The Chow Chow translates into assorted curios and knick-knacks from the Oriental Empire. It was in the late 18th century when the British merchants got this dog into their ships under miscellaneous items. Ever since then the name has stuck. Traits
WeightMale55 to 70 pounds(25 to 32 kilograms)Female45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kilograms)HeightMale19–22 in (48–56 cm)Female18–20 in (46–51 cm)CoatThick
and coarseColorRed (light gold to deep red-brown)Cinnamon (light tan to brown)BlackCreamLitter size5 - 7Life span9–15 yearsClassification and standardsAKCNon-sportingstandardANKCGroup 7Non-sportingstandardCKCGroup 6Non-sportingstandardKC (UK)UtilitystandardNZKCNon-sportingstandardUKCNorthern Breedsstandard
The chow is a sturdily built dog, square in profile, with a broad skull and small, triangular, erect ears, which are rounded at the tips. The breed has a very dense double coat that can be either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane appearance. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn, and cream.The eyes should be deep set and almond in shape. Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The bluish color extends to the chow's lips; the chow is the only dog breed with this distinctive bluish color in its lips and oral cavity (other dogs have black or a piebald pattern skin in their mouths). One other distinctive feature is the curly tail. It has thick hair and lies curled on its back. The nose should be black (except the blue which can have a solid blue or slate colored nose). Any other tone is disqualification for showing in the United States under AKC breed standard.[2] However, FCI countries do allow for a self-colored nose in the cream.[3]The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs that come from a chow retain the tongue color.[citation needed] This is not to say, however, that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue is descended from chows, as purple spots on the tongue can be found on a multitude of pure breed dogs. The Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a pet. Chows can be fiercely protective of their people and property and may not be an appropriate dog for a first-time dog owner. However AKC standards consider aggressive or timid Chows to be unacceptable.[5] The Chow Chow is considered to be suspicious of strangers and protective of family.[6] However, others characterize the Chow Chow as having a personality similar to that of a cat.[7][8]Owning a Chow Chow can raise the cost of homeowners insurance as some companies regard them as "high risk dogs." [9] In a study done by Vet Med Today, from 1979 to 1998, out of a total of 238 fatalities related to dog bites, Chow Chows were responsible for 8.[10]Chows are not a particularly active breed, meaning they can be kept in an apartment, if they are given enough opportunity for regularly scheduled physical activity each day.
