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Chow Chow Puppy Facts
Did you just bring home a new Chow Chow puppy and want to learn more about the breed?
Maybe you are thinking about buying a puppy and want to know if this is the right breed of dog for you?
No matter what your situation may be, you will find the answers to your questions right here!
Breed History
Also known as a Lang Gou (wolf dog) and Xiong Gau (bear dog), this breed originated in Asia more than 2,000 years ago.
Recent findings indicate that it's one of the first breeds that evolved from wolf. In fact, Chow is one of the oldest known dog breeds!
Its name was derived from an English slang used by sailors to describe mixed cargo.
The first Chow Chow appeared in the United States around 1890.
Physical Characteristics of Chow Chow Puppy
This is a medium size dog with a square body, large head and a short muzzle. It has dark brown deeply set eyes, short, rounded ears and bluish tongue. The tail curls high over the back.
Like all Northern breeds, it is double coated. The outer coat can be smooth or rough. The coat is especially thick around the neck, giving it a lion like appearance. The most common coat colors are red, cinnamon, cream, black or blue.
In addition to its bluish black tongue, one of Chow's most recognizable characteristics is its scowl.
| Height | Weight | ||
| Male | 17 to 20 inches | 55 to 70 pounds | |
| Female | 17 to 20 inches | 45 to 55 pounds |
Temperament
The Chow Chow is a very intelligent dog that is loyal to his family but reserved with strangers (actually, some dogs are reserved even with their owners). At times, he can be aloof. These dogs value independence and can be stubborn.
They are suspicious of strangers and can be territorial.
Because they don't relate well towards other animals, I recommend puppy socialization training while your pet is still young.
They don't always love to be touched and hugged, so if you have children, teach them to respect Chow's privacy. It's also a good idea to introduce him to children while he is still a puppy - when he grows up, he will be more tolerant of them.
Best Owner
Chow Chows require an experienced dog owner who is firm and can be just as stubborn as they are. They can adjust pretty well to an apartment living.
Some Chow Chow breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.
Activity and Exercise
This is not a very active dog. To keep your Chow Chow in shape, take him for a daily walk.
Grooming
Because of its dense coat, regular brushing is needed. During heavy shedding season, you may want to brush daily. Because shedding of the undercoat removes most of the dirt, frequent washing is not required.
Great gift ideas for Chow Chow lovers
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Large selection of Chow Chow gifts including shirts, address labels, calendars, socks, jewelry, mousepads, ornaments, mugs and many other dog gifts
Health Concerns
Like all dog breeds, the Chow Chow is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.
The breed is also susceptible to cancer, hip dysplasia, and knee problems. It's also sensitive to heat and anesthesia. To learn more about dog diseases and health care, visit dog health problems.
To reduce the risk of the above and many other health problems, buy only from reputable Chow Chow breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).
No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.
To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy is between 11 and 13 years.
Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?
If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Chow Chow rescue. There are thousands of pets waiting for a loving home and, yes, it's possible to adopt a purebred dog.
Not happy with your pet's behavior? Need help with training your dog for obedience? Then check this dog behavior and obedience training guide.
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