Chow Chow Breed Description

Introduction

The Chow Chow breed is proud, independent and loyal to its family. The Chow can make an ideal family pet for most types of accommodations and is a fine watch dog. Two distinguishable features of the Chow Chows are its blue-black tongue and the lack of angulation in the lower joint of the hind limbs. Their coat comes in both rough and smooth varieties, needs intense grooming to remove both the undercoat and guard hairs. Both coats come in a variety of solid colors.

History

Chow Chows are seen in Chinese artifacts as early as 206 BC and are one of Asia's oldest dogs. They have served the Chinese as working dogs for centuries. Additionally, they were bred for their fur, much as we do mink today, so as to kill them and use the skins to create fur coats and hats for people living in cold places. The carcasses were sold to fine restaurants, as the dog was considered a gastronomic delicacy.

General Description

Blue/black tongues are a distinct trait of this ancient Chinese breed. They have large heads with a mane-like ruff, particularly on the rough coated variety, which make them look even larger and give the dogs a leonine appearance.

No angulation in the lower joint of the hind legs.

Coats come in rough and smooth varieties and both commonly appear in solid colors of black, blue, cinnamon, cream and red. Less often, they can be gray, tan or even white. There may be some lighter or darker variations in these solids, but Chow Chows are never brindle, spotted or parti-colored.

Temperament

This is a dominant breed with a pack mentality; to become a good family pet it requires distinct leadership from an early age. Firm and consistent owner training is vital. When Chow Chows are untrained, they will attempt to dominate the entire household and become difficult to deal with. In short, alpha owners are mandatory for Chow Chows.

Health and Care

Of all dog breeds, it is the Chow Chow that suffers the most from elbow dysplasia. This makes it vitally important to use a professional breeder to purchase your Chow Chow so you can review all health information and be guaranteed a healthy dog from a line free of this debilitating condition.

Continual grooming is necessary to keep the fur of the Chow Chow healthy, clean and un-mated. Undercoat and guardhairs continually replace themselves, meaning shedding is constant.

They will do fine in a small space, or living in apartments, if they are exercised daily They do not do well in hot climates, although they are perfectly content outdoors in cold weather.
 

Colors

While the Chow Chow is known to come in solid red, cinnamon and cream, black or blue, it can also be found in tan, gray and sometimes even white.

Living Area

The Chow is said to do well in apartment sized living spaces with sufficient exercise but will likely do much better with a small yard in which to patrol his or her perimeter. Chows should not be left in direct sunlight in the heat of summer. They will need an area of extensive shade and plenty of cool water.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Pets4You offers listings of Chow Chow breeders with puppies for sale.