Description

The Chow resembles a small, stocky bear, with a thick fluffy coat and a wrinkled face. The Chow is stocky, with a square build. The Chow’s head is broad, with small triangular ears. The face is wrinkled, and the eyes are deep set: this means that the Chow has limited peripheral vision, so try to approach him/her from the front where they can clearly see you. The Chow’s chest is broad, and the tail is high set and curly.

Origin: China

Look

The Chow has a thick, luxurious coat that makes the dog resemble a small fluffy bear. The coat is dense and double layered, with a rougher outer layers and a fuzzy inner layer. The coat comes in smooth and rough varieties. Chows normally have a thick patch of fur on the neck that resembles a ruff or mane. The coat comes in several colours, such as cinnamon, cream, red, blue, and black.

If you plan on getting a Chow, be prepared to brush him/her at least three times a week. Your Chow will probably need a monthly bath. The thick coat means that fleas can be difficult to spot, so be vigorous in preventing fleas. The Chow sheds heavily, especially as the seasons change.

An interesting and unique breed feature is the Chow’s tongue, which is a purple to blue0black colour. Even the Chow’s lips have a blue-black tinge.

Health

The Chow is generally a very healthy breed; however they are prone to a few health conditions:

• Entropion
• Glaucome
• Juvenile Cataracts
• Hip dysplasia
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Gastric Cancer
• Lymphoma

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

The Chow is an intelligent dog breed. Chows tend to be strong-willed or even stubborn. Start training from an early age, and begin as you mean to continue, with a calm and confident but firm approach. Positive reinforcement techniques often work well with this breed, as the Chow will resist any rough treatment. The Chow is naturally a clean dog, and is usually easy to house train.

Temperament

The Chow may have a grumpy expression, but does this also mean a grumpy temperament? The Chow Chow is not the friendliest dog, being aloof and dignified rather than cuddly and cute: he/she is not really one for cuddles. The Chow is quiet in his affections, with a cat-like independence. Your Chow will probably have a favourite family member that he or she gravitates towards. The Chow is often suspicious of strangers, but with good socialisation at an early age, your Chow will learn to be polite to everyone. Chows can be stubborn, but they are very intelligent, and make very good guard dogs.

Living with

If you can appreciate the unique characteristics of the Chow, such as its cat-like independence and dignified bearing, then you may enjoy owning a Chow. They are generally quiet and well mannered, and while not cuddly, they are very loyal to their family. The Chow is a good dog for older children, as younger children may accidentally tease the dog or play roughly, which the Chow will not appreciate. If introduced at a young age, the Chow will do fine with other pets, though they sometimes fight with dogs of the same sex. The Chow will do best in colder climates, as its thick coat makes heat very uncomfortable.