Meet the Chow Chow
Apartment Friendly
Canine Chic
Protective Pooch
Apartment Friendly
Canine Chic
Protective Pooch
If you’re in search of a canine who’s equal parts snazzy and sophisticated, I’m the dog breed fur you! My elegant mane is a guaranteed showstopper – dog shows, that is. These luscious locks and this large head give me the appearance of both a lion and a teddy bear – perfect for a watchdog. Although I’m not ferocious like a lion, I’m not really cuddly like a teddy bear either. Snuggling isn’t really my thing – sorry! I’m pretty independent and don’t like too much attention. I’m very cat-like! Instead of having lots of family members including kids and pets, I prefer to have one human I’m really close with. You know what they say – three is a crowd.
My furbulous coat requires a fair amount of work. It needs to be brushed at least once a week or else I’ll really start to look like a lion! (Because of all that hair, I’m not too fond of hot weather.) While my sweet hairdo needs a lot of TLC, I promise I’m not that high maintenance. I don’t need much exercise, so a few walks a day will keep me happy and healthy; and apartment living is fine with me!
Ready to learn more about me? Let’s dig in.
Serious
Independent
Loyal
About Me
Personality
Group
Non-Sporting Group
Origin
China
Life Span
8-12 Years
AKC Breed Popularity
Length Range
17-20 Inches
Weight Range
45-70 Pounds
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Black
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Blue
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Cinnamon
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Cream
My Many Looks
Barking
Shedding
Health Issues
Grooming Effort
2 Intelligence
Training Ability
Pet Friendly
Kid Friendly
Exercise Needs
Affection Level
My Breed Characteristics
We Chows are intuitive dogs. So intuitive, in fact, that the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud owned one himself! His beloved Chow Jofi often sat in on his sessions. She had a way of telling which patients were calm and which ones were nervous! She only approached relaxed patients, but she had a way of making nervous ones feel at-ease. Freud claimed that he never had to wear a watch because whenever Jofi yawned, it would signal to him that the session was over. I bet you don’t know many dog breeds who can psychoanalyze and tell time!
Furbulous Fact
Puppy
I’m a mischievous little pup who might chew or dig just to challenge you. Give me proper training and I’ll become a well-behaved Chow.
4-8 Months
Adult
I need lots of exercise during this peak period of my physical development. By 16 months, I’ll be a fully grown adult Chow Chow!
1-3 Years
Senior
Consistent exercise helps keep my muscles strong as I age. Take me for slow, short walks to keep me moderately active and healthy!
7-12 Years
As you can see, we Chow Chows age pretty gracefully. Here are a few key milestones in my growth and development to be aware of as I grow up from a pupper to an adult and senior!
As I Grow Up
History of My Breed
We Chow Chows are an ancient breed hailing from Mongolia and Northern China with a long history – I’m talking longer than our luscious locks! We’re depicted in artifacts from China’s Han Dynasty dating as far back as 206 B.C., but some historians think we’ve been around longer than that. We’re even believed to be the first in the family line of many Spitz-type breeds, including Keeshonds, Shar-Peis, and even itty-bitty Pomeranians!
Chows were companions to Chinese nobles. One emperor of the Tang Dynasty is said to have owned a kennel of 5,000 Chows with a staff twice that big! As time went on, we started herding and became guard dogs, hunting dogs, and working dogs hauling goods to and from different villages.
We’ve gone by lots of names throughout our long history and the origins of the name “Chow Chow” are often debated. 18th century British merchants referred to all of the miscellaneous items they were selling as “chow chow,” which basically translates to “etcetera.” These merchants picked some of us up from China and included us in the group of “chow chow” they were selling. Eventually, that name stuck to us!
In the 1820s, we were given an exhibit at the London Zoo as “Wild Dogs of China” but our popularity didn’t take off in the West until Queen Victoria received one of us as a pet! In 1895, a Chow Chow breed club was formed in England.
We’re a pretty remarkable breed with distinctive features like blue-black tongues, deep-set eyes, and smooth coats that are to die for! We’re loved by many humans, but one of the most famous Chow owners is Martha Stewart! She’s always writing about Empress Qin and Emperor Han in her blog to help other Chow owners!
The first Chow Chow shown in the Westminster Kennel Club show, Takya, took third place in the Miscellaneous class in 1890 and the first Chow Chow was registered to the AKC in 1903.
About Me
In addition to purebred Chow Chows like me, there are tons of pawfectly sweet mixed-breed Chows that are looking to find their furever homes. You can learn where to find your next pet below!
Pawesome Pups to Parent
Training Tips
from Trainers & Behavior Specialists
While Chow Chows are a generally healthy breed, unexpected ruh-rohs can happen to any dog at any age. If your pup gets hurt or sick, pet insurance can help you say ‘yes’ to the best care, even when it’s costly. When it comes to shopping for this breed, you’ll want to choose insurance plans like Pumpkin's, which can help cover the costs associated with the hereditary conditions Chow Chows are prone to developing. While a reputable breeder will conduct genetic testing on your pup’s parents to help minimize the chances of passing down hereditary conditions, they can’t always be avoided. Let’s look at some common ones, and how Pumpkin Dog Insurance plans can help cover the cost of care!
Why Get Dog Insurance?
from Pumpkin®
*Example illustrates reimbursement of a covered vet bill at a 90% reimbursement rate, where the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual limit had not yet been met. Coverage and reimbursement results vary based on policy options.
