Have You Considered
Owning A Chow Chow?

To many people, the Chow Chow looks like a lion with a blue tongue.

Normally, a blue tongue would be a cause for concern, but when it belongs to your Chow Chow, it's completely normal. Besides their leonine appearance, chows are cat-like also in their attitudes: aloof, reserved with their affection, independent, dignified and stubborn.

Born In Mongolia

More than 2,000 years old, the Chow Chow was bred in Mongolia to be an all-around working dog capable of surviving in a hostile environment. Asian sailors brought these dogs with them to England, where their exotic appearance quickly made them popular.

Walking Teddy Bear

This breed is classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Non-Sporting group. The Chow Chow is a 45- to 70-pound dog that stands 17 to 20 inches high.

Its down turned lips can give this breed a deceptively angry appearance. But the tail curling over the dog's back and its thick double coat offset this unfriendly impression. The red Chow Chow is most common, but these furry dogs also can have black, blue, cinnamon, or cream colored coats.

If you see a puppy, you'll understand why some people say they look like walking teddy bears.

Good Family Dogs

Chow Chows are devoted to their families and usually love children. They are normally quiet and well-behaved, not diggers or barkers, and aren't destructive. They're said to be 1 of the easiest breeds to housebreak.

Chow Chows are not high-energy dogs, but they do need a bit more room than an apartment provides. A small fenced yard is adequate for this breed. If you do live in an apartment, be prepared to take your Chow Chow for a daily run. However, do not allow him to run loose in the park, as Chows are prone to aggressiveness toward other dogs.

Training A Must

They often don't do well with other pets. New owners should concentrate on socializing their puppies so they do not grow up to be dangerous or aggressive to strangers. Puppy obedience classes are a good way to socialize your Chow while being sure it receives thorough obedience training.

Besides their tendency to be aloof and unfriendly to people outside the family, Chow Chows do have a few other drawbacks. They have a tendency to dominate people if they can get away with it, and they often bully inexperienced dog owners. You will have to be firm with your dog and always be sure to follow through on commands.

Since they are not extremely active dogs, Chows do not eat a lot. You should feed your dog a nutritious puppy food while he is young and a good adult dog food when he grows older. Feeding is no problem, but they do require quite a lot of grooming. Their thick coats are hard to brush because they are so dense.

Although they are big dogs, Chow Chows should not spend too much time outside during the summer, since their thick coats do not protect Chows from overheating. These dogs also can also suffer from hip dysplasia and often have problems with their knee joints.

If you don't mind that Chow Chows have a bit of an attitude problem toward strangers or other animals, then this could be just the right breed for you. After all, there is nothing quite like hugging one of these fuzzy, bear-like dogs on a cold winter night.

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