Fast Facts

Country of Origin:	China
AKC Group:	Non-Sporting Group
UKC Group:	Northern Breed
Use today:	Companion
Life Span:	10 to 12 years
Color:	Red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream.
Coat:	Two coat types. Rough: abundant, dense, straight, outer coat; Smooth: less abundant outer coat, hard, dense and smooth. Both have a soft, woolly undercoat.
Grooming:	Both coat types require twice-weekly combing to prevent mats. During heavy shedding, groom daily. Also keep nails trimmed and teeth cleaned.
Size:	Medium Dog Breed
Height:	17 to 20 inches at the shoulder
Weight:	Proportionate to height

An ancient breed of Chinese origin, the Chow Chow is a member of the spitz family. As a working breed in its country of origin, the Chow was used to guard, hunt and work as a cart dog. In the latter part of the 19th century the breed was introduced to the Western world, but was slow to gain popularity. However, after Queen Victoria became interested in the Chow, its success was assured. The breed is proud, independent, loyal to its family and suspicious of strangers. The Chow is powerful, weighing up to 55 pounds. Chows have luxurious, offstanding coats in solid colors of black, red, blue, tawny or cream, or they can be smooth-coated. The coat sheds heavily and should be brushed three times a week. Regular outdoor exercise is a daily requirement. Two breed features are unusual: one is a blue-black tongue, shared only by the Shar-Pei; the other is lack of angulation in the lower joint of the hind limbs, which gives the Chow its characteristic stilted rear action when walking or trotting. The breed is strong-willed and can become aggressive if not properly trained.

Breed Warz

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