Chow Chow

It takes a special kind of personality to be the owner of a Chow Chow. Distinguished by their unique blue tongue, they have adapted to being household pets from their origins as hunting dogs in China.

Chow Chows are prized species because of their appearance rather than their personality. They have rich double coats and curly tails. Chow Chows are available in a variety of colors including red, cream, and blue. The height of a typical Chow Chow is 20 inches and the normal weight is 50 to 70 lbs. Classified as non-sporting dogs by the American Kennel Club, many people keep breed as a household pet.

People tend to be cautious about the Chow Chow because of its aloof nature and slightly angry look. This leads people to assume that Chow Chows are not very interested in being around many people and do not need much petting.

Unlike their response to other animals, Chow Chows are friendly towards children and are affectionate towards their owners and their families. Getting obedience training at a young age is helpful in socializing Chow Chows to be comfortable around children.

Owners also need to work harder at asserting their dominance over the pets; otherwise, they can become difficult to manage. However, it is much more difficult to get they to be friendly towards strangers.

The Chow Chow can be a good companion once it has becomes familiar with the environment and through proper socializing and training. While they may not be friendly towards visitors, they will do well as personal companions.

Although originally people bred them as hunting dogs, the modern Chow Chows do not possess a lot of energy and can lead a comfortable life inside an apartment. Nonetheless, exercise is necessary for them to stay healthy. A fenced yard will provide the adequate space they need for daily exercise.

If you live in an apartment, then a walk around the block or in the park will do just fine. However, hold on tightly to your dog if there are other animals nearby because the presence of other animals around them can trigger their aggressive instincts.

The Chow Chow has a small appetite and does not require a heavy diet. When they are young, owners need to feed them with formulated puppy food. As they grow older, you can feed them regular dog food available in the stores. Grooming is an area where you may need to pay more attention. Their double coat can be particularly difficult to brush and you may spend a lot of time giving them a thorough cleaning.

The thick coat makes it susceptible to overheating; so avoid having them out in the sun for too long, especially during the warmer months of the year. Breed may also suffer from hip dysplasia as well as pain in the knee joints.