The Chow Chow came from Mongolia to China 2,000 years ago. Initially, this lion-like dog served as a guardian of temples from evil spirits. Then it acted as a shepherd, sledge and hunting dog.
Over time, Chow Chow dogs began to be bred for fur and meat. The name of the breed is said to mean "yum, yum" in Chinese, and the words reflect the taste of its meat. Another version is that the breed takes its name from the Chinese Choo hunting dog.
In early Chinese literature, the Chow Chow is referred to as a Tatar and barbarian dog. The first Chow Chow was brought to Europe in 1760. It lived in the English zoo as a tourist attraction.
This bear-looking dog has one thing in common with this big animal: a blue tongue and lips. Chinese legend claims that the Chow Chow licked the sky.
In 1895, the breed club was established, and 10 years later the first Chow Chow sailed to the USA, where it served as a luxury companion dog.
Currently, the Chow Chow is the most common show and family dog.
- Life expectancy: 9 - 15 years
- Height at the withers - male: 48 - 56 cm
- Height at the withers - female: 46 - 51 cm
- Male weight: 25 - 32 kg
- Female weight: 20 - 27 kg
The Chow Chow is a dog with a short and massive body, a lion-like appearance and a proud and dignified demeanor. This exceptionally beautiful, sensitive and independent dog is definitely not a pet for everyone. First, it is stubborn and lazy. Second, it doesn't like human touch. Sometimes it gives the impression that it accepts stroking for the sake of peace but it is not a source of its joy. People with little awareness of animals say that Chow Chow dogs are somewhat of a cat's nature. The truth is, the Chow Chow takes time to trust a man, and it truly enjoys human presence but in a sedate and stoic manner. This is a dog that does not show its emotions clearly. The Chow Chow will be a great friend of calm people for whom the discreet presence of a pet at home and the awareness that the dog loves them, even though it does not provide constant evidence of affection and sympathy, counts.
As a rule, the Chow Chow only recognizes one owner to whom it is most devoted and loyal. Although Chow Chow looks like a cuddly toy, it does not like children who tug its fur and ears, hug it and squeal loudly. Therefore, a dog of this breed should not live with young children.
The Chow Chow is a faithful and devoted quadruped who enjoys lounging in a quiet and warm corner. It can be kept in a block of flats as it does not require a lot of space and physical activity. One longer walk and a few shorter ones a day is of course a must. It leaves the house calm and clean. During walk, it avoids puddles and even sand.
The Chow Chow requires firm but gentle handling. If it is reprimanded, its pride will be offended. Do not shout or act nervous in the presence of this dog. From the first weeks of life, the Chow Chow should be socialized with people and other animals and familiarized with various situations, so that in the future it can tolerate, for example, daily care rituals, regular procedures at the vet and visits of guests.
The Chow Chow keeps distance from strangers. It is always ready to defend its family, but never attacks first unless provoked. It accepts cats and even parrots as long as it is properly socialized. However, it has a dominant character and always establishes a hierarchy among other animals.
The lush coat of the Chow Chow requires daily grooming. To keep the hair from tangling, brush the thick undercoat with a wire brush. This way, dead hair won't block air from reaching dog's skin, helping to prevent infections. Also keep an eye on the folds on the mouth, as inflammation may form in these places.
Due to the lush coat and short muzzle, the dog does not tolerate heat well. Therefore, in summer, plan a long walk in the early morning or after dusk.
The hair may be long or short. The long coat is profuse, dense, straight and stand-off. The topcoat has a rough structure and the undercoat is soft and woolly. It is especially rich at the neck and forms a mane or a ruff.
The short coat is also profuse, dense, straight and spiky. The structure is similar to plush. Any shortening of the coat, changing the natural contours or expression, is assessed negatively.
The color of the coat is solid:
- black
- blue
- fawn
- red
- creamy
- white
Short-haired individuals are more and more common, especially in Russia and the USA.
Due to the thick coat, the chow cow is prone to skin disease. Flea prevention is very important to avoid flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). Also use anti-ticks during the summer. There are dermatoses involving the loss of hair due to hormones.
The chow chow can also suffer from myotonia, which is a delayed muscle relaxation after exercise, which causes muscle overgrowth and stiffness.
Straight hind limbs tend to rupture the ligaments if the dog is forcing itself.
Adapt the chow chow diet to the current needs of your pet. Currently, there is a very large selection of dry foods on the market with various types of meat. Choose the one with the best ingredients, without grains and bone meal. As with all breeds, it is important to provide your dog with a well-balanced food that will meet its needs and ensure that the dog receives all the necessary ingredients for proper growth. The food must also be properly adjusted to the dog's activity. Any improper diet can lead to a deterioration in the quality of the coat and skin.
