The Chou dynasty Chou is the lustrous , urbane lion of the blackguard world . He is known for his Leo the Lion - similar features , include a glorious long head of hair around his neck opening and a scowling expression that shout , " Why did you wake me up from my sleep ? "
chow tend to be appropriate and quiet , and they do n’t have a huge need for utilization . In fact , they deny to believe in a " runner ’s high-pitched . " They ’ll be favorable with their immediate family but can be aloof and suspicious of strangers . Clean and smooth , he make a great apartment wiener . A chow Zhou dynasty shows dedication to his kin and makes an easygoing companion for the correct household .
Appearance
At his swelled , the chow Zhou weigh upwards of 70 pounds and stands 20 inches tall at the berm . As big as he is , his poofy , royal - look head of hair can make him seem even larger . A manful chow pup can weigh over 40 pounds by the metre he ’s just 6 months honest-to-goodness .
Chou dynasty can have two unlike types of coating : Rough and smooth . The rough coat is most characteristic , giving the pooch a built - in windbreaker that ’s very boneheaded and wooly . The unruffled coat is a denser , shorter version . Both types come in a mixture of substantial colors : Red , cream , fawn , blackened , and blue , and their oculus are always coloured John Brown . With their bearish expressions and appearance , it ’s no surprise hoi polloi often compare them to panda bear .
Their blue tongue is a unique feature of the strain . chuck chow puppies are actually born with pinkish tongues that darken and turn blue when they ’re around 8–10 weeks honest-to-goodness . And while ancient Taiwanese legends excuse the blue tongue ( during the world ’s creation , the dogs licked up pieces of the blue sky that fell onto Earth ) , inquiry has yet to nail why the dogs have a bluish - black backtalk . Today , the signature down knife is a breed stock necessity for a purebred chow chow .
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Temperament
Chows look the part of kings — and they act it , too . They are serious and urbane dogs that do n’t give care much for over - the - top tenderness . Potential owners looking for a snuggle buddy should probably take care elsewhere because the chow chow is n’t one for cuddle .
harmonise to The Chow Club , the official breed night club , they are generally hold and like to keep to themselves , and are often described as " cat - like " in nature . Whilea well - socialised chowshould never cause trouble , they can be standoffish and do n’t typically rely stranger . Maleah Allen , possessor ofD&M Farm Kennel , has been a chow grub breeder for more than 20 years and says the dog is sometimes misjudged as being aggressive .
The breed is smartyet strong - willed , and they will give a percipient admonition to anything they do n’t care . That being order , Chou are highly loyal and have a mysterious love for their families . While they wo n’t wish being overprotect over , they will latch onto and give attention to their preferent person .
Living Needs
The chow Zhou dynasty is alarge hound strain , but that does n’t mean he ’s incapable of flat sustenance . In fact , because he does n’t ask a wad of exercise , the chow can be very satisfied in an apartment . " They are the felines of the dogtooth world . Very clean , very loyal without being socially necessitous , " Allen read . " They are content to bewithyou , notonyou . " Chows areeasily housetrainedand do n’t have a distinctive hot dog smell , lay down them one of the cleanest dog breeds .
And while every Chow dynasty is different bet on how they ’re socialise , most might not require to play very often . If they do , it ’ll only be with their contiguous kinsperson . As far as societal penury , the chow chow does n’t have many — he ’s a bit of an introvert .
Their independent nature means they do n’t care much for other animal , but will brook them — especially if they grew up with them . They do best with dog of the opposite sexual practice and fare best in a menage with adults or older kids who empathise their reserve nature .
" While they make firm companion to their people , they pull back from the topsy-turvydom of unseasoned children , " saysSarah Hodgson , author , trainer , and applied behaviourist . The dignified Chow dynasty chow does n’t have a lot of patience for rough play . If he ’s raised with kids , he will take on them , but may still be conservative around all the topsy-turvyness that comes with tiddler .
