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Chow Chow Dog Breed Introduction
Chow Chow are progenitors of other spitz-type of breeds such as dainty Pomeranian and Norwegian Elkhound. It has a double dense coat that is either smooth and short or rough and long. In the neck area, the fur is particularly thick giving it a distinctive ruff appearance. This breed is considered a high-risk dog by some homeowners insurance companies. Chows also have strong hunting instincts and it is recommended that these dogs stay leashed, in a fenced yard, and away from small breeds of dogs and cats.
Origin
Chows are believed to be originally from Northern China and Mongolia. It is one of the ancient breeds that is depicted in the artifacts of the Han Dynasty in China. However, evidence suggests that they go back much further.
Due to its long history, this breed has played various roles including being the lordly companions to Chinese nobles. In the circa eighth century, an emperor of the Tang Dynasty owned a kennel facility that housed 5000 Chows and a permanent staff of double the number. Over the centuries, this breed also earned other roles including hunters, haulers, and guarders.
It is also believed that the ancestors of this breed were a delicacy. The theory behind the name of the dog derives from the Cantonese word for edible. Another theory suggests the origin of the name Chow was during 1700 when British Empire was trading ships. At the time, ‘chow chow’ referred to the miscellaneous items within the cargo of the ship that were not itemized.
Furthermore, the odd-looking dogs from China acquired by British Traders were included in the ship under the miscellaneous category. This breed gained popularity during the Victorian era when Queen Victoria acquired one. Chows were first registered by AKC in 1903 and were first exhibited in America in the 1890s.
Chow Chow Lifespan
Chows have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years according to the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. However, others may live longer up to 15 years. This breed has also been described to have an average lifespan of 11- 13 years.
Lifespan In Human Years
Chows have an average lifespan of 8-12 years which is 55.1 to 75.8 human years.
Chow Chow Grooming
This breed has a thick dense double coat that sheds all year round and heavily during spring and autumn. The coat needs regular brushing at least four times a week. However, during shedding season, brush the coat on a daily basis. Use a spray conditioner which helps in avoiding breakage and tearing to the thick coat of hair. Never brush a dry coat.
When grooming Chows, use three kinds of brush, for the larger parts of the body use a medium-coarse brush, smaller areas of the body use a slick brush, and to maintain the longer strands of hair use a pin brush.
Bathing your dog at least once a month to keep the fur coat clean and avoid fleas. After bathing Chows, use a cool air dryer to thoroughly dry the coat. Remember to trim the nails regularly at least twice a week. Overly grown nails click against the floor producing a clicking sound. They also make running and walking painful for your Chow.
Remember to wipe the eyes using a clean damp cloth to remove tear stains. Wipe the ears using cotton balls and ear cleanser solution once a week while checking for odor, redness, and dark discharge which are signs of ear infection. Brush the teeth of your pet at least twice a week to remove excess tartar buildup using a dog formulated toothpaste and toothbrush or canine dental wipes. Getting your pet acquainted to touch on the ears, paws, eyes, mouth, and any body parts prepares for a positive professional grooming experience.
Haircuts
There are three common haircuts or grooming styles that Chows owners give to their pets as discussed below:
- Puppy Cut – in this haircut, the fur all over the body is clipped to about one inch or two long. This grooming style keeps your dog comfy when the weather gets warmer.
- The Lion Cut – This is one of the popular grooming styles for Chows that participate in shows. This haircut requires some skill and a steady hand. Therefore, it is advisable to seek help from professional groomers. Essentially, the hair on the body is trimmed shorter with the fur on the head, face, tail, and feet kept a little longer. This haircut also requires daily grooming on the face to avoid tangling and matting.
- The Teddy Bear Cut – To achieve this haircut, trim the hair on the face to get a circular look. This look will be complete with a mane and trimming the hair on the ears to show the little points.
Shedding
Chows shed all-year round at moderate levels due to their double coats. They also experience heavy shedding during seasonal change once or twice a year during spring and/or autumn. During the shedding season, daily brushing of the coat is recommended. Brushing your Chows’ coat four times a week helps in confining the loose hair in the brush that would otherwise spread around the house. This breed may also shed more due to poor diet and poor grooming maintenance.
Coat
Chows have a dense double coat that is made up of two layers of fur, an undercoat, and a top coat. The Undercoat is made up of wool-like hairs that are short and acts as an insulator keeping your pet warm during brutal winters. The top coat also referred to as guard hairs protect Chows from all hazardous elements of the environment. This breed also has two types of coats:
- Smooth and short coat.
- Rough and long coat.
