The Chow Chow is a unique and fascinating breed known for its lion-like mane, blue-black tongue, and dignified personality. Originating from ancient China, this breed is a symbol of loyalty and independence. With their striking appearance and aloof temperament, Chow Chows are often seen as both elegant and enigmatic. They’re excellent companions for those who appreciate their reserved yet protective nature. Whether you’re considering adding a Chow Chow to your family or are simply curious about this ancient breed, there’s a lot to admire and learn about these majestic dogs.
What kind of dog is that? It looks like a bear!”
“Mom, that lady’s got a lion on a leash!”
“How did that dog get a black tongue?”
Definitely one of the most impressive of all dogs, the Chow Chow is an awesome creature with his lion-like appearance and regal manner. With puppies that look like walking teddy bears, it’s no wonder that the Chow is one of the most popular breeds today.
The Chow Chow
More than 2,000 years old, the Chow was bred to be an all-around working dog capable of surviving in a hostile environment. Hunting, herding, guarding, pulling sleds the Chow could do it all. First kept by fierce Mongolian tribes in China as a hunting and guard dog, the Chow was also used for their meat and fur. The true origin of the breed is unknown; some historians believe it descends from ancient Roman Mastiff-type dogs crossed with Spitz types. Others believe the Chow is the ancestor of the modern Spitz group of dogs as well as the Akita and Shar-Pei.
How the Chow got his blue-black tongue is also a mystery. A delightful old fable provides an answer: When God was painting the sky blue, He spilled a few drops as He worked. The Chow followed after, licking up the drops of paint and from that day forward, the Chow Chow had a blue tongue!
The Chow’s first appearance outside of China (where they are seldom seen today) was in England in the late 1800’s. Sailors returning from the east brought them back in the cargo hold of the great trade ships. “Chow Chow” was a slang term applied to the large variety of items carried by these ships. Like a nickname, the term stuck to these dogs.
Chows make exceptional house pets. Despite their size (17-21″ at the shoulder, 45-85 pounds), they are very quiet, naturally well-behaved, not diggers or barkers and aren’t destructive. They’re one of the easiest breeds to housebreak. Chows do, however, have a very different personality than other dogs. They are cat-like in their attitudes: aloof, reserved with affection, independent, dignified and stubborn. Although their soft fur is ripe for hugging, they don’t always enjoy being fussed over by children or strangers. For people who want a cuddly lap dog that will instantly love all their friends, the Chow is likely to be a disappointment.
Temperament and behavior
The Chow Chow is very intelligent but not always easy to train. They don’t have the strong desire to please their masters as do breeds like the Golden Retriever. They seem to please themselves first and don’t respond to the average methods of training and motivation. They do not tolerate physical punishment and can’t be forced into anything. Hitting or beating a Chow will either result in viciousness or a broken spirit. Like a cat, a Chow is only willing to do what suits his mood at the time. He’s an independent thinker and will make his own decisions if you don’t stay a step ahead of him! The Chow is a powerful, regal, beautiful animal and he knows it. He expects to be treated with dignity and respect respect that he will return if you show you’re worthy of it.
From this description, I think you can see that the Chow Chow is not a breed for everyone. Its temperament is often misunderstood and many people mistakenly believe that Chows are vicious dogs. This breed is naturally suspicious of strangers and very territorial. They take their homes and family very seriously as well as their responsibility to protect what they love. On his own property and especially without his owner present, the Chow can appear to be quite fierce. He will seldom let a stranger pass unchallenged. People used to the warm welcomes of other breeds are unprepared for the seriousness of the Chow; guests must be greeted by the owners before the dog accepts them.
he Chow’s appearance also contributes to the myths about his temperament. The scowling, sometimes wrinkled face, small deepset eyes, and lionlike ruff are intimidating. Some people complain that they can’t “read” a Chow’s expression as easily as other breeds’. The Chow’s natural aloofness, dignity and indifference to people outside his family is often misinterpreted by people who expect most dogs to be outwardly friendly and affectionate. The Chow saves his affections for those he loves dearly and finds little reason to seek attention from anyone else. He minds his own business and simply doesn’t care what other people think of him!
The dangers of popularity
In all honesty, some Chows do have temperament problems. The breed went through two periods of dramatic public popularity, once in the 1930’s and again during the 1980’s. In a rush to cash in on this popularity and sell puppies quickly for a profit, unscrupulous or inexperienced breeders and pet owners often used Chows with unsuitable temperaments for breeding. Believing the myths that Chows were supposed to be unfriendly or aggressive, they didn’t know or didn’t care that this kind of disposition is not acceptable in reputable circles. Experienced, responsible breeders with a sincere interest in what’s good for Chows and the people who buy them refuse to use stock that is aggressive or shy.
