The Chow Chow is an ancient breed that was kept by indigenous Chinese as long as 8000 years ago. No one truly knows the origins of the Chow Chow. Like many domesticated dogs, the origins of the Chow are probably from the Gray Wolf. But now they are a domesticated Powerful Beast from the East.
Chinese nobles kept this breed and it was used for many centuries for a variety of purposes in China. Those early Chow Chows were used for several purposes. Many were trained to hunt and act as guards for the hunters, just in case an animal was to attack them. They were also used as prey for wolves because they couldn’t run very fast and were a good meal.
The name could very well have come from a slang term some English traders using in the 18th century who called everything in China “chow chow.” It was the traders who brought the dogs from China to other parts of the world.
Black Tongue and Gait
Most people would list the tongue of the Chow Chow as their most notable feature. Some call it black while others describe the color as “blue-black.” Regardless, the tongue of this breed is not the pink of most breeds.
Another interesting trait of the breed are straight hind legs. Because their legs don’t bend like other dogs, they have a rather distinctive gait that is known as “stilted gait.” It makes them walk kind of funny, but they are adorable to look at.
Their large size, often up to 75 pounds, and muscled body, also made them ideal for pulling trade carts. They had great stamina, and large bones, so they could pull carts around all day.
The Chow Chow comes in a variety of colors, though the most common are probably black and brown. It’s important to note that solid colors are preferable and multi-colored coats very rarely occur.
Chow Chow fur is very soft and fluffy. It’s lovely to run your hands through the coat of your Chow Chow on a cold day. Unfortunately, in the past, these dogs were used for clothing. They were made into warm lining for jackets and comfortable ear muffs.
Types of Chow Chow
There are two distinct types of Chow Chow. One has a rough coat and the hair is up to several inches long. In this type, the grooming required is fairly significant and may take significant time if the dog exercises outdoors and gets sticks and burs tangled in the coat.
The short-haired version is very short. If the dog is brown, it can be mistaken for a Shar Pei – the Chinese Wrinkle Dog. Some people claim that the short-haired Chow Chow is more apt to be agreeable to training and commands than its long-haired counterpart.
Chow Chows are notoriously obstinate. It takes consistent, repetitive, training to accomplish anything with these dogs. Owners have to take command in order to keep these dogs in line. They have to be a real pack leader and take control.
A Chow Chow is a wonderful dog, but not a pet for the faint-hearted. Chow Chow’s are meant for people that have the patience and control necessary to appreciate this intelligent and tough dog.