Hypoallergenic
Chows are not hypoallergenic. They have a dense double coat that sheds all year round and heavily during autumn and spring. Therefore, not suitable for people with fur allergies. Fur, dander, urine, and saliva have a protein allergen that causes allergic inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. Excessive drooling also allows saliva to spread on various surfaces which also trigger allergic inflammation.
Chow Chow Training
Chows are naturally well-behaved and quiet, but they may be resistant to training. This is because they become very stubborn to attach to certain individuals as they grow older. Therefore, early socialization and puppy training classes are essential to help raising a well-mannered and well-adjusted Chow.
Most Chows also become fiercely protective of their owners and property. They also display discernment of strangers. To avoid over-protectiveness and aggression continued socialization by exposing your dog to other dog breeds, people, situations, sights, experiences, smell and sounds like vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, sirens, whistles, & washing machines as early as possible could allow your dog to adjust. Training is successful with this breed due to consistent reinforcement, patience, and positive training methods and rewards. The harsh corrections method should be avoided in order to develop a trusting relationship. The best tools for training are regular practice, patience, and praise.
Housebreaking is easier by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training. A crate is a safe place where your Chow should retreat to. Remember to create positive associations with the crate with the use of treats, praise, and toys. Resist using a crate as a form of punishment. Make the crate comfortable by lining it with a comfy blanket. Potty is effective if you take your pup to the designated space when they wake up and after every two hours throughout the day. Consistency is crucial for potty training.
As early as 7 to 8 weeks of life, teach your pet basic commands such as sit, stay, lay down, and Quiet. Normalize teaching one command word at a time until your pet understands before proceeding to the next command word. Keep training sessions short for a period of 5 to 10 minutes to avoid boredom.
Barking
Chows are naturally well-behaved and quiet but have a loud and commanding bark. They are quite protective of their owners and property and are likely to bark at strangers. Barking at strangers may be controlled through early socialization and taking puppy classes. Teaching the quiet command also helps regulating barking.
Chow Chow Temperament
- Independent.
- Aloof.
- Alert.
- Quiet.
- Loyal.
- Intelligent.
- Stubborn.
- Aggressive if not properly socialized.
- Dignified.
- Stubborn.
- Protective.
Exercise
This breed has moderate exercise needs and requires at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise a day which may be divided into shorter walks in the morning and longer interesting walks during the day. Their minimal exercise requirements imply that this breed can also be housed in an apartment.
Daily exercise is recommended to avoid boredom and restlessness. Moderate play with toys with minimal high-impact exercise can also be included in the daily exercise. This breed doesn’t tolerate humidity or high heat well hence dog owners should avoid exercising their pets during hot periods of the day.
Doing activities together helps to strengthen the bond between a dog owner and the Chow. Once your pet gets accustomed to daily exercise, it tends to be more assertive with the owner in anticipation of such activities.
Aggressive
Chows are aloof with strangers and may be aggressive with other dogs. They are also known to be overly protective of their owners and hence may exhibit aggression. This behavior is also frequent with other dogs of the same gender. However, early socialization helps to get rid of the aggressive instinct.
Biting
Chows originally breed as hunting dogs, therefore, they are more prone to aggression and can be extremely territorial of their family and home. An adult Chow is likely to have a bite force of 220 PSI. A Chow puppy is more likely to bite and nip while teething, releasing energy, exploring their environment, getting attention, and interacting. Pet owners ae encouraged to curb biting even before it develops into a habit through redirection, distraction, and teaching your dog what biting habits are acceptable. Biting can also be curbed by ensuring that your Chow is properly exercised to release excess energy.
Chow Chow Size
A Chow is a medium-sized dog. A female chow is slightly smaller in size as compared to its male counterpart in terms of height and weight. A female chow has a height of 18 to 20 inches ( approx. 46 to 51 cm ) and a weight of 44 to 60 pounds ( approx. 20-27kg). On the other hand a male Chow has a height of 19 to 22 inches ( approx. 48 to 56 cm ) and a weight of 55 to 71 pounds ( approx. 25 to 32 kg).
Height
Male Chows have a height of 19 to 22 inches ( approx. 48 to 56 cm ) while their female counterparts have a height of 18 to 20 inches( approx. 46 to 51 cm ).
Weight
Female Chows weigh 44 to 60 pounds( approx. 20-27kg) while the male Chows have a weight of 55 to 71 pounds ( approx. 25 – 32kg).
