Chow Chow
Other names: Chow
#29
Wamiz's Top Breed

The Chow Chow is a dog with quite an unusual character. Very solitary and independent, he is devoted to his masters without ever (or very rarely) showing signs of affection. Naturally wary of strangers, he makes a good watchdog. Discrete, quiet and neither playful or active, he has a very calm way of life. Armed with a strong temperament, this dog is not for novice owners as he can be difficult to train.
Key facts about the Chow Chow
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Origins and history
The Chow dates back a very long time, but his precise origins are unknown. Previously used as a war dog in China, he later became a sled dog, watchdog and in the end, a dog destined for the butchers (people liked the meat produced from the Chow!), and fur makers. England was his adoptive country: he arrived in the 19th century and went through a thorough breeding and selection process before he was introduced into the rest of Europe.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 5 : Asian Spitz and related breeds
Physical characteristics of the Chow Chow
Adult size
Female : Between 18 and 20 in
Male : Between 19 and 22 in
Weight
Female : Between 44 and 66 lb
Male : Between 44 and 66 lb
Coat colour
The coat is all one colour, either black, red, blue, fawn, cream or white. The colours may be nuanced, but there won’t be markings. A multi-coloured Chow Chow does not conform to the breed’s official standards.
Type of coat
The hair can be either long or short.
Long-haired Chow Chows have thick, dense, straight and loose hair. The coat is rough and the undercoat is soft and woolly.
The short-haired breed has a thick, smooth and dense coat, which is fluffy and bouncy in texture.
For both varieties, the hair is thicker and denser around the neck, which creates the famous ‘mane’ of this breed.
Eye colour
The eyes should be dark in colour, but other colours are accepted for blue and fawn Chow Chows, so that their eyes are aligned with the colour of their coat.
Description
The Chow Chow is a compact dog with short, broad loins and a very proud stature, similar to a lion. This pet possesses the unique characteristic of a blue-black tongue. His facial features make him look like he’s scowling.
Good to know
Several years go, the owner of a pet shop in Chengdu, China, had the genius idea of creating a Chow Chow panda. Whether you think it’s an amazing or naive idea, people went crazy for the phenomena and the demand for it is ever growing.
The man who came up with this idea was able to execute it in two hours only, through some simple grooming and colouring of the fur.
While it is assured that no chemical product comes into direct contact with the animal, the necessity of such an act can be questioned; especially the wellbeing of this pet during the treatment, which has to be topped up every 6 weeks.
This all being said, the Chow Chow panda is not recognised as an official breed since his aesthetic is anything but the result of natural processes.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Chow Chow
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Is the Chow Chow right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Chow Chow varies depending on his origins, age and sex. You should budget on average £1455 for a Chow registered with the KC.
An average budget of £50 a month will be necessary to meet your Chow’s necessary dietary and care requirements.
Grooming
The maintenance of thick-haired dogs is very important, notably for dogs with long hair.
Regular brushing, even daily during periods of shedding, will be necessary to avoid the formation of knots and maintain the quality of his coat.
His eyes should also be regularly monitored and tended to, as this dog’s eyes frequently leak.
Shedding
Chows lose a significant amount of hair, particularly during spring and autumn. However, this loss is proportional with the volume of his majestic fur.
Nutrition of the Chow Chow
Often suffering from eventual stomach problems, this Chinese dog’s diet is very important.
Whether shop-bought, homemade or raw, his food should be of premium quality. You should therefore avoid buying biscuits from large stores and supermarkets.
He should be fed several times a day to split up his daily ration, in order to make sure he doesn’t eat everything all at once.
The Chow Chow puppy will require all the nutrition necessary to properly develop.
Health of the Chow Chow
Life expectancy
His lifespan is estimated at around 10 years.
Strong / robust
The Chow Chow is a robust dog, but he pays the price today for overly strict selective breeding. However, his thick fur and undercoat provide him with good protection against the weather.
Withstand heat
Easily becoming breathless due to his thick skin and heavy fur, the Chow doesn’t deal well with the heat.
Withstand cold
His double-layered fur provides him with a good protection against the cold and humidity.
Tendency to put on weight
Often affected by obesity due to his adversity to exercise, it is important to provide this fluffy dog with a diet that is adapted to his age, physical condition and health state.
Common illnesses
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Entropion (inversing of the eyelids)
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament problems (tearing of the cruciate ligament)
- Skin diseases (allergies, pyoderma, alopecia, etc.)
- Dislocation of the kneecaps
- Pemphigus (group of autoimmune dermatological diseases)
Frequently asked questions
What are Chow Chows known for?
Chow Chows are a very unique breed! Firstly, they are nicknamed the "lion dog" due to the fluffy coat around the face which resembles a lion's mane. Secondly, they are born with 44 teeth instead of 42, and finally, their tongues are blue! Sadly, Chows have a reputation for being aggressive, but they're actually very loyal companions.
Learn about another adorable Chinese breed: the Shar Pei!
Why are Chow Chows banned in some parts of the world?
Chows have a reputation for being aggressive because they are very protective of the ones they love. They can also be difficult with other dogs of the same sex. Due to their stubborn streak, they are tough to handle for some owners - and this inevitably leads to bad behaviour. The Chow is not a first-time owner dog, but, with the proper training and socialisation at an early age, aggression should not be an issue.
Find out what to do if your dog is aggressive.
Are Chow Chows aggressive?
As mentioned above, Chows are protective, stubborn, and not overly social with other dogs. Aggression is completely avoidable though, as long as the Chow's owner devotes themselves to training and socialisation.
Find out how to socialise your dog!