A dog in lion's clothing

A dog in lion's clothing

Few dogs attract the sort of attention the Chow Chow does, and no wonder. With its lion-like appearance, irresistibly cuddly coat and adorable face, the breed truly is a marvel of the canine world.

The Chow Chow is a most stately dog, sometimes giving the appearance of an old,
wise man. In fact, the breed is known to have originated more than 2000 years ago,
possibly in the Arctic Circle, and then made its way to China, Mongolia and Siberia. With
its amazingly thick coat, the breed was able to easily handle the freezing climate of the region and was bred to be a strong working dog, hunting and herding for its tribal guardians.
The Chow is thought to be the original ancestor of the Samoyed and Keeshond.
Sadly, this beautiful breed used to be bred for meat and fur in China, until the practice was
abolished in the early 1900s. Strangely, Chows are extremely uncommon in China today.

ONE IN A MILLION
Many breeders will tell you that owning a Chow is a whole new experience, and that once you have had one, moving on to another breed is diffi cult.
Coleen Messnarz of the Chow Chow Club of New South Wales has been “unconditionally
loved” by her Chows for more than 35 years. “They are amazing dogs,” she says. “They are
extremely loyal to their owners and just want to be with you.”
Coleen says the Chow makes an exceptional guard dog and can be aloof. “But they are so
cuddly,” she adds, “absolute teddy bears!”

EARLY TRAINING ESSENTIAL
The Chow is amazingly independent and clearly has a mind of its own. Breeders stress
the importance of early obedience training and socialisation to ensure your Chow is aware from the start where it sits in the pecking order — that top dog position is yours, not his!
The Chow can be very stubborn at times and is the sort of dog that will only do what it wants to when the time is right for him. This means training can sometimes be a challenge, but
with lots of positive reinforcement your Chow
will respond well.
Experts point out that this breed will give respect if it receives respect, and will not react
well to harsh training methods. And although the Chow can give the impression of being
fairly aloof and stand-offi sh at times, it becomes strongly attached to its family and will not want to be left out in the yard on its own.

THE CAT-LIKE DOG
There’s no doubt the Chow’s a dog, but some consider it the most cat-like dog they know.
In fact, the Chow is often called the feline dog because of its many cat-like features. Similar to felines, the Chow is aloof and independent, and only likes a cuddle when it feels like it. The Chow is not your regular aff ectionate pooch and will often prefer to have its own space rather than be fussed over. “This is not a ‘throw and fetch’ dog,” Coleen stresses.

BLACK TONGUES AND THICK COATS
One of the most amazing things about the Chow is its unique blue-black tongue. The roof
of the mouth and gums are also often black.
Of course, the Chow Chow coat is another of the breed’s stand-out features, but it doesn’t come without its demands.
As a puppy, the coat can get easily tangled and needs weekly grooming to keep it healthy
and soft. The adult coat is easier to handle but also needs weekly attention. A steel-toothed
comb is ideal for brushing through the coat and getting out knots and tangles. The Chow sheds twice a year and needs more brushing during those times. Failure to regularly groom a Chow
will result in painful skin conditions and an impossibly matted coat.

BUY WISELY
As with all breeds, buying your Chow from a registered and reputable breeder will prevent
the heartbreak of buying a dog with inherited problems. The Chow can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and entropion (turning in of the eyelid).
Naturally, because of its thick coat, the Chow will not easily tolerate very warm weather and should be kept cool during the summer months.
Always ensure your pooch has plenty of fresh water and lots of shade.
“Most importantly,”Coleen says, “do your homework before buying a Chow and make sure
this is the right breed for you and your family.”