Chow Chow Dog Breed Facts & Information

Chow chows are quiet but loyal creatures that do everything for their owners. Although they are intelligent, they are also persistent, so they can do it best if they are properly trained.

You may be known for being old dogs from China, or for appearing in Martha Stewart's morning show. These fluffy dogs have a lot in mind, and it takes the love and dedication of an owner to make sure they feel well protected and calm.

The Basics

Chow-chows are furry dogs with double coats known for their calm and independence. While they are extremely loyal to their owners, they may be shy to other people. Sometimes they can even become aggressive. However, with dedicated owners who break through the persistent nature of their chow and train them, they can thrive. As adults, they become strong and robust dogs, and their life expectancy is eight to 12 years.

The History

Chow-chows are one of the oldest breeds in the world. They can be seen in artifacts from the Han dynasty of China, around 206 BC. You can even go back further. Many years ago, they were companions of Chinese nobles. Over time, they were hunters, guards and forwarders. Chow Chows debuted in the 1820s in the London Zoo as a wild dog of China. Later, Queen Victoria got a pet Chow Chow. They came to America in the 1890s and became members of the American Kennel Club in 1903.

The Personality

Chow chows are independent dogs, and they are not known to be sociable. While they are loyal to their owners - perhaps because of their history as guardian owners - they can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. They require a lot of training because they are usually stubborn. Owners who want a quieter puppy are lucky because Chow Chows are not big barkers.

Appearance

Chow-chows have medium / short double layers. They have two types of coats - either a straight, protruding coat that makes them look like teddy bears, or smooth and short coats. Their colors are black, blue, red, cream and cinnamon, and they have naturally flabby eyes and erect ears. They also have crushed faces and their bodies fold so they have wrinkles. Their bodies are square and have straight legs that give them a stilted gait. Chow-chows are strong puppies with wide skulls and tails curling over their backs. They also have facial wrinkles, which are not visible because of their hair.

Chow Chow essential facts

• Personality: Independent, protective, devoted
• Energy level: Low
• Trainability: Chow chows are very intelligent, but known to be hard to train.
• Good with children: Yes, but supervision is recommended. They are close to children who are in the family but not close to other children. When children walk around or chastise the chow, it can be violent and aggressive.
• Good with other dogs: Not good as they are very independent dogs.
• Spill: Seasonal
• Care: Since chow-chows with their double coats have a lot of hair, they need to be brushed two to three times a week. A monthly bath is also recommended. After the bath, owners should use a cool air dryer to dry the coats of their puppies.
• Barking Level: Low
• Size: Male, at the withers: 19 inches. Female, at the withers: 18 inches.
• Weight: 45-70 pounds
• Life expectancy: 8-12 years