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Do Chow Chows Shed?

Dr Julia Brassel
Reviewed by:
Dr. Julia Brassel
Veterinarian

“Puffy Lion Dog” (Sonshi-Quan in Chinese) is truly the most fitting description for this blue tongue teddy bear lookalike of a dog! These dog breeds also go by the names wolf-dog and bear dog, thanks to it having so much fur!

Chow Chows are an ancient breed that was used as guard and hunting dogs in the homes of noblemen in Northern China thousands of years ago but have grown in popularity for dog owners in the Western World in recent years.

If you are thinking about adding this pooch to your household as a truly furry friend but don’t know whether or not everything else will become furrier as well due to shedding, this Chow Chow shedding guide has got you covered!

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How Much Do Chow Chows Shed?

Honestly, Chow Chows shed a lot. Being part of the double-coated breeds, Chow Chows belong to the 5 heaviest shedding dogs in the world, thanks to their thick double coat, which turns into a winter coat once a year, leading you to likely have dog hair everywhere around the house.

Do Chow Chows Shed More During Certain Seasons?

While Chow Chows shed all year round due to being double-coated dogs, they certainly increase this during shedding season, which is usually in spring, when they switch to a lighter summer coat and fall before their thicker winter coat.

Do Chow Chows Shed More as Puppies?

Chow Chows are not prone to more excessive shedding as puppies than as adult dogs. However, they will shed gradually as they grow into their adult coat.  If your Chow Chow puppy is shedding more than usual, or your dog’s skin shows signs of bald patches or irritation, your puppy might have some underlying health problems, which you should get checked out by a vet.
 

What Type of Hair Do Chow Chows Have?

Chow Chows have a smooth coat or rough coat. The rough coat is probably the most common version of Chow Chows, with long, thick coats that are very puffy. A smooth coat Chow Chow will have shorter and more smooth fur but is also rare to come by.

Both of these are double coats that shed all year round, and neither of these dog breeds, the rough coat nor the other, is known to lose hairs more than the other.
 

Chow Chow Shedding Tips: How To Minimise

Heavy shedding is normal, depending on the breed. Therefore, it shouldn’t be too much of a concern for you. Unfortunately, you will never be able to stop your Chow Chow from shedding completely.

However, there are some useful tips and tricks on how to minimise the loose fur that is flying around your home and sticking to your furniture and clothes. Here’s how:

Grooming

Grooming your Chow Chow regularly with a slicker brush, pin brush, or metal comb is a simple and probably the most effective way to minimise the amount your dog is shedding throughout the day. Brushing will remove any excess and loose fur your dog might have and collect it before it starts lying around the house everywhere.

You might want to increase the brushing to several times a day during shedding season to prevent unwanted fur loss.

Bathing

Regular bathing can also be very effective, followed by thoroughly brushing the mostly dry fur. Make sure to use appropriate dog shampoo. Avoid cheap shampoos or human shampoo, as it could irritate your dog’s coat and skin and most likely lead to fur loss.

Nutrition

A healthy and balanced diet can aid in giving your dog strong follicles and healthy skin, which will prevent excessive shedding. A poor diet will likely lead to your Chow Chow losing more fur and having bad and easily irritated skin.
 

Are Chow Chows Hypoallergenic?

No, unfortunately, Chow Chows are not hypoallergenic at all. Due to their fluffy coat and their shedding heavily throughout the year, you are likely to have lots of fur flying around the house, and as they are not hypoallergenic, people with pet allergies will suffer from that.
 

Final Thoughts on Chow Chow Shedding

The double coat, which makes this dog look like a cute teddy bear, is also certainly the reason for Chow Chow’s shedding of so much loose hair.

If you don’t mind that this pooch sheds as much and are happy to commit to regular brushing with a pin brush or a metal comb, they still make lovely family pets, and their thick coat will keep you warm in winter as well!

Learn more about: Chow Chow Dog Breed Information

Other helpful information

  • Dog Breed Guides
  • Cat Breed Guides

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Common Chow Chow Health Issues

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Chow Chow Grooming Tips & Styles

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