INTRODUCTION

The distinctive-looking Chow Chow dog breed has a proud, independent spirit that some describe as feline. They can be aloof (if you’re looking for a cuddly companion, this is probably not the best breed for you) and wary of strangers, but for the right person, they can be a fiercely loyal companion. But for the right person, they can be a fiercely loyal companion. Although they are purebred dogs, you may find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups. Remember to adopt. As an independent breed, these puppies need patience and consistency, and you may have to do some things on their terms. New pet parents should be careful. Although these dogs can adapt to life in a flat, they need plenty of exercise and do not like to be left home alone for many hours a day. If you can provide them with experienced training and plenty of physical activity, you will have a furry, loyal and protective family member.

HIGHLIGHTS

Chow Chows are very independent and aloof, and need an owner who appreciates those traits but does not let the dog take control.Chows must be well socialised – introduced to new people, dogs and situations starting in the early puppy years – to ensure they are confident and relaxed as adults.Chow Chows can bond with a single person or with their immediate family. Chow Chows need to be brushed two to three times a week to keep their coats in good condition.Chow Chows can live in flats or condominiums, as long as they get daily exercise.Because of their deeply sunken eyes, the Chow Chow has limited peripheral vision; it is best to approach it from the front.To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from a puppy mill, pet shop or breeder that does not provide health certificates or guarantees. Look for a reputable breeder who tests their breeding dogs to make sure they are free of genetic diseases that can be passed on to puppies and who breeds for a healthy temperament.

HISTORY

Experts have long speculated that the Chow Chow is one of the oldest dog breeds, and genetic testing has proven this to be true. The ancient breed is believed to have originated in Mongolia and northern China, and slowly moved south with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia. The earliest depictions of Chow Chow-like dogs appear on ceramics and paintings from the Han dynasty (206 BC to 22 AD). One Chinese emperor is said to have kept 2,500 pairs of Chows as hunting dogs. In addition to hunting, the dogs were used to protect their owners’ possessions. In China, the breed was given several names: black-tongued dog (hei shi-tou), wolf dog (lang gou), bear dog (xiang gou) and Canton dog (Guangdong gou). How the Chow Chow came to be is an interesting story. British merchants in the late 18th century included some of the bear-like dogs in their cargo. British merchants in the late 18th century included some of the bear-like dogs in their cargo. His neighbours had brought home a pair of Chow Chows from Canton (now Guangdong), and he included them in his observations of life in the countryside. Fanciers say the breed has changed little since White wrote about it more than 200 years ago, but it was not until a century later that Chow Chows were imported on a regular basis. Dog-loving Queen Victoria took an interest in the breed, which boosted its popularity. The first Chow Chow to appear in an American dog show was named Takya, and placed third in the miscellaneous class at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1890. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognised the breed in 1903, and the first AKC-registered Chow was named Yen How. They even made it to the White House, where President Calvin Coolidge and his wife had Timmy, a red chow, and Blackberry, a black chow. The analyst Sigmund Freud was also fond of Chows, and his daughter Anna bred them. Today, Chow Chows rank 64th in popularity among the 155 breeds and varieties recognised by the AKC.