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 Origin: The ancient Chinese
Chow Chow dates back to the Han Dynasty about 150 BC, though some
historians theorize that the breed may be even older. It was
originally used as a hunting dog and one Chinese emperor about the
7th century AD was said to have had a kennel of 2,500 pairs of
hunting dogs of the Chow variety. Later jobs included herding,
carting and guarding. The breed's name did not come from the Chinese
but rather from pidgin English when ship captains used the term
"chow chow" to describe various bits of bric-a-brac instead of
listing each cargo item separating. Since the dogs were often
included in the miscellaneous assortment, the name came to be
attached to this regal breed with its blue-black tongue.
Temperament: The Chow Chow is proud,
independent, very loyal to its family and rather suspicious of
strangers. It maintains a dignified, scowling expression. The Chow
Chow is a natural watchdog.
Activity level: Though not an overly
active dog, regular outdoor activity is a daily requirement.
Height/Weight: The average adult will
range from 17-20 in (43-51 cm) at the withers and weigh up to 55 lb
(25 kg).
Coat: There are two coat types in the
breed. The most familiar is the luxurious, offstanding coat with the
profuse lion-like ruff about the head and neck. The smooth-coated
Chow Chow has a hard, dense, short outer coat and lacks the heavy
ruff and leg feathering of the rough coat. Both coats carry a soft
undercoat.
Color: The solid colors acceptable in
this breed are red, tawny, black, blue, cream or white. Lighter
shadings are permitted on parts of the body.
Grooming: A natural breed, the Chow
Chow requires only regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep the
undercoat free of mats. |
