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 | Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is an ancient breed from northern China. It was once used for hunting, herding, pulling and protection of the home. The breed is more than two thousand years old, and is thought to be one of the oldest recognisable breeds. The Chow Chow has two rather distinct characteristics; one is its unique blue-black tongue and the other is the shape of its hind legs. The hind legs are almost straight, giving the dog a rather stilted walk.
The Chow Chow is a powerful, sturdy and squarely built dog, with strong muscular development and heavy bones. It has a smooth or rough double coat – the undercoat being soft, thick and woolly. The coat forms a ruff around the head and is generally longer in dogs than in bitches.
Chow Chow’s can be rather standoffish and aloof, but with family members in the home, they are extremely loyal and protective. This makes them good companions and guard dogs, although some Chow’s, due to their independent nature, can be quite difficult to train. They are inclined to be a little lazy when it comes to exercise; so this must be enforced to keep them in good shape.
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Appearance
Chow Chow’s have a large head with a broad flat skull and a short, broad and deep muzzle. Although they have a strong and sturdy body, their head appears to be large in proportion to the overall size of the dog. The ears are small, thick and triangular in shape and are carried erect with a slight tilt forward. The eyes are dark brown and the nose is black. The tail is carried high and close to the back. Chow Chow’s come in five different colours; red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream. Their overall height is around 18 – 22 inches (46 – 56cms) and their weight is around 45 – 70lbs (20 – 32kg).
Grooming
Chow Chow’s obviously have a very thick coat and need regular and thorough grooming to keep it in good condition. They are seasonally heavy shedders; so they will require extra care and attention during this time. As with all dogs that have very thick coats, it is best to introduce them to regular grooming from a very early age, so that they learn to accept it as part of their normal daily routine.
Health Problems
Chows are generally quite healthy dogs, but they are susceptible to hip dysplasia and entropion (an eye irritation caused by an eyelid abnormality). Chow Chow’s have quite a long lifespan and can live for twelve to fifteen years.
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