Mary Allen
The Chow Chow is best known as a blue-tongued dog. But there is more to the furry little fellows. Here’s what you should know about the chow chow.
There are dogs that stand out because of one special feature. And then there is the chow chow. The breed from China has dozens of special characteristics. The Chow has a lion’s mane, an extremely fluffy coat, a teddy bear face, a blue tongue, and a small stubborn skull. Choose what you find the cutest!
So that you can get to know the dog better, we introduce you to the Chow Chow in this breed portrait. Here you can find out everything about its appearance, character, history, and optimal keeping and care.
What does a Chow Chow look like?
With which special feature should you start with the Chow-Chow? First, let’s take his stature. The dog has a powerful and compact body resembling a miniature lion. The upper body is rather short. The legs are stocky with round paws. As is usual with Spitz dog breeds, the tail is curled over the back.
The fur
The fur of the dogs is also very lion-like. It is allowed in two variants:
- short haired or
- longhaired.
Short-haired chow chows are quite rare these days. Dogs with a long coat usually have a prominent mane around the neck area. The fur is smooth and protruding, which is why the Chow-Chows are also called “puffed-up lion dogs” in Chinese. By the way, other names are a bear dog, black tongue, chow chow, or just chow. According to the breed standard, the coat can be a number of different colors such as black, red, fawn, cinnamon, white, or cream. However, it must always be monochromatic. Only slight shading is allowed.
The tongue
The probably most striking feature of the Chow-Chows is their bluish tongue. The palate and flews of dogs are also usually bluish in color. There is still no scientific explanation for this phenomenon. However, there is one mythical one that we particularly like: When the universe was created, bits of blue crumbled from the night sky onto the earth. The chow chow did what any dog in the world would have done at any time in history: it licked up the nuggets of heaven. Meal time!
How big is a chow chow?
The show is one of the medium-sized dog breeds. Males reach an average height at the withers of between 48 and 56 cm. On average, bitches are between 46 and 51 cm tall.
How heavy is a chow chow?
The weight of the dogs can vary depending on their body stature. Males weigh on average between 18 and 41 kg, females between 16 and 39 kg.
How old does a chow chow get?
Similar to many other dog breeds, the Chow lives to an average age of between 11 and 13 years. With good health and care, some dogs can live as long as 14 years or more.
What character or nature does the Chow-Chow have?
In China, the dogs are often called “puffed-up lions”. And that’s how they behave. The character of Chow is characterized by self-confidence, stubbornness, stubbornness, and incorruptibility. Dogs hardly have the will to please, as a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd brings with them.
The dogs are still loyal to their master or mistress (with species-appropriate training and husbandry). You shouldn’t expect much more from the Chow.
Like some other dog breeds, Chows tend to choose only one person to recognize as “boss” or “boss.” All other members of the family are then either respected or ignored by the Chow.
The Chow Chow makes a good guard dog because of its alertness. He is generally reserved or suspicious of strangers and animals. The dogs have a strong territorial protective instinct. If someone invades their territory, the little lions can react quite sensitively. Early intensive socialization and appropriate training of the dogs are extremely important here so that the chow does not become known as a calf biter.
Their hunting instinct threshold is considered to be very low. Letting the dog off the leash on the unfenced property is therefore considered risky.
However, if the Chow-Chow is trained well from the start and socialized by the breeder, and kept in a manner appropriate to the species, the dog will prove to be a loyal, relaxed and loving companion.
The Story of the Chow Chow
Perhaps the chow chow inherited its independent and confident demeanor from its ancestors. The dog breed is considered an ancient breed. This means that they are genetically very different from other dog breeds. The gray wolf has significantly more genes in its gene pool than most other dog breeds. It is therefore assumed that the breed was hardly mixed with other breeds by breeders or even quite naturally for centuries and that is why its original “savagery” is still so pronounced.
The breed is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Unlike the Shih Tzu and other dog breeds from China, the Chow Chow did not initially lead an imperial life of luxury. The chow was considered the dog of the people and was valued as an incorruptible and attentive guard dog. Other tasks included pulling sleds or helping with hunting.
Later, the chow-chow became more and more a symbol of luxury. In the mid-19th century, the Chow first made its way to Europe, becoming Queen Victoria’s favorite dog and being recognized as a breed by the British Kennel Club in 1894.
In recent decades, the Chow Chow has become particularly popular as a fashion dog due to its teddy bear and cuddly looks. And you have to be able to afford it first: the Chow is one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world. Many small and large celebrities such as Sigmund Freud, Elvis Presley, Janet Jackson, and Walt Disney owned a chow chow. Did the proud “dog of the people” like this development?
Chow Chow: The right attitude and training
Due to its nature and character, it becomes clear: that the Chow is by no means a beginner’s dog. Although the breed wowed stars and starlets as a fashion dog for a while, it is basically a real workhorse that requires a lot of training and attention. You need a lot of time, patience, and above all experience for the chow.
The stubborn, independent and attentive character of Chow requires that you attach great importance to appropriate training right from the start. You have to make it clear to the puppy and the adult dog in a strict but just as loving way who is the boss in your little pack.
Consistency and intransigence are essential in parenting. If you give in once because the ball of yarn is melting you with its languishing eyes, the dog may already have doubts about your ability to be the leader. Early socialization is also essential so that the dog learns to deal peacefully with other creatures as well as with dogs.
Because of the hardly existing will to please, the education of the Chow is basically a feat of strength. Not because the dog is stupid – and supposedly even belongs to the dumbest dog breeds in the world – but because the Chow simply doesn’t see why he should do this or that. It’s not just people who find freedom and independence great. Apparently, they are nice for dogs too.
What care does the chow chow need?
The Chow’s lush lion coat requires a fair amount of maintenance. You should brush the coat thoroughly several times a week. In particular, the characteristic lion’s mane tends to become matted quickly and should therefore be brushed even daily. Optimal care for your Chow also includes regularly examining the skin folds. Parasites such as fleas or ticks can nest there or cause inflammation.
What are the typical diseases of the Chow Chow?
The popularity of the Chow, especially in China and Asia, has in many cases led to uncontrolled propagation by dubious breeders. Hardly any consideration was given to the health of the dogs. Fortunately, breeding is regulated and controlled in Germany. Typical hereditary diseases that can occur in puppies include:
- Tendency to skin eczema
- Invagination of the eyelids (entropion)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Glaucoma and Cataracts
- Bone marrow diseases and lymphomas
How much does a chow chow cost?
Do you dare to raise a Chow? Do you have experience in keeping and caring for demanding dogs? Then you have to dig deep into your pocket for a puppy. The bearish lion dogs can cost between 2,000 and 8,000 euros from a reputable breeder.
The high prices of Chow-Chows also allow the black market to boom and breeders’ coffers to ring, which, however, is a health fiasco for many dogs. Under no circumstances should you choose a puppy from dubious breeders abroad or from the Internet!
It’s better to check at the animal shelter or at aid organizations to see if a grumpy chow chow isn’t looking for a new home. However, keep in mind that adult dogs in particular, which already have a solid character, are sometimes difficult to lead and require a lot of patience and attention. Then attending a dog school is definitely a good idea.
Your patience will be rewarded, however, when your chow gratefully licks you with its blue night sky tongue after the acclimatization period.