Chow Chow Tongue
Chows have distinctive unique purple or blue-black tongue that also extends into their lips and oral cavity. At birth, Chow puppies have pink tongues. The blue-black or purple color develops from o-6 months. However, a dog breed that has incomplete pigmentation of the tongue won’t compete in conformation shows. The unique tongue pigmentation is used as a requirement in identifying purebred Chows.
Tongue Color
A Chow has a distinctive blue-black or purple color tongue that extends to its oral cavity and lips.
Spotted Tongue
Chows may have spotted tongues either blue-black or purple due to extra pigmentation. Spotted tongues in this breed also resemble birthmarks in humans.
Some of the other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Tongue Poison
It has a pigmented tongue that is either blue-black or purple. Chow’s tongue is completely harmless and therefore not poisonous.
Tail
Chows have a distinctive fluffy curly tail that has thick hairs and lies curled on its back. At times the tail blends right in with the rest of the fur in the back. According to the American Kennel Club, the fur on the tail of Chows should be even all around without the appearance of a feathering.
Tail Down
This breed should always have a curly tail that rests on its back. However, if you notice your Chow’s tail hanging down and looks unnatural, then it may be suffering from Limber tail or Acute Caudal Myopathy. This condition makes the dog hold its tail limp and down instead of the normal upright position.
The limber tail may be caused by excessive tail wagging, strenuous exercise, or sometimes even swimming. This condition may result in pain and swelling in the tail and even make it difficult for your Chow to sit. However, it has been reported that the tail goes back to its normal position after a few days of rest.
Long Hair
Chows have two types of coats, smooth and rough. Rough-coated dogs of this breed have long hairs with obvious feathering or rather longer hairs on the body, ears, tail, or legs.
Look Alike | Look Alike Breeds
Chows have been described to look like bears. However, they are also other dog breeds that resemble Chows and bears including Keeshond, Eurasier, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Tibetan Mastiff, Maremma Sheepdog, etc.
Types
- Smooth and short-coated.
- Rough and long-coated.
Chow Chow Allergies
This breed is also prone to certain forms of allergies caused by food, environment, skin, contact, and inhalant allergens. A Chow owner may know if the pet is affected by allergies if it exhibits the following symptoms; itchy ears, dry flaky skin, rubbing of paws, sneezing, watery eyes, chronic ear infections, constant licking of paws, and chewing at itchy areas. Some of the allergies that affects Chows include:
Skin allergies – Chows suffer from skin allergies that results from food, environmental, and contact allergens.
Food allergies – Although food allergies are rare, they cause an immune response in Chows that results in a wide range of symptoms including skin conditions symptoms and gastrointestinal response.
Contact allergens – This result to an inflammation when the allergens come in contact with the skin. Some of the environmental allergens that causes allergic reaction include latex, grooming products like shampoos, lawn chemicals, plastics, medications, carpet cleaning detergents, and bed linens. The common affected body parts by this allergy include around the mouth, belly sides, and paws. Common symptoms exhibited by a Chow that is suffering from contact allergies include excessive biting, licking, scratching, and itchiness.
Inhalant allergies – These allergens cause inflammation if inhaled. Some of the inhalant allergens include perfumes, cigarette smoke, ragweed, pollen, and grass.
Environmental allergies
Some of the environmental allergens that affects Chows include pollen, grass, ragweed, dust and dust mites, house molds, fleas, mosquitoes, and mites. Flea allergy causes itchiness at the base of the tail and on the hind legs. Flea bite result in excessive scratching and biting until the skin is raw which results to secondary skin infections if not attended to. Symptoms of this allergy include a runny nose, swollen eyes, and itchiness on various body parts including armpits, muzzle, ears, face, paws, belly sides, groin, between the toes, and around the eyes. A Chow owner may control flea allergy dermatitis through the use of modern flea medication at least once a month. Other symptoms may be managed by wiping the coat of a Chow with a damp cloth after an outdoor activity when it returns to the house.
Skin Allergies
This breed is also susceptible to skin allergies that may be caused by environmental allergies such as dust and molds. Skin inflammation may manifest on the skin due to environmental allergens such as pollen grains, ragweed, house molds, or grass. An inflammation of this type may also be a result of food intolerance. Skin allergies in Chows are also caused by skin dermatitis. Common body parts affected by this allergy include ears, feet, belly, body sides, paws, etc.
Food Allergies
Chows may be affected by food allergies or food intolerance. True food allergies are rare and result in an immune response with a range of symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal stress and skin conditions symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms include diarrhea and/or vomiting while skin conditions symptoms include hives, crusting lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, and dermatitis.
