Welcome to the New England Chow Chow website.
   

 Is a Chow Chow the dog for you?

      The Chow Chow is one of the world’s oldest breeds. Legends say they were used in China as war dogs as early as the 11th century B.C.  We have proof that the Chow is over 2,000 years old. The chow chow is one of the world's oldest breed of dog.This ancient breed was once used to hunt tigers and bears and was also prized for its ability to scent, point, and retrieve pheasant and quail. The Chow was also revered as a ferocious guard and keen shepherd. Their work did not end here—they were also used for pulling sledges, employed to protect caravans and served as sentry on sampans and junks.

     As a result of the type of work the Chow Chow was bred for, it is not uncommon to see their adult temperaments manifest into characteristics that are sometimes difficult to deal with. Most puppies are very easy going, lovable teddy bears. Sadly, at 5 to 8 months of age, many of them undergo a change into a troublesome adult personality. The arduous traits that typically surface are guarding of food, toys and bones, aloofness, pushiness, irritable aggression, and aggressive guarding of owners and territory. These behaviors were deliberately bred in to produce a bold, determined hunting and guarding dog and they are a normal part of the Chow’s temperament. In a well-bred dog, irritable aggression should not be present, and, with training and socialization, the other behaviors should be manageable.

     When looking to bring a Chow into your family, great care should be taken to research a good breeder. The breeder should be well established and stand behind both the physical and mental health of his/her dogs. Also investigate the line of dogs for sociability—never purchase any puppy whose parents or other predecessors have shown signs of aggression! The puppies have probably inherited the temperament. A good breeder will know the temperament of his/her line intimately and should be able to answer your questions as well as match you with a pup whose personality will suit your family.

Chow chow puppies should be free of agression.     If your new puppy shows any sign of aggression, it is an enormous red flag that there is a problem! Immediately contact your breeder and/or a behaviorist for help. It is also imperative to research whether the line of dogs is free of genetically inherited physical defects. Chow Chows are prone to hip dysplasia but a reputable breeder will have had x-rays and certification done on the hips of the parents of the litter. This condition can be very painful for a dog and can be corrected with surgery, but the procedure is agonizing for the dog and very expensive. Because of the pain involved, hip displasia can also lead to irritable, aggressive behavior.

     Other issues are a result of having loose skin on the forehead that causes that adorable wrinkle above his eye. One effect is that the Chow Chow has very poor peripheral vision and can be easily startled if approached inappropriately. The other result is called entropion. This is when the skin surrounding the eye curls in, causing the hair and lashes to rub on the cornea. This ailment can cause corneal ulcers and early blindness, but is easily corrected with a simple surgical procedure. Any sight handicap or discomfort in connection to the eye can also lead to problematic behavior.

     Once you have found the right dog for you, it is imperative to socialize and train your new companion in order to prevent any behavioral problems in the future. As previously mentioned, a Chow puppy will seem easy going and accepting causing many owners not to worry about socialization—it is later that problems begin to surface. In light of this, socialization must be started immediately.  By the time your new baby is 12 weeks old, (s)he should have met a minimum of 100 brand new people—not the same 10 or 15 people several times. It is also critical that the people your puppy meets are different from those in your household! This includes children (infants, toddlers, and school age kids), adults, elderly people, and people in uniforms like the mailman or police officers.

Proper socialization of your chow chow puppy is critical to becoming a happy adult.     It is also crucial that the people the puppy meets people of all heights, weights and ethnic origin. All of these interactions need to be made fun with the help of treats, toys, and praise. Try to carefully select the people who your puppy will interact with. If you are unable to find certain types of people to play with or reward your puppy safely (like children), bring the puppy somewhere you can find them and simply give your pup treats as the people pass by. Socialization should continue heavily throughout the pups’ adolescence and into adulthood. Although the Chow is known to be a “one person dog” he should be very accepting of all others—especially if well socialized. It is also wise to think about where you will be in ten or so years—does your dog also need to be socialized to cats, turtles, or farm animals?

     Puppy kindergarten is absolutely essential with a Chow Chow. Continued positive, reinforcement training (not compulsive, force oriented training) into adulthood is also very highly recommended. The Chow is generally a pushy, dominant character and it is in his nature to try to become “top-dog”. With the continued help of a good trainer, you and your dog can become an exceptional team without any of these negative issues.

     As a companion, the Chow is dignified, reserved, and devoted. This wonderful breed can be a delightful addition to your family but they are not for everybody. If you are interested in living with a Chow, you can contact the National Chow Chow Club  or the New England Chow Club  for breeder referrals and Chow rescue facilities.

 Written by Christina Johnson, canine behaviorist and proud Chow owner & enthusiast since 1988.
    Copyright  © Christina Johnson - Do not distribute or copy without permission from author.