With information from the Chow Chow Club Inc's Hello I am the Chow Chow and the new CCCI pamphlet An Oriental Masterpiece .... the Chow Chow.
Definitely one of the most impressive of all breeds, the Chow Chow is an awesome creature with his lion-like appearance and regal manner. Looking a little like a cross between a lion and a bear, the true origin of the Chow is unknown and lost deep within Chinese antiquity. The Chow as it is known today is easily recognizable in pottery and sculptures of the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 BC to 22 AD); other artifacts indicate that he was even a much older breed and may have come originally from the Arctic Circle, migrating to Mongolia, Siberia and China.
Some scholars claim the Chow was the original ancestor of the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian and Keeshond. In more recent times, that is, in the T'ang Dynasty (7th Century AD), it is reported that one Chinese emperor kept 2,500 of these Chow Dogs to accompany his ten thousand hunters! Admired by emperors as well as Western royalty, used by Chinese peasants for food and clothing, and a favorite of the Hollywood movie star set in the 1920's, the Chow Chow has had a dramatic history.
How the Chow got his blue/black tongue is a mystery. An old fable offers a theory: When God was painting the sky blue, He spilled a few drops of paint as he worked. The Chow followed after, licking up the paint and from that day on, the Chow Chow has had a blue tongue!
The Chow came to America by way of England where it had been brought from China in the late 1700's. Sailors returning from the east brought them back in the cargo holds of trade ships. Chow Chow was a slang term applied to the large variety of items carried by these ships. Like a nickname, the term stuck to these dogs.
Chows first appeared at AKC dog shows in the late 1800's. The Chow Chow Club, Inc. (CCCI) was formed in 1906. The breed first knew general popularity in the 1930's when President Calvin Coolidge kept a Chow (Timmy) in the White House. The Chow again soared to popularity in the 1980's. Another notable Chow fancier was Sigmund Freud. After his death, his daughter, Anna Freud, continued to keep his Chows as well as raise her own. Martha Stewart is also a Chow fancier and her chows can be regularly seen on her television show.
For further reading we suggest the following article by David
Cavill: The Chow Chow
The Chow Chow's disposition is quite different from other breeds. They are catlike in their attitudes: aloof, reserved with affection, independent, dignified and stubborn. Although their soft fur is ripe for hugging, they don not always enjoy being fussed over by children or strangers. The Chow is very intelligent but like a cat, not as highly motivated to please their masters as most other breeds. They seem to please themselves first. They do not tolerate physical punishment. Hitting or beating a Chow may result in viciousness or a broken spirit. The Chow expects to be treated with dignity and respect. He will return that respect with undying loyalty if he believes you are worthy of it.
The Chow Chow's temperament is often misunderstood by people who do not understand the breed's unique nature. Naturally suspicious of strangers and territorial, they take their homes and families very seriously as well their responsibility to protect what they love. On his own property and without his owner present, the Chow may appear to be quite fierce. He will seldom let a stranger pass unchallenged. People used to the warm welcomes of other breeds may be startled by the seriousness of the Chow. Once greeted by the owner and accepted into the home, the Chow should accept the stranger but may be reserved in his desire to make friends.
The Chow Chow's appearance also contributes to myths about his
temperament. The scowling face, small deep-set eyes and lion-like
ruff are intimidating. The Chow's natural aloofness, dignity and
indifference to people outside his family is often misinterpreted
by people who expect all dogs to be outwardly friendly and affectionate.
The Chow saves his affections for those he loves most dearly and
finds little reason to seek attention from anyone else. He minds
his own business and simply does not care what strangers think
of him.
The strong willed, stubborn Chow needs an equally strong willed, stubborn owner! This breed has a mind of its own and may easily become your master if you let it. Chow puppies are naturally well-behaved, seldom destructive or disobedient. Because of their good behavior, some owners feel that training is not necessary. When an untrained Chow reaches adolescence, though, he may refuse to accept authority. We have found that most people who experience behavior problems with their Chows failed to train and socialize them properly.
Socialization is the ongoing process in which the Chow puppy is taught to accept new people, other dogs and environments outside his home with politeness and calm. Socialization should begin at birth with regular handling by the Chow's breeder. A responsible breeder introduces the puppy to as many new experiences as possible before the puppy is placed into its permanent home.
It is critical that you continue the socialization process by regularly introducing him to strangers, children, animals and places outside of your home. Socialization with children is especially important if the dog is to be good with them as an adult. Teach children how to hold and pet the puppy properly so that all his experiences with them are pleasant. Puppy kindergarten classes hosted by your local kennel club are excellent opportunities for socialization.
As soon as your puppy is old enough, you and he should attend
obedience classes with a qualified instructor. The AKC or your
veterinarian can refer you to local kennel clubs that host these
classes. Training should continue at home and obedience commands
should be incorporated into your Chow's daily life. A well-trained
Chow is a joy to live with! He is a happier dog because he knows
what is expected of him and how to please you. He can go more
places and do more things with you because he knows how to behave
properly.
Generally, Chows are poor risks when anesthesia is involved, and Chows should be treated by the veterinarian as he would treat a Bulldog or any extremely short-muzzled dog.
If your Chow tears more than you feel is normal, he may have entropion, a turning-in of the eyelashes. If your Chow tears excessively, consult your veterinarian for advice.
Another problem with the Chow is that he is subject to heat prostration if left in a hot, closed-in area or in the sun. He is particularly bothered by extremely high humidity, especially if the temperature climbs above eighty degrees.
Skin problems are becoming more common within the breed. Hot-spots,
allergies and probably the most common causes. If your Chow starts
scratching excessively or has raw, irrated skin that looks infected
consult your veterinarian immediately.
