Profile of the Chow Chow
With its stocky build, elaborate tail, bear-like face and characteristic blue tong, the Chow Chow is an easy dog to recognize. This Chinese breed is medium in size, standing 22 inches at the withers, and weighing up to 70 pounds. The most common coat color is red, but it can also be black, cream, or grey (blue).
This ancient breed is thought to have originated in Mongolia round about 200BC. They were used in a number of roles including guarding, herding, hunting and pulling carts. They were also a source of food for the ancient people of this region.
The origin of the name Chow Chow is a matter for some debate. One theory is that it was given to the breed by English sea captains, and that it derives from the colloquial term for cargo. Others suggest that the name means, “food”. The Chow Chow is widely recognized as the father of all modern Spitz breeds, including the Keeshond, Pomeranian, and Icelandic Sheepdog.
Chows are naturally dominant dogs and require an experience owner and a firm hand. They have a reputation for aggression, but this is mostly unwarranted, and often down to poor breeding practices. It’s been said that “no-one can blank you like a Chow”, and while they do have a tendency to be aloof, at times they can also be affectionate. That affection, though, is normally reserved for the one person they bond with.
They generally get on well with older children and will also tolerate other dogs and non-canine pets they’ve been socialized with.
Training is an absolute must with this breed. However, you’ll need tons of patience to train a Chow, they are famously strong-willed and while they may sometimes be co=operative, at other times they’ll flatly ignore you. They are however very eager to please their bonded human, so training is not entirely a lost cause.
The Chow Chow is a healthy breed, but can suffer various ailments, including hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion and gastric torsion. The latter condition, also known as bloat, is serious and requires immediate veterinary treatment. You can mitigate the risk by feeding several small meals at regular intervals, rather than one large meal. Chows can live up to 15 years.
Grooming a Chow requires quite a bit of work. They are heavy shedders and the dense coat needs to be brushed daily to keep it in good condition.
The Chow is an independent dog that doesn’t actively seek human companionship, outside of the person they bond with. As such they are quite happy to live outside. The do not do well in warm climates, but their thick coat offers protection in cold weather.
If you’re looking for a name for your Chow Chow, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of female dog names.
