Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a solid, square-built dog originally from China, unmistakable for the thick ruff around its head and its blue-black tongue. Grown dogs typically stand 43 to 51 cm at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 32 kg, putting the breed solidly in the medium size range. The coat comes in two types, rough and smooth, giving the dog a dense, compact outline.

Temperament sets the Chow Chow apart just as much as its looks. The breed is loyal and self-possessed, usually picking one or two people as its inner circle while staying cool and watchful around anyone it doesn't know. It's quiet and self-contained rather than demonstrative, and plenty of owners reckon its manner is closer to a cat's than a dog's.

A Chow Chow suits a settled household that respects its independent streak. It isn't a dog that needs constant attention, and it builds its strongest attachments through a 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 steady stream of unfamiliar visitors should think carefully about the dog's aloof nature before committing, and meeting the parents through a Dogs New Zealand registered breeder is a sensible first step.

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, 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, worked as hunters, and pulled their weight in other practical tasks. The thick double coat suited the cold northern climate well.

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 miscellaneous cargo shipped from the East. Interest grew through the 1800s, and Queen Victoria's ownership of a Chow Chow helped lift the breed's profile in England.

Formal recognition followed as breed clubs formed, with the American Kennel Club registering the Chow Chow in 1903. Dogs New Zealand, the country's kennel club, has recognised the breed for showing and registration for decades, part of the same shift from working dog to companion and show dog that took place across Europe and North America. Strict biosecurity rules mean importing new bloodlines into New Zealand still takes careful planning through MPI-approved channels, so most Kiwi breeders build on established local lines.

The Chow Chow has a powerful, square body set on straight hind legs that give it a stilted, deliberate gait, quite unlike the loose movement of most breeds. The broad skull, full ruff, and small rounded ears set close together create a scowling, lion-like expression. The tail sits high and curls over the back. A defining feature is the blue-black tongue and dark mouth tissue, found in this breed and barely any others.

Coat and colour

Two coat types are recognised. The rough coat is dense and abundant with a thick, off-standing outer layer and a soft undercoat, heaviest around the neck. The smooth coat is shorter and harder-textured but still double-layered. Accepted solid colours are red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream, sometimes with lighter shading through the coat. The dense undercoat sheds heavily during the seasonal coat blow, which happens about twice a year.

The Chow Chow is independent and self-assured. It bonds closely with its family but often singles out one or two favourite people, showing quiet devotion rather than open affection. With strangers the breed is reserved and watchful, a trait carried over from its guardian past, so early socialisation matters.

With children the Chow Chow can be tolerant of those it has grown up alongside, though its low tolerance for rough handling means supervision is sensible. Around other dogs and pets it can be territorial or standoffish, and same-sex aggression is a known risk, so introductions are worth taking slowly. The breed is generally quiet and not one for needless barking, but it will sound the alarm on anything out of place.

Grooming

• Brush the rough coat at least two to three times a week, and daily during the seasonal coat blow
• Brush the smooth coat about once a week
• Work through the dense undercoat 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
• 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

• Provide two moderate walks a day, totalling around 30 to 60 minutes
• Keep activity light during hot or humid spells, which can catch owners out even in New Zealand's generally mild climate
• 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 settled home and copes with flat living if its exercise needs are met. The heavy coat makes the breed sensitive to heat, so cool, shaded, well-ventilated space matters, particularly during warmer spells further north. A securely fenced section suits its territorial nature, and under the Dog Control Act every dog in New Zealand must be registered with the local council and microchipped.

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 out and body condition checked regularly. Diets with controlled fat and adequate protein support a healthy coat and steady weight. Always have fresh water on hand, 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 check with a vet before adding any supplement.

The Chow Chow generally lives 8 to 12 years. Its build and dense coat predispose it to a handful of conditions, so routine vet 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 vet check-ups, with two a year once the dog is a senior
• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date
• Hip, elbow, and eye screening for breeding dogs
• Maintain a lean body weight to ease load on the joints
• Routine dental care plus 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's motivated, yet may simply decide not to comply, so training calls for patience, consistency, and a calm, firm handler. Harsh methods tend to backfire and erode trust. Early, wide-ranging socialisation is essential to soften the breed's reserve around strangers and other animals.

Basics

1. Start socialisation in puppyhood with a mix of people, places, and dogs
2. Teach 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 whole household
5. Practise calm greetings to manage reserve around visitors

Chow Chows reach sexual maturity at around 9 to 12 months, but responsible breeders usually hold off 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 pups. Because of the breed's broad head, some litters need close monitoring at whelping, and having a vet on standby is a wise precaution.

Newborn pups depend entirely on the dam for warmth and feeding in the first weeks. Early handling and gentle exposure to people and everyday sights from a young age matter, since the breed's natural reserve makes early socialisation a key part of raising a sound, well-adjusted dog. Anyone breeding Chow Chows in New Zealand should register the litter with Dogs New Zealand, and pups generally head to new homes from about eight weeks.

Chow Chow registration and microchip registration in New Zealand

Adding your Chow Chow to the registry is a ten-minute job at most: name, date of birth, photo, contact details, save. The profile is free for life and works whether the chip is already in or booked for the next vet visit. Dog registration is the place to start.

A scanned chip is only ever as useful as its record. Pop your Chow Chow's fifteen digit number into a free United Pet Club account and the record does the rest: free updates after every move, every brand accepted, searchable day and night. Microchip registration first, account alongside.