunk VA gave it back to him. Skunk VA had originally obtained a cut of '91 from a homie nicknamed “Staten Island” way back in 1995. He's had it ever since. Through networking on the cannabis forum called Overgrow, he was able to connect with Chemdog, the man. Skunk VA offered to trade Greg a cut of the Chemdog 91 for a cut of the Chem's Sister. Eventually, Chemdog gave Skunk VA a cut of the Chem D in exchange for getting Chemdog 91 back, ultimately allowing the strain to be preserved and still exist to this day.

Since Chemdog's birth, it has grown to become a household name for cannabis breeders, growers, and consumers alike. The genetics of each Chemdog phenotype have been used to breed many other popular cannabis strains that you're probably smoking right this second.

Here are seven Chemdog hybrids that carry on the original's legacy.

Giesel

You can't talk Chemdog heritage strains without mentioning the ones from the actual Chemdog.

Geisel, also called Superdawg, is Mass Super Skunk crossed with Chemdog. It's expected to have many of the same earthy and diesel characteristics as the original Chemdog strains. You can expect high potency and a somewhat sedative effect.

Super Snow Dog

Super Snow Dog comes from crossing Chemdog with a Super Skunk. It's a sativa-dominant flower that produces a flurry of trichomes — which look like snow — and it has floral aromas. With its genetics, Super Snow Dog's effects are commonly expected to hit your head with a potent dose of creativity and euphoria.

Sour Diesel

Of this list, Sour Diesel is surely the most famous cross to come from Chemdog. Bred by Asshole J, it's the result of accidentally pollinating a Super Skunk with Chemdog 91. It's a sativa-dominant hybrid that many love for its reportedly uplifting effects.

It has a — you guessed it — dominant sour and diesel flavor. The effects are most commonly thought to be relaxing and happy, so it's a great strain for someone that needs a change in the day. Hit it mid-afternoon and cruise that afternoon slump.

Alien Dawg

The Cali Connection is a group of breeders who are known for giving us Deadhead OG. Additionally, they've also given us Alien Dawg, which crosses Chemdog with a strain called Alien Technology. 

Alien Technology is thought to be an Afghani landrace, which commonly features berry and hashy aromas, so crossing that with the earthy diesel Chemdog results in Alien Dawg having a sweet, fruity, and gassy terpene profile. Effects-wise, you might expect to be extremely high and sleepy after that Alien Dawg takes hold of your body.

Stardawg

If you love Chemdog, you'll definitely love Stardawg. Bred by Top Dawg Seeds, Stardawg is a hybrid that was created by crossing Chemdog 4 and Tres Dawg. The result is a cultivar well known for its high THC content and typically powerful high, whether it be uplifting or sedative. Results will vary by consumer, but know either way, it will probably be a potent rollercoaster of an experience.

Tres Dawg

Tres Dawg is a parent strain of Stardawg that was also originally bred by Top Dawg Seeds. It's an indica-dominant strain that comes from backcrossing a Chemdog and Afghani strain. Tres Dawg is often expected to produce a sedative high, though effects may vary.

GMO Cookies

GMO Cookies, also called Garlic Cookies, is showing legendary status in recent years. It's a cross of Chemdog and GSC that smells like funky garlic and tastes the same. The effects? You ever been hit by a THC bus? It's that. When Mamiko Seeds bred this one, surely they had no clue it would blow up like this.

GMO Cookies are potent and will hit your whole body with a high that makes you want to sit around and laugh at goofy shit. There's a reason it was predicted to be one of 2021's most popular strains.

Featured image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps