Dog Breed

Chow Chow

Primary image of Chow Chow dog breed
Full Name
Chow Chow
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Life Span
12 - 15 years years
Weight
40 - 70 pounds
Description

Aloof, Loyal, Independent, Quiet

Origin
China
Bred For
Guardian, cart pulling, hunting
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Chow Chow good with children?

    Yes, the Chow Chow is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Chow Chow naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Chow Chow friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Chow Chow is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Chow Chow is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Chow Chow friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Chow Chow is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Chow Chow is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Chow Chow like to cuddle?

    The Chow Chow loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Chow Chow like to play?

    The Chow Chow is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Chow Chow make a good service dog?

    Historically, the Chow Chow has never been used as a service dog and really would not be a good fit.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Chow Chow good for first-time owners?

    The Chow Chow is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Chow Chow be trained?

    The Chow Chow is about average when it comes to training potential. The Chow Chow can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Chow Chow shed a lot?

    The Chow Chow is an average shedder. Chow Chow owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Chow Chow easy to groom?

    The Chow Chow requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Chow Chow to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Chow Chow on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Chow Chow need a lot of exercise?

    The Chow Chow requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Chow Chow appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Chow Chow?

    The Chow Chow is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Chow Chow!
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Chow Chow bark? Does the Chow Chow bark too much?

    The Chow Chow barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Chow Chows - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Chow Chow a good guard dog?

    The Chow Chow would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Chow Chow good at staying alone? Is the Chow Chow independent?

    The Chow Chow does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Chow Chow a good apartment dog?

    The Chow Chow can be a good dog for apartment living. Daily exercise is still important, but the Chow Chow is a better fit for apartment living than most breeds.
    Size

    How big is the Chow Chow?

    The Chow Chow is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Chow Chow tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Chow Chow?

    The Chow Chow does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Chow Chow if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Chow Chow tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Chow Chow?

    The Chow Chow does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Chow Chow if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Chow Chow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Chow Chow try to run away?

    The Chow Chow does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Chow Chow a healthy dog? The health of a Chow Chow should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Chow Chow has many health problems that should be considered. The Chow Chow can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Chow Chow?

    The Chow Chow has some energy and requires daily walks, but overall the Chow Chow has less energy than average.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Chow Chow drool?

    The Chow Chow drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Chow Chow have a large prey drive? Does the Chow Chow like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Chow Chow has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Chow Chow atheltic?

    The Chow Chow can have athletic moments, and bursts of speed, but does not have the endurance as other highly athletic dog breeds. They would do great for occasional jogs, but probably not the best for long-distance runs or anything more athletic than that.
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  1. Non-Sporting
  2. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique! They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.

Chow Chows for adoption

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