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Chow Chow History

The Chow is thought to be one of the oldest recognizable dog breeds. Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf. Some historians believe that the Tarters invaded China a thousand years before Christ and brought back to the West some middle-sized dogs that looked like "lions" with blue-black tongues. The Chow as it is known today is easily recognizable in pottery and sculptures of the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 22 A.D.) In the T'ang Dynasty (7th Century A.D.), it is reported that one Chinese emperor kept something in the number of 2,500 of these "Chow Dogs" as hunting and sporting animals to accompany his ten thousand hunters. In 1903 the Chow Chow was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC.

Chow Chow Temperament

Chow Chows are an independent, reserved dog that has a temperament that much resembles that of a cat's. They do make good watchdogs and are suspicious and mistrustful of strangers. They do tend to show same sex dog aggression and do not do well with other house pets. Due to their independent nature, Chows are not a good choice as a pet for the novice dog owner. According to Dr. Stanley Coren, Chows score very low with their ability to be obedience trained. Chows are a dog that needs a modest amount of exercise.

Chow Chow Appearance

Chows are a very sturdy, medium sized breed that usually weighs between 45 to 70 pounds and stand 18 to 22 inches at the withers. Their most distinctive feature is their blue and black tongue. Chows have large heads, pricked ears and a curled tail that is carried over their backs. Chows can come in two varieties, short and long-coated. Both varieties are heavy shedding dogs with the long-haired variety needing more attention to grooming. The Chow can vary in colours like red, cream, black and brown.

Chow Chow Grooming

Chow Chows are a dog that requires a lot of brushing to keep it's coat looking neat and tidy. They are also very heavy shedders.

Chow Chow Life Expectancy and Health Problems

Chows are noted as the dog breed that suffers the most from Elbow Dysplaysia. They also suffer from Entropion (eye lids rolling inward), Ectropion (eyelids rolling outward), Hip Dyplaysia, Luxating Patella and Pemphigus Foliaceus (an autoimmune disease that affects the mucous membranes). The average lifespan of a Chow Chow is 10 to 15 years.

Chow Chow Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if a Chow Chow might be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a fluffy dog?
• a dog that makes a good watchdog?
• a dog that needs a modest amount of exercise?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that can be dog aggressive?
• a dog that is difficult to obedience train?
• a dog that requires a strong, confident owner?
• a dog that is standoffish to strangers?
• a dog that requires a considerable amount of grooming?
• a dog that is a heavy shedder?

Useful Chow Chow Links

The Chow Chow Club

The Chow Chow Club of Canada

The Chow Chow Club UK