DOG BREED INFORMATION – CHOW CHOW

• Origin: China
• Alternate names: Chow, Chowdren
• Size: Medium to Large
• Life Span: 10-13 years
• Popularity: Ranked #76 in 2017
• Availability in India: Moderate
• Avg Puppy Price in India: ₹30,000 to ₹50,000
• Dog Breed Group: Non-Sporting Group
• Guide Dog: No

Is Chow Chow Dog good for Indians?

The demand and availability of this bear-looking breed are not that high in India. And, there are primarily two reasons for that:

1. Chow Chow is quite an expensive breed in regards to both, purchasing and then maintaining.
2. They are not built for a country like India where high temperatures and humidity are prominent for most of the year.

But, there are some dog lovers who admire unique looking and rare breeds of dog and Chows definitely interests them. For those people, it is very important to keep their Chow Chow in a cool and comfortable environment to maintain their health.

Chow Chow Dog Official Breed Standards

Chows are generally quite powerful and sturdy. They look like a cross between a bear and a lion. They have a muscular built with a heavy bone structure. Chow Chow has a distinctive and cuddly appearance and general standards for their breed are given below:

• Chow Chow Height and Weight

Chows have a dense body with a little heft to it. An average Chow Chow weighs around 20 kg to 32 kg. Males are slightly heavier than the females but are almost equal in terms of height. The average height for Chow Chow is 17 to 20 inches.

• Coat

Chow Chow are double coated and their coats are of two types: smooth and rough. Both the coats are dense and have an ample amount of hair with a coarse texture. Their coat can have many different colors which are mainly solid or dilute like fawn, cream, black et cetera.

• Body

They have a strongly muscled and compact body with a deep and broad chest area. They have a nicely arched neck which carries their head proudly and sits on strong and muscular shoulders. The forelegs and hind legs are well balanced with great sturdiness.

• Head

Their head is of large size having a wooly appearance. They have a flat and broad skull with loose folds of skins and high density to hair covering it. Their eyes are mostly dark brown in color. Slightly thick, smaller in size and triangular shaped ears are placed slightly wide apart on top of their head.

• Jaws

The Chow Chow have a short but strong muzzle with a durable and robust jaw region.

Chow Chow Temperament

Chows are very independent and aloof by nature. They don’t go out of their way to please their owners/trainers. But, once they become comfortable with their owners and starts trusting them, then they are fairly loyal to them. They also have a tendency to become a bit aggressive in the company of other dogs. Controlling and training them from an early age is very important and requires an experienced dog owner. They are not very out-going and social and remains a bit detached. Some common temperamental traits for this breed is listed below:

• Aloof
• Quiet
• Independent
• Loyal
• Detached

Chow Chow Dog Overview

Chows are very attractive dogs with a puffy body and they are widely admired for their looks. They were first seen in northern China and were called Songshi Quan which means – a puffy-lion dog. Because of their distinct appearance, Chows have always been compared to a bear or a lion.

But despite their adorable and cute look, Chows are considered one of the more aggressive breeds of dog out there. They have quite a belligerent past and have been ranked as U.S.A.’s most dangerous dog breed. They are mostly recommended for skilled and experienced dog owners.

Chows are cold weather dogs. They love to live in a snowy or hilly area where the temperature is usually on the lower side. Heat affects them. They cannot survive efficiently in hotter areas without proper care and maintenance from their owners.

They also like to think independently and are a bit disengaged. They love to be on their own and are notoriously hard to train. Early socialization is also very much required for this breed as they are not very affectionate with strangers and people they don’t trust.

Below are some pros and cons of Chows that every potential owner must be aware of.

Popular Chow Chow colors and types 

Chows are mostly divided into different types on the basis of their coats. There are two types of Chows: 1. Smooth coated Chow Chow 2. Rough coated Chow Chow

Chows are mostly found in either solid or dilute colors. These colors can be:

1. Black
2. Cream
3. Red
4. Fawn
5. Cinnamon
6. Blue (rare)

Chow Chow Dog Breed Characteristics

Chow Chow Maintenance and Care

• Feeding

Chows have a decent amount of dietary needs. They should be fed a good quality food high in essential nutrients. There are various dry and wet (or canned) feeding material available for Chows which are commercially produced. If a feeding material is not suitable for the Chowdren and signs of allergy or skin irritation starts to appear, contacting the vet about the feeding process is recommended.

• Exercise

Chows have moderate exercise needs. Regular short walks or low-intensity physical activities are sufficient for Chows. Any exercise during hot weather conditions should be avoided. A brief stroll in a pleasant environment can keep the Chow Chow fit and cheerful.

• Training

Chows are somewhat difficult to train and should be handled by someone who is experienced and determined. For starters, Chows should be able to trust their trainers and have a strong bond with them for the training process to become somewhat easier. Positive reinforcement and patience are the chief means to train a Chow Chow.

• Grooming and Shedding

Either rough coated or smooth coated, Chows require a good amount of grooming anyways. Frequent brushing (about 2-3 times a week), bathing on a monthly basis, trimming of nails and proper eye and ear cleaning are all very important to keep the Chows neat and tidy. They are also quite decent shedders and shed on a seasonal basis.

• Health Issues

Chows can suffer from numerous health problems and if proper care and attention are not directed towards them, then these health issues can be highly harmful to them:

1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
2. Autoimmune Thyroiditis
3. Patellar Luxation
4. Eye problems like glaucoma, cataract, and distichiasis

• Visits to the Vet

Veterinarian visits are only common in case of any health problem or any alteration in the physical or mental characteristics of the Chowdren. Apart from that, Chows require veterinarian’s assistance quite rarely.

Chow Chow Dog History and Background

This breed is considered somewhat ancient and is believed to be originated in Northern China some 2000 years ago. When the Chinese started trading with the British, it is believed that the British merchants took this dog in their ships with miscellaneous food items which were referred as Chow Chow and this is how they received their distinct name.

Chinese emperors were known to use Chows for various purposes like guarding the front of their palaces, pulling the sleds and hunting. There are numerous proofs of Chows being depicted in the paintings and pottery from the Han Dynasty.

Their popularity increased immensely when Queen Victoria took an interest in them. They were also started to get mentioned in numerous famous books and novels of that time. And, due to their growing popularity, a breed club was established in 1895 in England.

They were recognized as an official breed by the AKC in 1903. They were very popular among the rich and higher class in the later years. And, this is mostly true for now as well. Chows are quite an extravagant breed to raise and maintain and people who are passionate, experienced and have somewhat deep pockets are interested in this bear-like dog.