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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. |
