Chow Chow

They were brought to England in the 1800’s by merchants looking to sell their wares. Most breed experts consider the name “chow chow” to be a reference to the term used by these peddlers; referring to miscellaneous items and knick-knacks that wanted to sell.

This dog should be considered a one person dog. The Chow is often bossy and is generally serious, independent and willful. Often times they are even reserved with their master. This breed needs a firm owner that can remain calm in the face of adversity; the Chow has a dominate personality and needs an owner of the same ilk. They are not obedient, making consistent training mandatory. They are easy to house train.

While they generally get along well with children, they prefer being the alpha dog around other canines. Most are fine with non-canine pets, including cats, if they have been raised together. It is important to note that this dog may become aggressive towards strangers if they become irritated. We once owned one about 20 years ago. While he was very loving to my wife and I, strangers, even close friends, would bring unfriendly snarls.

Most can live quite comfortably in an apartment; only needing a small yard for exercise. They do tend to be lazy, often needing encouragement to move around and one must consider they are sensitive to heat.

With their distinctive blue-black tongue, large ruff behind their head and straight back legs, the Chow Chow is easily recognized around the world. Their thick coat is abundant, seen in either a smooth or rough variety. The most common shades are red, black, blue and cream. Because of their lush coat they need regular brushing, making them higher maintenance than other breeds. They are heavy seasonal shedder

The Chow stands between 18 and 22 inches and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. It is generally a healthy breed, having the usual concerns such as hip dysplasia and eye irritations. This dog lives to be 15 years old. Most females produce 5 pups per litter.