Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a solid, square-built dog from China, known on sight for the thick ruff around its head and its blue-black tongue. Adults typically stand between 17 and 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh somewhere between 45 and 70 pounds, putting the breed in the medium bracket. The coat comes in two types, rough and smooth, giving the dog a heavy, compact shape.

Temperament marks the Chow Chow out as much as looks. The breed is loyal and reserved, often settling on one or two people as its close companions while staying wary of strangers. It tends to be quiet and self-contained rather than demonstrative, and plenty of owners liken its manner to a cat's.

A Chow Chow settles well in a calm household that respects its independence. It does not look for constant fuss, and it forms its strongest bonds through steady routine rather than boisterous play.

Who it suits

The Chow Chow suits an experienced, patient owner who wants a calm, loyal companion rather than an eager-to-please pet. Early, consistent socialisation matters because the breed is naturally reserved. Households with very young children or a constant stream of callers should weigh up the dog's aloof nature before taking one on.

The Chow Chow ranks among the oldest recognisable dog types and traces back to northern China. Depictions of dogs resembling the breed turn up in Chinese art from the Han dynasty period, roughly two thousand years ago, pointing to a long history in the region.

Over the centuries the breed filled several working roles in China. Dogs of this type guarded homes and temples, took part in hunting, and worked alongside people in other practical tasks. The thick double coat suited the cold northern climate, not unlike the coats bred into working dogs here for wet, exposed conditions.

The breed reached Britain in the late 1700s and early 1800s through trade with China, and the name Chow Chow is generally linked to a catch-all term used for mixed cargo shipped from the East. Interest grew through the 1800s, and Queen Victoria's fondness for the breed helped raise its profile.

The Chow Chow arrived in Ireland somewhat later, and today its breeding and showing here fall under the remit of the Irish Kennel Club, which keeps the breed register and organises championship shows. From a working background in China the breed shifted toward life as a companion and show dog, the role it mainly holds today.

The Chow Chow has a powerful, square body carried on straight hind legs that give it a stiff, deliberate gait. The broad skull, full ruff, and small rounded ears set close together give it a scowling, lion-like look. The tail sits high and is carried over the back. A defining feature is the blue-black tongue and dark mouth tissue, found in the breed and in barely any other.

Coat and colours

Two coat types are recognised. The rough coat is abundant and dense, with a thick outer layer standing off the body and a soft undercoat, heaviest around the neck. The smooth coat is shorter and harder but still double layered. Accepted solid colours are red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, sometimes with lighter shading. The dense undercoat blows out heavily during seasonal coat changes, and owners in our damp climate often find the moult drags on longer than in drier countries.

The Chow Chow is independent and sure of itself. It bonds closely with its family but often singles out one or two favoured people, showing quiet devotion rather than open affection. With strangers the breed is reserved and watchful, a trait left over from its guarding past, so early socialisation matters.

With children the Chow Chow can be tolerant of those it has grown up with, though its low patience for rough handling makes supervision sensible. Around other dogs and pets it may be territorial or standoffish, and same-sex aggression can crop up, so introductions need care. The breed is generally quiet and not given to needless barking, but it will raise the alarm at anything out of place.

Grooming

• Brush the rough coat at least two to three times a week, and daily during the seasonal blow-out
• Brush the smooth coat about once a week
• Work through the dense undercoat right down to the skin to stop mats forming, especially around the ruff and hindquarters
• Bathe every four to six weeks or as needed, and dry the coat fully afterwards, which matters more in our damp air than in drier climates
• Check and clean the deep facial folds and ears to keep them dry
• Trim nails regularly and check the eyes, which the heavy coat can obscure

Exercise

• Give two moderate walks a day, totalling around 30 to 60 minutes
• Keep activity light in warm or humid weather
• Offer short play or training sessions for mental stimulation
• Avoid forced or strenuous exercise, which the breed neither enjoys nor needs

Environment

The Chow Chow suits a calm home and copes with apartment life if its exercise needs are met. The heavy coat makes the breed sensitive to heat, so cool, shaded, well-ventilated space matters, even during our short warm spells. A securely fenced garden suits its territorial nature.

The Chow Chow does well on a complete, balanced diet formulated for its size and activity level. Because the breed has moderate energy and a heavy coat that hides weight gain, portions should be measured and body condition checked regularly. Diets with controlled fat and adequate protein support a healthy coat and steady weight. Always provide fresh water, particularly given the breed's sensitivity to heat.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to a small share of daily calories to avoid weight gain. Joint supplements such as glucosamine may help given the breed's risk of hip and elbow problems, but only introduce a supplement after discussing it with your vet.

The Chow Chow generally lives 8 to 12 years. Its build and dense coat leave it prone to several conditions, so routine veterinary care and weight control matter. Eye and joint issues are the most common concerns, and the deep coat and facial folds call for regular skin and ear checks.

Preventative care

• Annual check-ups with the vet, twice yearly for seniors
• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Hip, elbow, and eye screening for breeding dogs
• Keep the dog at a lean weight to ease the load on its joints
• Routine dental care along with regular coat and ear checks

The Chow Chow is intelligent and capable but strong-willed and not naturally eager to please. It picks things up quickly when it wants to, yet may simply choose not to comply, so training calls for patience, consistency, and a calm, firm handler. Harsh methods tend to backfire and wear away trust. Early, wide-ranging socialisation is essential to soften the breed's reserve with strangers and other animals.

Basics

1. Start socialisation in puppyhood with a range of people, places, and dogs
2. Teach the core cues (sit, stay, come, lead manners) in short sessions
3. Reward compliance straight away with food or praise
4. Keep the rules consistent across the household
5. Practise calm greetings to manage its reserve with visitors

Chow Chows reach sexual maturity at around 9 to 12 months, but responsible breeders usually wait until physical and mental maturity at one to two years before mating, with health clearances for hips, elbows, and eyes completed beforehand. Gestation runs about 63 days. Litters commonly number four to six puppies. Because of the breed's broad head, some litters need close monitoring at whelping, and having a vet on standby is advisable.

Newborn puppies depend entirely on the dam for warmth and feeding in the early weeks. Early handling and gentle exposure to people and everyday sights from a young age matter, since the breed's reserve makes early socialisation a key part of raising sound, well-adjusted dogs. Puppies generally go to new homes from about eight weeks, and buyers should ask to see health clearances and, where the litter is registered, the Irish Kennel Club paperwork.

How to register a Chow Chow in Ireland

Get the profile sorted first: your Chow Chow's name, his date of birth, a photo, and your phone number, saved in a couple of minutes. The record is free for the whole of his life, and the chip number slots in whenever the vet has done his part. Dog registration is where it starts.

Lodge your Chow Chow's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and the chip finally earns its keep: free registration for life, every brand accepted, and a record the ISPCA or any warden can turn into a phone call. Microchip registration takes minutes, and the free account covers the profile while you're at it.