CHOW-CHOW

In some places of the Asian continent, the breeding is destined to the use of its skin and its meat, which is considered exquisite. And despite that, about this breed, member of the spitz family, a series of legends are woven where it is denominated “the bear or lion dog”. From China it was taken to England, where in 1895 the Chow – Chow Breeder Club was founded, which transformed this dog, 2,000 years old into an appreciated pet.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the CHOW-CHOW
Its appearance reminds that of a miniature adult lion, with a minimal height of 46 cm and 20 to 32 kg weigh. The body is robust, with a broad chest and a short back. It has a wide and flat skull, the moderately long muzzle with a black nose, except for the light fur dogs which have a lighter nose and the small sized ears, are rounded at the tip. Its dense, long and abundant fur can have a large range of colors: blue, black, cream, shadowed in other tones but never spotted.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the CHOW-CHOW
An aggressive fame that makes it no justice accompanies it, since it only reacts violently when provoked. It is a one master pet, to which it dedicates all its love and loyalty, which is no obstacle for it being tolerant and affectionate towards the rest of the family, although it can’t stand strangers, which it utterly ignores if they visit the home. It is sensitive and somewhat nervous, but adapts well to training, which must be constant and firm, and to the family life, as long as it coexists directly with people.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a CHOW-CHOW
There are several reasons why this breed’s care should be constant. It has a sweet tooth that refuses no food, so its diet should be watched to prevent dermatologic problems and overweight. The coiled eyelids cause frequent tearing that makes eye cleanliness extreme. As in every snub muzzle dogs, it has large probabilities of suffering respiratory problems and, lastly, its fur density is an ideal means for ectoparasite apparition. But a good domestic hygiene and regular veterinarian visits keep the chow-chow in good shape. It should be forced to perform a little exercise since it keeps a clear tendency to sedentarism.

This dog has a unique trait amongst every canine breed: it is its tongue color; it is such a dark blue that it seems almost black.

In the north of China, where it proceeds from, it was called “bear dog”, since it was already related to these animals.

Although it is a nervous dog, its training is not very complicated because it likes domestic life.