Chow Chow Dog Breed Information

Group

Non-sporting

Weight

18 to 41 kg

Height

43-56 cm

Lifespan

9-15 years

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About the Chow Chow

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

What is the history & origin of the Chow Chow?

The Chow Chow has a long history that dates back over 2,000 years. They originated in ancient China and, through the years, were originally bred to pull sleds, hunt, and guard livestock.

Some experts believe that the breed may even be as old as 3,000 years old and originated in Mongolia before being moved into China.

Chow chows have had some famous owners over the years which has undoubtedly helped with their popularity. Chow Chows have been the faithful companions of Queen Victoria, Elvis Presley, and Martha Stewart – among many others.

What is a Chow Chow breed?

Chow Chow dogs are a medium-sized breed that is popular the world over. They are known for being sturdily built dogs with a dense double coat and small triangular ears that point up and are rounded at the ends, giving them even more of them a teddy bear appearance.

Depending on the country, breed standard colours vary, but you’ll find shaded red, black, blue, cream, and fawn Chow Chows. The American Kennel Club also states that the Chow Chow should only have a slate or solid blue coloured nose.

They have a fluffy tail that curls back up toward the body, and their dense fur means they shed throughout the year, with particularly heavy shedding during spring and autumn.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Colours

Who is a Chow Chow best for?

Chow Chows are relatively aloof and independent dogs that tend not to socialise with other pets when possible. Despite looking like big cuddly teddy bears, they aren’t overly keen on too much affection, so families with young kids might not be the best environment for the breed.

They don’t need much exercise, and around an hour a day, split into several walks, will be enough depending on how much energy an individual dog has. They aren’t fans of the rain either, so if you’re looking for a dog to cuddle on the couch or join you on hikes or adventures, you might want to look elsewhere.

You will need a lot of patience to train this bear dog, and experience is advised since they’re not great dogs for first-time owners.

Chow Chow Grooming & Shedding

Grooming will be a big part of owning this breed, and they will need to be groomed regularly. A Chow Chow’s luxurious coat will shed and should be brushed at least every two or three days. This will help to stop your dog from shedding all over your home, keep the coat looking good, and remove and stop tangles and matting.

To keep the skin and coat clean and healthy, you should bathe your Chow Chow at least every six months too. You will have to work on your technique for grooming, washing, and drying your dog, as the double coat and thick fur can prove tricky.

Professional grooming sessions can be an excellent investment and keep your dog in great condition if you find that you’re struggling, and can make your pet’s rough coat turn into a quite smooth coat.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Chow Chows bark a lot?

Chow Chows tend not to be big barkers and keep themselves to themselves mostly. The only issue you may have with barking is with alarm barking due to strangers or other dogs.

Training your Chow Chow puppy from an early age and as soon as you get them can help them understand what behaviour is acceptable. Obedience training can be difficult, which is why you should start as early as possible.

What is the average weight & height of a Chow Chow dog?

It takes around 12 months for a Chow Chow to reach full maturity, and full-grown males should weigh between 18 to 41kg with a height of around 56cm, and females should be around 16 to 39kg and grow to around 43 to 46cm.

The majority of a Chow Chow’s weight gain will take place in the first six months, which is why it is extremely important to buy high-quality dog food and know how much and how often you should be feeding your puppy.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Size & Weight Chart

Are Chow Chows easy to train?

Because Chow Chow dogs have an independent nature and have similar personalities to cats, it can be tricky getting them in the right mood for training.

It is important that you persevere and show patience though. Allowing your dog to get its own way will only teach bad habits. So you should start training Chow puppies as soon as you get them because they are notoriously disobedient breeds that require a firm owner.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Chow Chows behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Chow Chows have the most cat-like personality of all dog breeds as they are an independent breed, and as a result can be pretty stubborn. The Chow Chow is a relatively intelligent dog, making training more difficult as they need mental stimulation to stay focused. Still, experienced owners will be able to train them by starting at a young age.

They are not high energy dogs, and as long as you give them regular exercise and a healthy diet, they should not cause behavioural issues.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Chow Chow have any common health issues?

Though owning a Chow Chow shouldn’t be associated with any particular health problems as they are relatively healthy dogs, as with all breeds, they will be more susceptible to some issues, including;

Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis.
Elbow Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the elbow joint, causing pain and mobility issues.
Cruciate Ligament Disease: An injury or degeneration of the knee ligaments, often requiring surgery.
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (Bloat): A life-threatening condition where the stomach twists, requiring immediate medical attention.
Entropion: A condition where the eyelids roll inward, causing irritation and potential damage to the eye.
Panosteitis: A painful inflammation of the long bones, often seen in young dogs.
Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Conditions affecting hormone production, leading to various health issues.
Diabetes: A metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar regulation.

To ensure your Chow Chow stays healthy, you should regularly exercise it, keep a close eye on the dog’s diet, make sure it stays at a healthy weight, and periodically visit your vet for check-ups so they can keep an eye on it.

Learn more about: Common Chow Chow Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Chow Chow?

Chow Chows have a reasonable life expectancy of between 9 and 15 years which is on the higher side of the scale for medium-sized dogs.

A healthy lifestyle and good diet will help increase your dog’s life expectancy and improve its behaviour.

How much does a Chow Chow need to be fed?

Chow Chows need a healthy balanced diet, especially as they are developing as a puppy. For their bones, muscles, and growth to stay on track, they will need a good balance of protein, nutrients, and fat. Specialist puppy food is available that will guide you on how much each breed should get and at what age.

Regular visits to your vet to keep an eye on its development will also help as they will be able to advise when it is time to switch from puppy food to dog food. Two meals a day will be suitable when your dog is fully grown.

Learn more about: What to Feed a Chow Chow? Diet & Feeding Chart

How much can you expect to pay for a Chow Chow in Australia?

The Chow Chow is a relatively expensive dog breed, and you can expect to pay from around $1,000 to $4,000 for one. Prices will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the breeder and bloodline of the dog.

Always ensure any dog you buy is from reputable breeders that are members of a breed club. This can help protect against poorly treated and sick animals being sold for a quick profit.

Learn more about: Chow Chow Prices In Australia

Chow Chow FAQs

Are Chow Chows responsive to commands?

Chow Chows are relatively intelligent dogs and can be trained to be obedient and responsive to commands, but you will have to persevere with training. Because of the breed’s aloof nature, you will also have to show a lot of patience when training a Chow Chow.

A Chow Chow that’s been trained properly will be responsive to commands, but first-time dog owners are not advised to go for this breed because it can be tricky.

Do adult Chow Chows become protective of their owners?

Despite being quite aloof, Chow Chows can bond strongly with people and be fiercely protective. This guarding behaviour will have to be watched, and training to ensure your dog does not show aggression is vital.

Do Chow Chows get on well with other dogs and other pets?

To put it simply, no, they don’t! If they are socialised from an early age, they will be much better, but they will still tend to stay away from other pets and strangers.

Are Chow Chows a good dog breed to have around kids as a family pet?

Because Chow Chows like to be left alone and are not overly keen on affection, it’s probably best that families get their first Chow Chow when children are a bit older and can understand boundaries.

With their dense, thick coat, cute faces, and fuzzy ears, it can be difficult enough for adults to resist petting and hugging them, so it can be unfair for the dog and child to put them in a situation where they may be bothered.