Chow Chow
Breed Group: Toy Group
Size Group: Medium Dog Breeds
Origin: China
Height: 17”-20”
Weight: 45-70lbs
Color: Black, Blue, Cinnamon, Cream, Red
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Temperament: Stately, aloof, loyal
Set Your Pup Up For Success
Overview
Chow Chows are an ancient breed. So old that we can’t even think of a “yo mama” style joke about it. Artwork depicting these pups dates back to Han Dynasty circa 206BC but research suggest they had already been around for quite some time even then. These pups are known for their lion mane ruff, stiff gait, and blue-black tongue.
With these pups it’s all in the socialization. Chow’s have a reputation for being rough with other pups of the same sex, and their hunting instincts can make them equally difficult with smaller pets. Introducing your little puppy to all your other furry friends early on will help ease tensions. They bond fiercely with one person in a household. Chows are not well suited to small children.
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Celebrity Owners
Martha Stewart, Elvis Presley, President Calvin Coolidge, Janet Jackson
Fun Facts
An ancient nickname for these pups was the Edible Dog. Yikes.
Health
Health concerns for Chow Chows include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, allergies, thyroid function, entropion, brachycephalic syndrome, bloat, stenotic nares, patellar luxation, distichiasis, cataracts, and persistent pupillary membrane.
While you always hope your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance.
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.
Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.
Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.
Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:
- Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent an undesirable buildup of plaque
- Feed your dog a diet where the high quality dog food has dental benefits
- Regularly give your dog dental toys and treats
- Use mouthwash, to help where brushing misses
- At the sign of any abnormalities, consult a vet. You can even do it virtually, from the convenience of your home.
Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.
Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.
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Grooming
Chow Chows have either smooth or rough coats, both are a profuse double coat. Rough coated pups will need daily brushing. Smooth coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to remove any tangles or matts. Matts can lead to skin irritation or hair loss. When you find matts, use a comb to gently break them apart. Regardless of coat type, your pup will go through two seasonal shedding periods where daily brushing will be necessary.
The facial folds will need extra attention, be sure to keep them clean and dry. Chow Chows need bathing around once a month. It is helpful to use a fan after baths to expedite coat drying time. Keep your pup’s eyes and ears clean and clear of debris. Clip your pup’s nails monthly. Brush you pup’s teeth several times per week.
Cost
$1,000 – $4,000
Exercise
Between their luscious coat and breathing concerns, Chow Chows do not tolerate hot weather well. During hot months be mindful to do your exercise during the coolest times. This breed needs only a moderate amount of exercise. They enjoy leisurely walking. Several 15-to-30-minute walks per day will do the trick.
Nutrition
Your full-sized Chow Chow will eat around 3 cups of food per day over 2 meals. This breed is prone to bloat which is an immediately life-threatening condition where the stomach overfills and flips in the torso. You can help avoid this situation by monitoring the rate at which your pup eats. The exact amount of food your dog will need will vary depending on age and activity level.
We’ve taken a look at some premium dog foods, high in nutrition here.
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Training
As with all dogs, early socialization with humans and other pups is essential. Chow Chows will almost always try to assert dominance. You must maintain a strong pack order with your dog from the very beginning. Be assertive, the weak owner has a bossy dog. Training should be firm and fair. Do not use harsh methods which can erode your relationship. Positive reinforcement, plenty of treats and patience will be your road to success.
Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pup’s life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!
Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.
Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.
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Supplements
A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.
Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.
Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.
Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.
Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.
As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.
Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.
Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.
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- Energy and a willingness to get the job done, these dogs love outside
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The Good
Good in apartments
Low exercise requirements
The "Ruff"
Can be aggressive and unfriendly if not trained properly
High grooming needs
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