On the other hand food intolerance or sensitivities don’t result in an immune response in Chows. It occurs due to a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet of a Chow. Some of the food substances that may result in food intolerance include preservatives, additives, soy, corn, wheat, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, beef, eggs, milk, dairy products, etc.
Symptoms of food sensitivities include foot infections, loss of appetite, poor skin and coat, diarrhea, vomiting, chronic ear infections, and itchiness. A Chow owner is encouraged to work with a Vet to manage the symptoms and identify the ingredient that is causing discomfort or even an immune response.
Health Issues
Most of the health issues in Chows can be minimized by regular health care, health screening, and responsible breeding. This breed is also at high risk for skin melanoma and autoimmune disease. Some of the other health issues that Chows may suffer from include glaucoma, entropion, gastric cancer, canine pemphigus, lymphoma, juvenile cataracts, etc.
Ear Infection
This breed is predisposed to ear infections due to its ear anatomy. Chows have narrow ear canals which makes them more prone to infection. Other causes of ear infections in Chows include moisture accumulation, excess debris, dirt, or wax, yeast imbalances, ear mites, excessive cleaning, overgrown hair in the ear canal, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, and injury to the ear canal.
A Chow is predisposed to three types of ear infections; interna, media, and externa otitis respectively. This breed is mostly affected by externa otitis which is the inflammation of the cells in the external ear canal. If this infection is left untreated, it may spread to the the middle ear (media) and the inner ear canal(interna) which causes deafness, vestibular signs, and facial paralysis.
Some of the symptoms that Chows exhibit when suffering from an ear infection include odor, head shaking, redness, pain, itchiness in the affected ear, hair loss around the ear, scratching of the ear, a dark discharge that may be yellow, brown, or bloody, and even redness swelling crusts. Once your notice the above signs, book an appointment with the vet. Once you get to the vet, physical examination will be conducted before taking a swab from the affected ear. If the Chow is in too much pain, the vet will sedate it before cleaning the ear with an ear cleanser and a cotton ball.
Chow Chow Eyes
Chows have deeply set and almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown in color.
Eye Problems
Like Maltese, this breed is also prone to suffer from various eye problems including:
Entropion – This is an eye condition that results in rolling of the eyelids inwards hence rubbing the cornea which causes a lot of pain. It may result to cornea ulcers due to the contact between the cornea and the eye lashes. The common affected breeds have a flat nose and face. Symptoms of entropion include eye inflammation, blinking, a white, yellow, or green discharge, and excessive tearing.
Glaucoma – It is an eye condition that results in the damage of the optic nerve of the chow due to the fluid accumulation in the eye because of its unbalanced production. Symptoms of glaucoma include redness, watery eyes, discoloration of the cornea, and intermittent pain around the eye.
Dry eye – causes the inflammation of the eye cornea which affects the production of enough tears that lubricate the eye. This eye problem is made worse by having a thick yellowish or greenish discharge. Dry eye disease is also referred to keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Distichiasis is an eye condition that causes rubbing on the surface of the eye due to extra hairs that grow inside the eyelid. If left untreated, the abnormal hair may lead to chronic eye pain and corneal ulcers.
Cataracts – A Chow that has cataracts will have cloudy and whitish pupils that affects its vision.
Eye Discharge
Eye discharge in dogs is referred to as eye boogers or eye gunk. Dog have a normal eye discharge that is whitish grey or a clear discharge with a water consistency. However, a thick yellowish discharge may indicate that the Chows are suffering from dry eye disease while a thick yellowish green discharge indicates that the eye has a bacterial infection. To properly clean eye discharge from your dog’s eyes, use cotton balls that are moisturized with saline solution. Hold the cotton over your dog’s eyes for a few minutes to soften the crusts.
Chow Chow Colors
Chows may have coat colors that are either blue, cream, black, fawn, cinnamon, blue, or shaded/self-red. Some of the rare colors in this breed may include merle, pure white, and cream.
Chow Chow Dog Food
This breed will do well on a complete and balanced diet of dry and wet dog food. While feeding your Chow, be aware of the nutrients that it needs such as high-quality protein, and canine food sensitivities. Many dog owners feed their Chows with a low grain diet because this breed is prone to allergies. Some of Chow’s dog food may include Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Red Dog Food, Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Dog Food, Zignature Lamb Limited Ingredient Dog Food, etc.
Feeding
An adult Chow should feed at least three cups of dry kibble food twice a day which is one and a half cups of food per meal. A puppy dog of this breed should be fed four times a day with a half-cup of dry food.
Teeth
This breed has 44 sets of permanent teeth with two extra teeth firmly placed in their jaws. Most breeds have a set of 42 permanent teeth.