The Chow needs to be brushed at least twice weekly or more if
possible. Grooming is essential to keep the long, thick coat in
peak, clean condition. Chows have a dense undercoat that supports
the coarser outer coat and gives it its fluffy appearance. Many
adult Chows have a ruff almost like that of a lion that must be
handled with care because it can be stripped away by too much
grooming. The puppy undercoat, however should be brushed out when
it starts to loosen so that the adult coat may come in properly.
Always brush out the dead coat and be careful that the remaining
coat does not mat. Both a rake brush and a pin brush (both kinds
are available at any pet store and even at most supermarkets)
are needed to keep the coat in good, clean condition. The rake
is useful in the removal of the fluffy undercoat and the pin brush
to groom the longer, off-standing guard hairs which are of coarser
quality. Nails should be trimmed regularly to a comfortable length.
Chows should be kept in a fenced-in area or inside the house in
a room where they have a good deal of freedom. Chows should not
be put on a chain for they resent the feeling of being trapped. Let your Chow have as much freedom as you have to offer within
the limits of his safety and welfare.
The Standard is the physical blueprint of the breed. It describes the physical appearance and other desired qualities of the breed otherwise known as type. Some characteristics, such as size, coat quality, and movement, are based on the original (or current) function for the dog. Other characteristics are more cosmetic such as eye color; but taken together they set this breed apart from all others. The Standard describes an ideal representative of the breed. No individual dog is perfect, but the Standard provides an ideal for the breeder to strive towards.
Chow Chows are typically between 17 and 20 inches at the shoulders and usually weigh between 40 and 70 pounds. Chows can be any of 5 different colors: red, cinnamon (dilute of red), black, blue (dilute of black), and cream (dilute).
The Illustrated Standard of the Chow Chow can be found on the Chow Chow Club web site. A text copy of the Chow Chow Standard can also be found there.
ChowChow-H A Chow Chow Chat List
ChowChow-L A Discussion list for Serious Breeders and Fanciers
type subscribe "Your Full Name" in the body of the message.
The Chow Chow Club Inc. Home Page
Chow Chow Club of Greater New York
North Texas Chow Chow Club
Wisconsin Chow Chow Club
Chow Chow Club of Ireland
Chow Chows of Spain
The Swedish Chow Chow Club
Chow Chow Club of Victoria
The Chow Chow Annual
Hoflin Publishing Ltd
4401 Zephry Street
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-3299
(303) 934-5656 or (800) 352-5678 for orders only
$40.00, add $5 outside USA
Chow Life
The official publication of the Chow Chow Club, Inc.
Carol Patterson, Editor
P.O. Box 1070
Chester, CA 96020
(916) 596-4309
$30.00 year, $50.00 outside USA
Handbook for the Chow Fancier
Deborah Barrett
Chow Chow Club Inc.
Recording Secretary
500 Oak Glen Trace
Birmingham, AL 35244
205-733-8367
$25.00, add $10 outside USA
E-Mail Deborah
Yearly Chow Chow Club Inc. Statistician's Reports (1979-present)
Annually updated Published Champions Report (1979-present)
Bill Atkinson
CCC Inc. Statistician
121 Mountain Drive
Sound Windsor, CT 06074
203-644-0668
$15.00 for the Statistician's Committee Report
$25.00 for the Published Champions Report
E-Mail Bill
Illustrated Standard of the Chow Chow
Ann Crisp
CCCI Judges Education
164 W. Birnie Slough Road
Cathlamet, WA 98612-9714
360-849-3412
Available soon.
E-Mail Ann
The Chow Chow
The American Kennel Club
Video interpretation of the Chow Chow standard with examples of
Chows.
$36.00
How To Raise A Happy, Healthy Chow
Deep Cove Productions
6282 Kathleen Avenue, Suite 502
Burnaby, BC V5H 4J4 Canada
Tel (604) 431-2917; Fax (604) 431-2918
$39.95 + $5 shipping & handling
Local taxes apply for Canadian and BC customers
CCCI National Show Videos
Available in VHS in NTSC ( US/CANADA/JAPAN ) or
PAL, PAL-M, PAL-N, SECAM and MESECAM
from the Domino Video Company, P.O. Box 540,Seaford, NY 11783.
Cost: $79 to $150 depending on tapes and format.
The Chow Chow Club, Inc.
National organization of Chow fanciers. For breed information,
breeder referrals and regional Chow clubs, write to:
Irene Cartabio, Corresponding secretary
3580 Plover Place
Seaford, NY 11783
(516) 826-3051
E-Mail Irene
Chow Chow Fanciers Of Canada.
For information please contact:
Corresponding Secretary
Suzanne Staines
32829 Bakerview Ave.
Mission B.C. V2V 2P8
(604) 826-3284
Fax (604) 820-9098
Membership includes the Club Newsletter
published 6 times a year.
Membership fees per year are:
SINGLE--------------------$10.00
COUPLE--------------------$15.00
OVERSEAS-SINGLE-----------$15.00
OVERSEAS-COUPLE-----------$20.00
U.S.Residents please remit in U.S.Funds.
E-Mail Suzanne
Maple Leaf Chow Chow Club.
for information please contact
Christine Farnell, Secretary
64 Dorothy Street
Brantford, Ontario Canada
N3S 1H2
(519) 752 1291 Home
(519) 759 4262 FAX
E-Mail Christine
National Chow Chow Club of Sweden
Chow Chow Ringen
For information please contact:
Jessica Bjorling
Trumpetgatan 10
871 61 Harnosand
Sweden
Chow Chow Ringen publishes a magazine
4 times per year (in Swedish)
E-Mail Jessica
CCCI Welfare
Vicki DeGruy
9828 E. County A
Janesville, WI 53546
(608) 756-2008
E-Mail Vicki