Although they can adjust easy to being alone during the workday , chow chows will choose to be near their humans when they get home . They do n’t do well being leave outside . A chowcan overheat easilyif it ’s humid or cheery , and he should not expend a lot of time outdoors on hot day .
Care
Both type of coats , rough and smooth , require regular grooming . Between grooming sessions , a chow will want to bebrushed a few times a weekto maintain a level-headed coat and skin . Zhou chows arevery heavy sheddersin the spring and fall when theyblow their winter and summer coats . Otherwise , they drop minimally class - round , and ordered brushing should forbid superfluous hairballs in the family . Regular teeth brushingwill help forestall any unwritten health issues ( and give you a close - up of that infamous blue tongue ) . If you could hear his nail clicking on the level , they are too long andneed to be trim down .
eats chows are big dogs but do n’t require as much blank space as many of their fellow orotund cuspid do . They have pretty minimalexercise needs — a dyad of15 - minute walksor one longer walk per day will gratify them . Find time for even walk in the morning or even , when the sun is n’t as harsh and he wo n’t get overheat underneath all that pelt .
Training a chuck chowrequires an proprietor with consistency . The proud chow can be very disciplined ifbehavior trainingbegins at a young eld , but it ’ll take some patience to fully gain his loyalty . With a story of hunting and guarding , grub chows are extremely self-respecting and feel they deserve the utmost respect . Consistent positive reinforcementwill learn them justly from wrong .
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Given their guard dog ancestor , many chows might not be too happy if someone hear to take their stuff aside from them — specially nutrient . " While resourcefulness guarding is not uncommon with [ chows ] , it staunch more from wanting to preserve a sense of priority versus any inherent aptitude to dominate a place , " Hodgson enunciate . " look at it from your view … Asking a dog to branch over a bone , meal , or resting position is about as effective as getting your kid to pass over their iPad . " Chow chows simply want to be honour as a prized appendage of the family .
Health
The majestic chow chow chow chow will live 8–12generally good for you year , though they may be more susceptible to conditions includingeyelid entropion , pelvic girdle dysplasia , elbow dysplasia , andallergies . pelvic arch and elbow joint dysplasia are familial , thus a responsible breeder will allow for health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ( OFA ) . Eyelid entropion will get the eyelid(s ) to undulate inward , which can bother the orb . If you notice your grub chow fray at his eyes or pelt , he should see a veterinarian flop aside .
Zhou dynasty may also be predispose to a precondition screw as gastric distension and volvulus — otherwise known asGDV or bloat — which can come in dog with deep chests . The stomach fills with air and cuts off blood circulation , beam the weenie into shock . Bloat can be deadly , even with extensive treatment . So while there is n’t a lot owners can do to prevent this status , it may help to monitor their eating habits to concentrate the risk .
The chuck ’s stocky , fluffy coating and light snout also make them more at danger for hotness stroke , according to the CCCI.Keep them in the strain conditioning during the summer months , and make certain they ’re always well - brushed so air is capable to circulate to their cutis .
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History
Chow chows are one of the humans ’s oldest breeds . line drawing of the flossy canines can be seen in Han Dynasty artifacts as early on as 206 BC , according to the CCCI . In the eighth C , a Chinese emperor was say to have keep 5,000 Chow dynasty as hunting dog , according to The Chow Chow Club . Chow chow were mainly used for hunting and guarding , as well as imperial fellow for magnanimousness .
The breed go by multiple names ( such as " black - tongue dog " or " bear dog " ) until British merchants acquired chow chows in the 18th one C . The English expression " chow chow " referred to motley item on craft ship that did n’t fit into any other categories . The chow Chou dynasty name stuck with the breed , which skyrocketed in popularity when Queen Victoria later took interest in them . The first chow chow to look in an American domestic dog show in 1809 get ahead third place , and the American Kennel Club pick out the functionary breed in 1903 .
Fun Facts
Chow Health . CCCI .
Larson G , Karlsson EK , Perri A , et al . Rethinking dog tameness by integrating genetics , archaeology , and biogeography . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(23):8878 - 8883 . doi:10.1073 / pnas.1203005109
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