Chow Chow (Smooth)
Other names: Chow
Origin
The origin of the Chow Chow is a bit of a mystery, there seems to be little doubt that they are closely related to other spitz dogs; in fact, it is widely thought that the spitz breeds are descended from the Chow Chow. They probably came from Mongolia and Manchuria, where their meat was once a delicacy and their fur was used for clothing, then introduced to China. Some historians have found evidence of them occurring in the 11th century BC. Centuries ago they were used to guard the temples against evil spirits. The Chow was also used as a hunting dog by the aristocrats, a guard dog against intruders, sled and cart pullers and as watchdogs. The Chow Chow first arrived in Britain in 1780.
Description
The Chow Chow is a short, compact squarely built dog. The tail is curled over the back. The inside of the mouth and the tongue are blue/black in colour. They have a short, abundant and dense coat. They move with a stilted and stiff legged gait.
| Size | Medium |
| Colour | The Chow Chow comes in a wide range of different colours, cream/white, fawn, red, blue and black. |
| Coat Length | Medium Long |
| Weight/Height Range | Dogs measure 48-56cms at the withers and weigh between 26 and 32kgs. Bitches measure 46-51cms at the withers and weigh between 20 and 25kgs. |
| Breed Classification | The Chow Chow is a member of the utility group. They were originally used as guard dogs, for pulling carts and as food. Today they are used as companion dogs. |
Feeding & Ownership
The Chow is prone to bloat so should be fed twice daily, instead of one large meal once a day.
| Food Cost | $10 to $15 |
Personality
The Chow is naturally an aloof dog and can be stubborn with it. They can become attached to one person and do have a tendency to snap or bite if they feel they or their owner is threatened. They may look like a cuddly teddy bear but they are not. Breeders have improved the temperaments over recent years and many bad tempered Chows are thought to be that way due to lack of proper training and socialisation when young. They are relatively quiet dogs that also make good guards. As long as they are introduced to cats and other household pets when young, problems can be prevented.
| Intelligence | The Chow Chow is relatively easy to train but they like to know what they are doing and the reason for it. They are very clean dogs and are therefore very easy to housetrain. They do have a tendency to be stubborn and need to be trained by someone who knows what they are doing. They must be socialised from a very early age as they can become willful and unmanageable otherwise. As a breed they are quite biddable but are not renowned for their great obedience. |
| Energy | Low |
| Suitability for Children | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | Low |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | The Chow Chow does not require a lot of exercise but they do like the outdoors, and are quite happy doing their own thing in the back garden. They must have somewhere shaded and cool that they can retreat to in warm and hot weather. Too much exercise too young can lead to bone and joint related health problems in later life therefore during adolescence exercise must be monitored closely. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | High |
| Ease of Transportation | High |
| Level of Aggression | Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
The grooming requirements of this dog are that they must be groomed on a regular basis. Grooming should be started at an early age as, when it is an adult, it may be done on a daily basis. When the adult coat comes in the puppy must be bathed and groomed more often so the new coat can come in properly. The coat itself is short, abundant, and dense, being quite luxurious in texture.
| Grooming Requirements | Every Day |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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