Meet The Breeds: Chow Chow

Chow Chow is a unique dog breed that comes from China and looks just like a big fluffy teddy bear. Just like their appearance, their traits are also very distinctive and adorable. It is a square-shaped dog with erect ears, curled up tail, and broad skull. Their black/blue tongue is considered as the trademark characteristic. This breed is considered strong and sturdy for its size. Chow Chows personality is not like other breeds either.

They don’t like socializing or adventurous trips outside. They have the potential to be aggressive with other dogs and can be aloof with strangers too. These characteristics are the reason why Chow Chows make great guard dogs for livestock and home. Although they are smart, they are more independent and stubborn. If you are looking for a loyal, strong, and courageous dog that can help protect your family, Chow Chows might be the right breed for you. Keep on reading to find out more about this unique dog breed.

Chow Chows History

Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds of China. They have been around the Earth for thousands of years. Talking about their ancestors, numerous Chow Chows enthusiasts are confused whether Chow Chows created Spitz-type dogs or Spitz-type dogs created Chow Chows dogs. Since their early times, this breed has been playing many roles for their humans. They have become hunters, sled pullers, and livestock guards. This breed arrived in the West during the late 1800s. The first Chow Chow that made a debut at the American dog show was called Takuya, after whom, their popularity started increasing. Thus, Chow Chows got registered by the American Kennel Club in 1903 and today its rank in terms of popularity is 64th out of 155 breeds.

Chow Chows Breed Information and Facts

Being one of the oldest Chinese dogs in history, there are several fun facts about Chow Chows that people often don’t know. Did you know? Chow Chows used to be very useful as sporting dogs in ancient China unlike today’s Chow Chows, which is more like fashionable pets and guard dogs. Due to their independent and stubborn nature, Chow Chows trainability is quite difficult which can be only done by experienced people.

Below are some fun facts about Chow Chows breed which will help you better understand the breed.

• Chow Chows breed group: Non-sporting group
• Height: 48–56 cm (males), 46–51 cm (females).
• Weight: 25-32 kg (males) and 20-27 kg (females).
• Color: Cinnamon, red, blue, black, and cream.
• Coat: Coarse and thick.
• Life expectancy: 9-15 years
• Hypoallergenic: no
• HDB approved: no
• Temperament: Loyal, quiet, aloof, independent
• Difficulty level for first-time owners: on a scale of 1-10 paws of increasing difficulty level, Chow Chows have secured 7/10 paws. This breed is not suitable for first-time owners. They can be very challenging to train for novice owners. If you are looking for an easy-to-train dog and you don’t have prior experience of owning a dog, Chow Chows might not be the suitable breed for you.

What Are The Types of Chow Chows?

Chow Chows are available in the market in numerous colors. The main colors that are famous in this breed include:

• Red (ranging from light gold to deep brown)
• Cinnamon (ranging from light tan to brown)
• Cream
• Black
• Blue

Are Chow Chows Good Pets?

Since they were bred and developed for being protective and are devoted to their humans, Chow Chows make amazing pets. Though they require a lot of socialization especially with children and dogs, they turn out to be good pets if trained properly in a positive environment.

Do Chow Chows Bark a Lot?

No, Chow Chows do not bark a lot. Most of them can go about their day without barking at all. When a Chow Chow barks, it’s usually because of unusual circumstances like sensing danger or suspecting strangers.

Are Chow Chows Aggressive?

As this breed is not normally social or outgoing, they can be aloof with other pets and strangers. They can be aggressive with other dogs as well. When it comes to protecting their family, Chow Chows are fearless. They need to be trained to control their aggression and guarding instincts.

Are Chow Chows High Maintenance?

In terms of training, Chow Chows are high maintenance dogs. They are known to be stubborn and strong-willed. They need an owner who appreciates their traits but the owner should be equally stubborn and strong-willed can maintain the alpha position.

Other than training, Chow Chows need plenty of grooming and maintenance to keep their coat healthy. Grooming includes regular brushing and visits to a professional groomer to avoid any health issues.

Are Chow Chows Hypoallergenic?

No, they are not hypoallergenic breeds. Their thick, beautiful coat sheds occasionally, not daily. As a result, they might be dangerous for people that are prone to different allergies.

Are Chow Chows HDB Approved?

Chow Chows are not HDB approved. It means that they cannot be kept in flats in Singapore.

What Are Popular Mixed Breeds with Chow Chows?

This Beautiful, unique creature is often used for crossbreeding to design more beautiful breeds. Some of the most popular mixed breeds of Chow Chows are mentioned below:

• Akita Chow: Chow Chow x Akita
• Chowpit: Chow Chow x American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Chow Bulldog: Chow Chow x American bulldog
• Chow Hound: Chow Chow x Basset Hound
• Berner Chow: Chow Chow x Bernese Mountain Dog
• Boxer Chow: Chow Chow x Boxer
• Bull Chow Terrier: Chow Chow x Bull Terrier
• Chuvasz: Chow Chow x Kuvasz
• Golden Chow Retriever: Chow Chow x Golden Retriever
• Chusky: Chow Chow x Siberian Husky
• Chabrador: Chow Chow x Labrador Retriever
• Rottie Chow: Chow Chow x Rottweiler

What Health Issues Do Chow Chows Face?

Usually, Chow Chows are a healthy breed but they are also prone to some specific health conditions, like every other breed. Some common health issues that are found in Chow Chows include:

• Canine Hip dysplasia: the thighbone of a Chow Chow does not fit into the hip joint properly, thus developing pain and lameness.
• Elbow dysplasia: the bones that make up the elbow are unable to come together well, causing painful movement in the forelimb.
• Atopy: Chow Chows can develop a skin allergy called ‘atopy’. This allergy causes their belly, folds of skin, ears, and feet to be affected.
• Entropion: This disease can cause their eyelids to roll inward, thereby injuring or irritating the eyeball.

Do Chow Chows Like to Cuddle?

No, they don’t like cuddling a lot but they like sitting on your feet.

Do Chow Chows Bite Their Owners?

Training your Chow Chow not to bite is very important to encourage good habits.

Do Chow Chow Dogs Shed?

Yes, they are heavily seasonal shedders so they require brushing three times a week at least to keep the coat in good condition

Conclusion

This distinctive-looking dog is a proud, self-assured, and independent breed. As an owner, you need to be extremely patient and consistent with Chow Chows puppies and adult dogs alike. They require plenty of training and exercise so if you are looking for a Chow Chow to raise, you should make sure that you will provide them the best care and attention.