The Chow Chow is perhaps the highest contender for being a plush dog. In some photos it could really mix with a huge wad of cloth. This breed normally has a color between orange and reddish, but there are also black or cream specimens. The most characteristic thing about the Chow Chow is its tongue which has a truly unique color : between blue and black.
He is a dog a bit shy but very loyal to his family, with little need for physical exercise, but which needs a bit of effort to be educated. What do you think, is he the perfect dog for you?
The Chow Chow is probably one of the best known and most loved Chinese dog breeds in our country. Mistakenly, there are those who call this dog Ciu Ciu, but the correct spelling of the blue tongue dog is as follows: Chow Chow . If you are thinking of getting a dog of this breed or you already have one, in this AnimalPedia tab you will find a lot of interesting information such as the history and origins of this dog, how to train it, what are the physical and character characteristics and also the main problems health from which he may suffer.
History of the Chow-Chow
The Chow Chow dog is native to northern China , where his name in Chinese means “soft and fluffy lion”. According to some studies, the breed was born about 2000 years ago, while according to others it would have been born even earlier, 3000 years ago, in the Arctic region of Asia and over the years it would have migrated to Siberia, Mongolia and then arrived in China. Initially, these dogs guarded temples, but then they were also used for guarding or activities such as herding and hunting and were also bred to be eaten. According to a paper by Marco Polo, these dogs were also used to pull sleds.
In an ancient Chinese legend, reference is made to a war animal described as a lion with a black tongue , a characteristic that undoubtedly makes one think of the Chow Chow.
The breed only arrived in other countries in the 19th century and took so long due to closed Chinese policies towards other countries.
Physical characteristics of the Chow-Chow
The Chow Chow is a compact and well-proportioned dog that resembles a miniature lion, particularly due to the hair that forms a mane around the face. It has a non-pronounced stop and a non-pointed muzzle of medium length. The eyes are dark, oval and of medium size. Lips and palate should be black and tongue black / bluish. Especially in cream or white specimens, this color may appear quite diluted. The blue / black tongue is the main characteristic of the Chow Chow and a curious fact is that it is the only breed to have this particular and not spotted coloration. The ears are small, erect and with a slightly rounded tip.
The back is short and horizontal and the chest is broad and deep; the tail is set high and the dog carries it on its back.
There are long-haired (not exaggeratedly) and short-haired specimens . In long-haired specimens, the coat is formed by a rougher outer layer and a soft, woolly undercoat. Around the head it thickens, creating the classic mane. The short-haired specimens, on the other hand, have a thick, erect and plush coat.The colors accepted by the breed standard are black, red, blue, fawn (cinnamon), cream or shaded white but never in spots or even two-tone.
As for the height at the withers , for males it is between 48 and 56 cm and between 46 and 51 cm for females, so they are slightly smaller. as for the weight, the males weigh between 25 and 32 kg, while the females 20-25 kg.
Character of the Chow-Chow
This dog has a calm and quiet temperament which makes him an excellent guard dog and which probably has remained of his DNA as he was used as a guardian of temples. It is a dog that does not like exercise very much and loves to stay indoors, but to avoid problems such as stress and boredom it is necessary to give him a minimum of physical activity.
It is also a faithful and loyal dog to its owner, but rather reserved towards strangers. In this regard, it is important to know that he can sometimes have overprotective attitudes towards his bosses. It can have slightly aggressive tendencies towards specimens of the same sex and especially of the same breed.
Given the strong instinct to hunt , it is very important to work on socialization since he is a puppy to ensure that even as an adult he interacts correctly with other animals, people and his fellowmen.
Caring for a Chow-Chow
When it comes to taking care of a Chow Chow, the most important aspect to consider is the care of the coat . It is important that it is never excessively long so as not to hinder or impede the movement of the animal. You have to be careful especially in summer and make sure it doesn’t suffer too much from the heat. It is recommended to comb the Chow Chow at least 4 times a week. In the periods of shedding of the coat (spring and autumn) it is essential to pay even more attention to the coat and to comb the dog daily to avoid problems and skin diseases, common among dogs of this breed.
It is sufficient to wash the Chow Chow once a month , especially to prevent problems such as external parasites ( mainly fleas and ticks). Remember to apply a special conditioner to keep the coat in top condition.
As we have said, he adapts well to apartment life , but this does not mean that he must neglect daily walks and it is advisable to make him carry out a right amount of physical activity to avoid problems such as boredom and consequent behavioral problems.
If you are looking for an original name for your Chow Chow dog, don’t miss our article on Chinese dog names for original ideas!
Chow-Chow education
It is not an easy dog to educate because it is stubborn and tends to resist also because it has a rather independent character. For this reason, if you want to educate a Chow Chow, it is advisable to do it from the time he is a puppy so that he will also obey as an adult. Another aspect not to be overlooked is socialization so that the dog interacts correctly in all situations and in the presence of different types of stimuli.