They are unique-looking dogs with mane-like fur around their heads. The Chow Chow is a Chinese, non-sporting dog breed developed in ancient China as a working dog. They are loyal, reserved with strangers, with territorial aggression that makes them good guard dogs as well.
However, their size and exercise needs make them good for both city life and the countryside.
- Size
Both female and male Chow Chows can be from 17 to 20 inches tall (43 to 50 cm) and can weigh from 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 31 kg).
They look much heavier than they truly are because of their thick mane-like fur. They also have broad heads and compact bodies. Another unique trait is their gait called “stiff gait”.
The specific gait happens because the hind legs don’t have an apparent angulation and the hock joint and metatarsals are directly beneath the hip joint.
- Color
Even though the most common coat color we come across in the media is red, there are five standard breed colors:
- Cream
- Red
- Black
- Blue
- Cinnamon
This breed does not have any markings. However, they do have another special trait – blue tongues. Some coat color examples are shown in the pictures below.
- Social Traits
Chow Chow is a dog that was bred to help protect families and homes. They inherently have territorial aggression. They are not very open to strangers and they can be aggressive toward other dogs too.
Of course, through socialization and training, some of these traits can be “turned off” but they can never be completely deleted. This is very important to understand if you plan on bringing a new dog to your home or if you already have a dog, especially a smaller breed.
Chow Chows are typical guard dogs. They bond with the family they live with and are extremely loyal and protective of them. However, they are not very welcoming to strangers.
They also need proper socialization from an early age to make sure they get along with children. But, it is not recommended to leave young children with any dog, let alone a less patient one.
Good with other dogs: not very much
Good with other animals: yes, but need socialization
Good with children: yes, but need socialization
Generally speaking, Chow Chow is a good dog for families, but they need to be taught from an early age how to behave with children. They are protective dogs, so having another animal is not a problem as long as they have a socialization process.
However, other dogs might be an issue. Chow Chows do tend to act aggressively toward strange dogs. That’s why socialization is such an important thing to do. After your Chow Chow gets all the necessary vaccines, introduce him to all kinds of dogs and situations to teach him not to overreact or act aggressively.
- Trainability
Chow Chows can give a bit of trouble to people who have no experience with stubborn and smart dogs. They will quickly learn how to avoid doing what you want them to do if there is nothing in it for them.
You have to be confident and consistent. You cannot give different signals depending on the day. A Chow Chow dog is smart and they will learn how to take advantage of the situation.
You can always choose a professional dog trainer or someone who will teach you a thing or two about how to train a Chow Chow.
Either way, you will need patience and lots of time spent socializing your dog – take him to a park to meet other dogs, people, young and old, to hear different sounds and sniff various smells.
- Activity Needs
Chow Chow is not a high-energy dog. They do need daily exercise, but it can consist of a daily walk of around 40 minutes up to 1 hour. This can be divided into several shorter walks a day.
To keep the exercise interesting, you can take him to a dog park or somewhere where he can run around freely.
As mentioned at the beginning, Chow Chows are well-suited for living in a city as well. They will need their walks and mental stimulation – toys, something to do, or involvement in your everyday activities.
You do have to be careful not to take your Chow Chow for very long walks. They can develop joint issues if they get too many walks a day. The best is to consult your vet if you see any signs of Hip dysplasia.
- Feeding
An average adult Chow Chow will need around 3 to 3.5 cups of high-quality kibble food a day. It is best to divide this amount into two meals – one in the morning and the other one in the evening. You can also add some healthy snacks in the day or a fruit good for dogs (bananas, blueberries, apples, etc.).
It is important to remember that each dog is unique and that these general stats can vary from dog to dog. A dog should have a healthy weight which depends on the breed, age, sex, and amount of exercise.
It is always recommended to consult a vet if you have any doubts about feeding your dog. They can tell you what is the best option for your dog after the physical examination.
- Grooming
Chow Chows have medium-length coats. However, they can have two types: smooth and rough. Both are double and in both cases, Chow Chows shed a lot, so both need regular grooming.
You can use a slicker brush for daily brushing. This will help prevent matting and it will help with the shedding issue. It is not recommended to shave your Chow Chow. It is used only in cases where the fur is so tangled and matted that nothing helps.
They also require regular baths, once a month during summer and every 2 or 3 months in winter. Of course, use a shampoo for dogs.
Generally speaking, Chow Chows are not hard to groom, but they require a lot of it. The good thing is that you can use this time to bond further with your dog.
- Possible Health Problems
As with any dog breed, Chow Chow can also have some health issues. Apart from the mentioned Hiy dysplasia, some other health issues are:
- Bloat (GDV)
- Elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Entropion
- Eye problems
Health screening dogs can help minimize the mentioned health issues. Dogs that test positive should not be used in breeding. Responsible breeding is the first step in keeping a dog healthy.
Summary
Chow Chow is a truly unique dog. They have unique looks including mane-like fur, blue tongues, and teddy bear ears. However, don’t mistake their fluffy looks with a lack of guarding capabilities. Chow Chow is an old dog breed bred for guarding but they were used as all-around working and guard dogs at the same time.
Today, Chow Chow is a great family dog. They go well with children and other animals, but they need a lot of socialization from an early age and proper obedience training. As guard dogs, they are naturally reserved with strangers and can show aggression toward other dogs.
They shed a lot, drool moderately, and need daily brushing if you want to keep the fur clean, and healthy, and to help with the shedding.
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