Coat care
The Chow’s thick coat requires a lot of care. Puppy coat is very dense and soft, easily tangled and can take several hours a week to groom. The transition period from puppy to adult coat may take several months and your Chow needs to be groomed almost daily during that time. Adult coat is easier to care for but will still need at least an hour or two a week to look its best and prevent matting. Chows shed seasonally, not daily. Once or twice a year they shed their coats and you’ll literally be filling trash bags full of hair at that time! Although the smooth coated variety would seem to be less work, it, too, sheds seasonally and needs regular, thorough grooming. You’ll need to train your Chow to cooperate and lie on his side during the long hours of grooming. Most Chows would prefer to be groomed by their owners rather than suffer the indignity of going to a professional groomer.
Chows come in five colors: red, black, cream, blue and cinnamon. There’s no such thing as “champagne,” “silver,” “lilac,” “chocolate” or “white” Chows — these “exotic” colors are just creative interpretations of the regularly accepted colors. Colors other than red are not rare and shouldn’t cost more.
Red varies from a deep mahogany to a light golden red with light shadings on the tail, breechings and ruff. Red puppies are born a “mousy” brown, often with a black mask. This mask will eventually fade is usually gone at maturity. The fluffy baby coat will start to grow at three months of age and often is not what the adult shade of red will be. To get a clue, look at the adult hair beginning to grow on the face and feet. The nose should be black with no pink spotting. Eyes on all colors of Chows should be as dark as possible.
Black is self-explanatory but some black Chows have silver shadings in tail or breechings (or both). Black Chows sometimes turn “rusty” when kept outside or in the sun. A “chocolate” Chow really is a rusty black! Black Chows are born black.
Cream varies from ivory to a very pale fawn. They are cream from birth and sometimes have tan ears and legs. Light red puppies are often mislabeled as creams by inexperienced breeders. Creams are seldom seen at dog shows because their noses, which may be black as puppies, always turn brown by maturity, and a brown nose is a disqualification.
Blue is a steel gray color, sometimes with silver shadings as in the blacks. Poor quality blues may have brown shadings and blues can also “rust” in the sun. The muzzle and legs have a salt and pepper mixture of light and dark hairs. Noses on blue Chows are often gray or slate-colored. This is the only color of Chow where a black nose is not required, but the nose must not be brown.
Chows’ tongues are pink at birth and gradually darken. They should be completely blue-black at the age of eight weeks. Some tongues don’t change completely. This fault disqualifies the Chow from the show ring and it shouldn’t be used for breeding.
As with any breed, Chows can be prone to various health problems. Hip dysplasia and entropion are probably the most common. The chances that your Chow will become dysplastic are reduced if you buy your puppy from a breeder who x-rays hips of breeding animals and certifies them free of dysplasia before breeding. Ask for a warranty against crippling hip dysplasia for a period of at least two years. It has been estimated that as many as 50 percent of all Chows have hip dysplasia. This percentage would be greatly reduced if more breeders would x-ray their stock before breeding.
Entropion is a condition where the dog’s eyelids turn inward toward the eyeball rather than outward as they should. This causes irritation to the eye and if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Entropion is usually inherited but can also be acquired later in life as a result of eye injury or infection. Entropion isn’t always apparent in young puppies. When you’re shopping for a puppy, you should expect to see, clear, dry sparkling eyes on the parents of the litter. Runny, inflamed eyes or crusty eyelids are not normal for a Chow and should be treated by a veterinarian.
Skin and hormone problems are also seen in Chow Chows. These, too, are often inherited and seldom apparent in a young puppy. Ask questions about the parents of the puppy you have in mind. If you’re not satisfied with the health, appearance or temperament of the parents, do not buy the puppy!
Good temperament in Chows is partly inherited and partly made by good training and socialization. Almost all Chow puppies are friendly and irresistible. Your puppy won’t be little for long and you want to be happy with the adult dog who’ll share your life for many years to come. Start out on the right foot by choosing a puppy from parents who have the kind of temperament you want! You should be able to touch and handle the parents of your puppy. They shouldn’t be overly shy nor aggressive toward you with their owner present. If you don’t like the disposition of the parents or can’t handle at least one parent of the litter, do not buy the puppy!
The Chow Chow is more than just a beautiful dog; it’s a loyal and independent companion with a rich history and unique personality. If you’re looking for a dog that’s as dignified as it is devoted, the Chow Chow might be the perfect match. Have you had any experiences with this remarkable breed? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about the Chow Chow breed
The Chow Chow is known for its lion-like mane, blue-black tongue, and dignified personality. They’re loyal, independent, and one of the oldest dog breeds, with origins in ancient China.
Are Chow Chows good family pets?
Yes, the Chow Chow can be a great family pet for those who appreciate its reserved nature. While they’re loyal and protective, early socialization is key to ensure they get along well with children and other pets.
How much exercise does a Chow Chow need?
The Chow Chow is a relatively low-energy breed that requires moderate exercise, such as daily walks and playtime. However, they also enjoy lounging and are well-suited for apartment living.
