Chow Chow

Temperament:

Reserved, Loyal, Independent
Size: Medium
Height: 46-56 cm
Weight: 20-32 kg
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Coat: Longhair
Colors: Black, Red, Blue, Fawn, Cream, White
FCI Group: Spitz and primitive types

The Chow Chow is a very well-known and unusual dog breed. The dogs originally come from China. The Chow Chow is recognized by the FCI and assigned to Group 5 (Asian Spitz). These fluffy four-legged friends have a very striking and distinctive appearance. They fixate very strongly on just one person. As a dog owner, you should be aware of this.

Chow Chow
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Characteristics

The Chow Chow is one of the medium-sized dog breeds. On average, the dogs reach a shoulder height of approx. 48 - 56 cm. The weight of adult dogs is between 25 and 30 kg. The females are generally more petite than the males.

These dogs are unique in both appearance and character. Their appearance is strongly reminiscent of that of a lion. The Chow Chow radiates pride and dignity. Its gait is very upright and the tail is always raised. This posture expresses self-confidence and courage.

The build is broad and strong. The hind legs are very straight. This is a rarity in dogs. Another striking feature is the head. This often resembles that of a teddy bear and is covered with thick, fluffy hair.

The face is often criss-crossed by several wrinkles. However, this does not correspond to the origin of the breed. It was deliberately bred to make the dog even more unique. The ears are relatively small, pointed and set high. Another rarity is the tongue of the Chow Chow. It is not pink-reddish as usual, but has a blue color. The Chow Chow is the only dog breed with this characteristic. Overall, the dogs appear sluggish and immobile.

Another special feature of this breed is the lush coat all over the body. Basically, the Chow Chow is divided into long-haired and short-haired animals.

However, the short-haired Chow Chow has become very rare over the years, so that one usually encounters long-haired conspecifics. Both the long-haired and the short-haired dogs have a very dense, luxuriant and protruding coat. This makes the dog look plush and soft and makes it appear much stronger than it actually is. The long-haired specimens also have a kind of mane around their neck. This is also very reminiscent of a lion.

The nature of the dogs is very special. Chow Chows are considered to be very headstrong. The dogs have a mind of their own and are not particularly good at subordinating themselves. Chow Chows try to assert their will and are difficult to dominate. They are also considered calm animals. They are calm and do not become hectic. Chow Chows are also not barkers. They take everything a little slower.

Nevertheless, these fluffy furry friends are very intelligent. They are very capable of learning and receptive. But only if the dogs want to learn. The Chow Chow cannot be forced to do anything. This breed is also very suitable as a guard dog. It is very attentive and observes its surroundings.

The Chow Chow is very fixated on its owner. The decisive factor here is that the dog only chooses one person to whom it will give its full attention and loyalty. The Chow Chow therefore only has one caregiver. It forms an intimate bond with this person and is always loyal and affectionate towards them.

The caregiver must therefore take intensive care of the four-legged friend and take over the training of the dog. The Chow Chow usually behaves distantly and dismissively towards other people. This can be problematic if the dog is to be kept in a family. The dog cannot or can only partially accept commands and orders from other family members.

He then concentrates on his caregiver and may not notice the rest of the family. These dogs can also quickly become jealous or feel neglected, especially if not enough time is spent on them.

You should like and, above all, appreciate the dog's character. Only then are you suitable as an owner of such a dog breed. You should also already have experience with dogs.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

A healthily bred Chow Chow is nutritionally unproblematic. Balanced and nutritious meals ensure vitality and make the animals robust.

Unfortunately, the Chow Chow is often affected by allergies and other diseases.

Hypothyroidism is also more common than average in this dog breed. Feeding can therefore be somewhat difficult and requires special advice.

The life expectancy of dogs reflects this. Many today only live to be 8-9 years old. Healthy Chow Chows, however, generally have a significantly higher life expectancy of up to 12 years.

The health of the completely overbred dog breed is fundamentally under attack. Many of the animals are extremely sensitive to heat and tend to be overweight. This damages their joints and severely restricts their mobility. Most Chow Chows also have breathing problems. They can hardly go for an hour's walk without panting.

Health & Care

The Chow Chow is a demanding dog that is not suitable for everyone. It is not suitable as a family dog. The dogs are very serious and do not like to romp around. They do not usually get on well with children and are therefore not suitable. The Chow Chow does not like to play and is not a dog for tricks. These four-legged friends are also not suitable for dog sports.

The dogs are at their most active on long walks. These can take place both in the countryside and in the city. The animals like to sniff a lot, which often delays the walks. As an owner, you need a lot of patience.

They should have their space and be allowed to spend more time outdoors. However, the animals' hunting instinct should be respected. Caution is advised, especially when going out into the wild. Occasionally, the stubborn animals pick up the scent of potential prey and try to follow it.

The training of dogs depends on the bond between humans and animals. A close relationship of trust is the key to success. The Chow Chow can be led and trained quite well by its owner. However, it often does not listen to other people. The four-legged friend needs a patient and understanding owner.

Consistency and calmness are of great importance when training them. Simple commands and orders will not get you very far with these animals. The dogs do not want to please their humans. Instead, they have their own ideas and plans. The Chow Chow is therefore not particularly suitable for beginners and people without experience in handling dogs.

Grooming is also very laborious and time-consuming. The lush coat must be brushed extensively every day. This removes dirt and tangles. The dog's wrinkles also require constant attention. They are a real source of inflammation and can quickly cause health problems for the animals. The folds must be checked and cleaned daily. This is to prevent the formation of germs.

Dogs' eyes must also be constantly monitored, as eye infections are not uncommon.

Suitable accessories

The Chow Chow makes no special demands on its habitat. It can be kept very well in an apartment. However, the dog should be spared excessive climbing of stairs if possible. As the dogs do not like to play anyway and are rather quiet, no special accessories are required.

Chow Chow history

Origin & History

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds. In its native China, the breed was already being kept in ancient times. There, the four-legged friends mainly took on the role of guard and protection dogs. The Chinese emperors in particular were great admirers of the Chow Chow and had the dogs immortalized in the form of sculptures and paintings. The Chow Chow was suitable as a representative court dog due to its special appearance.

In the past, this breed of dog was also used as food in China. For a long time, dog meat was considered a delicacy. Fortunately, the consumption of dog meat is hardly common in China today. In any case, the Chow Chow has become so highly valued in recent years that the prices for such meat would simply be far too high.

Nowadays, dogs are often seen as show dogs. Breeders try to change the appearance of the animals considerably. For example, the dogs' heads are deliberately bred to resemble a teddy bear.

The hairiness of the animals is also increasing, so that the dogs have to suffer from various ailments. When buying a Chow Chow, you should therefore take a close look. Sick or overbred animals can certainly not lead a carefree dog's life.