Description

The Chow Chow is one of the most impressive of all breeds, with its lion-like appearance and regal manner.  Looking a little like a cross between a lion and a bear, the true origin of the Chow is unknown and lost deep within Chinese antiquity. This exotic dog breed is distinguished by its unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The chow is a sturdily built dog that is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears that are rounded at the tip. The breed has a very dense double coat. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, and cream. The eyes of a Chow-chow are deep set and generally resemble almonds in shape. The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs that come from a chow retain the tongue color. The bluish color extends to the chow's lips, which is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish appearance in its lips and oral cavity (other dogs have black or a piebald pattern skin in their mouths). The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The ears are small, erect and triangular in shape with a round tip. One other distinctive feature is their curly tail. The tail is set high with thick hair and is carried very close to the back in a curly fashion. Their nose is generally black, except for the blue Chow Chow that has a solid blue or slate colored nose.

Coat

The Chow has a very thick coat that is designed to protect him from heat as well as cold. The undercoat helps insulate the skin. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane which gives it a lion like appearance. The coat of a puppy is very dense, soft and easily tangled. The transition period from puppy to adult coat may take several months. Chows shed their coat once or twice a year. The smooth coated Chow sheds less than the rough coated Chow. Chows come in only five colors: red, black, cream, blue and cinnamon. The other exotic colors such as champagne, silver, lilac, chocolate or white colors are only creative representations of the regular colors.

History

The Chow Chow as DNA analysis has confirmed is one of the oldest breeds of dog. Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf, and is thought to have originated in the arid steppes of northern China/Mongolia. The Chow Chow is first thought to be kept by fierce Mongolian tribes in China as a hunting and guard dog. A Chinese bas-relief from 150 BC shows a hunting dog and a dog very friendly toward children similar in appearance to the chow. Later, chow chows were bred as general-purpose working dogs for hunting, herding, pulling and protection of the home. The black tongued chow was also bred for human consumption. The true origin of the breed is unknown; some historians believe it descends from ancient Roman Mastiff-type dogs crossed with Spitz types. Some scholars claim the chow was the original ancestor of the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian and keeshond. Others believe the Chow is the ancestor of the modern Spitz group of dogs as well as the Akita and Shar-Pei. In the United States, the chow chow was a highly popular pet among the rich and famous during the Roaring Twenties. President Calvin Coolidge and his wife owned a black chow named Timmy. Chow chows were also popular in the 1930s and 1980s.

Temperament

Today the chow chow is most commonly kept as a pet. Its keen sense of proprietorship over its home, paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious approach to strangers, can be off-putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well-socialized specimens. The chow is extremely loyal to its own family and will bond tightly to its master. The chow typically shows affection only with those it has bonds to, so new visitors to the home should not press their physical attention upon the resident chow as it will not immediately accept strangers in the same manner as it does members of its own pack. Inexperienced dog owners should beware of how chow chows encounter those it perceives as strangers; their notoriety is so established that many homeowner's insurance companies will not cover dogs from this breed. Males and females typically co-habitat with less tension than those of the same gender, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both genders to live together peacefully in a home setting.

Health

One of the most common health problems that the Chow Chow faces is the Hot Spots. The Hot Spots though temporary are very frustrating to deal with. They can appear overnight, growing from a tiny spot into a huge, hot, angry, oozing sore. The Chows are their own worst enemies when it comes to hot spots. The sores hurt and itch and the Chow tries to relieve the pain by chewing at himself which only makes the hot spot worse!
Elbow dysplasia is another problem that is very common in the chow chow. The Chow is also prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipping knee caps), thyroid disease, pemphigus foliaceus and ocular disorders such as entropion and ectropion. The risk of such disorders increases exponentially when a chow is purchased from backyard breeders, pet stores and unscrupulous kennels that do not test their breeding stock for such genetic disorders. Thus, a potential chow buyer should ask to see all health clearances for the parents of a litter up front. In the United States, these would be clearances from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; other countries will have other health testing schemes, and contacting the national canine registry association will provide that information. Reputable kennels should provide the new owner with a written and signed health warranty as well. Although, there is no way to accurately predict the lifespan of any animal; one should expect the healthy chow to live between 10 to 15 years.

Grooming

Clipping toenails should be done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Long toenails damage feet and are uncomfortable to walk on. Nails are easiest to cut after bathing when they're softest. In case of accidentally cutting a nail too short and subsequent bleeding, applying a pinch of "Quik Stop" to the cut end is helpful. Dogs generally are averse to nail cutting and it is necessary to groom the dog to become more agreeable to nail cutting. Showering it with gifts and expressing love after each nail cutting session would make the Chow more amenable to nail cutting.

The Chow should be brushed weekly between baths. The Chow should be laid on his side, misted with coat dressing and brushed thoroughly. Coat dressing prevents hair breakage and generally makes grooming easier. Slicker brushes should be used on the shorter hair and pin brushes on the longer coat. This should be followed by medium and coarse combing. The fine-toothed comb is used on legs, feet and face and is good for removing dead hair.

Ear cleaning should also be done weekly using a product designed for that purpose. Its a good idea to discuss with a veterinarian or groomer prior to embarking ear cleaning on your own. The veterinarian could also show how to brush the dog's teeth and prevent future dental diseases.

Exercise

The Chow Chow is not a high energy breed and will not need a lot of exercise, just enough to keep it fit and healthy energy. It will do with brisk daily walks and with some romps in the yard or in the garden. Because Chows can weigh up to 70 pounds it is necessary to ensure they do not give way to hip dysplasia through inactivity. However this breed s not built for strenuous exercise like biking or jogging. Regular exercise also gets them out. The Chow Chow breed has great stamina but does not commit itself to tasks those take a great deal of their own yard or environment and maintains a high level of socialization, something this breed consistently needs. While some Chows are more tolerant of the leash than others, daily walks and romps in the park can be an ideal option. It is important to remember most Chows have a mind of their own making it essential to leave this breed on their leash at all times. The more activity they have, the less destructive behavior they will display.

Training

The Chow Chow is active, alert, and agile. He is very intelligent but independent. This is a very dominant, very stubborn breed. Chows will never make great obedience dogs, but should be obedience trained with patience and persistence so that they can be handled. They are very strong willed and need an equally strong willed, stubborn trainer. Chow Chows have a mind of their own and their training has to start from their puppyhood. When an untrained Chow reaches adolescence, he may refuse to accept authority. They should be socialized by regularly introducing them to strangers, children, animals and places. They rank 77th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, being of the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence. However, most chow owners believe this is because the chow has a different type of intelligence than that found in most dogs. Many chows excel with positive reinforcement methods of training, particularly "Clicker Training", as the chow is a natural problem solver and gets bored with endless, repetitive tasks. Unless the chow is kept engaged, boredom sets in and the chow will simply walk away or refuse to engage. A well-trained Chow is a joy to live with! He is a happier dog because he knows what is expected of him and how to please its master.