Five fascinating snippets of information about the Chow Chow dog breed

The Chow Chow is a breed that is still reasonably unusual within the UK, but they are becoming ever more popular year on year, and today most dog lovers would be able to recognise a Chow Chow on sight if they saw one out and about.

If there ever was a breed that looks like a giant fluffy teddy bear, the Chow Chow is certainly it-their gorgeous fluffy fur is one of their most appealing features, and is often what first attracts Chow Chow owners to dogs of the breed. However, it would be a big mistake to think that every gorgeous-looking Chow Chow that you might meet will be delighted to have a hug-dogs of the breed can be very speculative about meeting strangers, and they can be rather reserved and aloof until they decide that you warrant their attention!

If you can’t resist the fluffy charms of the Chow Chow breed and are thinking about buying or adopting one, it is important to do plenty of research and make sure that you know what to expect, and that you’re up to the challenge of taking care of one and bringing out the best in them! In this article, we will share five fascinating snippets of information about the Chow Chow dog breed, as a short primer to introduce you to some of their core traits. Read on to learn more.

About that tongue…

One of the most famous facts about the Chow Chow that most people know about is that they have a very distinctive tongue colour, which is a bluish-black. However, there is one other breed that has a similarly coloured tongue, which is the Shar Pei, which shares the same country of origin as the Chow Chow, being China.

Exactly why the Chow Chow breed has such an unusual and distinctive coloured tongue is not definitively know-also, interestingly, puppies of the breed are born with a pink tongue that darkens over time! To find out more about the breed’s tongue, check out this article.

The Chow Chow originated in China

As we alluded to above, the Chow Chow breed originated in China, and has a recorded history there going back to well into the B.C. era. The breed’s origins are thought to lie with spitz type dogs from the colder Nordic countries, a trait that can be identified by the breed’s curved tail, short ears, and thick, plush coat.

They can come in various different colours and coat types

The majority of Chow Chow dogs have the same thick, fluffy plush coat fur, usually in a reddish ginger shade. However, the breed standard for the Chow Chow allows for a significant range of variance from these norms, and some pedigree Chow Chow dogs will look very different!

The normal coat type of the Chow Chow is referred to as a rough coat, although it is actually very soft and plush-but Chow Chows can also come in a short coated variant, although this is less common and less popular.

In terms of the colouring that the Chow Chow can be found in, the red or ginger coat is the most common but the breed can also be found in a range of other shades, including cinnamon, blue, cream and black.

Their temperament is unique and unusual

While the Chow Chow might appear very distinctive and unlike any other dog breed in terms of their physical appearance, it is their personality and temperament that really sets them apart! The Chow Chow has a complex personality, and it tends to take them a long time to trust and love people, but then they are the most loyal and affectionate dog you will ever meet!

The Chow Chow tends to be rather reserved around strangers, and if their owner gives you the go ahead, they may accept petting but they likely won’t give you an overwhelmed response until they get to know you rather better! They have a tendency to be stubborn and can become dominant with an inexperienced handler, and so beginning training and socialisation with dogs of the breed when they are young is vitally important.

They are often good with cats and smaller pets when introduced and managed from an early age, and given their reserve, it is also sometimes a surprise to people to learn that they are also generally good with family children. However, they may well be intolerant of children that they do not know, and can also be something of a pain if they decide that the children require guarding!

They can be challenging to own

Because the Chow Chow is a unique, complex dog that takes a while to trust and respect their handlers and that can be prone to being stubborn, they do not make for great pets for all dog owners. Experienced dog owners that are prepared to do plenty of research and work hard with their dogs during their training and early years is vital, and if you are a first time dog owner, consider ownership of the Chow Chow very carefully!