Heat Cycle
The heat cycle of female Chows last for a period of 3 to 4 weeks. The first heat cycle is experienced at the age of 6 months onwards. The heat season will reoccur after every six months. Some of the symptoms that a Chow exhibit while experiencing heat cycle include a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, loss of appetite, mood swings, increased nesting behavior, tail flagging, and increased urination.
A chow may be come receptive to the male later in the cycle. However, breeders have noted that it is a problem to naturally mate Chows due to their short legs, massive fur, and box-like structure.
Before mating a chow, ensure that both the dam and the stud are genetically tested to look out for underlying health issues. It is highly recommended to breed a Chow that is two years old in order to give the genetically linked faults the time to express themselves. Dogs don’t experience menopause and may get pregnant in their teens.
Pregnancy Length
Chows have a gestation period of 63 days with some giving birth between 58 days to 65 days after conception. This is approximately two months.
Litter Size
During birth, the dam may deliver a litter size of 4 to 7 puppies. At birth, puppies are born with pink tongues which gradually darken at the age of 8 to 10 weeks.
Head
It has a broad skull.
Chow Chow Names
The most important exercise that a dog owner engages in after getting a Chow from a responsible breeder is getting a name for the pet. Names may be inspired by the origin, characteristics of the dog, books, food, pop culture, movies, and celebrities.
Regardless of the name that your choose for your pet, remember to give it a name that will freely roll out your tongue without feeling embarrassed especially when uttered out loud in public places like parks and malls. Chows and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels.
Avoid giving your pet a name that rhymes with command words to avoid confusion. Giving your pet a name that is used by other family members or people who frequent your household will create confusion. Some of male Chows names include Thor, King, Gus, Milo, Max, Fred, Jax, Bonnie, Hunter, Buddy, etc. On the other hand female Chows names include Layla, Millie, Zoe, Lola, Roxy, Lina, Maddie, Rosie, etc.
Hair Loss
It is normal for Chows to experience hair loss in moderate levels throughout the year and heavily once or twice a year when experiencing seasonal change during spring and autumn. Other causes of hair loss in Chows include:
Allergies – Chows are prone to food, skin, contact, and environmental allergens which cause excessive scratching, licking, itchiness, and biting which leads to thinning of the coat and eventually hair loss.
Hypothyroidism – This is a health issue caused by the thyroid gland inadequately producing the thyroxine hormone that helps in regulating metabolism. As a result, there is thinning of the coat and the hair easily falls out around sides of the body, neck area, on the tail, and on the back of the legs.
Hormones – Female chows experience an increase in hormones especially during the heat cycle which causes thinning of the coat due to the increase in estrogen levels.
Alopecia also causes moderate to severe hair loss in Chows. Affected areas may have very thin hair or it may completely fall out causing baldness.
Mange – Chows are affected by mange that leads to sores, hair loss, and scrabs caused by demodex mites. These insects causes rubbing, licking, itching, and scratching of the affected body parts.
Muzzle
Chows may be aloof to strangers and may became fiercely protective of their owners and property. The natural instinct of overprotectiveness and aggression is avoided through socialization and training. However, a muzzle may be needed in a situation when the owner is not sure of how the Chow will react to a new stimulus. It is also advisable to muzzle a dog that is in pain since it is likely to bite.
AKC encourages dog owners to create positive associations with the accessory through the use of praise and treats such as smearing peanut butter in the muzzle. However, a muzzle should not be used as a way of correcting behavior issues such as biting, barking, and chewing.
Collar
If a Chow like pulling while walking and a leash has been attached to a collar, they are likely to experience tracheal collapse due to the pressure and stress added to the throat. Some of the dog owners have also reported that a collar gets rid of the fur around the neck. Some of the Chow owners also prefer to use a harness while walking their dogs. Although, some claim that a harness causes matting on the fur under the front legs. A collar and a harness may also be used at the same time. A collar will hold the rabies and ID tag while a leash will be attached on the harness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Chow Chow Tongue Blue
Chows have purple or blue-black tongues since the tongue has pigmented cells similar to the cells present on human skin that determine the skin color.
Is Chow Chow Aggressive
Yes, they are aggressive towards other dogs and strangers if they were not properly socialized when they were puppies.
Are Chow Chow Hypoallergenic
No, they shed throughout the year and heavily during autumn and spring.
Chow Chow Quick Facts
- They have distinctive purple or blue-black tongue and a curly tail that is curved on their back.
- Sigmund Freud owned a dog of this variety named Jo-Fi Ling who attended all his therapy sessions.
- Martha Stewart also owns several Chows.
