Chow Chows Revealed

All you ever wanted to know about the reclusive Chow Chow—bared right here.


Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 - The origins of the Chow Chow
Chapter 2 - The quintessential Chow Chow
Chapter 3 - Can you get along with a Chow Chow?
Chapter 4 - Zeroing in on a Chow Chow—what to consider
Chapter 5 - Bringing your puppy home
Chapter 6 - Caring for your Chow Chow
Chapter 7 - Grooming your Chow Chow
Chapter 8 - Housetraining your Chow Chow
Chapter 9 - Socialize your Chow Chow
Chapter 10 - The right chow for your Chow


There’s a beautiful and ancient fairy-tale that says that while God painted the sky
blue, he was followed by a determined Chow Chow who licked up the drops that
fell with his tongue. As you know, each fairytale comes with some truth, but this
tale has two truths: one, that this breed does have a blue tongue and second,
that its origins began with God's Creation!
This is just one of many myths surrounding this breed. Another fascinating myth
is the one that tells of the Chow Chow being a descendent of bears rather than
wolves. Unbelievable, but could Nature have twisted this breed’s evolution just a
little?
Whatever the truth may be, you’re bound to find that your Chow Chow is a breed
apart –that he’s not like any other dog breed. Doesn’t his independent nature
bother you? Or his blue tongue? Or the way he moves? And what about his
reserve? Oh, the Chow Chow is certainly different from every other dog breed.
Since ages, the mystery behind this fascinating breed continues. There are those
who believe that he is a dog but that he doesn’t really behave like any other dog.
After all, he goes hunting, but not like proper hunting dogs. He’s said to be a
guardian but he’s not your typical watchdog. He is a companion dog but not like
any other we know. He eats what every other dog eats but with so much caution.
The sad fact of the matter is that when the Chow Chow enters a dog show, he is
judged just like any other breed, by following certain norms to the exclusion of
others. This is reason for the decline of the breed. Instead, this breed should be
judged on the basis of his behavior, responses and majesty, among others.
History bears testimony that this aristocratic breed was first wowed in England
and then everywhere else. In the beginning of the XIX century, this dog was first
gifted to the London Zoo as a "half-savage" dog. But in 1880 he entered a dog
show for the first time and a decade later the Kennel Club recognized this breed.
In 1895, when the first English Chow-Chow Club was founded, it also helped lay
the foundations of the breed standard.
Much water has flowed under the bridges since then and Chow-Chow first began
appearing on cigarette packs—something that continues to this day. His
endearing face can also be seen on tea packets, playing cards, postcards,
envelopes and stamps. This is the worldwide popularity of this breed that’s loved
wherever it goes, despite its unpopular traits.

Chapter 1
The origins of the Chow Chow
Over 2000 or 3,000 years ago, the Chow Chow dog breed first came into
existence. It is recognized as the most ancient breed in the world, dating farther
back than the 11th century in China. In fact, historians believe that this breed
originated in China, and a special reference is always made of the Chow Chow
escorting the Tartars when they attacked China.
Then, there are those historians who speculate that this breed originated in the
Arctic Circle and then migrated to Mongolia, Siberia and China. Of course, today
we know that this breed is a native of Mongolia and Tibet.
In China, however, he was the watchdog of the entire household, and a prized
possession to such an extent that Chinese emperors kept 200 Chow Chows for
use while hunting. In fact, Chinese authors point out that the Pekingese, Shih
Tzus and Lhasas were considered the “Royal Dogs of China,” while the humble
and hardy Chow Chow was used solely for hunting.
But in the days before the Chinese took to firearms for hunting, they used Chow
Chows as retrievers, pointers and sled dogs. This breed can also be seen
sculpted on ancient Chinese pottery and sculptures belonging to the Hun dynasty
(206 B.C. until 22 A.D.).
All said and done, the real and true origin of the breed remains unknown. While
there are those who believe its earliest ancestor is the ancient Mastiff-type dog
that was crossed with Spitz types, still others believe that the Chow Chow is but
the ancestor of the modern Spitz, Akita and Shar-Pei.
No matter what its history really is, this thickly coated dog was