The Chow Chow belongs to the fifth group in this classification: Spitz-type and primitive-type Dogs. The dogs in this group are generally very old breeds but also very versatile. More specifically, the Chow Chow joins the category of Asian Spitz and related breeds.

Popular in China for over 2,000 years, the Chow Chow is named Choo in its native country, meaning “hunting dog.” It was used for war, hunting, traction and guarding by the Huns, Mongols and Tartars. Chow meaning “food”, you should also know that it was sometimes eaten and its fur was used as clothing. It was in 1865 that it appeared in Europe. That same year, Queen Victoria of England received a magnificent specimen which helped to popularize this breed. Systematic breeding later began in Britain. We are then in 1887 and one of the objectives of these breeders is to make him more sociable. In 1894, the Chow Chow breed was recognized by the Kennel Club. In France, we could already observe some subjects as early as 1900. Gradually, the Chow Chow will become a luxury companion dog;

The Chow Chow is one of the medium breeds; the male measures between 48 and 56 cm for a weight varying between 20 and 25 kg while the size of the female is between 46 and 51 cm for a weight between 18 and 20 kg. It is a dog with a compact and powerful appearance. Its leonine appearance combines with a dignified and proud bearing. His gait is short and stilted. Its body is well proportioned: a strong and full neck, a broad and well-set chest, arched ribs, a short, horizontal and strong back, all finished with a short and powerful loin area. Its limbs are muscular, with good bones. If the Chow Chow presents a particular gait, it is due to the absence of angulation in its hind limbs. He has small, round feet. Its tail is set high and carried well over the back. The Chow Chow's head is rather large. Its skull is flat and broad. Its muzzle is wide with a large nose at the end, the color of which is in harmony with the animal's coat. Another particularity of this breed is that the tongue, palate and lips are blue-black and its gums are black. Her small almond-shaped eyes are quite dark. In blue and fawn individuals, the breed standard allows eyes to match the color of the coat. To complete its portrait, the Chow Chow has small, thick ears, set well apart, carried straight, rigid and pointing forward. It is this arrangement of the ears which gives it this sullen expression by frowning of the features which is commonly called the scowl. The Chow Chow's coat can be solid black, red, blue, fawn, cream or white. This coat is frequently nuanced but in no case should it be spotted or multi-colored. Lighter coloring generally characterizes the underside of the tail as well as the posterior region of the thighs. The hair is either long or short. If it is long, it is also very abundant, dense, straight, spread and rough. It is also particularly thick around his neck (mane or ruff) and at the back of the thighs (breeches). Its undercoat is soft and woolly. On the other hand, if its hair is short, it is also abundant, dense, straight and more “fluffy” in texture.

The Chow Chow is a robust dog whose life expectancy is between 9 and 12 years. Like many purebred dogs, however, the Chow Chow can suffer from different pathologies: entropion, osteoarthritis, ligament disorders, skin conditions, hip dysplasia, etc. This breed is particularly affected by orthopedic diseases such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, dislocations of the patella or even ruptures of the cruciate ligament. As you can imagine, his coat means that he does not really appreciate high temperatures; it acclimatizes much better in a cold environment. But what is perhaps less known is that this thick coat and the folds of its skin expose the dog to various skin problems. The Chow Chow is therefore subject to allergies, bacterial infections (pyoderma), hair loss (alopecia). The breed also appears to be particularly susceptible to Pemphigus, a group of autoimmune dermatological diseases causing ulcers, scabs, cysts and lesions to appear on the skin. In terms of maintenance, the Chow Chow is very clean. Brushing and combing every day is enough. During moulting, weeding is recommended.

The Chow Chow is courageous, independent and calm. It is a dog that knows how to show a strong personality and sometimes also great sensitivity. However, not very restless, not very barking and not very demonstrative, even a little distant, he is nonetheless very attached to his master. He is a good guardian because he is very suspicious of strangers. However, he tends to be brawling with his peers. His education must begin at a very young age. It must also be firm, with a lot of gentleness and patience. The Chow Chow adapts very well to city life if, in return, it can benefit from long daily walks. Attention ! On the other hand, he hates being tied down.