Who Should Own A Chow Chow?

The lion-like dog of choice of homemaking mogul Martha Stewart, the Chow Chow is a regal dog that is extremely loyal to its owner. The breed is distinguished by its furry, lion-like coat and blue-black tongue. An excellent guard dog, the strong, muscular Chow Chow is generally good with children, as well as other family pets if socialized at an early age.

Chow Chow Training Advice

But this dominant breed requires a dominant owner, one that is calm and confident, as well as consistent with discipline. Otherwise, your Chow Chow will become willful and bossy, and the potential for aggression toward both humans and other animals is likely.

Reserved with affection, the aloof Chow Chow doesn’t make friends easily, is suspicious of strangers and tends to be rather independent.

History

One of the oldest dog breeds in the world, the Chow Chow was popular in ancient China as a working dog, and was brought to England in the 1800s. The breed has since become one of the most popular dogs in the United States, although it experienced its heyday in the 1930s, when President Calvin Coolidge showed off his dog, Timmy.

Activity levels

The Chow Chow is not a particularly active breed, so apartment living is fine, as long as regular walks are scheduled to prevent behavioral problems. If your Chow Chow lives outdoors make sure it has ample shade, as the breed does not tolerate extreme heat well.

Too, don’t use a chain to restrain your Chow Chow. The breed hates feeling confined or trapped, and will be quick to show it.

Health and Appearance

It is the large ruff behind its head that gives the Chow Chow his distinctive appearance, although it is also known for its rarely seen blue-black tongue. The breed ranges in color from black to cream, and includes cinnamon and red. Its coats can be either rough or smooth, although the rough-coated Chow Chow is the most common. Regular brushings are vital to keep the coat free of tangles. Because its hind legs are almost completely straight, the Chow Chow is prone to hip dysplasia. Other health problems include an eye irritation called entropion, which is caused by an eyelid abnormality and might require surgery to correct. Chow Chows are otherwise generally healthy, can weight from 45 to 70 pounds and have a life span of about 15 years.

Notable Chow Chows:

Psychologist Sigmund Freud was a fan of the Chow Chow. President Calvin Coolidge has a Chow Chow named Timmy. Martha Stewart, whose dogs regularly appeared on her television show, lost one of her beloved Chow Chows, Genghis Khan, in a Pennsylvania kennel fire in 2008.

Fast facts:

• The Chow Chow is one of the oldest breeds of dog.
• During the jazz era of the 1930s and ‘40s, the Chow Chow was a popular choice for hip dog owners and Hollywood elite.
• The Chow Chow is considered a delicacy in China, where dogs are still found on the menu.
• A dominant dog owner is the best choice to manage the willful Chow Chow, a breed that tends to be less obedient than other breeds.

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